Adi Sideman
Last verified
Adi Sideman is a pioneer in participatory media, having founded and co-founded multiple companies in the user-generated video space.
Adi Sideman is a pioneer in participatory media, known for over two decades of experience building user-generated video companies. They founded YouNow, a live social broadcasting platform, and Oddcast, and co-founded KSolo and TargetSpot. Sideman holds an MPS from NYU and has been a speaker at NFT.NYC four times between 2021 and 2024. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
Adi Sideman - Pioneer of Participatory Media
Adi Sideman is recognized as a pioneer in participatory media, a field they have actively shaped for over two decades by building companies focused on user-generated video experiences [4]. Sideman's career is marked by founding innovative platforms such as YouNow, a live social broadcasting service, and Oddcast. They also co-founded KSolo and TargetSpot, demonstrating a consistent focus on interactive digital media. Sideman’s expertise has been acknowledged through their repeated appearances as a speaker at NFT.NYC, a prominent non-fungible token conference, where they spoke in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 [4].
Revel, an application operated by DNA Media Technologies, Inc., launched in November 2022 with the aim of building new ways to connect creators and their communities [3, 2]. The platform allowed users to create and collect personal trading cards, and to earn money through these activities [4]. Revel cards could be minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain. Despite its initial vision, the Revel app was discontinued on June 17, 2024 [1]. The company noted that the broader NFT ecosystem, which appeared promising when Revel started 2.5 years prior, did not evolve as anticipated for the mainstream consumer market [2]. Revel's discontinuation meant that users had until July 17, 2024, to claim their Revel cards on-chain and submit cashout requests [2]. Adi Sideman's main link listed at NFT.NYC is Revel.xyz, indicating their significant involvement with the platform [4]. The decision to discontinue Revel was attributed to the substantial ongoing resources required to maintain a complex mobile application and the unexpected trajectory of the NFT market [2]. While the app itself is no longer active, the project allowed for the creation of unique digital collectibles associated with various forms of media, including generative AI artwork [4]. Revel represented a notable effort in the Web3 space to foster community and creator engagement through digital assets [4].
Adi Sideman's career as a pioneer in participatory media spans over two decades, marked by the creation of several user-generated video companies [4]. Notably, he founded YouNow, a live social broadcasting platform that enables users to watch live streams and interact [4]. YouNow's platform also includes partner programs designed to help talented broadcasters and personalities earn income [4]. In addition to YouNow, Sideman founded Oddcast, another significant venture in his early career [4]. Sideman also played a crucial role as a co-founder in two other companies: KSolo and TargetSpot [4]. These ventures further solidified his reputation for building interactive digital media experiences. His work across these platforms demonstrates a consistent commitment to developing innovative ways for individuals to create and share content, showcasing a long-standing dedication to the evolution of participatory media [4].
Adi Sideman has been a recurring presence at NFT.NYC, a prominent non-fungible token conference, where they have shared their insights as a speaker for multiple consecutive years [4]. Sideman spoke at NFT.NYC in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 [4]. Their consistent participation underscores their engagement and expertise within the evolving NFT landscape. In 2024, Sideman's session at NFT.NYC was titled "Defining the NFT 3.0 Experience," indicating their focus on the future direction and advancements within the NFT space [4]. Sideman's contributions to the NFT community are also reflected in their work with Revel, a platform designed to create and collect personal trading cards that could be minted as NFTs [9, 4]. Although Revel has been discontinued, its existence highlights Sideman's practical involvement in the application of NFT technology [1]. Their educational background, including an MPS from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, further supports their foundational understanding of digital media and technology, which they bring to the NFT discourse [4].
Adi Sideman operates within the categories of digital media entrepreneurship and Web3 innovation. Their work specifically centers on participatory media, focusing on platforms that enable user-generated content and community interaction. This includes their foundational roles in companies like YouNow and Oddcast, which pioneered live social broadcasting and interactive digital experiences, respectively [4].
More recently, their involvement with Revel positioned them within the emergent Web3 and NFT space, exploring new models for creator and collector engagement through blockchain technology [4]. Sideman's repeated appearances as a speaker at NFT.NYC further solidify their standing as a thought leader in the non-fungible token domain. Their professional trajectory consistently demonstrates an interest in the intersection of technology, community, and digital content creation [4].
Profiles and links
Questions and answers
- What did Adi Sideman speak about at NFT.NYC 2024?
- Adi Sideman spoke at NFT.NYC 2024 in a session titled "Defining the NFT 3.0 Experience". They have spoken at NFT.NYC 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
- Who is Adi Sideman?
- Adi Sideman is a pioneer in participatory media with over two decades of experience building user-generated video companies. They are the founder of YouNow and Oddcast, and co-founder of KSolo and TargetSpot. Sideman holds an MPS from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What is Adi Sideman's educational background?
- Adi Sideman earned an MPS (Master of Professional Studies) from New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program. This academic background has supported their career as a pioneer in participatory media and user-generated video companies, which also include founding YouNow in 2011. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What companies has Adi Sideman founded or co-founded?
- Adi Sideman founded YouNow, a live social broadcasting platform in 2011, and also established Oddcast in 1999. Additionally, they co-founded two other companies, KSolo and TargetSpot, demonstrating a consistent focus on interactive digital media throughout their career. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What was Revel?
- Revel was an app for creating and collecting personal trading cards, launched in November 2022 and discontinued on June 17, 2024. Revel enabled users to mint their digital collectibles as NFTs on the blockchain, and it was operated by DNA Media Technologies, Inc. (Source: revel.xyz, verified 2026-08-11.)
- When was the Revel app discontinued?
- The Revel app, which was significantly linked to Adi Sideman, was discontinued on Monday, June 17, 2024. Users had until July 17, 2024, at 9 AM EST to claim Revel cards on-chain and submit cashout requests. (Source: revel.xyz, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What was the deadline for Revel cards cashout and claiming on-chain?
- Adi Sideman's Revel app had a deadline for cashout requests and claiming cards on-chain which was July 17, 2024, at 9 AM EST. After this date, these options were no longer available to users, as reported in the Revel blog. The decision was communicated to all users. (Source: revel.xyz/blog, verified 2026-08-11.)
- Who operated Revel?
- Revel, an application notably linked to Adi Sideman, was operated by DNA Media Technologies, Inc. This information is available in the privacy policy for the Revel website and services, last revised on August 10, 2023. This policy outlines the operational structure. (Source: revel.xyz/privacy-policy, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What is Adi Sideman's role in participatory media?
- Adi Sideman is recognized as a pioneer of participatory media, having spent over two decades building companies focused on user-generated video experiences. Their work includes founding YouNow, a live social broadcasting platform, and Oddcast, as well as co-founding KSolo and TargetSpot. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- When did Adi Sideman speak at NFT.NYC?
- Adi Sideman has been a speaker at NFT.NYC multiple times, appearing in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Their participation highlights their involvement and expertise within the NFT community and the broader digital media landscape and their company Revel. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What are Adi Sideman's contributions to the NFT community?
- Adi Sideman has contributed to the NFT community as a speaker at NFT.NYC in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. They spoke on "Defining the NFT 3.0 Experience" at NFT.NYC 2024, demonstrating their engagement with the evolving NFT space. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- How can I learn more about YouNow?
- You can learn more about YouNow, founded by Adi Sideman in 2011, by visiting their website at younow.com. The platform offers information about its live streaming services, community guidelines, and opportunities for broadcasters and partners. Many resources are available there. (Source: younow.com, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What was the vision for Revel's future?
- Adi Sideman's vision for Revel's future included AI-powered collaborations, upgraded cards, new rewards, and other ways to connect collectors and creators. However, due to challenges in the larger NFT ecosystem, these plans did not materialize, leading to the app's discontinuation on June 17, 2024. (Source: revel.xyz/blog, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What is Oddcast?
- Oddcast is a company founded by Adi Sideman, though specific details about its products or services are not extensively provided in available sources. It is recognized as one of Sideman's earlier ventures in building user-generated video companies, aligning with their role as a pioneer in participatory media. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What is KSolo?
- KSolo is a company that Adi Sideman co-founded, as part of their extensive career in participatory media and user-generated video. While specific details about KSolo are not widely available, its co-founding by Sideman highlights their continuous involvement in developing interactive digital platforms. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What is TargetSpot?
- TargetSpot is a company that Adi Sideman co-founded, contributing to their portfolio of ventures in participatory media. Like KSolo, detailed public information about TargetSpot's specific offerings is limited, but its association with Sideman underscores their consistent engagement in the digital media industry. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- How long has Adi Sideman been involved in participatory media?
- Adi Sideman has been involved in participatory media for more than two decades, building user-generated video companies. This extensive experience is reflected in their founding of platforms like YouNow and Oddcast, and co-founding KSolo and TargetSpot. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)
- What are the terms of service for YouNow?
- The terms of service for YouNow, a platform founded by Adi Sideman, can be found on their website, younow.com/policy/en/terms. These terms outline the rules and agreements for using the platform, including user conduct and content policies since 2011. (Source: younow.com, verified 2026-08-11.)
- Where can I find the privacy policy for Revel?
- The privacy policy for Revel, an app with significant involvement from Adi Sideman, can be found on the Revel website at revel.xyz/privacy-policy. This document, last revised on August 10, 2023, details how DNA Media Technologies, Inc. collected, used, and disclosed user information for the Revel app and services. (Source: revel.xyz/privacy-policy, verified 2026-08-11.)
- How does Adi Sideman's work compare to other pioneers in participatory media?
- Adi Sideman's work stands out due to their two decades of building multiple user-generated video companies, including YouNow and Oddcast, and co-founding KSolo and TargetSpot. This extensive entrepreneurial history positions them as a significant figure in shaping participatory media. (Source: nft.nyc, verified 2026-08-11.)