What does it really take to become one of the most recognizable founders in crypto? In this episode of KNOWN, co-hosts Stella Friaisse and Anastasiia Kulibaba sit down with Azeem Khan, Co-founder of Miden, to unpack personal branding, founder visibility, fundraising, and the strategies that helped him stand out in one of the world's most competitive industries.

Azeem shares why most founders pitch VCs the wrong way, why he refuses to pay for PR, how he approaches LinkedIn and X, and the story behind having his content reposted by a16z. He also explains how consistency, storytelling, and intentional positioning create long-term trust and opportunities.

Chapters:

1:37 How do you become the founder everyone knows?

3:30 Can you create a public persona without pretending to be someone else?

8:01 Why standing out has nothing to do with wearing a suit.

12:34 The mistake almost every founder makes when pitching investors.

16:29 Why Azeem refuses to pay for PR, even after raising millions.

20:58 The habits that make consistency look effortless.

22:35 The fastest way to make people stop listening to you.

25:03 The truth about becoming an "overnight success."

26:34 What led to an a16z repost.

29:46 How Azeem spent years posting on LinkedIn before it paid off.

31:32 Does every successful startup need a public founder?

32:32 Rapid Fire round

Follow KNOWN podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs and marketers on brand building and growth.

Find us:

KNOWN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/known__podcast/

INPUT Global on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/input.global/

Azeem Khan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theazeemkhan/

Anastasiia Kulibaba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiia-kulibaba-aa2b91184/

Stella Friaisse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-friaisse/