Ondřej Raška

What makes web3 so fascinating for you?

For me, web3 is the next era of the internet. An internet of values and of global coordination of people. Moreover, it’s at the same stage as the internet in the 1990s. Keeping to the internet analogy, crypto is where the internet was before the launch of Netscape. We don’t even know what the search engine will look like, let alone have any idea of what Google, Amazon, or Facebook is. I think that’s fun. The only thing I know isn’t possible is for the technology to disappear.

By the way, in the beginning, most people did not understand the internet. “It’s too slow and expensive, and there’s no reason to get on it.” Even in crypto, dozens of interesting projects are being formed outside the mainstream interest. Moreover, in the Czech Republic, we are keeping pace and have the chance to become a leader in this field.

Which of Miton C’s projects interest you?

Most web3 projects at this time are infrastructure projects. They are the building blocks for other projects. Most of our investment to date has been in such projects, but we’d like to get closer to users. We are most interested in apps that end users will appreciate more, apps that will be people’s gateway to crypto. I believe that apps that are able to capture the attention of end users will end up being the most valuable.

It doesn’t matter if someone is a complete novice. Look at us: we were in secondary school when we created Miton and, for the first few years, weren’t really sure what we were doing. It took us a long time to make enough money to start doing the project properly. So why shouldn’t we help others get there faster? In fact, we at Miton have already helped several projects see the light of day. We enjoy being right there at the onset.

Who has the chance to succeed in the web3 environment?

I may not know what the future of crypto will look like, but I do know that if someone learns fast and enjoys new technology, they should not be absent. The crypto ecosystem is very open – it’s in its DNA. It doesn’t matter where you live, what colour your skin is, whether you are male or female or how you look. The only thing that matters is what you can do. You don’t even need to be a technically minded person – there will be a need for all professions. Nor do you even need to know blockchain and its principles. You’ll figure it out along the way.

How would you describe your style of work?

Being an introvert, I feel most comfortable in one-on-one communication. I like walking with people or being on the phone. You can reach me by e-mail, too. Of course, you can find me everywhere – Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter DM, Signal – but I am a bit old-school, so it’s easiest to reach me via e-mail, which is sort of my to-do list.

The Miton C team works remotely for the most part, but we also have offices in Palmovka, where we meet. Projects/DAOs use our offices when they need to. Or we go to them.

What advice do you often give to founders?

Lots of enticing opportunities land on their table each day – to do this as well, to get involved in that, to include this. I try to get back to priorities and focus. That means adding this 152nd opportunity to the others and then evaluating them all. Or let me put it another way: everyone knows how to add something to the list, but deciding what not to do is what’s difficult.

What book do you most often give as a gift?

I recommend The World After Capital by Albert Wenger (Partner at USV) most often. It’s about how technology is changing the role of capital and if what we decide to chase after isn’t actually attention. Another book is Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. Each day I learn what’s going on inside me, what I need and how to communicate it.

What podcast do you spend most of your time with?

That depends. Now it’s Bankless. Try listening to this.

What has stood the test of time for you? That is, what have you been focusing on regularly for years?

Family, yoga, therapy.

What would you be doing if Miton didn’t exist?

What would I be doing if I didn’t have so much luck in my life, so many chance encounters? The first thing that comes to mind is how thankful I am that Miton exists. As a group of wonderful, inspiring people. That I can do what I enjoy in a way that is close to my heart. I’m really grateful for that. Thank you.