The biggest opportunities in Web3 are not locked behind age or title. They are unlocked by people who act on real problems.
A lot of students dream of starting a business. Some wait until after graduation. Others wait for funding or permission. But Rod Albores has a different message. Stop waiting.
Speaking at Ateneo de Davao University’s SBG Week 2025, Rod told students that the best time to build something meaningful is now. As the peaq ambassador for the Philippines and founder of RER DAO, he believes that age does not define your potential. What matters is whether you are solving a real problem.
"If you have business ideas that give real solutions to the problem, [then] that’s good value… and that [could be] billions of dollars in your pocket eventually."
In other words, it is not about having the most polished pitch. It is about whether your idea can create impact.
From school projects to real-world platforms
Rod urged students to stop thinking of business as something that happens later. With the tools available today, they can start while still in school. He also encouraged students to stop viewing schoolwork as the only metric of success.
"Right now, we are sticking to the passive learning... but instead, we should build skills in negotiations, leadership, and critical thinking."
That shift in mindset is key. Rod believes students should be building platforms, proposing initiatives, and testing ideas. Even a small idea with real value has more potential than a polished plan with no purpose.
Big ideas start small
Rod was clear about what separates a billion-dollar idea from the rest. It is not aesthetics or flashy design. It is the ability to solve something that matters to people.
"A proposal for a small coffee shop will be defeated by a proposal that [thinks bigger]... You [should not only] focus on your economy, but [also] expand your sales globally."
The message is simple. Dream bigger. Look at the problems around you and think of how to solve them in a way that scales. If your idea helps your neighborhood, could it also help your city? If it works in Davao, could it work across Southeast Asia?
Rod encouraged students to think beyond their comfort zone. In Web3, small Ateams can build global solutions. With the support of communities, DAOs, and decentralized infrastructure, your idea is not limited by your resources. It is limited only by your mindset.
You already have what it takes
Rod reminded students that success in Web3 is not about being the most skilled coder or the most well-connected founder. It is about showing up with something that matters and being willing to take the first step.
If you have an idea that solves a real-world problem, you are already closer than you think. What matters now is turning that idea into something you can test, share, and grow.
Because in this new economy, value is not determined by age, title, or even location. It is determined by impact.
