GWU Bitcoin Academic Center

The challenge

George Washington University was developing its Bitcoin Academic Center just as Bitcoin was moving from a niche technology conversation to a mainstream institutional, financial, and policy issue.

The Center needed more than an academic presence. It needed relationships with the companies, investors, policymakers, researchers, and Bitcoin-native organizations shaping the ecosystem. I was brought on as an advisor to build those relationships and turn them into tangible opportunities for the Center.

Building the partnership pipeline

I developed relationships across the Bitcoin and digital asset ecosystem, serving as a liaison between GWU and companies, executives, legislators such as Rep. Warren Davidson, and industry organizations.

That included opening a relationship with Block and its ecosystem of Square, Cash App, and Bitkey, and developing it into a formal sponsorship opportunity.

Bringing Block to Capitol Hill

I organized and led briefing calls between Block and the office of U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), the company’s first closed-door meeting with the congressman.

I created the agenda and led the discussion. The meeting earned press coverage in The Block, and Rep. Davidson went on to collaborate with Block on a de minimis tax exemption originally intended for inclusion in the CLARITY Act.

Turning relationships into revenue

Within about two months of starting my advisory work, I helped secure a six-figure sponsorship from Block for the Bitcoin Academic Center. The work included:

• Identifying and developing the relationship
• Coordinating conversations with stakeholders
• Creating and refining sponsorship materials
• Supporting meetings and negotiations
• Translating GWU’s academic mission into a compelling corporate partnership proposition
• Managing the relationship through to the sponsorship close

BTCinDC

I also supported the Center’s event and programming strategy around BTCinDC, connecting academic programming with the broader Bitcoin ecosystem, and curated the event’s panel.

The event brought together prominent voices in Bitcoin, including Michael Saylor, Senator Cynthia Lummis, and Adam Back, giving GWU an opportunity to establish credibility with both industry and policy audiences.

Building the operating infrastructure

The work extended beyond external business development. I helped build the infrastructure to support the Center’s growing community and partnerships:

• Recruited and onboarded five students
• Created an intern operating process
• Built a Notion workspace for the GWU Bitcoin Club
• Supported student programming and club operations
• Managed social media and Mailchimp communications
• Led 12+ weekly internal strategy calls
• Developed materials for corporate and institutional outreach

Why it matters

This project sits at the intersection of business development, emerging technology, institutional strategy, and community building. I wasn’t simply selling sponsorships; I was translating between three very different worlds:

• Academia
• Industry
• Bitcoin ecosystem

The work required understanding what each stakeholder wanted, identifying the overlap, and building a partnership structure that created value for every side. That same skill set now shapes how I approach AI, data, product, and emerging technology ecosystems.