Henri Stern

Mad respect for Henri Stern, this guy’s a total boss in the Web3 and crypto game. Dude’s been around the block, like, seriously. Started out in the trenches of big tech and finance, worked at Palantir, Lazard, Quilvest Ventures, Bredin Prat, you name it. But what really sets him apart is his jump into the startup world with some serious fire.

Back in YC S14, he co-founded Shout, which was basically a real-time classifieds platform. Think of it like a modern Craigslist but with that startup hustle vibe. That experience? It gave him the taste for building products that connect people in real time. Then, he jumped into Protocol Labs, spending almost three years there. That’s some deep tech, working on IPFS and Filecoin, which are basic crypto protocols. Basically, he was helping build the internet’s new backbone, the stuff that makes Web3 possible. This shows he’s not just about shiny new apps but really understanding the tech that makes crypto and decentralized systems tick.

Fast forward, he co-founded Privy, where he’s now CEO. The mission? Making Web3 less bullshit and more user-friendly. Like, how do you onboard normal folks into crypto without making their heads explode? That’s his jam. He’s all about bridging that gap, taking the complex protocol stuff he’s deep into and turning it into products everyday people actually want to use. Basically, he’s trying to fix crypto UX, which is a total nightmare right now, and he’s crushing it.

What does this tell us about him? The guy’s got serious grit and a crazy drive for innovation. He’s not just in it for the tech, he genuinely cares about making Web3 accessible, about turning complex protocols into something that normal people can actually understand and trust. His process’s all about that leap from hardcore infrastructure to consumer-facing products. It’s like he wants to build the internet’s future but also make sure everyone can jump on board without feeling like they’re about to get scammed.

So yeah, Henri Stern is one of those rare founders who’s deeply technical but also sees the big picture, making crypto usable, mainstream, and not bullshit. He’s the real deal, someone who’s been in the trenches, crushed it at YC, and now is shaping what Web3 will look like tomorrow. No Cap, he’s someone you wanna keep an eye on.