ACTAI Global, in partnership with Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), produced the Neckerverse Summit on Necker Island from August 2–6, 2022. The summit convened leaders in technology, venture capital, and blockchain alongside creators, conservationists, and social‑impact innovators to accelerate Web3 initiatives—spanning DAOs, NFTs, and the Metaverse—focused on global good.
“Web3 is opening the door to a new, more collaborative era,” said Bill Tai, founder of ACTAI Global. “We are bringing together people from a diverse set of areas that together can help us outline how to leverage this technology shift in impactful ways.” Program discussions centered on how emerging Web3 economic models can power products, services, and technologies that advance a more equitable, responsible, and innovative society.
Neckerverse was an invite‑only gathering hosted on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands and directed by Maria Serafica, CFO of ACTAI Global, alongside Victoria Slivkoff, Executive Director of XTC. Eighty participants traveled from around the world, including leaders from Binance, Bitfury, YGG, Chemonics, and OneFootball. The program also featured a health and longevity panel with renowned physician and thought leader Dr. Mark Hyman. During the summit, ACTAI Global presented Richard Branson with a $50,000 donation to Virgin Unite in support of ocean conservation efforts, specifically the BVI Death Net/Ghost Gear Initiative.
The summit included a Web3 exposition showcasing four startup winners from the “Web3 Pitchfest,” a collaboration between XTC and CoinDesk. These standout companies were selected from the top presenters at the CoinDesk Consensus Festival in June 2022.
PitchFest finalists featured at Neckerverse included:
- Givepact – A platform enabling nonprofits to accept cryptocurrency donations
- Merkle Science – A predictive crypto risk and intelligence platform
- Deeper Networks – Builders of Web3 infrastructure combining network security, blockchain, and a sharing‑economy model
- Mona – A leading metaverse world‑building platform created for and by digital creators
These founders presented to a global audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from more than twenty countries. Their participation was generously supported by Neckerverse sponsors, including TapJets, OneOf, Mission Gate, Mighty Buildings, FMWV.io, and NIMA Capital.