The intersection of AI and web3 represents one of the most exciting frontiers in technology today. While many projects chase the latest trends, few founders bring the combination of proven execution ability and deep market understanding needed to build something truly transformative in this space. That’s why we’re excited to support Kevin Mintaraga, a third-time founder with two successful exits under his belt, as he builds By then, an AI-powered platform that transforms static NFTs into dynamic 3D avatars, enabling new forms of digital expression and interaction.
From Counter-Strike Pro to Serial Entrepreneur: Kevin’s Journey
Kevin’s path to entrepreneurship began far from the world of tech startups. In his early years, he was actually one of Indonesia’s top Counter-Strike players, representing his country in international tournaments and earning between $1,000-10,000 annually from competitions – significant money for a teenager in the early 00s Indonesia.
However, life had other plans. When his father suffered a stroke during Kevin’s university years in Australia, the family’s finances were devastated. Forced to return home with only a junior high school diploma, Kevin initially worked as a taxi driver to support his family.
His path changed when he received an opportunity to become an account executive at a graphic design agency, where he began connecting with marketers from various multinational firms. It was in 2007 when Kevin spotted his first major business opportunity – recognizing that Indonesia’s internet advertising spend was remarkably low and poised for growth. This insight led him to establish Magnivate (later Mirum Agency) in March 2008. Despite having no prior digital marketing experience, Kevin built Indonesia’s top agency by focusing on talent development and client satisfaction. When WPP acquired the company, Kevin had successfully managed co-founder departures and aggressive growth targets, demonstrating his resilience and execution capabilities.
His second venture, Bridestory, arose from his own wedding planning challenges. Recognizing the untapped potential in Indonesia’s wedding industry, Kevin built a marketplace that, despite initial struggles with its business model, ultimately became profitable and was acquired by Tokopedia in 2019. As Tokopedia’s CMO, Kevin continued to innovate, launching Tokopedia Marketing Solutions which saw a 17-fold increase in advertising investment value and a 30-fold spike in strategic partnerships within just one semester.
The Genesis of Bythen
Kevin’s journey to Bythen began during his time at Tokopedia, where he observed a fascinating shift in user behavior. When Tokopedia partnered with BTS in 2020, he noticed Gen Z’s strong preference for using avatars over real identities on social media. This insight deepened in 2023 when Tokopedia’s partnership with a Vtuber proved both more efficient and cost-effective for content generation than traditional influencer collaborations.
Simultaneously, as an active crypto investor since 2021, Kevin had accumulated significant holdings in blue-chip NFT projects. He recognized that while these NFTs commanded high prices, their utility remained largely limited to profile pictures and occasional token drops. The emergence of Large Language Models sparked a vision: what if these static NFTs could become dynamic AI companions?
Building the Future of Digital Identity
Bythen’s approach stands out through its focus on high-quality 3D modeling and advanced AI integration. The platform offers a comprehensive solution for turning 2D NFTs into interactive 3D avatars, powered by proprietary motion capture technology and a sophisticated AI fine-tuning engine called “dojo.” This technology enables various use cases, from personalized AI companions to content creation tools and digital alter-egos for live streaming. The platform’s innovative features showcase its potential to bridge digital and physical experiences in novel ways.
The Road Ahead
The digital avatar market is projected to grow from $13.5 billion in 2022 to $533.8 billion by 2032, driven by increasing adoption in gaming, VR/AR, social media, and e-commerce. Kevin’s vision for Bythen goes beyond just riding this wave – he aims to fundamentally transform how we interact with digital identities and AI.
As we continue supporting co-founders pushing the boundaries of technology in Greater Southeast Asia, we’re thrilled to back Kevin and the Bythen team in this ambitious endeavor. Their combination of technical excellence, market understanding, and proven execution ability positions them well to shape the future of digital interaction and expression.
If you are a founder working on innovative applications of web3 and AI, apply to AppWorks Accelerator to join our vibrant community of technology founders.
