Akash Nigam: Avatars As Your Authentic Self

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Episode Summary

Remember Kim Kardashian’s notorious Kimoji system, where you could access hundreds of Kim themed emojis and gifs? The modern iteration of that is what the startup Genies is offering to thousands of celebrities, and ultimately to you as well. Genies is currently working with A-list celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Migos, Cardi B, etc. to help them create dynamic and photorealistic avatars that they can share on platforms like TikTok and Instagram as a way to engage their fans, tell digitally native stories and perpetuate their brands. 

For Akash Nigam, the CEO of Genies, avatars represent more than just a PR enabler for celebrities. As someone who struggled with social anxiety and always found it more comfortable to connect with others behind the keyboard, he sees avatars and digital identities as a way to be exactly who you want to be and recreate yourself to match your insides. 

Especially in a world where there is so much toxicity on the internet, and judgment towards people’s physical selves, Akash views pseudonymous avatars as a critical step to building connections with like-minded people irrespective of your physical construct. 

In terms of where he believes the greatest innovations will be for avatars, Akash see’s Genies’ long term decentralized vision as playing a critical role. What that entails is a world where digital wearables, and eventually other items that people will use to create digital personal spaces, will be traded on the Genies marketplace, which will be hosted on FLO’s blockchain. Instead of Genies being a centralized platform that creates ‘metaverse’ worlds and characters, it will instead focus on creating tools that will enable individuals to create their own digital beings, digital content and goods, and places. 

More about Akash, he is also the founder of the Genies’ investment arm, HUMANS, where they have invested in companies such as OpenSea, Dapperlabs, Clubhouse, etc. He is passionate about NFT identity projects and sees online communities as the future iteration of country clubs and the Greek system. He is also a proud member of the Bored Ape Yacht Club. 

About the Guest

Akash Nigam is the CEO of Genies, the world’s largest avatar technology company. The company has set the foundation for swift, widespread adaptation of avatars in society and culture, allowing individuals to authentically express themselves. The technology features digital wearable goods that can be sold as NFTs, a marketplace built with Dapper Labs, and API integrations for consumer platforms. Investors include Bond, NEA, Breyer Capital, CAA, and Tull Investment Group.

Show Notes

[2:20] Significance of avatars

[8:30] Importance of pseudonymity 

[11:40] Humanoid vs creature system

[14:30] Use cases for Genies 

[19:30] Avatar creation and marketplace

[22:20] Moving towards decentralization

[27:30] Online communities are the new country clubs

[29:50] How to facilitate positivity on web 3