Meet OneRare - A pioneering platform that aims to bring the global food industry to Web3 for the first time by foodifying the blockchain. The platform focuses on celebrating food in the Web3 space, allowing users to interact with top culinary talents and food brands as they create unique virtual food experiences and signature Dish NFTs.
In an interview with Supreet Raju, Co-founder and Creative Director of OneRare, we learn about the inspiration behind this innovative business model and the journey to its creation.
Supreet Raju, Co-founder and Creative Director of OneRare
Here are the top 5 learnings we had from the conversation.
1) At the core of every business lies a crazy idea.
The idea for OneRare came about during the pandemic in January 2021, when Supreet and her husband decided to start a project that was both creative and interesting. With a background in textile design, Supreet wanted to explore something beyond traditional cryptocurrency trading.
The couple decided to focus on the universal passion for food, which everyone can relate to regardless of their location. They felt that the theme would be a great example to help people understand blockchain better. They started interacting with chefs and restaurants, and today, OneRare has become the world's first foodverse with a gaming zone and other unique features.
2) Community and partners help businesses thrive
OneRare's success can be attributed in part to its dedicated community of engaged players. With Web3's lack of physical boundaries, the platform attracts a diverse audience of individuals from all over the world. In particular, the community boasts a significant number of women and younger kids who are drawn to the platform's unique blend of food and blockchain technology. This younger demographic is particularly important for OneRare as they are more comfortable with the technology and are more likely to engage with brands and food from across the globe, thereby increasing participation on the blockchain.
OneRare places a strong emphasis on making people feel comfortable and building a sense of community. This approach has been instrumental in growing the platform's user base. The founders' prior experience in the blockchain industry since 2017 has provided them with a wealth of knowledge and connections in the field, making it easier to navigate the industry's landscape. Additionally, the platform has received support from established blockchain companies such as Polygon and media agencies such as Altcoin Buzz, who have recognized OneRare's potential and offered their support through grants and other means.
3) Know your market, then own it
In the food industry, there are two types of people: those who are well aware of blockchain and NFTs, and those who lack knowledge about these concepts. OneRare recognizes the importance of catering to both groups, but they have a special focus on educating and guiding those who are less familiar with Web3. This is because they understand that making people comfortable with technology is essential for growing their community.
To achieve this goal, OneRare conducted market research and simplified its approach based on the community's feedback. They raised $2.3 million in November 2021 to focus on adoption, bringing something new to the people, and fueling its growth. Revenue generation is not the main focus right now; instead, their passion lies in building up the project and ensuring they are not anticipating a quick profit. They believe that bringing a million gamers on board is more important than generating revenue at this point in time. OneRare is proud to be the first platform that is opening up the food industry to something innovative, and they are excited about the possibilities that this brings.
4) Challenges make success sweeter
The team behind OneRare faced several technical challenges during the development process, including a shortage of developers and builders. However, they overcame these obstacles by working closely with their development team and simplifying the technology to make it more accessible to users. This process took a significant amount of time and effort, but ultimately allowed OneRare to build the platform they envisioned.
The team recognized the importance of making the technology user-friendly and accessible, especially for those who may not have a strong understanding of blockchain and NFTs. By simplifying the platform and offering support to users, OneRare was able to build a strong community and attract a diverse audience, including women and younger participants. Overall, the team's dedication to overcoming technical challenges and making the platform accessible has been a key factor in the success of OneRare.
5) Belief is everything
After graduating in Design, Supreet had a strong desire to become an entrepreneur and not work for someone else. With a background in the home textile industry and a passion for food, the lockdown period during the pandemic created the perfect environment for the founder and her husband, a co-founder, to pursue their dream of venturing into the food industry. With substantial efforts and hard work, OneRare has become a platform for celebrating food from around the world, bringing people together in the comfort of their own seats and creating lasting memories of happiness.
OneRare: Sugar, Spice, & Everything Web3
By creating a space for people to interact with food brands and culinary talent through Dish NFTs and virtual food experiences, OneRare has become a pioneer in bringing the global food industry to the Web3 for the first time. The platform's focus on community-building and education creates an engaging and informative experience for its users. Onerare's success demonstrates the potential of Web 3.0 technology in revolutionizing traditional industries and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and consumers alike. The founder's journey from a design graduate to an entrepreneur in the food industry is a testament to the power of pursuing one's passions and the potential for innovation in the Web3 space.