PlebLab

builders

![](https://m.stacker.news/120558)

At the early stage, metrics are not about building a fancy dashboard.

They’re about answering three simple questions:

- Is the thing growing, even a little, every week?
- Is sats flow starting to look like a system, not a one-off tip?
- Most importantly is this a product that people actually love?

Everything else is just different camera angles on those three questions.

This post is a guide for PlebLab Startup School teams past and future:

- the few numbers that actually matter
- how to think about “benchmarks” without LARPing
- and most importantly how to wire all of this into a Bitcoin / Lightning reality candidly

At the end, I will point you to a Markdown file with the actual PlebLab Investor Update template you can remix and or copy to ship every month to us.

Read more at [pulse.pleblab.dev](https://pulse.pleblab.dev/)

PlebLab Investor Update: The Magic of Compound Growth

![](https://m.stacker.news/120379)

At PlebLab, we get to see builders ship stuff every week out of the hackerspace. Feels like a good time to open that energy up here too.

What are you building this week?

It can be small or big
• a Lightning idea or side project
• a new feature for your startup
• a script or tool to scratch your own itch
• a landing page, pitch deck, or prototype
• maintenance, refactors, or docs you’ve been dodging

Drop a comment with:
• What you’re building
• Why it matters (for you, users, or Bitcoin)
• What “done” looks like

What Are You Building This Week?

![](https://m.stacker.news/118063)

[Bitcoin Builders Club](https://x.com/BTCBuildersClub) is your monthly hangout in Austin, Texas, for devs, hackers, and founders come together to share ideas, demo projects, and explore the cutting edge of what's possible. Whether hacking on Bitcoin Lightning, developing open-source tools, or launching your next startup, this is your space to build in public, connect with peers, and get real-time feedback from a community of open-source creators.

​Every month, expect Austin-style hospitality featuring homestyle food prepared by a local chef, cold drinks, and vibrant conversations with fellow hackers, builders, and founders dedicated to pushing bitcoin innovation forward in Austin.

------------

## What to Expect:

Start BBC: 6:15 PM
Car will discuss community updates and other Austin Bitcoin scene happenings.

Networking, Food & Hack & Tell: 6:20 PM
Meet friends as everyone pours in and gets settled before the main event. Homestyle food and cold drinks will be provided by Chef Johnny Ochoa. Eat, drink, and enjoy while catching some Hack & Tell updates from local builders.

## ~Builders updates:

1. [Lightswap Video Update:](https://stacker.news/items/1284962)
2. [When Women Build, Freedom Follows: Meet the Hackers of Hack4Freedom - ⚡️ Eventoo](https://stacker.news/items/1282783)
3. [Looking for feedback on our new Bitcoin business website - thanks!](https://stacker.news/items/1278578)
4. [Plunda adds Bonds](https://stacker.news/items/1277974)
5. [Update 10/06/25 | ZatoBox: language migration, ZatoLink beta, and HRF submission](https://stacker.news/items/1249473)
6. [Proposal for Improving Wallet of Satoshi](https://stacker.news/items/1239637)

## ​Builder Fireside Chat: 7:00 – 8:15 PM

![](https://m.stacker.news/118065)

With Zach from [Trammell Venture Partners.](https://tvp.fund) A founder first session linking Bitcoin builder culture with business execution.

Topics include:

• TVP’s Bitcoin native thesis and evaluation checklist
• Pre seed trends and what great looks like at day zero
• Portfolio takeaways where focus, product truth, and early revenue created momentum

We wrap with open Q&A and a room wide discussion.

Late to the party? Come on in. There’s still plenty of time for any questions, conversations, and meeting good people building on Bitcoin.

------------

## Event Sponsors

![](https://m.stacker.news/118066)

[Capital Factory](https://capitalfactory.com/)
Austin's Center of Gravity for Entrepreneurs. Learn. Work. Accelerate.

[PlebLab](https://pleblab.dev)
Supporting thousands of builders shaping Bitcoin’s future. Hackerspace & Community Accelerator for the Bitcoin Era in Austin, Texas since 2021.

Austin // Bitcoin Builders Club: November 17th, 2025

Lightswap Video Update

![](https://m.stacker.news/116984)

## The next wave of Bitcoin meetups will be different:)

The next wave of Bitcoin meetups isn’t cheering candles, it’s shipping products.

From Austin to SF to Miami and Vancouver, builder-driven meetups are flipping the script: less “wen moon,” more “here’s what I’m building, try to break it.”

### Why this shift matters

Builder meetups:

• Turn spectators into contributors  
• Connect designers, devs, founders, and operators around real problems  
• Prioritize code, product, and users over speculation  
• Create surface area for actual companies, open-source tools, and jobs  

This is how Bitcoin escapes echo chambers and becomes infrastructure.

### Builder hubs leading the way

**Austin – Bitcoin Builder ATX ([@BTCBuildersClub](https://x.com/BTCBuildersClub))**  
Monthly hangout in the heart of the startup scene where devs, hackers, and founders demo, get feedback, and iterate in public.  
Site: [bitcoinbuilderatx.com](https://bitcoinbuilderatx.com)

**Miami – ₿uilder Miami ([@BuilderMiami](https://x.com/BuilderMiami))**  
Sessions centered on product, design, and AI-powered workflows for builders using Bitcoin rails.  
Site: [buildermiami.xyz](https://buildermiami.xyz)

**San Francisco – ₿uilder SF ([@bBuilderSF](https://x.com/bBuilderSF))**  
GitHub-first energy. Collaborative, code-forward, focused on real-world Bitcoin tools.  
Repo: [github.com/BitcoinBuilderSF](https://github.com/BitcoinBuilderSF)

**Vancouver – Bitcoin Builder Vancouver ([@BitcoinBuilderVan](https://x.com/BitcoinBuilderVan))**  
Monthly meetup focused on product, design, and AI tools for those building on Bitcoin.  
Site: [bitcoinbuildervan.com](https://bitcoinbuildervan.com)


### Call to action

If there’s a Builder meetup near you, show up.  
If there isn’t one yet, that’s your signal to start it. ⚡️



Bitcoin Builder Meetups - The next wave of Bitcoin meetups will be different!

Fueling Bitcoin Innovation & Austin’s Bitcoin Revolution: Car on PlebLab Mission

_Sharing this Early Days episode early with the ~builders crew. It goes world wide tomorrow at noon. Muzz has been in the PL corner since we got into Bitcoin. LV is an investor in PlebLab. Muzz is also one of the ecosystem’s most candid voices. Honest takes are rare in VC; like it or not he brings them. We recorded this about two months ago. - Car_

--- 

E A R L Y D A Y S with Muzz of Lightning Ventures

![](https://m.stacker.news/110132)

---

# Summary

In this episode, Car talks with Muzz of Lightning Ventures about the real mechanics of funding Bitcoin startups. Muzz traces his path from early Bitcoin ATM experiments to running the world’s largest Bitcoin angel investing network, then breaks down what investors look for, how consistent updates change outcomes, and why Bitcoin founders are unusually resilient. He also introduces Thunder Funder, an equity crowdfunding platform built for Bitcoin companies, and maps the growing community, capital, and playbooks available to builders. Whether you are writing your first investor update or exploring your first check, this conversation delivers clear, usable advice for Bitcoin founders.

---

https://streamable.com/l/pakzwo/mp4-mobile.mp4

Chapters:

03:29 Building A Bitcoin Only Syndicate
06:32 The Importance of Investor Updates and Communication
09:27 Challenges of Raising Capital in the Bitcoin Space
12:27 Comparing Bitcoin and Traditional Investment Models
15:30 The Unique Resilience of Bitcoin Founders
18:25 Understanding the Hurdles of Bitcoin Investments
24:23 Navigating the VC Landscape in Bitcoin
30:35 Future Plans for PL Startup School
35:10 Building a Bitcoin Company
39:41 The Austin Bitcoin Scene
40:40 Thunder Funder: Equity Crowdfunding for Bitcoin Startups
44:36 Lessons Learned Navigating the Crowdfunding Landscape
48:18 Changes in Accreditation and Regulation
54:35 The Evolution of Lightning Ventures


Learn more about *Lightning Ventures*: https://ltng.ventures

---

# Listen + Support Early Days

🌳 LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/earlydays21
🟡 Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/r6iQml5mSq3a2gmsRxex
🟠 PlebTV: https://www.plebtv.com/PLvxf1TpXqCAID5M_k5VkwrURU2M8YYGpZ/5bRR8UEUckY

---



E A R L Y D A Y S with Muzz of Lightning Ventures

![](https://m.stacker.news/109333)

Bitcoin Builders Club is your monthly hangout in Austin, Texas, for devs, hackers, and founders come together to share ideas, demo projects, and explore the cutting edge of what's possible. Whether hacking on Bitcoin Lightning, developing open-source tools, or launching your next startup, this is your space to build in public, connect with peers, and get real-time feedback from a community of open-source creators.

Learn more about Jimmy Song:
https://programmingbitcoin.com

Follow Jimmy Song on Twitter:
https://x.com/jimmysong

Follow Jimmy Song on Nostr:
https://primal.net/jimmysong

Bitcoin Builders Club - Jimmy Song | BBC #3

Stacker Saloon

saloon

Fractional Sales Lead (Sponsorships) - Bitcoiner Job (Part-Time)

bitcoin

@PlebLab's bio

updated for you siggy! will add more in the future

![Early Days with Solo Satoshi](https://m.stacker.news/97072)

# Summary

In this episode of *Early Days*, Car sits down with Matt of Solo Satoshi to discuss the rise of Bitaxe and its impact on home mining. They explore the possibilities of home mining, the importance of decentralization, and how community support fuels resilience when building a Bitcoin business.

https://streamable.com/l/ou19o1/mp4.mp4

# Chapters

- **02:43** – Bitaxe Open Source Movement  
- **03:49** – Creating Solo Satoshi  
- **17:01** – Differentiating in the Bitaxe Market  
- **24:37** – The Sovereign Bitcoin Stack  
- **30:31** – Bitaxe Operations and Challenges  
- **42:04** – Home Mining Competition  
- **51:49** – Importance of Integrity  
- **01:02:04** – The Evolution of Bitcoin Adoption  
- **01:12:43** – Plans for Solo Satoshi  

# Learn More

- Follow Matt on [X](https://x.com/MattSoloSatoshi)  
- Follow Solo Satoshi on [X](https://x.com/SoloSatoshi)  
- Learn more about [Solo Satoshi](https://www.solosatoshi.com)  
- Explore [Bitaxe Open Source](https://bitaxe.org)


E A R L Y D A Y S with Matt of Solo Satoshi

_had the idea of getting Kilian on Early Days after I saw the AMA on SN https://stacker.news/items/932297 Had a blast talking with him, he was very open about what all the pain points were building a company like Boltz...enjoy stackers...certified fresh ep recorded this yesterday at noon. -Car_


![](https://m.stacker.news/95995)

# Summary

In this episode of _Early Days,_ Car sits down with Kilian, Co-founder and CEO of Boltz, to explore the inception and evolution of the platform—designed to enable non-custodial swaps across Bitcoin layers. Kilian shares insights into the early challenges of the Lightning Network, the integration of Liquid for more efficient transactions, and the ongoing pursuit of privacy in Lightning payments.

https://streamable.com/l/ndfkh4/mp4-mobile.mp4

# Chapters

03:38 How Boltz Evolved
06:16 Liquid’s Role in Lightning
09:25 User Experience and Wallet Integration
12:31 The Boltz Founders Journey 
15:30 Technical Challenges and Node Management
18:27 Legal Considerations: Structuring a Non-Custodial Business
21:39 The Future of Lightning Network and Privacy Concerns
41:52 How Private is Lightning?
45:16 Bolt12 in Focus
48:55 Compliance Challenges in an Open Bitcoin Ecosystem
52:10 Rethinking Liquid
59:28 Lightning Network and Channel Management

# Learn More

Follow Kilian on [X](https://x.com/kilrau)  
Learn more about [Boltz](https://boltz.exchange)

E A R L Y D A Y S with Kilian of Boltz

PlebLab newsletter for June 2025.

![](https://m.stacker.news/95138)

📡 Transmission is live... "PlebLab Presents: Bitcoin Builders Club" - June 2025

Startup Day 2025 continues with a spotlight on the finalists of Top Builder Season 2 — a competition celebrating the most promising early-stage Bitcoin startups.

In this video, meet the Top Builders:
⚡ Branta
⚡ Lightning Bounties
⚡ Jippi
⚡ SatsGG
⚡ Shopstr

Each team is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Bitcoin, Lightning, and freedom tech. From earning sats to open-source collaboration and Bitcoin-first marketplaces, these founders are building the future.

What’s Next for Bitcoin? These Startups Might Have the Answer.

Claude posting a code snippet to Nostr

chrisatmachine

PlebDevs Announcement by Austin Kelsay

awesome! he could use the feedback cc: @bitcoinplebdev

🎥 Startup Day content is rolling out all week — and next up: Teresa Martin, COO of PlebLab & FlipCat Consulting, joins Alan Bickerstaff, Partner at DLA Piper, to unpack the legal challenges facing Bitcoin startups.

From entity formation to compliance and capital raising — this one’s a must-watch for founders navigating the legal frontier. 💼

More about the presenters:
Follow Teresa Martin on Twitter: https://x.com/FlipCatLLC
Follow Alan Bickerstaff on Twitter: https://x.com/abickerstaff

Learn more about DLA Piper: https://www.dlapiper.com
Learn more about FlipCat Consulting: https://www.flipcatconsulting.com
Learn more about PlebLab: https://pleblab.dev

Navigating Legal Risks for Bitcoin Founders | Teresa Martin & Alan Bickerstaff

>This past weekend, the Lightning Bounties team returned to the MIT Bitcoin Hackathon — not as participants, but as mentors. Just one year after winning Track 1 with our GitHub-Bitcoin payment integration, we found ourselves guiding 510 hackers through the challenges we had faced ourselves. This full-circle journey from competitors to coaches at the “Freedom Tech” hackathon highlighted not only Bitcoin’s growing ecosystem but also the powerful community knowledge transfer that drives innovation forward. Here’s our story of mentorship, technical challenges, and the incredible projects that emerged over those intensive 30 hours.

>The Birth of Lightning Bounties
Last spring, we huddled around a table at MIT, frantically debugging Lightning Network connections as the final minutes of the 2024 hackathon ticked down. Our project — a system to automatically reward open-source contributors on GitHub with Bitcoin — was held together with equal parts code, grit, and Red Bull.

![](https://m.stacker.news/87320) 

![](https://m.stacker.news/87321)

![](https://m.stacker.news/87322)

>Lightning Bounties 2024 MIT Bitcoin Hackathon
When Lightning Bounties was announced as the Track 1 winner we experienced that rare moment of validation every builder craves. The enthusiastic response from judges and fellow participants confirmed we’d identified a genuine problem worth solving in open-source development.

>That single weekend transformed our trajectory entirely. Within a year, we evolved from a hackathon project to a vibrant startup featured in Bitcoin News and selected as a finalist in PlebLab’s Top Builder competition

>Why We Returned as Mentors
We chose to mentor at this year’s hackathon because Lightning Bounties is living proof that a weekend project built on grit can evolve into something meaningful. The doors that opened for us — media exposure, accelerator programs, industry connections — are waiting for the next wave of builders too.

Lightning Bounties: Mentoring MIT Bitcoin Hackathon 2025

🎥 Startup Day content is rolling out all week — and next up: Austin Kelsay, Founder of PlebDevs.

Austin shares the journey of building PlebDevs from the ground up — the growth, the vision, and what’s coming next... including some exciting new features launching soon. 🚀

Learn More about PlebDevs: https://plebdevs.com/
Follow him on SN: @bitcoinplebdev

🎥 Startup Day content is rolling out all week — and next up: a special announcement from Stephen Delorme, Co-Founder of ATL BitLab.

ATL BitLab has been a home for builders, hackers, and freedom tech in Atlanta — and Stephen shares what’s next for the space, the mission, and a big event coming this summer. ⚡️

Learn More about ATL BitLab: https://atlbitlab.com