Introducing Matty Taylor and Colosseum

Matty Taylor, former head of growth at Solana Labs, has embarked on an exciting new venture that promises to revolutionize the Solana ecosystem. In this episode of Lightspeed, Matty introduces Colosseum, an organization he co-founded that aims to find, fund, and accelerate the next generation of Solana applications.

Colosseum represents a significant leap forward for the Solana ecosystem, combining three key pillars: online hackathons, an accelerator program, and a venture fund. This innovative approach is designed to nurture talent, foster innovation, and drive the development of groundbreaking applications on the Solana blockchain.

Matty Taylor's Journey in Crypto

Before diving into the details of Colosseum, it's worth exploring Matty's background in the cryptocurrency space. His journey began in college, where he initially embraced Bitcoin maximalism, even writing his thesis on the subject. This early passion for cryptocurrency led him to work at Square, a prominent payments company in San Francisco.

As Matty's interests evolved, he found himself drawn to the Ethereum ecosystem, where he worked on the Zero X project. However, it was in 2020 that Matty's career took a significant turn when Solana launched its mainnet. Recruited by Raj and the Solana team, Matty joined Solana Labs as the head of growth, tasked with stimulating developer interest and attracting startup founders to the ecosystem.

The Birth of Solana Hackathons

One of Matty's most significant contributions during his time at Solana Labs was the introduction of online hackathons. These events proved to be a game-changer for the Solana ecosystem, attracting developers and fostering innovation on an unprecedented scale.

The first Solana hackathon, dubbed "Wormhole," took place in October 2020. Despite some initial challenges, the event was a resounding success, with approximately 50 product submissions – a substantial number for the fledgling Solana ecosystem at the time. This early triumph convinced Matty and the Solana team to double down on the hackathon concept.

The Impact of Solana Hackathons

As Matty explains, Solana's approach to hackathons is unique in the cryptocurrency space. Rather than focusing solely on technical challenges, these events are structured more like startup competitions. This approach has led to the birth of numerous successful projects within the Solana ecosystem.

Some notable examples of projects that originated from Solana hackathons include:

1. Steppen
2. Tensor
3. Mango
4. Dialect
5. Judo Labs
6. Marinade
7. Hubble

The success of these hackathon-born projects has created a snowball effect, attracting more talented developers and founders to the Solana ecosystem. Matty reveals that when they analyzed funding rounds for Solana projects, they found that approximately 80% of them had their roots in these hackathons.

Colosseum: The Next Evolution in Solana's Growth

Building on the success of the Solana hackathons, Matty Taylor and his co-founders, Nate and Clay, have created Colosseum. This new organization takes the hackathon concept to the next level by integrating it with an accelerator program and a venture fund.

Colosseum's structure is designed to provide comprehensive support for promising projects from their inception through to funding and beyond. The organization's three main components are:

1. Online hackathons
2. An accelerator program
3. A venture fund

This integrated approach sets Colosseum apart from traditional accelerators and incubators in the crypto space.

The Colosseum Platform

One of the most exciting aspects of Colosseum is its custom-built platform. This platform serves as a central hub for founders, developers, and teams looking to build on Solana. Some of the key features of the Colosseum platform include:

1. User profiles for participants
2. A co-founder matching portal to help teams find complementary skillsets
3. A forum for sharing and discussing product ideas
4. A dedicated space for running hackathons
5. A private section for accelerator participants

This comprehensive platform is designed to streamline the process of team formation, ideation, and product development within the Solana ecosystem.

The Colosseum Accelerator Program

The accelerator component of Colosseum is where the organization truly shines. After the hackathon, Colosseum selects 10 to 15 of the top-performing teams to participate in their accelerator program. This program is designed to provide these teams with the resources, mentorship, and connections they need to take their projects to the next level.

Some of the key benefits of the Colosseum accelerator program include:

1. Connections to key players in the Solana ecosystem
2. Mentorship from experienced founders and industry experts
3. Support in refining product vision and strategy
4. Preparation for pitching to seed funds and investors
5. Access to a demo day attended by top crypto investors

The accelerator program runs for five to six weeks, during which time teams are expected to make significant progress on their products, moving closer to mainnet launch and user traction.

Venture Funding for Promising Projects

In addition to the hackathon and accelerator components, Colosseum has also raised a venture fund to invest in the most promising teams emerging from their program. This pre-seed funding provides crucial early-stage capital to help teams get off the ground and build momentum.

By combining hackathons, acceleration, and funding under one roof, Colosseum creates a seamless pipeline for identifying and nurturing the next generation of Solana-based applications and protocols.

Why Solana?

Given Matty's experience in various blockchain ecosystems, it's natural to wonder why he and his team chose to focus exclusively on Solana for Colosseum. Matty explains that their decision was based on several factors:

1. The asymmetric upside potential they see in the Solana ecosystem
2. The technical advancements happening within Solana, such as token extensions and Firedancer
3. The influx of talented founders they've observed coming through the hackathons
4. Their belief that Solana has the best chance of onboarding the rest of the world to blockchain technology in the shortest amount of time

Matty emphasizes that while they're not "Solana maxis," they believe that focusing their efforts on one ecosystem allows them to provide the best possible experience and support for founders.

The Importance of Remote Accessibility

One of the distinguishing features of Colosseum is its commitment to being a fully remote program. This decision was made with the global nature of the crypto industry in mind. By making both the hackathon and accelerator program remote, Colosseum ensures that talented individuals from around the world can participate, regardless of their location or ability to relocate.

This remote-first approach also allows founders to build products that are deeply connected to their local markets and cultures. As Matty points out, sometimes the best products are those that are developed with a deep understanding of a specific location or community.

The Role of Jupiter in Inspiring Solana Developers

During the conversation, Matty highlights the importance of successful projects like Jupiter in inspiring new developers to build on Solana. Jupiter, a decentralized exchange aggregator, has gained significant traction and serves as a prime example of what can be achieved on the Solana blockchain.

Matty explains that when founders are evaluating which ecosystem to build in, they often look for examples of successful, high-growth startups. Jupiter's success story paves the way for the next generation of ambitious founders in crypto, showcasing the potential of building on Solana.

Advice for New Founders in the Solana Ecosystem

As the conversation draws to a close, Matty offers some valuable advice for new founders considering building on Solana:

1. Focus on solving personal problems: Choose a problem that affects you personally and build a solution using crypto.
2. Build products you would use daily: Create something that you find indispensable in your own life.
3. Find your initial user base: Look for people who share your problem and would benefit from your solution.
4. Expand from there: Use your initial user base as a springboard to reach a wider audience.

By following this approach, founders can create products with genuine utility and a built-in audience, increasing their chances of success in the competitive world of blockchain applications.

The First Colosseum Hackathon

For those eager to participate in Colosseum's inaugural event, Matty provides some key dates and information:

• The hackathon officially starts on March 4th and ends on April 8th, 2024.
• Teams can begin building their projects up to two months prior to the start date.
• Judging will focus on the work completed during the official hackathon period.
• Interested participants can sign up for a Colosseum account immediately to start finding co-founders and discussing product ideas.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Solana Development

Colosseum represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the Solana ecosystem. By combining the proven success of hackathons with a dedicated accelerator program and venture funding, Matty Taylor and his team are creating a powerful engine for innovation and growth within the Solana community.

As the cryptocurrency industry continues to mature, initiatives like Colosseum play a crucial role in attracting talent, fostering innovation, and driving the development of real-world applications. With its focus on Solana and commitment to supporting founders from around the globe, Colosseum is poised to make a lasting impact on the blockchain landscape.

For developers, entrepreneurs, and crypto enthusiasts alike, Colosseum offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the next wave of innovation in the Solana ecosystem. As the first hackathon approaches, all eyes will be on this groundbreaking initiative and the transformative projects it helps bring to life.

Facts + Figures

• Matty Taylor previously worked as the head of growth at Solana Labs before co-founding Colosseum.
• The first Solana hackathon, called "Wormhole," took place in October 2020 and received approximately 50 product submissions.
• About 80% of funding rounds for Solana projects came from teams that participated in hackathons.
• Colosseum combines three pillars: online hackathons, an accelerator program, and a venture fund.
• The Colosseum accelerator program will accept 10 to 15 top teams from the hackathon.
• The accelerator program runs for five to six weeks.
• Colosseum's platform features include user profiles, a co-founder matching portal, and a forum for product ideas.
• The first Colosseum hackathon starts on March 4th and ends on April 8th, 2024.
• Teams can begin building their projects up to two months prior to the official hackathon start date.
• Participants from 200 countries submitted projects in the last Solana hackathon.
• Notable projects that originated from Solana hackathons include Steppen, Tensor, Mango, Dialect, Judo Labs, Marinade, and Hubble.
• Colosseum is designed to be a fully remote program to ensure global accessibility.
• Jupiter, a decentralized exchange aggregator on Solana, is highlighted as an inspiring example for new developers.

Questions Answered

What is Colosseum?

Colosseum is an organization co-founded by Matty Taylor that combines online hackathons, an accelerator program, and a venture fund to support and grow the Solana ecosystem. It aims to find, fund, and accelerate the next generation of Solana applications by providing a comprehensive platform for developers and founders to collaborate, build, and receive support throughout their journey from idea to funded startup.

How does Colosseum differ from traditional hackathons or accelerators?

Colosseum sets itself apart by integrating three key components: hackathons, an accelerator, and venture funding. Unlike traditional hackathons that focus solely on technical challenges, Colosseum structures its events more like startup competitions. The accelerator program then selects top teams from the hackathon to receive further support, mentorship, and potential funding. This integrated approach provides a seamless pipeline for identifying and nurturing promising projects from inception through to funding and beyond.

When is the first Colosseum hackathon?

The first Colosseum hackathon officially starts on March 4th and ends on April 8th, 2024. However, teams are allowed to begin building their projects up to two months prior to the start date. It's important to note that while pre-work is allowed, judging will focus on the progress and work completed during the official hackathon period. Interested participants can sign up for a Colosseum account immediately to start finding co-founders and discussing product ideas in preparation for the event.

Why is Colosseum focused exclusively on Solana?

Colosseum is focused exclusively on Solana due to several factors. Matty Taylor and his team believe that Solana offers the best opportunity for asymmetric growth in the crypto space. They are impressed by the technical advancements within the Solana ecosystem, such as token extensions and Firedancer. Additionally, they have observed a significant influx of talented founders coming through Solana hackathons. Ultimately, they believe that Solana has the highest potential to onboard the rest of the world to blockchain technology in the shortest amount of time, making it the ideal ecosystem to focus their efforts on.

What advice does Matty Taylor offer for new founders in the Solana ecosystem?

Matty Taylor offers several key pieces of advice for new founders in the Solana ecosystem. First, he recommends focusing on solving personal problems, encouraging founders to build solutions for issues they face themselves. Second, he advises creating products that founders would use daily, ensuring genuine utility and passion for the project. Third, he suggests finding an initial user base by targeting people who share the same problem the product solves. Finally, he recommends using this initial user base as a springboard to expand and reach a wider audience. By following this approach, founders can create products with built-in demand and increase their chances of success in the competitive blockchain space.

How does Colosseum support remote participation?

Colosseum is designed as a fully remote program to ensure global accessibility. This decision was made with the understanding that crypto is a global industry, and talented individuals may face challenges relocating or obtaining visas. By making both the hackathon and accelerator program remote, Colosseum allows participants from around the world to engage fully in the program, regardless of their location. This approach also enables founders to build products that are deeply connected to their local markets and cultures, potentially leading to more diverse and innovative solutions within the Solana ecosystem.

What role do successful projects like Jupiter play in the Solana ecosystem?

Successful projects like Jupiter play a crucial role in inspiring and attracting new developers to the Solana ecosystem. As Matty explains, when founders are evaluating which blockchain to build on, they often look for examples of high-growth startups within that ecosystem. Jupiter's success as a decentralized exchange aggregator on Solana serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved on the platform. By showcasing the potential for building successful, user-friendly applications on Solana, projects like Jupiter pave the way for the next generation of ambitious founders in the crypto space, helping to grow and strengthen the overall Solana ecosystem.