Zach Hirsch, a remarkable 21-year-old and the Chief Marketing Officer of Mozverse is revolutionizing the web3 landscape with his co-founded web3 development platform. His incredible journey began with a childhood passion for gaming and science fiction, igniting his desire to create captivating virtual worlds. It was the influential novel “Snowcrash” that first introduced Hirsch to the concepts of the “Metaverse” and “Avatar,” sparking his determination to bring these visionary ideas to life.
A pivotal moment occurred when Hirsch immersed himself in VRChat and experienced the blockbuster movie “Ready Player One.” These encounters solidified his belief that the future of the internet lay within an immersive realm known as the metaverse. The confirmation struck him profoundly when he witnessed the electrifying Travis Scott Fortnite concert in 2020, revealing that the Metaverse was not a distant dream but an imminent reality.
Before the advent of Mozverse, Hirsch had already amassed a considerable following on Instagram for his astute sports betting predictions. Currently boasting 2.2 million followers on his Instagram page @ipickwins, Hirsch’s expertise in sports analytics stems from his early exposure to the world of sports within his family. His innate ability to decipher plays, formations, and tendencies became evident at an early age. A defining moment occurred when, at just 11 years old, he astoundingly won a football pool by accurately predicting the outcome of all sixteen games against the spread. This initial triumph solidified his passion for sports analysis and set the stage for his future endeavors.
Hirsch’s participation in the prestigious Sloan MIT Sports Analytics Conference and his completion of the Harvard Entrepreneurial Excellence Program have profoundly shaped his entrepreneurial approach and deepened his understanding of the sports industry. Learning from top entrepreneurs and engaging with football coaching legend Coach Mike Leach has fortified his confidence in analysis and predictions as he has progressed over the years.
As a testament to his remarkable sports analytics skills, Hirsch was chosen to co-host the “Kiss and The Myst” podcast alongside the award-winning music artist Jadakiss, where they delve exclusively into sports discussions. This experience of co-hosting alongside Jadakiss has been a transformative journey for Hirsch, further expanding his horizons.
From his roots as a sports analyst to his groundbreaking contributions in the web3 domain, Zach Hirsch continues to captivate audiences with his visionary pursuits. As he forges ahead, Hirsch’s dedication to revolutionizing the internet and bringing the metaverse to life remains an inspiring testament to his unwavering determination and limitless potential.
Life Prior to Mozverse: Unveiling Zach Hirsch’s Journey
Even before the inception of Mozverse, Zach Hirsch had already garnered a substantial following on Instagram with his successful sports betting predictions. Currently, his Instagram page @ipickwins boasts an impressive 2.2 million followers. His foundation in sports analytics can be traced back to his early exposure to sports within his family. Hirsch’s natural talent for comprehending plays, formations, and tendencies swiftly became evident, resulting in a remarkable feat at the tender age of 11 when he accurately predicted the outcome of all sixteen games in a football pool. This early triumph solidified his passion for sports analysis and laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.
Hirsch’s active involvement in the Sloan MIT Sports Analytics Conference and his completion of the Harvard Entrepreneurial Excellence Program have profoundly influenced his entrepreneurial approach and enriched his understanding of the sports industry. Gaining wisdom from esteemed entrepreneurs and collaborating with football coaching legend Coach Mike Leach has fortified his confidence in analysis and predictions as he has progressed over the years.
His exceptional skills in sports analytics ultimately led to an opportunity to co-host the “Kiss and The Myst” podcast alongside the renowned music artist Jadakiss, a show exclusively dedicated to sports. The experience of sharing the podcast stage with Jadakiss has been nothing short of transformative for Hirsch.
The Dynamic Team Powering Mozverse
The remarkable success of Mozverse can be attributed to the exceptional team that drives its accomplishments. Zach Hirsch acknowledges his co-founder, Danny Mozlin, for assembling a group of talented individuals from various corners of the world. The team benefits from the invaluable guidance of experienced professionals such as CFO Ray Edwards and General Counsel Kelsey Monaghan, ensuring compliance and technical excellence.
While Mozverse employs just over twenty full-time developers, Hirsch believes that the capabilities of their CTO, Denis, and the entire engineering team exceed the expectations of five top-tier developers. Their collective brilliance is showcased through collaborative work and individual contributions. Hirsch often marvels at the incredible ideas put forward by Ruslan, the Director of 3D Engineering, or how Denis can transform Hirsch’s initial concepts into tangible realities.
As a co-founder, Hirsch plays a pivotal role in the strategic decision-making processes at Mozverse, particularly in the development and launch of new products. While he brings forth initial ideas and product concepts, he recognizes Danny Mozlin as the wizard who transforms those ideas into practical solutions. Their partnership thrives on mutual respect, shared goals, and complementary talents, making them a formidable force in the industry.
Mozverse proudly boasts an impressive client portfolio that has greatly benefited from its services. They have created a digital asset marketplace for IBM Japan and are currently working on a similar project for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Their expertise extends to enterprise-level projects for Tech Pedal and Solve Group, highlighting their versatility and ability to cater to diverse business needs. Additionally, their collaboration with renowned music producer Scott Storch on a web3 music project expands their reach into the entertainment industry.
Looking towards the future, Hirsch envisions Mozverse as a driving force in shaping the metaverse. With exciting innovations in web3 payments and web3 data intelligence on the horizon, they aim to introduce groundbreaking solutions in the coming year. Their focus lies in democratizing the metaverse by making virtual worlds accessible to businesses of all sizes through their upcoming Verse platform. Hirsch emphasizes that this platform will embody principles of interoperability and decentralization, providing exciting features without the exorbitant costs often associated with traditional virtual land acquisitions, thus revitalizing the reputation of the metaverse.
Paving the Path for the Future of Web3
When prompted for advice to fellow Gen Z entrepreneurs aspiring to venture into the web3 realm, Hirsch underscores the significance of pursuing one’s passions, assembling a formidable team, and embracing hard work. He firmly believes that the future of web3 hinges on the convergence of immersive gaming, live entertainment, and media.
Embracing the Challenges and Unveiling the True Potential of the Metaverse
While acknowledging the existing challenges within the metaverse and web3 industry, Hirsch views the negative associations surrounding the term “Metaverse” as a temporary setback.
“I believe this is just a temporary phase, as people will come to realize in the coming years that Meta Horizons, Decentraland, and Sandbox were never truly representative of the Metaverse or even exceptional examples of virtual worlds,” he explains.
Hirsch firmly believes that the true potential of the metaverse surpasses what has been portrayed thus far. He predicts that the negative experiences encountered by some investors will fade as the industry matures. Furthermore, the lack of easily accessible infrastructure and tools for web3 development serves as a hurdle that Mozverse is actively working to overcome.
Hirsch urges everyone to acknowledge that web3 is still in its infancy, with only a mere 1% of the global population currently possessing web3 wallets. He emphasizes that Mozverse is not merely a crypto project or blockchain company but rather a driving force behind the next evolution of the internet. With their unwavering dedication to constructing a superior and more immersive online world, Mozverse is committed to bringing web3 to the masses.