The third web venture builder.

We make your business more profitable by building a company that solves the problems you can’t internally — you then license or acquire it to maintain and grow your competitive edge. We de-risk the unknown future to create new, sustainable revenue by combining technology, product design, and investment, with specialist talent. When these building blocks come together, the future of your industry emerges. With you at the fore.

By now, you’ve heard plenty about third web technologies. If you think NFT drops and branded cryptocurrencies are superficial and far from what your business needs to create meaningful, sustainable growth, you’re right. True business innovators are looking past the next flashy campaign metaverse, to understand and unlock the shift in life, business, and value creation that technologies such as blockchain, smart legal contracts, and decentralised autonomous organisations can deliver. We help you de-risk this brave new world whilst continuing to helm a major brand, deliver shareholder ROI, and navigate constant change. If you’d like to move past “web3” for PR and use it for new and sustainable revenue generation, read on.

Ready to build new revenue?

The Building Blocks was founded by four partners with expertise at the intersections of distributed ledger technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, product and experience design, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The team are experienced in shepherding businesses through change whilst de-risking the future.

The Building Blocks craft a limited number of third web ventures every year. To discuss partnering, email us at hello@thebuildingblocks.com.

  • Niall is a visionary with 20+ years experience spanning telecoms systems, mobile and web applications, internet of things (IoT), and distributed ledgers to build web2 and now web3. CTO-in-residence at University College London School of Management, Niall recently helped deliver His Majesty’s Land Registry to their first ever transfer of land ownership using blockchain. When he’s not developing the future of the internet, you’ll find him climbing mountains or riding down them on his bike.

  • Having worked with over 100 global brands Gracie leverages the intersection of creativity and emerging technology to make businesses irresistible to their audiences. A certified Forrester CX Pro and ex marketing managing director she has been a founding member of councils at WPP, Snapchat, and her brand innovation newsletter is read by marketers at Google, The Guardian, BBC, Meta, Deliveroo, BT, Kellogg’s, Brave, Richemont and many more. When she’s not applying cutting-edge tech to marketing you’ll find her knitting her next sweater.

  • With a Ph.D in machine learning and 15 years experience applying emerging technologies to business innovation, Alastair’s teaching positions span UCL, Cambridge University and Peking HSBC Business School. He is a Royal Academy of Engineering mentor, and sits on the board of AI Industrial. His startup was acquired by WPP in 2021. When he’s not applying computing to real-world problems you’ll find Alastair writing and playing music or doing charity work for cystic fibrosis.

  • Product designer turned entrepreneur specialised in human-computer interaction, Daniel left Apple to grow his mobile security company from startup to IPO (2013), before leading product development at innovation centre IdeaLondon - opening the world’s first private iOS and Android app stores and launching the UK’s first legal-tech accelerator. Thereafter he helped launch the first all-in-one digital healthcare service. When he’s not developing disruptive digital products you’ll find him wood-working or restoring his Land Rover.

Selection of recent publications

FAQ

  • A venture builder is a business that builds businesses. Sometimes referred to as “startup factories” or “venture studios”, venture builders assemble teams around a problem worth solving.

    At The Building Blocks, we take a holistic approach to building companies; combining expert talent in product development, technology, and brand building with our own research IP, and investment funding. This results in ventures that not only have an identified problem and a team to solve it, but also the key building blocks for successful market launch.

  • By helping them to solve problems they don’t have the resources to internally.

    Brand leaders are busy helming their business into a new era of customer engagement. Whilst continuing to grow the bottom line, they must navigate evolving consumer behaviours, increasingly fluid digital worlds, and innovate to future-proof the business whilst staving off nimble challenger brands that simply don’t have the same demands placed upon them. We work with brand leaders who have identified a business problem they need to solve, but do not have the means to do so internally. Analysing business problems, designing solutions, assembling teams, developing proprietary technology, raising external funds or justifying internal budgets, and bringing the solution to market is onerous. We do this for you. If you like what we build, you may use it exclusively, or even acquire it.

  • No, because technology isn’t the star of the show. Your vision is.

    Web3 technologies offer businesses a new toolkit with which to solve the big problems. You don’t need to have developed a “web3 idea”. In fact, it’s better not to have pre-conceived notions about what technologies, products, or services might solve the problem your business faces. We’re experts in this department, and we’ll devise a solution together that leverages the new possibilities third web technologies afford us without making them the hero.

  • Different businesses need different building blocks to unlock future revenue. We’ve worked in all of them, and will bring what’s additive.

    Be it business strategy, product development, brand building, emerging technology, or marketing, we’ll combine our building blocks to develop a solution. We’ll do this in collaboration with you every step of the way. We also lead any funding rounds deemed necessary to make a success of the venture. You don’t need to make new hires, commit to acquiring the company we build for you, or know anything about web3 technology. You do need to have an open mind, clear business problem, and budget to fund activity until investment is secured. You should also be an established brand in your industry with an existing customer base.

  • Get in touch by sending an email to hello@thebuildingblocks.com.