In a late-stage economy dominated by established players, the opportunities for new economic entrants can be bleak. So we went our own way. In the fall of 2022, at ages 19 and 22, we left Vanderbilt to start Movement Labs. A year later, in the fall of 2023, we secured $3.4 million in pre-seed funding to kickstart our vision. Fast forward to April 2024, and we just closed a $38 million Series A round. Our journey isn’t just about reshaping the future of tech and finance with a next-generation coding language, it’s about addressing the realities of Gen Z life from the ground up.
The Gen Z Advantage in a Rapidly Changing Space
Our youth and flexibility have been our secret weapon in the ever-changing world of blockchain and Web3. Our ability to adapt quickly, think outside the box, and challenge conventional wisdom has allowed us to identify and solve problems that others might overlook.
As digital natives, we grew up in a world where technology is evolving at breakneck speed. This has instilled in us a natural ability to navigate and innovate in fast-moving areas like blockchain. We are not weighed down by legacy thinking or outdated practices, but are guided by a vision of what the future could be.
Breaking away from traditional paths
College helped us mature and become new, capable economic actors and entrepreneurs. But eventually the benefits of college diminished and we discovered rare opportunities that existed at that time. College was designed as a path to find a job and start a career. Once we found a more stable and simpler path, it made sense to dive into it wholeheartedly.
Our generation understands that the paths we are told to follow do not lead to where they once led us. We are not afraid to take calculated risks and stray from the path. This mindset has allowed us to move forward decisively, focusing on the Move programming language when we recognized its potential to revolutionize the blockchain industry.
Solving Real Problems in Blockchain
Our goal at Movement Labs is to create a unified blockchain ecosystem where developers can build secure applications that seamlessly interoperate across different networks, and users can confidently manage their digital assets without fear of hacks or incompatibility issues.
The Move programming language was originally created by Meta (formerly Facebook) with the goal of laying the foundation for a world where digital information is intelligent and programmable. While many in the tech world moved on when Meta’s project changed direction, we saw hidden potential that others didn’t.
Move is an ultra-secure and efficient language for the digital age. It is designed to manage digital information and assets more securely and efficiently than older systems, making it ideal for business and financial applications.
This potential led us to make a bold decision: we gave up our internships and dropped out of school to go all in on Move. We’re swimming against the tide, but this is where we see the biggest opportunity. In most industries, large companies have already carved out the lion’s share of the market. They’ve become like well-oiled machines, making it difficult for newcomers to enter.
By focusing on Move when others have neglected it, we are creating a new playing field. This is our chance to build something revolutionary and carve out our own place in the rapidly changing world of technology and finance.
Building a community-focused future
One of the most exciting aspects of Gen Z as entrepreneurs in the Web3 space is the emphasis on community. We foster a vibrant ecosystem of innovative creators and community contributors who share our vision. Together, we build our seat at the table.
This community-driven approach is second nature to our generation. We grew up in a world of social media, open source software, and online collaborative spaces. We understand that the best innovations often come from diverse groups working together toward a common goal. And we understand that breaking the mold requires collaboration across a number of diverse skill sets.
Our vision for Move is to make it accessible and decentralized. We want to level the playing field and pave the way for a new wave of innovation. This approach gives Gen Z around the world the ability to create and collaborate freely, building their own future without traditional gatekeepers. It’s about empowering our generation to shape the digital economy together.
The future is now
To those who doubt the ability of young entrepreneurs to lead such a complex industry, we say: the future is already here, and we are building it. Our $38 million fundraising is not just a validation of our technology; it is a testament to the power of fresh perspectives and bold ideas.
We believe the next wave of tech revolution will be led by those willing to challenge everything and reimagine what’s possible. That’s what we do at Movement Labs, and that’s what we believe our generation brings.
So to our fellow Zoomers, we say: don’t be afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo. Your unique perspective and skills are needed in the tech industry and beyond. And to older generations, we say: embrace the energy and innovation that young entrepreneurs bring. We can build a better future together.
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