OPEN TO FULL-TIME & ADVISORY ROLES

Scaling the Decentralized Future.

I'm a Growth & Marketing Leader with 10+ years of marketing experience, including 5+ years focused on Web3, AI, and Fintech. From launching tokens and NFT campaigns to building communities and scaling go-to-market strategies, I've helped emerging products find their audience and accelerate growth across DeFi, GameFi, and decentralized AI. I thrive in early-stage environments where experimentation, execution, and adaptability create meaningful momentum.

Ismail Tareen portrait
Ismail Tareen
$20M+
TVL Managed
Zero1 Labs · DeFi
320%
X Audience Growth
Grand Gangsta City · Katana Inu
10+
Tokens & NFT Projects
200+
Partner Projects
Ecosystem Partners · Katana Inu
Trusted by operators across Web3, AI & Fintech
SHIZA AIZERO1 LABSGRAND GANGSTA CITYKATANA INUPOLEMOSBITMAP EMPORIUMBROSKEESYAR MEDIAEFU LIFE

Selected Ventures

Architecting growth for category-defining protocols.

VIEW FULL HISTORY
SHIZA AI launch

SHIZA AI

Led the $SHIZA token launch on SOAR achieving 500–600% ROI at peak, while growing community engagement 40%+ in the first 90 days.

01
Zero1 Labs growth

ZERO1 LABS

Contributed to growing protocol TVL to $20M+ through community-led staking campaigns and go-to-market execution at Zero1 Labs.

02
Katana Inu growth

KATANA INU

Expanded community reach 80% via strategic partnerships, influencer collabs, and high-impact content across 200+ partner projects.

03

Operating at the edge of new economies.

I've partnered with Web3 protocols, AI-native products, and Fintech operators to turn complex technology into market momentum. From token launches to institutional partnerships, the work is the same: build a durable signal in a noisy market.

Previously in growth roles across Web2 SaaS and consumer fintech, now focused on the operators shaping the next decade.

Every launch I run follows a three-layer framework — narrative, community, and distribution. It's what separates a launch that trends from one that sticks.

  • GTM Architecture

    Launch planning that bridges engineering and market.

  • Ecosystem Growth

    Incentive design, partnerships, and durable acquisition loops.

  • Editorial Direction

    High-signal narratives that survive the news cycle.

Growth Stories

Real campaigns. Real results. Here's how the work got done.

ZERO1 LABS

AI / Web3
Read +
Challenge

Zero1 Labs was building at the intersection of decentralized AI and Web3, a complex narrative that needed to reach both AI-native and DeFi audiences, while driving real capital into the protocol.

What I Did

Led end-to-end marketing including content strategy across X and TikTok, KOL and creator onboarding, and ecosystem partnerships aligned with DeFi and AI communities. Built a consistent narrative that made the protocol's vision legible to a broad but targeted audience.

Result

Protocol TVL grew to $20M+, driven by community trust, staking campaign activations, and sustained ecosystem visibility.

KATANA INU

Web3 Gaming
Read +
Challenge

Katana Inu needed to grow beyond its existing base, acquire new community members, and establish itself as a credible GameFi brand with real ecosystem weight.

What I Did

Designed and executed a multi-layered growth strategy, a Fall 2024 seasonal campaign that drove 40%+ new member acquisition, a limited edition in-game character NFT collection, and co-marketing partnerships with in-game characters for BabyDoge, Turbo, IMX, Creo, Polygon, Pepe, and Avalanche.

Result

Community reach expanded 80%. 200+ partner projects coordinated across multiple chains.

SHIZA AI

AI / Web3
Read +
Challenge

Launching a new decentralized AI token in a crowded market required sharp positioning, community momentum, and a launch execution that could convert attention into capital.

What I Did

Owned end-to-end content and positioning strategy across X and Telegram. Built community engagement infrastructure through structured content calendars and campaign activations. Led the $SHIZA token launch on SOAR.

Result

500–600% ROI at peak. Community engagement grew 40%+ in the first 90 days.

Work History

Full details available on request.

  1. Marketing & Growth Lead — SHIZA AI

    AI / Web3Nov 2025 — Present

  2. Chief Marketing Officer — Grand Gangsta City

    Web3 GamingJan 2025 — Nov 2025

  3. Marketing & Community Manager — Katana Inu

    Web3 Gaming2023 — 2025

  4. Marketing & Community Content Manager — Zero1 Labs

    AI / Web32023 — 2024

  5. Chief Marketing Officer — Yar Media (incl. Broskees NFT)

    NFT / Ventures2021 — 2023

  6. Assistant Manager — Marketing — EFU Life Assurance

    Fintech / Insurance2017 — 2021

Skills & Tools

The stack behind the campaigns — strategy, narrative, community, and the tools that ship the work.

Core Competencies

  • Go-to-Market Strategy
  • Community Growth
  • Content Strategy
  • User Acquisition
  • Campaign Management

Web3 & Launches

  • Token & NFT Launches
  • Ecosystem Partnerships
  • KOL Management
  • Brand Storytelling
  • Web3 / AI Marketing

Platforms

  • Discord
  • Telegram
  • X (Twitter)
  • TikTok
  • Zealy
  • Galxe
  • Gleam

Tools

  • Google Analytics
  • Mailchimp
  • Canva
  • Notion
  • Dune
  • Figma

Education

MBA — Marketing
Postgraduate
Szabist - Karachi
BBA — Marketing
Undergraduate
Iqra University