Team Spotlight Series: Meet Mário Ribeiro Alves, CEO

Welcome to another issue of the Team Spotlight series at LayerX 🚀

In this series, we delve into the stories, experiences, and perspectives of the incredible people that make LayerX. Today, we get to chat with Mário Ribeiro Alves, CEO at LayerX and Co-founder, where we'll get to know what it's like to be steer LayerX through its journey of growth.

What’s the role of a startup founder in a web3 startup?

As a founder in a web3 startup, it's all about making smart moves with what we've got. It's crucial to listen - to our team, the market, and everyone involved. In web3, things move fast, and staying tuned in helps us keep up and stand out.

What leadership qualities do you consider most important for leading an organization? How do you foster those qualities within your team?

Communication is everything. It's about talking clearly and listening well. In our fast-moving web3 world, this is how we stay on the same page and keep pushing forward. I try to set an example in this and adapt to the different ways my team works.

What inspired you to start a web3-focused company?

I've been into blockchain since 2016. Back then, I was all about building local communities and supporting projects. That experience was a big push for starting my own web3 company. We've always been about connecting innovative minds with organizations, and that's still what drives us.

What are the core values and culture that drive LayerX?

As LayerX grows , so does our culture. It's crucial to have clear values from the start. Mine came from my Taekwondo practice: indomitable spirit, integrity, courtesy, empowerment. These values don't just guide the company; they're a big part of my life too.

What tips would you give to a starting entrepreneur?

Just get going. Planning is important, but action is key. In web3, the sooner you start, the sooner you'll learn and improve. It's all about making those first steps.

What challenges have you encountered while working in the web3 space?

Starting in 2016, I faced a lot of skepticism. It's been a journey to change minds, but I'm optimistic that we will keep improving on different areas like regulation and UX in the years to come. We're still early, but I have no doubt web3 is here to stay.

What emerging trends or developments within the web3 industry excite you the most?

As an economist, I'm really into how decentralized finance will change our daily lives. Imagine managing your money with crypto while still having the usual financial services like loans or online shopping. That future is closer than you think.

How do you envision the web3 space five years from now?

In five years, web3 will still be growing up. We'll see more people get into it, but the big shift will likely take a decade. That's when we'll really see blockchain blend with everyday stuff and get more government recognition.

What’s one thing you’re learning now or learned recently? 

I'm checking out how web3 can mix with physical sports. Right now, I'm learning paddle tennis, and I think it'd be cool to see web3 tech helping people get better at sports with some sort of Play & Earn idea, but in real life.

Anything else you’d like to share with our community?

Keep building and learning. We're all in this together!

And that's all for today folks!

Stay tuned for the next episode of our Team Spotlight series, where we'll introduce you to another remarkable member of the LayerX family. 

About LayerX

LayerX connects web3 developers and organizations through hackathons and task-based work, bringing together talent and opportunities to create innovative solutions.

Our hackathon platform, TAIKAI, and Task Marketplace at Bepro Network empower developers to showcase their skills and earn rewards. Don’t forget to join our community and say hello on Discord!