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    Interview with Jason Au: How a Father-Daughter Moment Birthed the NFT Lab Magazine

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    Interview with Jason Au: How a Father-Daughter Moment Birthed the NFT Lab Magazine

    If you’re part of the NFT community, chances are you’ve heard of NFT Lab magazine, a prominent presence in the NFT sphere.

    Founded by Jason Au, a notable figure in a NASDAQ-listed company, the magazine swiftly became a go-to source for NFT insights and stories.

    Notably, it has featured various prominent figures, including Olympic medalist Ka Long. But how did it all begin?

    Here’s our interview for Stories from the Community this week, featuring Jason Au AKA the founder of NFT Lab magazine.

    Jason’s journey into the world of NFTs was unexpected. Prior to founding NFT Lab and immersing himself in the NFT community, he had no idea what an NFT even was.

    “The first NFT I ever bought was Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). I came from a real-estate and physical gold background,” he shared. 

    Eventually, I decided to pull my trigger and make my first Ape purchase at 4 ETH.

    Jason Au

    But it was a father-daughter moment that sparked the idea for NFT Lab magazine. Jason, fresh into the NFT world, asked his young daughter to pick an NFT for him.

    Little did he know, this simple moment would lead to the birth of Elite Apes and the foundation of NFT Lab magazine.

    “During my learning journey, I observed the floor price of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) rising from less than one ETH to more than 2 ETH within a matter of days. Eventually, I decided to pull my trigger and make my first Ape purchase at 4 ETH,” he reveals.

    Interestingly, the very first Ape was chosen by his then 6-year-old daughter, named Jiselle. “She even came up with an idea, ‘hey, why don’t we find all the BAYC NFT holders and have a party’. And that’s how the Elite Apes were born,” shares Jason.

    From Humble Origins to Community Powerhouse

    The journey of NFT Lab magazine began with humble beginnings. Using unconventional methods like searching on Facebook, Jason and his daughter set out to find other NFT holders and formed the Elite Apes community.

    Through trial and error, they learned the ropes of Discord, Twitter, and other platforms, eventually growing their community to over 150 members.

    “In the first two weeks, we only had eight people. During the learning process about Discord and Twitter (now known as X), we realized that many people hadn’t claimed their Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC).

    “That’s why we decided to create a forum on Facebook, where I taught people what I had been learning. As I shared my knowledge, the community began to grow, and within two months, we had amassed 150 members from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.” shares Jason.

    But leading a community comes with a toll, Jason acknowledges. “Eventually, I decided to stop recruiting because leading the community came with significant responsibility, which is why we quickly became Elite Apes, and we got to know each other in real life.”

    “In Asian culture, having a physical magazine is considered more promising and prominent. That’s why I chose the most challenging route.

    Jason Au

    Reviving Print in a Digital Age

    Despite the prevailing notion that “print is dead”, NFT Lab took a bold step into the physical world. For Jason, the decision to go physical was rooted in Asian culture, where a physical magazine holds more significance.

    “In Asian culture, having a physical magazine is considered more promising and prominent. That’s why I chose the most challenging route.

    “It’s the merging of a personal desire for touch and senses. Physical touch is crucial for appreciating any kind of art,” he explains.

    Despite initial challenges, NFT Lab’s physical copies quickly gained traction, with readers eagerly chasing after each edition. In fact, the magazines are even being sold at major convenience stores like 7 Eleven in Hong Kong. “Two years ago, we only sold 600 copies, starting around June 2022.

    “Initially, it was very difficult. However, now everyone is seeking the previous editions. As a result, we’re exploring online options.”

    Embraced by the Community

    The support from the NFT community has been overwhelming. From featuring Olympic medalists to renowned actors, NFT Lab has garnered attention and sponsorship from major organizations like ApeCoin DAO and Animoca Brands. “Previously, we financed the magazine ourselves for five issues. However, the Apecoin DAO offered support and requested an AIP submission.

    “With over 96% community approval via AIP-314, we received $92,000 in funding. This funding now sustains our long-term operations, including personnel, printing, and distribution.

    “Additionally, we’re expanding our digital content partnerships to offer online versions of our magazine. Our vision is to feature NFT communities across Asia, emphasizing community-driven content and avoiding bias.

    “The magazine prioritizes showcasing community projects, events, and support needs, aiming to cover diverse NFT communities beyond a single focus,” Jason says.

    "Our aim is to explain NFTs as a type of technology and showcase how it can be applied in various aspects of life."

    Jason Au

    Making Complex Topics Accessible

    Following the approval of AIP-314, NFT Lab received a significant boost in funding, paving the way for expansion and digital partnerships.

    Despite tackling complex topics involving NFTs, NFT Lab ensures accessibility for all.

    With an editor who is personally not a Web3 expert, the magazine aims to make NFT technology understandable to the majority. “While our editor isn’t deeply into Web3, he picks things that most people can grasp. Our aim is to explain NFTs as a type of technology and showcase how it can be applied in various aspects of life,” shares Jason.

    Government Support and Community Recognition

    The support from the Hong Kong government further validates NFT Lab’s impact on the community.

    Recognized as an organization during the Hong Kong Ape Fest, Elite Apes received support from Invest Hong Kong, showcasing the government’s commitment to NFT-related initiatives.

    “If you’re not aware, during the Hong Kong Ape Fest, Elite Apes was the only Official Community Partner recognized by Yuga Labs, and Invest Hong Kong supported Apefest with venue, hosting, and sponsorships. MTR Corporation and Apecoin DAO supported our promotions.”

    “Our hope is that Hong Kong would set a blueprint for other countries to follow."

    Jason Au

    “Also, if you arrive at the airport for the Ape Fest and use the airport express, you’ll notice the entire platform wrapped up by Elite Apes in celebration.

    “We aim to make Hong Kong a blueprint for government support of such events, as it has proven successful in attracting communities and boosting the economy and tourism, with thousands of visitors over the three festival days. Our hope is that Hong Kong would set a blueprint for other countries to follow.”

    For more information about the NFT Lab magazine, check out the official page of Elite Apes HK or NFT Lab on X here.

    For more Web3 news, check out the XGA newsfeed.

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