Cza is definitely a degen of all trades and is a master of laws. Currently, she is working with tech startups in Web3 and as an accelerator while focusing on social impact initiatives in the community.
What were you doing before Web3?
I’m currently the Crypto Research Fellow for VentureESG and an affiliate at Cambridge University’s Minder Centre for Technology and Democracy. Before Web3 I was just finishing up my Masters in International Trade Law and was working in real estate/founded a proptech startup.
How did you get into Web3?
I wanted to elevate an art business I started during COVID-19’s lockdown. At that point I was growing fast and wanted to keep elevating my access/ideas. Around that time NFTs was popping up on my TL almost every other tweet and did some research, applied what I learned, sold my first NFT on Opensea as a phyghital art piece.
What was your first crypto or NFT project?
I can’t remember if it’s Mango Heroes or The Chill Elephants Club. Like most people’s first NFT project, they’re usually a rug at this point.
How would you explain what you do to someone outside of Web3?
What I do is pretty industry-specific, so it’s quite hard to explain it to a non-web3 native person. But in essence, I’m helping curate industry standards for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) for investors who want to invest in crypto or web3-based projects/founders.
Which creator or thought leader do you enjoy learning from?
@CitygirlsDAO / @Content_Army / @GGCapital_ / @TheBrainTrust__
What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?
Getting appointed for this Research Fellow role. It just proved to me that my thoughts, opinions, contributions, and work in this space is not measured by how long you’ve been in it, but by how much value you provide. To work on a project backed by some sort of affiliation with a prestigious institution like Cambridge University is very humbling. I’m constantly surrounded by people who are 10x smarter than me and that has helped me grow exponentially.
What tech or crypto trend are you watching this year?
I’m very interested in the way people are merging Web2 type of marketing/branding into their NFT projects or DAOs. So far it seems like a certain font is metastasizing, copywrites are very similar, and value propositions like merch sound/look very alike to one another. I’m interested to see whether it’s the Web2 brands going into web3 who’ll be able to capitalize from better marketing or if someone in web3 is brave enough to completely pave a new path with their branding.
What advice would you give someone starting out in Web3?
Find a therapist— you’re gonna need one soon.
If you could do a TED talk on any topic, what would it be?
There are so many dope TED talks it’s really hard to come up with something unique, but I’d probably follow the same line of topic that Rita Pierson covered surrounding the importance of every kid needing a champion and niche my topic to young carers specifically. As someone who has taken care of an autistic, disabled, and non-verbal sibling, I feel a sense of duty bringing into light an underrepresented, often overlooked group of young people with these superpowers.
What is the one thing you would bring if you were stuck on a deserted Island?
My Bible (The 1611 KJV version, to be exact!)
POW stands for “Proof of Work.” It is a new feature article series in The Mega Maxi to highlight the savviest builders in the Web3 space.
