From: thepipeline_xyz
Monad, initially a small software startup, has undergone significant growth and transformation over the past 16 months, evolving from a remote, engineering-focused team into a larger, more integrated organization with a strong physical presence and a vibrant community [00:09:03].
Early Days: A Small, Engineering-Heavy Startup
Around 12 months ago, Monad consisted of approximately seven people, primarily focused on engineering [00:09:19]. The initial 16 months were characteristic of a software startup, involving extensive whiteboarding, brainstorming, and architecting a complex system while maintaining compatibility with the existing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) protocol [00:09:41]. The team worked to solve complex technical challenges with a combination of excitement and the realization of many potential directions [00:10:08].
Transition to Physical Presence and Team Growth
Monad began as a fully remote company in early 2022, embracing the worldwide nature of crypto to find talent globally [00:10:46]. However, by the start of 2023 (approximately 14 months ago), a critical mass of two people in New York led to the decision to establish a physical office space [00:11:11].
This led to the following office transitions:
- Initial WeWork Office: Monad started with a Sixers WeWork office that was initially used a few times a week [00:11:33].
- Expansion within WeWork: This space quickly grew to accommodate 25 people as more team members flew into New York for on-site work weeks [00:11:46].
- Dedicated Office Floor: The team realized the significant benefits of in-person collaboration, not just for engineering but also for ecosystem and business development teams [00:12:03]. This led to moving into an entire floor in an office space located in Nomad (North of Madison Square Park) in New York, a coincidental but fitting name given Monad’s branding [00:12:29].
Expanding Focus Beyond Engineering
As Monad grew, its focus expanded beyond core engineering:
- Community Development: The team increasingly emphasized community development [00:09:28].
- Business Development: There was a concerted effort to grow the business development team [00:09:35].
- Ecosystem Development: Monad brought on its first ecosystem development hire [00:09:37].
Community and Ecosystem Growth
The development of the team directly led to a significant development of the Monad community [00:13:06]. Key aspects of this community development include:
- Culture Building: Bill, a core part of the team, has been instrumental in building the community’s culture since day one [00:13:18].
- Creative Contributions: The community actively produces artwork, music (both AI-generated and otherwise), and other creative content, demonstrating vibrant engagement [00:14:08].
- Ecosystem Conversations: Monad has engaged in productive discussions with project teams interested in multi-chain expansion to the Monad ecosystem, as well as new crypto teams looking to build Monad-native applications [00:14:31].
- Shifting Perceptions: Early conversations often revolved around “why an L1,” but now the focus has shifted to inquiries about Monad’s plans for testnet and beyond, indicating a broader understanding and acceptance of Monad’s vision as a high-performing L1 [00:15:02].
Looking Ahead: Continued Expansion and Presence
Looking to the future, Monad anticipates continued team building across all areas, particularly in engineering and ecosystem support [00:17:52]. The team plans for an increased physical presence at various conferences and potentially hosting its own events and hackathons in New York [00:19:01]. The aim is to strengthen Monad’s presence and engage more deeply within the broader crypto ecosystem [00:19:11].