# Daniel Jacobs

> Daniel Jacobs is the Boulder-based founder and CEO of Thrive Protocol, which connects crypto ecosystem funding to verified contributions and outcomes. Previously a founder of Everywun and cofounder and CEO of Avanoo, he has worked across philanthropic technology, employee learning, and decentralized communities. His public writing links his interest in value creation to mentorship, storytelling, and the experience of building businesses.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Thrive Protocol
- **Organizations:** Thrive Protocol, ThriveCoin, Avanoo, Everywun, Placebo Effect
- **Education:** BA; a 2020 speaker biography describes his degree as Leadership, Williams College
- **Known for:** Cofounded and led Avanoo, ranked No. 683 on the 2020 Inc. 5000., Founded Thrive Protocol and led its work on performance-based ecosystem funding., Self-reported state and age-group national wrestling championships.

## Career timeline

- **2000-2004** — Attended Williams College; later co-founded Avanoo with fellow alumnus Prosper Nwankpa.
- **—** — Founded Everywun before Avanoo; exact tenure dates unconfirmed.
- **2012** — Crowdfunded the chocolate business Placebo Effect, which he later described as Avanoo’s roots.
- **2019** — Discussed culture and storytelling in a Chief Executive interview while CEO of Avanoo.
- **2020** — Avanoo ranked No. 683 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2022** — Publicly announced ThriveCoin infrastructure for validating and rewarding DAO contributions.
- **2023** — Appeared on Making Bank as CEO and founding member of ThriveCoin.
- **2025** — Discussed contribution verification and AI reviewers on The Crypto Beat; represented Thrive in a Horizen grants discussion.
- **2026** — Quoted in ZenChain’s February announcement of a Thrive partnership.

## Achievements

- Cofounded and led Avanoo, ranked No. 683 on the 2020 Inc. 5000.
- Founded Thrive Protocol and led its work on performance-based ecosystem funding.
- Self-reported state and age-group national wrestling championships.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — ZenChain announced an ecosystem growth partnership with Thrive; Jacobs emphasized identifying builders who deliver lasting value.
- **2025-11** — Published The Path from Points to Value, reflecting on preseason points and outlining Season 1.
- **2025-07** — Thrive announced a Base-sponsored 12-month funding program distributing 3 million OP tokens.
- **2025-06** — Appeared on The Crypto Beat to discuss expert and AI contribution review.

## Links

- Website: https://thriveprotocol.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whoisdaniel
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/danieljacobs

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/daniel-jacobs
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09