Verse Talks Steve McKeon, investing in art, the birth of Glitch and the future of digital culture
Aug 15, 2025
Steve McKeon, a partner at Collab+Currency and former finance professor, dives into the thrilling intersection of art and investment. He shares his intriguing journey from the dot-com boom to the wine industry, ultimately discovering crypto. The conversation reveals the rise of NFTs and the birth of Glitch, exploring how passion shapes investment theses. McKeon reflects on collectability in digital art, the influence of traditional sculpture, and the future of digital culture, highlighting the evolving NFT landscape and the importance of community in art.
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Marfa Backyard Moment
- Steve McKeon remembers arriving at a barbecue in Eric's Marfa house with 200 global Art Blocks collectors present.
- He emphasizes the deliberate effort attendees made to be there, making exclusivity a feature not a bug.
From Dot‑Com Bust To Winery CEO
- After the dot-com bust Steve moved to Napa and unexpectedly rose to run a large winery producing millions of bottles annually.
- That winery experience taught him consumer marketing lessons he later applied to Collab+Currency.
Academic Pivot Then Startup Exit
- Steve left the winery to pursue a PhD and became a finance professor after a professor offered to recommend him.
- While teaching he co-founded Skyward, a drone management startup that Verizon later acquired.
