Hatem Elsayed shares his journey in the blockchain space, illustrating the vital roles of community and partnerships in Web3.
The episode emphasizes investing in strong teams, creating meaningful collaborations, and the evolving trends that are shaping the future of this industry.
• Exploring the significance of networking in blockchain
• Hatem's journey from ambassador to COO
• Importance of governance and community in blockchain projects
• Overview of Advanced Blockchain AG’s innovative investment strategy
• Criteria for evaluating potential investment projects
• Key factors for forming successful partnerships
• The vital role of community engagement and feedback
• Exciting narratives shaping the future of blockchain technology
Building Strong Partnerships in Web3
Engaging with Potential Partners
Hatem underscores the importance of being proactive in connecting with potential partners. Drawing inspiration from Denzel Washington’s quote, “If you hang around the barber shop, you’ll get a haircut sooner or later,” he advises positioning yourself in spaces where like-minded collaborators gather. Networking at conferences and events or initiating direct conversations are vital steps in this process.
Proactive outreach involves approaching potential partners with a clear understanding of mutual goals. Partnerships grounded in shared values—rather than superficial marketing collaborations—yield the most meaningful connections. Leveraging personal introductions from your network can further solidify trust and open doors that cold outreach often cannot.
Creating Meaningful Collaborations
For partnerships to succeed, alignment in vision and values is paramount. Clear goals and measurable objectives should guide the relationship, ensuring accountability and focus. These structured approaches minimize misunderstandings and foster a productive collaboration where both parties contribute valuable resources and expertise.
Evaluating Investment Opportunities
Assessing Teams and Technology
A project’s success often hinges on its team. Hatem stresses the need to evaluate not only past achievements but also the team’s vision, drive, and compatibility with investors' values. A cohesive, skilled team with strong collaboration is a significant predictor of project success.
Beyond the team, investors must assess whether a project addresses a genuine market need. Promising technology must be paired with practical use cases that resonate with users. This combination ensures that investments are not speculative but grounded in real-world demand.
Investing Beyond Capital
The most effective investors go beyond providing financial support—they act as strategic partners. By offering consultancy, networking opportunities, and ongoing guidance, investors can significantly enhance a project’s chances of success.
The Role of Communities in Blockchain
Building Active Communities
Communities are the backbone of blockchain projects, serving as advocates and early adopters. Hatem emphasizes that vibrant ecosystems thrive when members feel valued and engaged. Clear community goals, authentic engagement, and value-driven initiatives foster this sense of belonging.
Strategies such as gamification and incentives can further enhance engagement. Rewarding participation—whether through tokens, recognition, or exclusive access—motivates members to contribute actively. Regularly monitoring engagement metrics ensures that these strategies remain effective and aligned with community needs.
Staying Ahead of Web3 Trends
Key Trends Shaping Blockchain
Several emerging trends are transforming the Web3 landscape:
- Interoperability: Seamless communication between blockchains will drive innovation and broader adoption. Chain abstraction is simplifying cross-chain interactions, making blockchain technology more accessible.
- User-Centric Solutions: Blockchain applications are shifting focus from technical complexities to user outcomes, enhancing accessibility and engagement.
- Decentralized Infrastructure: Concepts like decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) are empowering users to monetize their data and contribute to equitable digital economies.
- AI and Blockchain Integration: The synergy between AI and blockchain is revolutionizing industries, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and security.
Opportunities for Innovation
These trends present immense opportunities for those willing to adapt and innovate. Staying informed and embracing these developments ensures readiness for the evolving blockchain ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Hatem’s insights provide a roadmap for navigating the Web3 landscape:
- Engage proactively: Position yourself where potential partners are and initiate meaningful conversations.
- Evaluate holistically: Look beyond financial metrics to assess teams, technology, and market fit.
- Foster meaningful partnerships: Align visions and values while setting clear goals.
- Build active communities: Create value-driven engagement strategies and monitor their impact.
- Stay informed: Keep pace with trends in interoperability, user-centric solutions, decentralized infrastructure, and AI.
By applying these strategies, entrepreneurs and marketers can position themselves for success in the dynamic world of blockchain and Web3.

Hatem Elsayed, COO of Advanced Blockchain AG
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
[01:10] Can you share your journey into Web3 and your role at Advanced Blockchain AG?
[04:41] Since you focus a lot on innovation, how do you identify and evaluate projects for investment or support?
[09:35] How crucial is a founder’s personal brand in your evaluation, and how do you assess the strength of a founding team?
[11:01] How do you view partnerships, and what advice do you give on building them?
[16:38] What’s your opinion on how a community benefits companies and builders in the space?
[19:32] How can companies keep their communities active and engaged after building them? Any examples you've seen?
[21:02] What excites you most right now in the world of Web3 and blockchain?
[25:08] Where can people meet you at conferences or find more information about you online?
NOTABLE QUOTES
“You hang around the barberhop, you get a haircut sooner or later. So you need to hang out in the places where the partner is there.”
“First of all, you invest in people. It's not only financials. We have people that you invest in.”
“You need to define, you need to check if it exists. You need to also have clear goals together.”
“Blockchain projects are based on communities because these are actually the early adapters of what is being built more or less.”
“You should have a clear strategy on how to keep your community incentivized.”
MENTIONED RESOURCES
Advanced Blockchain: https://www.advancedblockchain.com/
Polkadot Network: https://polkadot.com/
CONNECT
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hatemelsayed16/