We turn first-principles problem framing into shipped products
Old School is Bernd Lapp's Web3 problem-solving studio. We turn first-principles problem framing into shipped products with real adoption. We make new technology accessible and easy to use for mainstream adoption.
- Not a protocol umbrella
- Not a generic dev shop
- Not a marketing agency
One Person, One Billion
Explore 50 curated single-founder startup concepts with billion-dollar potential. AI-powered blueprints across industries, validated by market analysis.
Our Expertise
We solve real problems with Web3 technology that people actually use
Build and Launch
Shipped MVP + initial adoption loop
We build what matters and ship it fast. No endless roadmaps.
- MVP definition (what to build/what not)
- Architecture and implementation (smart contracts + backend + frontend)
- Launch setup (onboarding + analytics + feedback loops)
- GTM foundation (positioning, messaging, distribution plan)
Commercials: Build fee + equity, milestone-based, fast shipping
Problem-to-Product Sprint
Decision-quality plan in 2 to 3 weeks
Know exactly what to build and why before you commit resources.
- Problem map (root cause + constraints)
- Solution thesis (why Web3/why not)
- MVP spec + architecture outline
- Success metrics + rollout plan
Technical Diligence
Clarity on what is real, what breaks, and what matters
For investors and boards who need to understand the technical reality.
- Architecture review
- Risk register (tech/security/regulatory/adoption)
- Value thesis vs red flags memo
- 30/60/90 next steps
How we work
A proven 5-step method that ships results
Diagnose pain
Find the real problem beneath the symptoms
Simplest MVP
Cut everything that doesn't prove the core thesis
Build core system
Ship production-grade architecture that scales
Launch feedback loop
Get real users and measure what matters
Iterate
Double down on what works, kill what doesn't
Bernd Lapp
From Ethereum's Advisory Board to founder and innovator - a trusted guide for ambitious Web3 and AI initiatives
2015-2017
Ethereum Foundation
Early strategy & ecosystem growth focusing on governance, community trust and decentralization principles at the core.
2017
Groundbreaking Fundraising
Structured, compliant token sales for real products combining economic design with responsible execution.
2018-Present
Execution-Focused Founder
From Swarm.City to AVA.DO and Relai.com, Bernd initiated and led teams that turned blockchain concepts into deployed infrastructure, tools, and consumer-ready dApps.
Today
Old School GmbH
Based in Zug's Crypto Valley. Bridging Web3 & AI with rigorous evaluation, hands-on building and decisive strategy.
Trusted by Pioneers
Projects and partnerships that deliver real-world impact
Ethereum Foundation
Role: Advisory Board Member
2015-2017
Shaped early strategy and ecosystem growth, focusing on governance frameworks, community trust-building, and core decentralization principles during Ethereum's formative years.
AVADO
Role: Co-Founder
3,000+ home stakers (2018–2025)
Built infrastructure for decentralized node running. Active partnerships with HOPR, Polkadot, Avalanche, and NEAR.
Relai
Role: Initiator, Networking, Advisor
9M+ USD annual revenue (as of 2025)
MVP developed in a weekend hackathon. Turned a prototype into a revenue-generating Bitcoin investment platform with mainstream adoption.
Swarm City
Role: President & Co-Founder
2016-Present
Pioneered decentralized peer-to-peer sharing economy on Ethereum. Built fully distributed marketplace infrastructure using SWT token and IPFS technology.
CommonsStack
Role: Board Member
2019-2022
Contributed to building infrastructure for community-governed funding mechanisms and shared resource management in Web3 ecosystems.
Blockchain Enablement
Role: Infrastructure Provider
Multiple engineering teams supported
Provided traditional entity structure and admin/TradFi infrastructure for blockchain teams to operate in the real world, bridging crypto and legacy systems.
Key Partnerships & Integrations
Good fit / Not a fit
We work with specific types of projects. Here's how to know if we're right for you.
You're a good fit if:
- You're a technical founder or developer-led team
- You have strong tech but need product clarity
- You want to ship fast and iterate with real users
- You need mainstream adoption, not just crypto natives
- You're willing to kill ideas that don't work
- You value equity partnerships over hourly billing
Not a fit if:
- You need a large dev team for staff augmentation
- You want someone to just execute your spec
- You're looking for marketing or community management
- You need 24/7 support or maintenance contracts
- You're not open to challenging assumptions
- You want revolutionary promises without proof
Let's talk about your project
Message me on Telegram to discuss how we can help you ship a product people actually use.
Message @coachb on Telegram