Personal Information
Discourse ID: @pieter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PieterWeb3
Professional Background and Relevant Experience:
2018 Manning Innovation Award Finalist,
2016 Startup Canada Entrepreneur of the Year (Prairies),
one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 (2014),
Mount Royal Horizon Award Winner (2014),
One of Canada’s 10 “Mentor Rock Stars” (2013),
Globe and Mail Top 20 up and coming Entrepreneurs (2012),
Breakout Business of the Year Finalist (2012),
Small Business of the Year Finalist (2013).
Founder of AcceleratorYYC, a non profit organization for the support, mentorship, and development of entrepreneurs in Calgary and Alberta. AcceleratorYYC has transitioned to championing entrepreneurship and technology startups in Calgary and Alberta as an initiative called The Accelerator, Calgary’s first accelerator program focused on high growth startups which launched its first cohort in the fall of 2016.
As the proud Alumni recipient of the prestigious Mount Royal University Horizon Award Pieter is a strong advocate for youth and student empowerment, leadership and entrepreneurship, volunteering his time to mentor university students and startup entrepreneurs.
Nomination Statement:
I believe the ApeCoin DAO community should select me based on many factors, including my computer science education, experience as a developer, CTO, and then Founder/CEO/Entrepreneur in tech and now Web3, combined with my deep passion for DeFi, blockchain technology and the community of people living, breathing and working tirelessly to bring this innovation in technology, decentralization and ethos to the world. Above all of this, ethics, integrity, and positive intention are core and fundamental to who I am. Be a good person and be good to others - great technology can do a lot, but can do exponentially more good if led by good humans.
Motivation, Vision & Goals:
I believe there is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to innovate/disrupt/improve the way the world interacts with each other, with technology, and with (and without) centralized organizations. As Apechain comes to fruition, this is potentially the most exiting and formative time for the ApeCoin DAO and I believe my experience, education, and leadership is uniquely positioned to be an instrumental and invaluable asset to how we as ApeCoin holders create incredible value and positive impact for our community, and our future community! 
Values & Commitment:
I’m willing to commit my time, energy, experience, and thought leadership as needed during my term to the best of my capacity, understanding that the time commitment will flex up and down and potentially be a full time commitment (or more) depending on what is going on at the time.
I believe decentralized governance and strong leadership in this capacity is critical for our global community.
Concluding Statement:
Such a unique position lends itself to a very short list of individuals who have a diverse enough background, yet with deep enough experience that creates a candidate who’s skills compliment each other, cross knowledge streams, and also live inside someone who has a belief system that aligns with a position. Many candidates will apply because they want to “fix” things, or because they like the idea of the DAO, or just see a Web3 job they sort of qualify for. I feel compelled to apply because at this point in time, especially with ApeChain on it’s way, I am uniquely and undeniably qualified. As a serial entrepreneur, computer science grad with a deep business background, OG APE & Web3 “veteran”, morally driven, award winning thought leader & innovator, extremely driven person who eats, sleeps, and breathes Web3, DeFi who has also submitted, lost, revised, and won an AIP - I’m like a Venn diagram of overlapping and obscure traits that have Special Council candidate in the dead center.
