Breaking into web3 as a woman
Reproductive Longevity in Japan and our Global Breakfasts are back!
This week we are featuring another member in our Alpha team Belamir Korkmaz; she was onboarded onto our mission through our first project on Solana. She is a computer engineering student at Bahçeşehir University and web3 enthusiast, doing our community moderation.
Belamir is a great example of women being active participants “in the trenches”.
Some numbers on women and web3:
From Student to web3: A Journey 📝
As a computer engineering student, I first entered the crypto world through my university’s blockchain club. About two years ago, I began learning about the sector by attending local blockchain events. However, I only realized how vast this ecosystem was when I attended Devconnect Istanbul in 2023 where I saw the potential of crypto as a growing space full of opportunities.
During hackathons, I worked with teams to develop projects and focused primarily on research. However, I felt that doing research without being a real user was not enough. I believed the best feedback and ideas came from real users who were actively involved. This made me realize that research should not only be about technical knowledge. In the crypto ecosystem, hands-on experiences are often more valuable than theoretical knowledge. With this understanding, I started focusing not only on building technical skills but also on user experience and interaction.
Besides the technical side, I began exploring ways to earn in this ecosystem. Through NFTs, memecoins, and airdrops I discovered that the crypto world had many financial opportunities. Over the past year, I’ve used these opportunities to gain financial freedom. As a woman I recognize that the financial assistance crypto can provide is especially empowering - it means being able to make your own decisions and control your future. Of course, there are still risks within this emerging ecosystem and it is important to understand your risk appetite and be cautious.
During this journey, I came across AthenaDAO. I discovered GIRLE and joined its launch. While learning more about GIRLE, I started exploring AthenaDAO and the DeSci ecosystem. Before that, I only knew a little about DeSci from projects like RIF and URO. As I researched more, I discovered new opportunities. Knowing when to sell a high-potential token is just as important as finding it.
If you truly understand what you own, holding becomes much easier. Success in crypto is not just about luck but also requires smart research, good analysis, and strategic decisions. I also realized that when making crypto investments, it’s not just about understanding the market; but also understanding yourself - what your limits are, how much you are willing to lose, and what your risk portfolio is. Making the right decisions can be difficult without knowing yourself.
Recently, I became part of the AthenaDAO team. From interest in a project to obtaining novel opportunities for myself, it is evident research can open up new opportunities. This experience has shown me how, with the right knowledge and strategy, I can develop myself in new areas.
Moving forward, I will continue researching, learning, and actively participating in ecosystem developments. Crypto is not just about financial gains; it is a transformative tool that can offer knowledge, autonomy, and limitless opportunities. Every step I take in this field not only contributes to my financial growth but also aids my personal development. The crypto world has taught me that everything is possible, and the only limits are those of our imagination.
Our call for submissions for Reproductive Longevity in Japan is OPEN! 🇯🇵
We are excited to announce our call for submissions for translational research in Reproductive Longevity in collaboration with Merito Network is now OPEN!
🧬 Funding: 3 projects at $25K - $150K USD each
📅 Deadline: Sunday, April 15th, 2025
📍 Location: Japan
Join us for breakfast in London 🇬🇧
Our community Global Breakfasts are back! 💁♀️
In London next week?
Join us for coffee, croissants, and great discussions ahead of International Women’s Day! Hosted by AthenaDAO contributor Subaita Rahman.
📆 Thursday, March 6th, 2025
⏰ 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM GMT
📍 Central London (details upon RSVP)
Don’t miss out on the chance to meet fellow AthenaDAO members & learn about our work in women's health innovation!
Join us for coffee and croissants in Lisbon 🇵🇹
Lisbon friends! We would love to meet you for breakfast in March.
Join core team member Inês Santos Silva for coffee and conversation.
📆 Thursday, March 13th, 2025
⏰ 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM GMT
📍 Lisbon (details upon RSVP)
We would love to see you there!