As a grant maker at @HRF's Bitcoin Development Fund, few things frustrate me more than copycat ideas—projects that look exactly like something we’ve already funded, just transplanted to a different location.
Over the years from my time @CcHUB, I’ve listened to thousands of pitches, and I’ve developed a kind of sixth sense for sniffing out what’s truly original versus what’s just a repackaged version of an existing idea.
So, how do I separate the game-changers from the "me-too" projects? Here’s what goes through my mind (sometimes subconsciously) when evaluating a pitch:
1. The Person Behind the Idea
Who’s driving this? What’s their story, their values, their integrity? A founder’s authenticity and commitment often determine whether a project will succeed or flop. I pay attention not just to what’s said, but also to what’s not said—the nuances matter.
2. The "Why" Behind the Project
Why did the founder choose this problem? The more personal the connection to the issue, the more convinced I am that they’ll stick with it when things get tough. Passion rooted in lived experience beats a generic "I saw a gap in the market" or “It came to me in the shower” every time.
3. The Solution (and Whether It Actually Solves the Problem)
This might sound obvious, but so many solutions are built before the problem is fully understood. I look for ideas that directly address a well-researched, validated need—and a clear theory of change that explains how the solution tackles the problem. No hand-waving, just logic.
4. Progress Made So Far
What have you done with little or no funding? If my grant is the only thing standing between your idea and oblivion, that’s a red flag. I love seeing scrappy, resourceful founders who’ve already made headway—it tells me they’re in it for the long haul.
5. The Right Founder for the Right Audience
Do you really know the people you’re serving? And are you the best person to serve them? If your answer is "this project is for everyone," I’m probably not interested. Impact is about depth, not breadth.
6. A Vision for Success (and Obsolescence)
How will the world be different if you succeed? And—just as important—what’s your plan to not be needed forever? The best solutions aim to solve a problem so thoroughly that they eventually work themselves out of a job.
Of course, these aren’t hard-and-fast rules, and sometimes great projects slip through the cracks. But with limited time and funding, I’d rather bet on ideas that check these boxes—because they’re the ones most likely to create real, lasting change.
What do you think? What’s your approach to spotting original (and fundable) ideas?
Over the years from my time @CcHUB, I’ve listened to thousands of pitches, and I’ve developed a kind of sixth sense for sniffing out what’s truly original versus what’s just a repackaged version of an existing idea.
So, how do I separate the game-changers from the "me-too" projects? Here’s what goes through my mind (sometimes subconsciously) when evaluating a pitch:
1. The Person Behind the Idea
Who’s driving this? What’s their story, their values, their integrity? A founder’s authenticity and commitment often determine whether a project will succeed or flop. I pay attention not just to what’s said, but also to what’s not said—the nuances matter.
2. The "Why" Behind the Project
Why did the founder choose this problem? The more personal the connection to the issue, the more convinced I am that they’ll stick with it when things get tough. Passion rooted in lived experience beats a generic "I saw a gap in the market" or “It came to me in the shower” every time.
3. The Solution (and Whether It Actually Solves the Problem)
This might sound obvious, but so many solutions are built before the problem is fully understood. I look for ideas that directly address a well-researched, validated need—and a clear theory of change that explains how the solution tackles the problem. No hand-waving, just logic.
4. Progress Made So Far
What have you done with little or no funding? If my grant is the only thing standing between your idea and oblivion, that’s a red flag. I love seeing scrappy, resourceful founders who’ve already made headway—it tells me they’re in it for the long haul.
5. The Right Founder for the Right Audience
Do you really know the people you’re serving? And are you the best person to serve them? If your answer is "this project is for everyone," I’m probably not interested. Impact is about depth, not breadth.
6. A Vision for Success (and Obsolescence)
How will the world be different if you succeed? And—just as important—what’s your plan to not be needed forever? The best solutions aim to solve a problem so thoroughly that they eventually work themselves out of a job.
Of course, these aren’t hard-and-fast rules, and sometimes great projects slip through the cracks. But with limited time and funding, I’d rather bet on ideas that check these boxes—because they’re the ones most likely to create real, lasting change.
What do you think? What’s your approach to spotting original (and fundable) ideas?
About 2.5 years ago, I embarked on a transformative journey into the world of Bitcoin, and it all started with a simple conversation.
The Spark: A Recommendation Request
I was asked to recommend someone to run operations for Qala, a new program designed to train African software engineers for careers in Bitcoin development.
Up until that moment, I only knew of Bitcoin as a digital currency and investment asset but had no idea about the technology or the community of developers behind it.
The recommendation request triggered my curiosity. After all, how could I recommend someone for something I didn’t fully understand?
Little did I know that this would be the beginning of an exciting journey down the Bitcoin rabbit hole.
A New Realization
I began by downloading The Bitcoin Standard and diving into a few blogs.
The more I read, the more I realized just how vast and revolutionary the Bitcoin ecosystem really was.
It is not just a digital asset; it is an alternative to our broken global monetary system, a system I believed is responsible for many of the challenges facing my beloved Africa.
Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto's peer-to-peer electronic cash system, offers a way out. But for Africa to benefit, we have to engage this new technology as producers, not just consumers—unlike how we have engaged previous waves of technology.
Qala was aiming to equip Africans with the skills to become value creators in the Bitcoin space, but it needed the right leadership and guidance.
Perfect Alignment: My Background in Learning and Development
Having recently stepped away from day-to-day operations at CcHub, I had completed a research-based Master’s in Learning Science at the Paris University School of Interdisciplinary Research. My research & thesis focused on what motivates young adults in Africa to engage in informal learning.
This new Bitcoin program aligned perfectly with my interests in African development, capacity building and education. It wasn’t just a good fit; it felt like a calling.
Taking the Leap
So, instead of recommending someone else for the job, I offered myself… and I got it!
To be continued…
One of the mantras I live by is, “You develop best when you are developing others.”
I deeply believe that teaching others is the most powerful way to deepen your understanding of any subject. This belief has guided me throughout my life and eventually led me to pursue an MSc in EdTech/Learning Science.
Teaching not only benefits those you’re sharing knowledge with, but it also accelerates your own learning and growth.
Here are some reasons why I find teaching as such a transformative practice:
1. Teaching forces you to learn the subject more deeply.
When you teach something, you can’t just gloss over the basics—you need to know the topic inside and out. Preparing to teach others pushes you to dig deeper into the material, helping you discover nuances and details you might not have noticed before. It challenges you to not only understand but also explain concepts in a way that others can grasp. In the process, you gain a richer and more thorough understanding of your subject.
2. Repetition makes knowledge stick.
One of the best ways to make knowledge stick is through repetition, and teaching gives you plenty of opportunities for that. Every time you explain a concept to someone else, you’re reinforcing that knowledge in your own mind. The more you teach, the more ingrained that information becomes, solidifying it in your long-term memory.
3. Answering questions helps you explore new angles.
Students often ask questions that make you think about your subject in new ways. Sometimes their questions lead you to ideas or areas you hadn’t considered before. This back-and-forth exchange not only keeps the material fresh but also expands your own understanding as you explore different aspects of the topic.
Remember, teaching isn’t just about passing on knowledge. It’s about reinforcing your own understanding, deepening your expertise, and continuously learning from the people you’re teaching.
So, if you know something worth sharing, don’t hesitate—start teaching!
Whenever I start any design process—whether it’s for life, business, a conference, a product, a social service, or even a learning experience—there are three key questions I always ask myself.
These questions help me get my bearings, like figuring out where I am before I begin the journey toward the change I want to make.
Here are the questions:
1. What outcome am I designing for?
We don’t design just for the sake of it. The whole point of designing is to bring something specific to life, a particular goal or vision. You likely have a clear picture in your mind of what that looks like, but it’s important to say it out loud or write it down. Why? Because defining the outcome not only helps you clarify exactly what you’re aiming for, but it also creates something concrete that you can share with others who might join you in the design process.
2. What resources do we have for the design?
Every design is built from the resources available to you. This could be physical objects, people, locations, funds—whatever you can pull from. Think of it like cooking a meal. You need to know what ingredients you already have and what you might need to go out and get. By identifying your resources upfront, you can figure out whether your design is realistic and start planning any necessary prep work before diving in.
3. What constraints do we need to consider?
Constraints are the real-world factors you have to account for. What limitations or requirements must your design meet to work in the context you’re designing for? For example, are there age restrictions, legal requirements, or specific needs of the people you’re designing for? Constraints help you understand the boundaries your design will need to function within.
So, as you get ready to create something new and bring about the change you’re passionate about, remember to ask yourself these three questions. They’ll help you stay grounded and clear before you make your first move.
May the force be with you!
