Brandon Kumar ’12 Graces Forbes 30 Under 30

In the ever-evolving digital innovation landscape, Brandon Kumar ’12 has emerged as a trailblazer, earning a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2024. Forbes recognized Kumar, leading the way at Layer3, for his groundbreaking contributions to the crypto world.

Founded by Kumar and his partner Dariya Khojasteh, Layer3 is an interactive platform tailored for individuals keen  on navigating the intricacies of blockchain technology. Offering bite-size lessons or “quests,” users can dive into the world of blockchain, exploring topics from non-fungible tokens to the nuances of writing smart contracts. With a thriving community of 250,000 monthly active questers, Layer3 has gained recognition from industry giants like Coinbase and Uniswap, who have contributed to the platform’s impressive $6.5 million seed funding.

The acknowledgment on Forbes 30 Under 30 highlights Kumar’s expertise and underscores the rising significance of digital assets and blockchain technology in shaping modern financial services. Kumar said he envisions a transformative shift towards user-owned software, with digital ownership (crypto) as a foundational element enabling novel user experiences. “Layer3’s mission is to be the gateway to the ownership economy,” he explained.

Kumar emphasized the critical role of independent thinking in innovation- a trait he said Peddie excelled in fostering. “At Layer3, we’ve made several decisions that went against consensus or advisor guidance. But they were clear to us and have contributed to our success,” he said.

Additionally, Kumar acknowledged the distinguished Peddie alumni who have graced the Forbes 30 Under 30 list over the years, some of whom he knows personally. “Being recognized alongside some of them is an honor,” he said.