Building a DePIN-powered Shazam for Media with Rumi | Niko Cunningham and Mateusz Poreda

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Connor and Sal spoke with Mateusz Poreda and Niko Cunningham, co-founders of Rumi, a company reimagining media consumption through contextually aware AI agents that enhance viewer engagement. Niko shared how his upbringing in Detroit sparked his passion for technology, while Mateusz discussed how his background in consulting and tech helps navigate Rumi’s complex challenges. They announced Rumi’s $5 million pre-seed round, co-led by EV3 and A16Z CSX, and outlined their vision to turn passive media into interactive experiences. The conversation touched on Rumi’s contributor rewards model, potential for creators and advertisers, and concluded with advice for aspiring founders, encouraging listeners to explore Rumi and join the growing community.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:56 - What is Rumi?

03:50 - Niko's Journey and Early Influences

08:33 - Mateusz's Background and Career Path

10:20 - The Importance of Diverse Experiences

13:16 - Rumi's Supply Side and Community Contribution

14:04 - Transforming Media Consumption

18:01 - Privacy and Data Handling

20:05 - Maximizing Points and Engagement

22:04 - Exploring Demand for Rumi

27:08 - Unlocking New User Experiences

29:07 - Nielsen vs. Rumi: A New Era of Analytics

34:39 - Advice for Founders on Fundraising

38:26 - How to Get Involved with Rumi

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.