8 Steps to Guide You from Web2 to Launching a Web3 Business Career
TechFlow Selected TechFlow Selected
8 Steps to Guide You from Web2 to Launching a Web3 Business Career
Treat social connections as a key to career development.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Bobby Ong, Co-founder & COO of CoinGecko
Translation: TechFlow
Over the weekend, an old friend reached out to me for advice on transitioning from her current Web2 role into a business development or partnerships position in Web3. My quick suggestion was to attend Token2049 soon, network actively, and meet people—because roles in business development and partnerships inherently require strong networking and negotiation skills.
After some reflection, I realized this was a great opportunity to share more detailed advice here. There are many ways to break into the crypto space—below are several proven strategies for successfully entering Web3.
1.Deep Dive Into Your Web3 Vertical
Web3 has evolved into a vast ecosystem spanning multiple domains, including DeFi, NFTs, Layer 1/2/3, GameFi, LST/LRT, RWA, CEX/DEX, memecoins, and more. To stand out, you need deep expertise in a specific niche.
Trying to enter Web3 without focus is like navigating in the dark—with thousands of companies operating across different sectors. Whichever vertical you choose, commit to thoroughly researching it.
Understand its unique value proposition, track its developments, and stay updated on key projects, trends, and partnerships. This knowledge will differentiate you and enable you to make meaningful contributions to the ecosystem.
2.Engage Actively in Communities
Communities power Web3, and most activity happens on platforms like X and Telegram. Some communities thrive on Discord, while others are active on Farcaster and Lens. Regardless of your area of interest, immersing yourself in communities around key projects is essential.
Join their Telegram and Discord groups, engage on X, and participate regularly. Each community has its own culture—interacting with members helps you learn these nuances.
Contribute meaningfully to discussions—by asking thoughtful questions, sharing insights, or offering help. This builds your understanding of ecosystem challenges and opportunities. Over time, consistent engagement can connect you with like-minded individuals and even uncover unadvertised job opportunities.
3.Gain Relevant Experience
In Web3, business development revolves around building relationships, forging partnerships, and driving project growth. If you're transitioning from Web2, emphasize transferable skills such as sales, collaboration, marketing, or strategic planning.
The Web3 space is still young. While there are many candidates, few go the extra mile to stand out. To boost your competitiveness, take initiative.
For example, volunteer with a Web3 project. This provides hands-on experience and connects you with key players in the field. Having on-the-ground experience in crypto is highly valued and could be your entry point into the industry.
4.Demonstrate Understanding of Tokenomics
Tokenomics lies at the heart of many Web3 projects. For anyone in business development or partnerships, understanding token design, incentive mechanisms, and governance models is critical. You should be able to confidently discuss these concepts in meetings and negotiations.
Start by reading whitepapers and documentation of projects you’re interested in. Understand how their tokens function, what problems they aim to solve, and their roadmap for scaling.
Many overlook this step and struggle when faced with technical questions. Taking time to grasp core tokenomic mechanics makes you appear more professional and committed.
5.Treat Networking as Career Development
In Web3, connections matter—especially in business development roles. Attending events like Token2049 is a solid start, but it's just the beginning. Participate in other conferences and join industry conversations on X.
Building genuine relationships is key—these interactions often lead to future job offers or collaborations. Web3 remains an emerging field where networks often outweigh formal credentials. Stay open-minded, attend events regularly, and keep engaging with the community to expand your network.
6.Stay Adaptable and Embrace Learning
The Web3 landscape evolves rapidly, with new protocols, technologies, and trends constantly emerging. To stay ahead in business development, adaptability and continuous learning are essential.
Even if you're not a developer, understanding the technical aspects of the projects you work with increases your effectiveness.
Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t shy away from diving into technical details. The deeper your understanding, the greater the value you can create—and the more you’ll grow within the industry.
7.Focus on Companies Hiring in Your Region
While Web3 jobs are often remote, teams tend to cluster in certain geographic regions. Some operate primarily in North America or Europe, while others have stronger presence in Asia.
If you're based in Asia, you may find it easier to join a team operating in your region and time zone. Although North American or European teams occasionally hire business developers from Asia, joining them can be more challenging without prior experience or strong connections.
By targeting companies actively hiring in your region, you increase your chances of connecting with the right people and collaborating more smoothly with the team.
8.Evaluate Funding Stage and Team Size
When choosing a project, understanding a company’s funding stage is crucial. Are you drawn to a pre-seed project that hasn't launched its token yet, or do you prefer a company that's raised $100M and already has a live, traded token?
Also consider team size—are you looking to join a 5-person startup or a 1,000-person established organization? Each stage comes with distinct work cultures, challenges, and opportunities.
Smaller teams may offer more flexibility and broader responsibilities, while larger companies provide structured environments but may be more hierarchical. Choose a setting aligned with your career goals and work preferences.
Join TechFlow official community to stay tuned
Telegram:https://t.me/TechFlowDaily
X (Twitter):https://x.com/TechFlowPost
X (Twitter) EN:https://x.com/BlockFlow_News
CoinGecko
