Toshendra Sharma

It was the year 2017, and the buzzword on everyone’s lips was “blockchain.” Yet, few truly grasped what this technology entailed and how it could revolutionize industries. As an entrepreneur and technologist, I recognized a massive gap in understanding and decided to dive into the world of blockchain education. Fast forward to today, the journey of teaching blockchain during its nascent stages has become a cornerstone of my experience and played a vital role in shaping my future ventures.

The Early Days of Blockchain: A Mystery Yet to Be Solved

Back in 2017, blockchain was akin to the Wild West—exciting, untamed, and full of opportunities. But it was also surrounded by skepticism and a lack of clear information. The general populace viewed it merely as the technology underpinning Bitcoin, without comprehending its vast potential and versatility across various sectors. This challenge intrigued me. Could I make blockchain understandable for everyone, from tech enthusiasts to business moguls?

The Challenge of Early Adoption in Education

Teaching blockchain before it became a staple topic involved more than just explaining distributed ledgers. It meant breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces without losing the technology’s essence. I had to create a curriculum that addressed the burgeoning questions: What is blockchain? How does it work? Why should industries care?

It was akin to navigating uncharted territory. Each class was a blend of structured learning and spontaneous exploration. From crafting detailed illustrations of how blockchain secured and decentralized data, to engaging debates on its societal impact, the aim was to demystify blockchain and spark a keen interest in innovation.

Transformative Lessons: Shaping Future Ventures

The initiative to educate others while blockchain was in its infancy taught me several invaluable lessons that now underpin my ventures:

• Patience is Key: Teaching technology that most people haven’t yet warmed up to requires enduring patience and perseverance. It taught me to cultivate a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, even when faced with skepticism or disinterest.
• Adaptability: The world of blockchain and tech, in general, is ever-evolving. Staying adaptable and open to learning from failures and successes alike allowed me to iterate my teaching methods and improve my entrepreneurial strategies.
• Community Building: Building a community around a nascent technology can significantly accelerate learning and adoption. These communities became a vibrant ecosystem of innovation, now instrumental in driving my startup’s growth.

Teaching Strategies: Bridging the Knowledge Gap

To effectively reach audiences from different backgrounds, it was imperative to employ diverse teaching strategies:

• Utilizing real-world applications to illustrate blockchain’s benefits beyond cryptocurrencies.
• Incorporating engaging storytelling about blockchain origins and pioneers that captured imaginations and inspired action.
• Creating interactive workshops that empowered individuals to witness blockchain in action.

Looking Forward: Blockchain Beyond Education

Today, blockchain is no longer a fragmented tech concept but, rather, a foundational technology influencing industries worldwide. The lessons I learned from early teaching directly contribute to my confidence and creativity in founding ventures that leverage cutting-edge technology.

As the founder of Foundercrate, I bring the same passion and commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. By nurturing an environment where learning and evolving with technology is at the core, I aim to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Conclusion: A Call to Innovators

Reflecting on my journey from teaching blockchain in 2017 to today, I’m reminded of the incredible pace of technological growth and the power of education in driving this transformation. If you’re an entrepreneur or a tech enthusiast keen on exploring emerging technologies, I invite you to join me on this exciting journey. At Foundercrate, we believe that education and innovation go hand-in-hand to create the future we envision.