HIBT Lab! Bored Ape Yacht Club: Greg Solano and Wylie Aronow

A group of friends with no technical background or previous experience in the field managed to create a hugely successful NFT project, turning their company from worth nothing to valued at over $4 billion in just a year. This shows that expertise or a deep understanding of a specific industry isn't always a prerequisite for success. Instead, what seemed to be essential for these friends was their passion for literature and their immersion in the culture surrounding cryptocurrencies and NFTs. It highlights the value of creativity, curiosity, and the ability to adapt and learn quickly in rapidly evolving industries. Additionally, it demonstrates the significant demand for digital products like NFTs, with billions of dollars being spent on them in recent years.

Life can take unexpected turns, and our paths may diverge from those of our friends. While Wylie pursued higher education and found a job in his desired field, Greg faced a decade of chronic illness and immense medical debt. This contrast highlights the unpredictability of life and the different challenges we may encounter along the way. Despite these divergences, their friendship endured through group chats and online gaming sessions, showcasing the power of connections and shared experiences. It's a reminder that even when faced with personal struggles, maintaining connections with friends can provide support and alleviate some of life's burdens.

Wylie and Greg's friendship was formed around their shared interests in playing games, discussing literary ideas, and eventually diving into the world of cryptocurrencies. Despite rarely physically seeing each other, their relationship thrived through texts, phone calls, and exploring the possibilities of cryptocurrencies together. Initially skeptical about Bitcoin, Wylie's interest in cryptocurrencies grew during the bull run of 2017. While Bitcoin seemed limited in its potential, Ethereum captured Wylie's attention with its rich ecosystem and endless possibilities. On the other hand, Greg had been dabbling in investments, including penny stocks, since college, making the transition to cryptocurrencies a natural step. This unique journey brought them closer as friends and partners in the crypto world.

Wylie and Greg's journey with cryptocurrency started as a casual interest. They heard about it but initially dismissed it as unimportant. However, as they delved deeper into the world of cryptocurrency and discovered its potential, they became passionate about it. They found themselves investing time in learning about technical analysis and participating in the vibrant and exciting crypto community on platforms like Crypto Twitter. Their friendship evolved into a creative partnership where they exchanged ideas and developed projects together. They realized that their shared interest in cryptocurrency could be a foundation for a business, but it took time for that idea to fully materialize. This story highlights the importance of paying attention to new and emerging opportunities, even if they initially seem unappealing, and following your passions and interests to find potential success.

Working with Wiley and Greg was a balance of boldness and simplicity. Despite only meeting a few times, they recognized each other's strengths and desired to collaborate. Wiley's boldness and determination to focus on ideas for a long time complemented Greg's maximalist approach, wanting to add complexity and ambition. The process of working together yielded fruitful results by meeting in the middle. While Wiley simplified things to their core, Greg pushed for more complexity. Their collaboration was a combination of reining each other back and pushing each other forward. What started as a desire to create a literary journal turned into a deep and important connection. The introduction to NFTs in 2017 added an interesting dimension to their creativity and understanding of blockchain technology.

The early projects like Crypto Kitties and Crypto Punks lacked a clear end goal and didn't offer much scarcity or rarity. The concept of digital collectibles was still new and the games associated with them were not fully developed. However, with projects like Hash Mask, a shift occurred in early 2021. Hash Mask was an art project that used blockchain as a medium, offering unique and intriguing paintings with masked characters. It captured the attention of not just buyers and collectors, but also creative storytellers like Wylie Aronow and Greg Solano. This highlighted the potential of blockchain as a platform for artistic expression and opened up a new realm of possibilities in the NFT space.

The creators of the Board Ape Yacht Club NFT collection saw an opportunity to contribute to the crypto space using their artistic background. The spark came from their obsession with digital assets and the culture they witnessed on crypto Twitter. They wanted to make something special and unique, rather than just being spectators. When they decided to start the project, they aimed to improve upon existing models in the NFT ecosystem. They wanted to create an egalitarian vibe and a sense of community, unlike the predatory pricing structures they observed. By pricing each NFT at $200, they ensured that everyone had an equal opportunity to be a part of the Board Ape Yacht Club.

The creators of the NFT project initially focused on what they thought people would like, rather than what they found cool and enjoyable. However, they realized that authenticity was important and shifted their approach. The idea of a collaborative art board turned into a bathroom wall concept, ultimately resembling a dive bar in the Everglades. They then recognized the connection to the popular term "ape" in cryptocurrency communities and incorporated that into their project. This highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing the unique characteristics of a medium or community. By doing so, they were able to create a concept that resonated with their audience and fostered a sense of exclusivity and community.

The founders of Board Apes Yacht Club, Greg Solano and Wylie Aronow, recognized the importance of embracing a unique cultural moment and narrative in the world of NFTs. Despite not having a technical background, they understood that starting an NFT project required the expertise of programmers and coders. To overcome this barrier, they reached out to people they knew who had studied computer science and convinced them to join their team. By combining their non-technical skills with the technical knowledge of their team members, they were able to create a successful project. This highlights the significance of collaboration and leveraging the strengths of different individuals to achieve success in a complex and evolving industry like NFTs.

The founders of Board Ape Yacht Club started the project with limited resources, working on it during their nights and weekends while juggling day jobs. They needed to hire out certain tasks, such as website development, and ended up spending around $30,000. Despite financial challenges, one of the founders, Greg, managed to convince his mother to invest in the LLC, showcasing his dedication and passion. The initial concept of the project was to sell apes as NFTs on a marketplace, but the founders went further by creating a brand identity and empowering the community. They allowed owners of board apes to have full commercial rights, enabling them to use the apes as their online identity. The inclusion of this feature attracted the community to start using the intellectual property, highlighting the influence of innovative ideas in the NFT space.

Successfully marketing a product or project requires creativity, persistence, and finding unique ways to stand out. When launching their website, board API club faced the challenge of getting the word out and attracting attention in a crowded online space. They used strategies like a treasure hunt and creating honorary boards to catch people's interest. They actively engaged with influencers on Twitter and leveraged humor to generate buzz. Initially, there wasn't much excitement, and only a small number of NFTs were pre-sold. However, when the entire collection was revealed, people fell in love with the art, and word-of-mouth spread rapidly, leading to a sellout in just one night. Additionally, the affordability of their product compared to others also contributed to its success. So, finding innovative ways to market and creating a product that resonates with the audience can lead to significant visibility and demand.

The success of the NFT project, the Bored Ape Yacht Club, was driven by several factors. Firstly, the project offered a flat price for its NFTs, appealing to collectors who were hesitant to pay increasing prices in other collections. Secondly, there was a sense of exclusivity and utility attached to owning these NFTs, with the idea of accessing a digital "bathroom wall" creating excitement and intrigue. Additionally, the project focused on storytelling and creating a unique website experience, which resonated with potential buyers. Furthermore, the formation of a welcoming and supportive community around the project played a crucial role in its success. Ultimately, the project tapped into the interests of crypto-native individuals and offered a fresh and innovative take on NFTs, contributing to its rapid sale of 10,000 NFTs at a value of $220 each.

The creators of crypto punks, Wylie Aronow and Matt, had a different approach in monetizing their art. Instead of holding onto a large number of punks and waiting for their value to increase, they focused on building an egalitarian club. They believed in the spirit of the club, where one membership is equal to any other membership. They only owned one ape each and didn't even choose them. Their revenue model involved taking a small cut every time one of their apes was resold on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. This approach allowed them to focus on building the club and empowering creators. Via smart contracts, they attached certain privileges and rights to the ownership of the art, thereby empowering creators and benefiting from network effects. Ultimately, this approach resulted in the club gaining popularity and becoming beloved, similar to Disney.

The success of UGA Labs and the Board API Club highlights the power of community-driven growth in the crypto world. While the founders set the stage by creating a more egalitarian platform and empowering creators, it is ultimately the community that has fueled the astronomical rise in the value of Board Ape NFTs. The exclusivity of the club has played a significant role in this growth, and the founders are committed to preserving that exclusivity while also finding ways to make the crypto world more accessible to a wider audience. Their focus on onboarding the next million people into crypto and making it pass the "mom test" demonstrates their dedication to expanding the ecosystem and allowing more individuals to enjoy the benefits of truly owning digital assets.

The success of projects like Board Ape Yacht Club in the crypto world is heavily dependent on the power of community and network effects. Unlike other projects that feature profiles of cats or robots, Board Ape Yacht Club was able to thrive because of its grassroots origins and the passionate community that grew around it. Its beloved brand and success cannot be easily replicated by simply copying its concept. Additionally, this conversation highlights the importance of adaptability and collaboration, as the founders of Board Ape Yacht Club were able to navigate the challenges of building their virtual club remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their dedication and constant communication played a crucial role in their achievements. Overall, this case emphasizes the ongoing growth and significance of web three companies, with many more expected to emerge in the future.

UGA Labs, despite being a creative and non-business-oriented group, recognized the value of collaborating with outside investors. They saw themselves as a band, with a unique energy and interaction that caught the attention of potential investors. Realizing the strategic insights and resources these investors could offer, UGA Labs decided to bring them on as partners, despite already being profitable at the time. They embraced the idea of seeking feedback and input from others, taking inspiration from the founder's father who used to gather opinions from anyone he came across. Additionally, by raising funds and building a substantial war chest, UGA Labs aimed to secure their position in the market and remain well-capitalized to continue expanding their ecosystem. They showcased their visionary approach through significant acquisitions like CryptoPunks and MeBits. Ultimately, this journey highlights the importance of embracing collaboration, seeking strategic advice, and remaining well-funded for long-term success in the industry.

The founders, Greg Solano and Wylie Aronow, wanted to create their own metaverse, called Other Side, with a focus on ownership and interoperability. They were inspired by their experiences playing massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMR RPGs) and observing the developments in existing metaverses like Metta, Central Land, and Sandbox. Unlike traditional metaverses, Other Side doesn't require users to wear goggles and can be accessed through mobile devices or computers. What sets Other Side apart is the emphasis on community co-creation and the ability for users to own and trade their digital assets. This idea of ownership and trading is reminiscent of trading card games like Magic: The Gathering, where players can own collectibles and trade them freely. It's a vision of a gamified, immersive, and permissionless metaverse that allows for socialization and personal expression.

The metaverse, which some may view as a dystopian future, is more likely to be a space for gaming, exploration, and fun rather than a replacement for real-life interactions. While it is true that we already spend a significant amount of our lives in digital spaces, the key is to find ways to enhance our interactions and make them more meaningful. We have experienced the power of rich digital lives translating into real ones, forming friendships and connections that cross boundaries. By establishing standards that promote fairness and transparency, and giving users more control over their assets, we can create a better and more egalitarian metaverse. Incentivizing cooperation and purpose in online spaces, particularly in gaming, can lead to more engaging experiences. While physical and digital consumer goods are a part of the metaverse, the games industry holds the most potential for disruption and growth.

The future of the space is ripe for disruption, with thinner margins than existing players. Despite the challenges, it presents a rich opportunity for startups to build tools that communities need and want. For example, token proof, initially a COVID vaccine app, pivoted to becoming an NFT authenticator for in-person events. This innovative approach was highly successful. The yoga community, in particular, is projected to grow, creating further potential for growth. UGA labs and board API club have successfully scaled their company by hiring from within the community and fostering a good culture. By becoming an authentic part of the space and getting involved in relevant platforms like discords, there are numerous niches where one can make a meaningful impact.