hey, i'm kirsten!

i do ai, decentralized systems, and sometimes lobbying.

I lead Recursive, the software development studio behind your favorite crypto and AI startups.

I've been building something new for the past few months. More details on that coming soon.

/startups

I'm a 2x venture backed founder who loves multi-sided marketplaces decentralized systems, and AI.

I've been building software startups since I was 16. I've tried a lot, failed a lot, and learned a lot.

Dropout and self-taught dev.

/decentralized tech

I've spent the past 8+ years in crypto, building VC backed protocol networks, enterprise blockchain systems, & open-source software communities with groups like the IEEE, European Comission, and others. Read my work bio here.

I ran a 200 person IEEE standards group on Blockchain Governance from 2019 to 2021. You can listen to my lectures on blockchain governance and ecosystem design, hosted by INATBA (European Commission blockchain association), The IEEE, Fedex Institute of Technology, Hyperledger Foundation and others. I also consulted multiple enterprise blockchain projects during that time.

My 1st crypto transaction was buying a pocket knife with $DASH during PorcFest 2018.

/lobbying & government relations

Before getting into tech, I spent 5+ years working in US politics on free-market issues like promoting innovation, reducing corporate cronyism, tax reform, criminal justice reform, immigration, and more. My work has impacted the passage of dozens of bills on the state and federal level.

Teams I worked with: Senator Rob Portman, Americans for Prosperity, American Petroleum Institute, Concerned Veterans of America, Libre Initiative, and others.

After moving to Europe in 2022, I've secured my teams Certificate of Excellence in Innovation and major European Union grant funding.

Currently working on some new innovation initiatives in the US and EU. More on that soon.

/personal stuff

My most fundamental belief is that humans are autonomous; that is, they are able to take action to impact their environment and circumstances. Anything can be done by anyone with enough willpower and grit. We make our own reality. When we realize this, we are free.

I'm a Cryptoanarchist. The future is decentralized, democratized, and censorship resistant.

Unabashed techno-optimist.

Above all, I'm building a tribe.

growth mode

I'm building a few projects at the moment. Check them out here!

Recursive Studio, Partner

a development studio helping teams ship powerful crypto and AI products

🟢 Sept 2024 - Present

prior startups

I've built multiple VC-backed, revenue generating startups like marketplaces, data infra, and more.

TalentLayer Protocol, CEO

an open-source blockchain infrastructure decentralized marketplaces with interoperable reputation. backed by outlier ventures, founders of The Graph, Kleros, +

🟡 July 2022 - Sept 2024

Facings, COO

a white-label NFT marketplace solution for influencers, sports collectables, clothing companies, and more. grew it from 5 to 12 people, generated revenue, raised pre-seed round.

🟢 June 2021 - July 2022

hackathon projects

I've been to 15+ hackathons in the past two years. Most of the time, I'm there building work tech proofs of concepts. I've won prizes at the past 6 that I've hacked at.

latest writing

I write occasionally about tech, startups, and the future of work.