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cover of episode She Backed Bitcoin Early. Now She’s Betting on What’s Next. | Ep 228 with Laura K. Inamedinova Chief Ecosystem Officer at Gate.io

She Backed Bitcoin Early. Now She’s Betting on What’s Next. | Ep 228 with Laura K. Inamedinova Chief Ecosystem Officer at Gate.io

2025/6/13
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Laura Inamedinova: 我最初进入加密货币领域完全是出于偶然。在大学期间，我对无需政府或中央银行支持的互联网新货币产生了浓厚的兴趣，并购买了一些比特币作为初步尝试。后来，我帮助科技公司和初创公司进入市场，并被一些加密货币领域的创始人邀请参与一个ICO项目。尽管当时ICO的结构很奇怪，但我还是决定冒险尝试，结果在一周内筹集到了七位数资金。我意识到，如果进入加密货币这个新兴行业，我可以在几年内成为行业内的OG，而无需与那些年长且更有经验的人竞争。我早期的冒险精神帮助我进入了加密货币领域，并积累了近10年的经验。现在，加密货币行业正在成熟，许多国家都有监管，大型基金和养老基金也开始购买比特币。人工智能可以被加密货币利用，例如用于交易、营销和支付解决方案，而加密货币也可以被人工智能公司用于支付。目前VC行业的资金多于优质项目，VC们正在努力寻找合适的创始人。许多进入加密货币领域的人缺乏经验，并且对快速赚钱抱有不切实际的期望。如今，投资者更看重那些有经验、有业绩记录、有明确市场策略的创始人，尤其是在代币项目方面。许多VC正在转向流动性策略，投资于流动性强的代币，而不是早期项目。拥有以往的成功经验当然是加分项，但Web2和Web3的运作方式截然不同。Web3的商业模式主要基于代币，创始人需要制定维持代币价格的策略。在传统B2B SaaS业务中取得成功的经验与建立社区驱动的B2C代币业务所需的技能和策略大相径庭。加密货币企业需要投入更多资金用于营销和炒作，以维持代币价格。许多创始人发行代币仅仅是为了融资，而不是因为代币有实际需求，这会导致项目失败。80%的加密货币项目不需要代币，只需要一个好的商业模式和盈利能力。代币更容易融资和提供流动性，但这也可能导致项目失败。风险投资是为了盈利，而不是慈善或实现创始人的梦想。创始人需要专注于如何为投资者带来回报。风险投资的目标是获得数倍的回报，而不是仅仅获得10-15%的年收益。创始人需要向投资者展示如何获得10倍的回报，以及他们的专有知识和竞争优势是什么。仅仅比别人便宜或好是不够的，真正的竞争优势是前所未有的、独特的。创始人需要专注于如何为投资者赚钱，并具体说明如何启动代币、维持代币价格、销售产品和产生收入。个人品牌是一把双刃剑，一方面可以带来机会，另一方面也会带来压力。我通过LinkedIn教育创始人如何进行融资和准备与投资者会面，但作为买方，个人品牌也会让我感到疲惫。参加活动时，如果每个人都想从你这里获取东西，会让人感到疲惫。为了不让VC感到疲惫，你应该在寻求帮助之前先为他们增加价值。每个VC都有自己的投资理论，包括投资的领域、阶段和公司类型，这些标准通常是明确的。在活动中，创始人应该用五句话向VC介绍自己、融资目的、金额、估值以及重要的合作伙伴或数据。创始人应该直奔主题，节省VC的时间，如果项目不符合VC的投资标准，就不要浪费时间。我们只投资代币，主要关注稳定币、DeFi、基础设施和PayFi，并且对估值低于5000万美元的早期项目感兴趣。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Laura Inamedinova's journey into the cryptocurrency world began unexpectedly during her physics studies. Her initial curiosity about Bitcoin led to early investments, and subsequent involvement with early ICOs solidified her path in the industry. The relatively immature nature of the crypto market at the time provided a unique opportunity for rapid advancement.
  • Accidental entry into Bitcoin during college
  • Early investments in Bitcoin
  • Involvement in early ICOs
  • Recognized the potential for rapid advancement in a young industry

Shownotes Transcript

Laura Inamedinova), one of the most influential women in Web3. From her accidental entry into Bitcoin during college to leading investments at Gate Ventures, Laura shares unfiltered insights into crypto, venture capital, and what most founders get wrong when pitching investors.

Key Discussion Points:

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How Laura’s curiosity in college led to early Bitcoin investments

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Why being early in an immature industry gave her an unfair advantage

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The biggest mistakes crypto founders make when raising capital

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How VCs actually think—and what they look for in a pitch

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Why personal brand is both a superpower and a liability in VC

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The tension between real utility and hype in token-based projects

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How to pitch in 5 sentences or less and actually get a callback

Takeaways:

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Entering an immature industry can fast-track your expertise—if you're willing to take risks.

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Most founders pitch dreams. Investors want clear paths to 10x returns.

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“Being cheaper or faster isn’t a competitive edge. It’s just noise.”

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Want funding? Don’t tell your life story. Share your token model, GTM plan, and why your cap table matters.

**Closing Thoughts:**Laura leaves us with a reminder: if you're serious about raising from top crypto VCs, do your homework and respect their time. The best pitches are clear, specific, and relentlessly focused on how everyone wins.