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From Rhode Island Roots to Web3 Innovation: My Journey as an Entrepreneur

Exeter, RI – Oct 02, 2025 - David Paolo

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven by a passion for building things that make a difference. Growing up and building my career in Rhode Island, I’ve seen firsthand how technology can transform industries, empower communities, and create new opportunities.

My entrepreneurial journey began decades ago when I founded Log On America, one of Rhode Island’s early Internet service providers. At a time when broadband was still in its infancy, I saw the opportunity to connect people and businesses to the digital world. We grew quickly, went public, and raised $25 million — a milestone not just for me personally, but for the state’s tech community.

That experience taught me something invaluable: entrepreneurship is not just about having an idea, it’s about execution, timing, and resilience.

Lessons From the Past, Focused on the Future
Over the years, I’ve launched, supported, and advised multiple ventures across technology, finance, and digital innovation. Each chapter has reinforced the importance of staying ahead of the curve — not just adapting to change, but creating it.

Today, my focus is on building solutions at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and crowdfunding. These three areas, when combined, offer a powerful toolkit for solving one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face: access to capital.

Why Crowdfunding Needs a Rethink
Crowdfunding has unlocked incredible opportunities for creators and startups. But traditional platforms have their limits. Too often, campaigns face issues like fraud, lack of transparency, or barriers to global participation.

That’s where I see the potential of Web3 and AI:
• Blockchain transparency ensures that every contribution and transaction is verifiable.
• Tokenization gives creators new ways to reward supporters — from digital collectibles to equity participation.
• AI-powered verification reduces fraud and builds trust by ensuring compliance and authenticity. The future of crowdfunding isn’t just about raising money. It’s about creating systems that people believe in.

Building From Rhode Island to the World
While my ventures are global in scope, my roots remain firmly in Rhode Island. I live in Exeter, on Boone Lake, where I balance my work with my personal passion — playing hockey several times a week.

Hockey has shaped how I approach business:
• Teamwork is essential. No one builds a company alone.
• Discipline separates those who dream from those who execute.
• Resilience helps you bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward.

These values guide not only how I play on the ice, but also how I build companies and partnerships.

A Call to Entrepreneurs and Innovators
The tools are here. Blockchain, AI, and crowdfunding are no longer buzzwords — they’re building blocks. My goal is to help entrepreneurs leverage them to launch ideas, raise capital, and build communities of trust.

I’m especially excited about what this means for creators, small business owners, and startups who may not have had access to traditional funding pathways. By combining transparency with innovation, we can create systems that unlock new opportunities for growth.

Looking Ahead
As I continue to develop this new Web3 crowdfunding platform, I invite fellow entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators to connect with me. Whether you’re building in AI, launching a creative project, or exploring blockchain applications, I believe collaboration is key to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

This is just the beginning of the next chapter — one that blends the lessons of the past with the technologies of the future.

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