Data Aggregation and DeFi with Noonies Nominee Daniil Okhlopkov

Hey Hackers! I’m Daniil Okhlopkov, and I’m the Data Lead @ Runa Capital.

As someone in the parsing industry, I believe that the most exciting technology of the present is Python & Selenium because you can parse any website. Learn more about my thoughts and opinions on Startups and Tech and my journey in the tech industry via the interview below.

1. What do you do, and why do you do it? (tell us your story)

Right now, I am a Data Lead at Runa Capital (Venture Fund). I’m a solo creator of Runa Data Platform - an internal tool that aggregates data from Crunchbase, Techcrunch, Twitter, Github, Producthunt, and many more to find out the best companies to invest in. I also help with hiring, DD, and competitor analysis.

For now, I am still passionate about open data. The idea that I can parse publicly available data and extract value from it gives me passion.

2. Tell us more about the things you create / write / manage / build!

I have a ton of pet projects. It all started with open source Instagram automation library. Then I created several Telegram bots, including (famous in Russia & Ukraine) FFmemes bot - infinite personalized meme feed-in messenger.

I also created several small SaaS startups. My current big project is WeBill.io - Stripe for subscriptions in crypto. My team created a dApp where anyone with a crypto wallet (Metamask, Rainbow, Gnosis, WalletConnect …) can be a merchant: create an offer (subscription, one-time-payment, or donation) and withdraw funds using our decentralized smart contract. We are growing fast and already raising money from USA VC crypto funds. Stay tuned!

3. How did you end up on your current career path? Do you like it?

I started as a Data analyst, then in 2017 helped my friends in their crypto consulting startup to launch several ICOs (I was a Product Architect that tried to attach blockchain to existing projects. I also wrote Whitepapers).

Later, I was a Chief Data Officer at Sweatcoin: I created the whole Big Data infrastructure for a mobile app with 5M DAU.

Later, I was unemployed for one year. This time I’ve created a dozen of pet projects; I created a personal blog on Telegram (link, rus). And then guys from Runa Capital found my Telegram channel and invited me to join their VC fund to create an internal platform that will accelerate associates and analysts.

4. What tech are you most excited or passionate about right now and why?

Since I’m creating a blockchain project, I’m passionate about DeFi stuff and smart contracts. I just imagined that the world could be operated in a decentralized manner without authority.

Remember, I’m from Russia, and we really value any kind of decentralization.

5. What tech are you most worried about right now and why?

I’m worried about Metaverse stuff and overall Facebook. All that VR/AR stuff will definitely change the world soon, and all large changes might have unpredictable consequences.

6. If we gave you 10 million dollars to invest in something today, what would you invest in and why?

I would invest in Metaverse - because it will definitely change the future. I also believe in DeFi world - so I’d try to find another dApps and invest (equity / tokens).

I also believe in myself, so I’d spend money on my projects. One of them should definitely blow up.

7. What are you currently learning?

I’m diving into the new blockchain technology, DeFi, smart contracts in Solidity, and Rust for Solana. I’m also learning how to manage & lead a dev team since I’m a (junior) CTO of my own startup.

8. What’s the best advice you’ve ever given someone?

Create 10 pet projects as fast as you can. One of them should be your profitable (!) startup. Create passive income and repeat, repeat, repeat…

9. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Do sports, call parents, don’t be afraid to fail.

About HackerNoon’s 2021 Noonie Awards

The annual Noonie Awards celebrate the best and brightest of the tech industry, bringing together all who are making the Internet and the world of tech what it is today. Please be sure to check out our award categories, nominate, and vote for the people and companies who you think are making the biggest impact on the tech industry today.

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