The next evolution of the internet isn’t about owning platforms — it’s about owning value. And Web3 is quietly rewriting who gets paid, when, and why. In this episode of the Scouting for Growth Podcast, Sabine VanderLinden sits down with Sara Simeone, CEO and Co-Founder of Niftyz (formerly Digital Oracles), founder of NoCodeLab, and Co-Chair of the Start-up Working Group at Crypto Valley, to cut through the noise around Web3, NFTs, and the Metaverse — and focus on what actually creates sustainable value. Sara has been at the front edge of the web since Web 1.0. Long before NFTs became headlines, she was researching how machine learning and blockchain would reshape digital marketing, publishing one of the earliest papers on the topic in 2018. That work led her into Crypto Valley, where she began building cross-border ecosystems between Italy, the UK, and Switzerland — and advising accelerators, incubators, and VCs on how to turn early-stage innovation into commercially viable businesses. The conversation begins with a clear distinction between Web2 and Web3. Today’s internet is dominated by platforms that monetise user data — often without users realising it. Web3, by contrast, aims to create a decentralised web where individuals and businesses regain control over how their data, content, and contributions are used. The challenge? Immature infrastructure, fragmented standards, and a massive knowledge gap. This is where NFTs come back into the picture — and not in the speculative way most people expect. Sara reframes NFTs as access keys, not digital collectibles. At Niftyz, NFTs unlock content, tools, data, experiences, and privileges — both on-chain and off-chain — across immersive environments. Without understanding NFTs, she argues, you won’t be able to access or monetise the Metaverse effectively. One of the most thought-provoking moments in the episode is Sara’s concept of the “input economy.” In Web2, we monetise outputs: the finished product, the final post, the published collection. Web3 opens the door to monetising every step of value creation. Mock-ups, ideation, voting, community feedback, and early engagement can all become economic signals — and revenue streams. Brands can co-create with their communities, validate demand before production, and reward participation in entirely new ways. The episode also tackles the elephant in the room: NFT backlash. Every phase of the internet has had its cowboys. The difference now is that artists, creators, and brands are beginning to use NFTs to reach new audiences, protect IP, and build direct relationships — moving beyond hype toward utility. This episode is essential listening for: Business leaders exploring Web3 beyond PR experiments Founders designing NFT strategies with real use cases Investors assessing long-term value in immersive economies Brands looking to monetise know-how, not just content As Sara makes clear, Web3 isn’t about speculation — it’s about empowerment. Empowering creators, brands, and communities to own, shape, and monetise value in a more transparent, participatory internet. And we’re only at the beginning.