Who is Behind the SmartNFT and $VEE?
Exploring the Innovators Behind VEE and BLOCKv: The Faces of the SmartNFT Revolution!
TL;DR
This article explores the origins and development of the SmartNFT and $VEE token, starting with the founding of vAtomic Systems in 2015 and its transformation into Vatom. It highlights the creation of BLOCKv as an open-source counterpart, emphasizing the pivotal roles played by key individuals in driving these innovations forward. The narrative covers significant milestones, including the first NFT creation, the rise of SmartMedia Technologies, and its acquisition of BLOCKv Solutions, along with a notable partnership with VISA. It underscores how the dedication and vision of these individuals have quietly shaped the landscape of digital assets and blockchain technology.
You don’t know about $VEE? » $VEE Token in a Nutshell
Phase 1: vAtomic Systems
vAtomic Systems was established in 2015 by Eric Pulier, Craig Sellars, Lukas Fluri and Gunther Thiel. The company sought to blend the physical and digital realms through "vAtoms" or virtual atoms, innovative digital assets designed to offer interactive, branded experiences. By leveraging cloud computing, mobile devices, and blockchain technology, vAtomic Systems aimed to create authentic and trustworthy digital objects.
The company's platform allowed brands to engage customers through these smart objects, enhancing digital interaction and offering unique promotional opportunities. This approach aimed to blur the lines between tangible and digital goods, providing a seamless user experience capitalizing on technological advancements.
Eric Pulier conceived the idea of a digital object while enjoying a beer at his bar and contemplating blockchain technologies.
NFTs were not a concept at that time, but Eric, in collaboration with Craig Sellars, who had invented the stablecoin and the OmniLayer on the Bitcoin Blockchain, created the first NFT.
Eric Pulier: Co-Founder and CEO
Gunther Thiel: Co-Founder and CTO
Lukas Fluri: Co-Founder and VP Engineering, later President
Craig Sellars: Co-Founder and Chief Scientist
Phase 2: BLOCKv
BLOCKv was founded in 2017 by Reeve Collins, Lukas Fluri, Gunther Thiel, Craig Sellars and Raphael Noth. Based in Zug, Switzerland, BLOCKv focuses on creating, minting, and distributing SmartNFTs, designed to replicate the experience of physical ownership in the digital realm. The company provides a standardized framework for building digital goods, supporting extended reality experiences, global scavenger hunts, and creative business solutions.
BLOCKv's technology mirrors that of vAtomic Systems. Eric Pulier explained that in 2017 they licensed some of their code to BLOCKv, fostering an open-source object model and an ecosystem of companies built on it.
Three BLOCKv founders, Lukas Fluri, Gunther Thiel and Craig Sellars, were also co-founders of vAtomic Systems. Reeve Collins, not part of vAtomic Systems, co-founded Tether with Craig Sellars. Raphael Noth, also not part of the vAtomic team, had a significant tenure at Swisscom alongside Lukas Fluri.
Reeve Collins: Co-Founder & CEO
Lukas Fluri: Co-Founder & COO
Gunther Thiel: Co-Founder & CTO
Raphael Noth: Co-Founder & CFO
Craig Sellars: Co-Founder & Blockchain Architect (for two months)
BLOCKv was announced to the public in September 2017 and conducted an ICO in November 2017, raising $21.6 million and launching the $VEE token to power their open-source infrastructure. The platform officially launched in October 2018, but by April 2019, while the platform continued to operate, communication from the team became silent.
Phase 3: Vatom
On June 8, 2021, vAtomic Systems rebranded as Vatom, launching The Vatom NFT Platform. This platform includes five core components: Vatom SpatialWeb, Vatom NFTs, Vatom Studio, Vatom Marketplace, and Vatom Community.
Eric Pulier: Founder and CEO
Eric Pulier remains the only original team member from vAtomic Systems, but he has assembled a large team. Vatom recently announced its Series B funding on February 15, 2024, securing $10 million with a valuation of $125 million.
Phase 4: Smart Media Technologies (SMT)
SmartMedia Technologies was co-founded in 2019 by Reeve Collins, Kim Perell, Stacy Durand, and Tyler Moebius. Operating as an enterprise Web3 platform, SMT integrates Web3 technologies with traditional digital engagement strategies. The company offers tools and services leveraging blockchain technology including SmartNFTs to enhance user engagement and loyalty for enterprises. Reeve Collins, a pioneer in digital marketing and blockchain, co-founded the company after successful ventures with Tether and BLOCKv.
In October 2022, SMT acquired BLOCKv Solutions to integrate its core Web3 technology.
This acquisition caused confusion within the BLOCKv community, prompting clarifications on Telegram:
BLOCKv Solutions: The European commercial arm of BLOCKv, focused on B2B and professional services on the BLOCKv protocol.
Reason for Acquisition: SMT used BLOCKv's technology extensively with major brands. The acquisition aims to enhance interactivity, metaverse capabilities, and media attention.
Impact on BLOCKv Technology: BLOCKv will continue to be updated, supporting new functionalities and blockchains, powered by the VEE token.
VEE Token: Continues to power campaigns and projects on the BLOCKv protocol.
Community Impact: The acquisition signifies more ambitious projects, increasing BLOCKv and Web3 technology adoption globally. SMT's Web3 activations aim to simplify onboarding and enhance user experience.
Reeve Collins explained in a podcast that Tyler Moebius had a profitable digital ad agency with a full-stack tech (analytics) for outdoor lifestyle brands and a television media company. Stacy Durand is a Partner & Founder at Media Design Group, a company owned by SMT and part of their tech stack, along with Ben Zimmerman, who is President & Founding Partner. Although it's unclear how they met Kim Perell, her extensive track record suggests many potential intersections.
Tyler Moebius: Co-Founder and CEO
Reeve Collins: Co-Founder
Kim Perell: Co-Founder
Stacy Durand: Co-Founder
Ben Zimmerman: President
Gunther Thiel: CTO Web3 since October 2022
Lukas Fluri: Chief Product Officer since July 2022
Raphael Noth: VP Finance since July 2022
All founding members of BLOCKv now hold active roles at SmartMedia Technologies.
Phase 5: SMT Partnership with VISA
In January 2024, VISA announced its partnership with SmartMedia Technologies as its chosen solution to power its Web3 infrastructure.
Coverage by Paul Barron Network on YouTube amassing over 103,000 views, reignited interest in BLOCKv and its VEE token.
In May 2024, BLOCKv unveiled a new roadmap detailing the upcoming launch of BLOCKv Labs and VEE Tokenomics v2 in Q2, followed by the Developer Portal v2 in Q3.
Phase 6: BLOCKv Labs
In July 2024, BLOCKv announced the creation of BLOCKv Labs as a comprehensive platform for ISVs to create next-gen Web3 applications powered by the SmartNFT protocol.
The team is composed of two community early adopters: Paul Hammond (CEO of a pioneer and leader in cloud-based business communication services) and Ian Buswell (AI consultant to the University of Sydney).
Paul Hammond: Core Member
Ian Buswell: Core Member
Conclusion
The VEE Token may have been dormant for a few years since the platform's launch, but the team behind it has been anything but inactive. They have been diligently working on campaigns with major brands to highlight the capabilities of the SmartNFT Protocol. Why haven't you heard of VEE and BLOCKv before now?
You don’t know about $VEE? » $VEE Token in a Nutshell
Thank you for reading this article,
Cheers,
Kumaly.
Edits
31 July 2024 - Update BLOCKv Labs section replacing SmartNFT Labs section
This is outstanding. Thank you. 💯✨⚡️⚡️⚡️