Published on August 21st, 2024
Cooper Scanlon and Rushi Manche faced a choice that many would find daunting. At just 19 and 22 years old, they made the bold decision to leave Vanderbilt University in the fall of 2022.
While their peers continued on the traditional college path, Cooper and Rushi chose to take a leap of faith, driven by a deep conviction in their vision and a determination to bring it to life, no matter the challenges ahead.
This leap of faith was driven by a shared vision that would soon take the tech world by storm. By the fall of 2023, their gamble had paid off, as they secured $3.4 million in pre-seed funding for their startup, Movement Labs.
Fast forward to April 2024, and the duo has just closed a $38 million Series A round, further solidifying their place in the industry.
Their journey is not just a tale of reshaping the future of technology and finance with a next-gen coding language.
It’s also a testament to the resilience and innovation required to succeed as Gen Z entrepreneurs, starting from scratch and building something truly groundbreaking.
The Gen Z Advantage In A Fast-Moving Industry
For Cooper and Rushi, being young and flexible has proven to be their secret weapon in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and Web3.
Their ability to adapt quickly, think outside the box, and challenge conventional wisdom has allowed them to identify and solve problems that others might overlook.
As digital natives, they grew up in a world where technology evolves at breakneck speed, giving them an innate ability to navigate and innovate in fast-moving spaces like blockchain.
Free from the constraints of legacy thinking and outdated practices, they are driven by a vision of what the future could be.
Breaking Free From Traditional Paths
College played a significant role in helping Cooper and Rushi mature and develop into capable entrepreneurs. However, as time went on, the benefits of their college education began to diminish.
The traditional path they were on was leading them toward conventional careers, but they recognized a more stable and streamlined opportunity in the tech world.
With this realization, they made the decision to go all in, leaving college behind to focus on their vision.
This willingness to take calculated risks and forge their own path is a hallmark of their generation.
When they saw the potential of the Move programming language to revolutionize the blockchain industry, they pivoted their focus, confident that this was the right direction for Movement Labs.
Solving Real Problems In The Blockchain Space
Movement Labs, under the leadership of Cooper and Rushi, aims to create a unified blockchain ecosystem where developers can build secure applications that interact seamlessly across different networks.
Their goal is to enable users to manage their digital assets confidently, without fear of hacks or compatibility issues.
The Move programming language, originally created by Meta (formerly Facebook), was designed to build a foundation for a world where digital information is smart and programmable.
While many in the tech world moved on when Meta’s project changed direction, Cooper and Rushi saw hidden potential in Move that others missed.
By focusing on this overlooked technology, they have created a new playing field in the fast-moving world of technology and finance.
Building A Community-Driven Future
One of the most exciting aspects of Cooper and Rushi’s journey as Gen Z entrepreneurs in the Web3 space is their emphasis on community.
At Movement Labs, they believe in building their seats at the table together, creating a collaborative environment where diverse groups work toward a common goal.
This community-driven approach is second nature to their generation. Growing up in a world of social media, open-source software, and collaborative online spaces, they understand that the best innovations often come from diverse groups working together.
Their vision for the Move language is to make it accessible and decentralized, opening doors for a new wave of innovation and empowering their generation to shape the digital economy.
The Future Is Now
To those who might doubt the ability of young entrepreneurs to lead in such a complex industry, the success of Cooper Scanlon and Rushi Manche at Movement Labs is a powerful counterpoint.
Their $38 million funding round is not just a validation of their technology; it is a testament to the power of fresh perspectives and bold ideas.
They believe that the next wave of technological revolution will be led by those who are willing to question everything and reimagine what’s possible.
This is the ethos driving Movement Labs and what Cooper and Rushi believe their generation brings to the table.
For Gen Z entrepreneurs, Cooper and Rushi’s story is an inspiration to take risks and challenge the status quo.
Their journey underscores the importance of embracing energy and innovation, not just for their generation, but for the industry as a whole. Together, they are building a better future, one bold move at a time.
If you’re a Gen Z startup founder with a vision to change the world, now is the time to act.
Cooper and Rushi have shown that age is no barrier to success in the tech industry—what matters is the courage to pursue your ideas, the flexibility to adapt, and the determination to see your vision through. Join the movement, take risks, and collaborate with like-minded innovators.
The future isn’t just something to dream about; it’s something you can build right now.
Connect with Movement Labs to explore how you can be part of the next wave of technological innovation.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, there’s a place for you in the digital revolution that’s reshaping our world. Let’s build the future together.
