Blockchain technology has come a long way, undergoing a profound transformation. What once seemed like a speculative experiment is now recognized as a powerful tool for change in areas such as global finance, identity inscription and data management, and supply chain transparency. Despite setbacks such as the collapses of FTX, Terra Luna, 3AC, Celsius, Bitcoin’s enduring principles of decentralization, self-sovereignty, and permission-less participation in finance have reaffirmed trust in the international area.
S21 Community has played a significant role in reshaping perception of blockchain, particularly among expats and international audiences in Southeast Asia (SEA). At a time when the crypto and blockchain landscape in Asia was nearly non-existent, S21 embarked on its journey, created a platform that connected experts, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts, placing real-world blockchain applications at the centre stage. This inclusive approach fostered a culture of shared growth, shifting the narrative from skepticism to empowerment. Today, Asia stands as a global hub for the crypto community, hosting major events, attracting significant capital, and engaging hundreds of thousands of participants.
The story of S21 is as much about people as it is about technology. At its helm is Melissa Kurtcan, the founder and CEO of S21 whose academic background and entrepreneurial vision has shaped the community’s Standpoint and S21’s future as a venture studio. With degrees in philosophy and mathematics, and cognitive sciences masters, she brings a unique perspective to the fast-paced world of Web3. Melissa’s expertise in computational logic, neuro-marketing, and data driven business strategy has laid the groundwork for S21’s success.
Building A Dynamic International Blockchain Community
Since its inception, the Satoshi21 Community has evolved into a dynamic international blockchain hub, celebrating four impactful years in Southeast Asia. Its journey began during the global pandemic with a simple idea, which is to connect like-minded Bitcoin enthusiasts. This quickly grew into a thriving global community where professionals collaborate on relevant topics, inspired by local experiences, and work together to find solutions, learning from each other’s insights.
Over four years, S21 has launched community hubs, supported groundbreaking projects, and forged partnerships that have been key to its growth. “These experiences have taught us the importance of pairing innovation with execution, which inspired the vision for S21 Venture Studio which is to refine ideas into user-centric products and sustainable businesses”, says Melissa Kurtcan.
Satoshi21 Venture Studio: The Foundation for Innovation
At S21, diversity is the core of innovation. To ensure true diversity, the community practices empathy and remains mindful of cultural differences. Inclusivity is a top priority, ensuring that everyone, from seasoned experts to newcomers, feels valued and heard.
By empowering individuals and communities to shape their futures, S21 ensures that opportunities are equally available to all. This is further supported by collaborating and creating partnerships that create shared growth. Integrity remains central to all endeavors, with transparency and trust guiding every initiative. To bring this vision to life, S21 offers initiatives such as free mentorship, talent programs, local chapter collaborations, and educational workshops. These efforts cultivate a space where members grow together, share knowledge, and form meaningful connections.
A One Stop Solution
Then there is Satoshi21 Venture Studio with its components such as S21 Labs Developers House, Consultancy, S21 Venture. What sets S21 apart is its holistic, hands-on approach. The core service is business structure with all its parts, product design, financials and token economy, fundraising strategies, community building, and market expansion. The team doesn’t just consult, they carry out the projects to fundraising and invest themselves as well. Each project that is successfully funded becomes a partner and they are supported by others in the ecosystem as well as nurturing others.
From refining business models to executing market strategies, preparation of whitepapers, decks, brand guidelines and growth strategies, the focus is on creating real-world impact projects and building communities with shared values. S21’s community-driven ethos ensures that every project they support is rooted in collaboration and contributes to a common good. With a background in academics and quantitative market research in the corporate sector, Melissa is data driven and makes predictions and projections based on the trends.
She combines deep industry knowledge, years of experience with future focused mindset, always guided by ethical considerations to stay ahead in the market. Conscious tech, defined as creating technology with awareness of its societal and environmental impact is at the heart of the company’s approach.
S21’s community-driven ethos ensures that every project they support is rooted in collaboration and contributes to a common good
Overcoming Challenges
Scaling in the rapidly evolving blockchain industry requires sticking with the ideology, being mindful of the historicity and staying updated with the technological advancements and market shifts according to Melissa Kurtcan.
One of the key challenges is the need for thorough research about the trends and convincing founders of the importance of expert advice, research, and proper budget allocation for consultancy.
This can be particularly risky when making crucial decisions, such as selecting the right blockchain infrastructure, as neglecting expert advice can jeopardize an entire project. S21 overcomes this by creating valuable content across community channels, promoting the right values, and emphasizing collaboration. The company remains anchored in its core principles of integrity, information, decentralization, and adaptability. This ability to pivot and refine strategies has been key to their continued success in navigating challenges.
Lessons from the Founder
“Entrepreneurship is often a power game, and it’s crucial to stay aware of the dynamics at every level, both within and outside the organization. Traditionally, society hasn’t been entirely comfortable with strong, successful women, often associating them with unfair stereotypes that are rarely applied to their male counterparts. Traits like ambition, drive, and determination are labeled as overly ambitious, morally questionable, or difficult to deal with”, says Melissa Kurtcan.
However, these challenges have little impact on the bigger picture if one focuses on creating a meaningful journey. “The key is to have a dream, remain committed to your hard work and principles. There will always be those who recognize your value and offer support, especially if you stay focused on your own journey. Choose your battles wisely, seek mentorship and guidance, but always make your own decisions”, concludes Melissa.
Melissa Kurtcan, Founder & CEO
Melissa Kurtcan is an entrepreneurial leader with a unique blend of academic expertise and practical experience. With diverse degrees, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the Web3 space, 6+ years of experience in startups and more in the Bitcoin ecosystem. As the founder of S21 Community and Satoshi21 Venture Studio, Melissa has played a pivotal role in shaping the community’s impact, driving innovation, and fostering a collaborative environment where education, creativity, and decentralization thrive.
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