Hey everyone! It’s Trevor Skene, back with another episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, where we dive deep into the minds of today’s top innovators and industry experts.

This week, I’m talking with Timothy Tello, a true visionary and the CEO of 3THIX. Tim’s career spans over a decade in the gaming world, with three successful gaming studio exits under his belt—and now, he’s on a mission to transform how digital advertising, blockchain, and privacy intersect. In this episode, we talk about everything from building startups in gaming, to navigating the nightmare of getting the first SEC no-action letter for blockchain gaming tokens, to why patents matter for entrepreneurs—even if you never plan to enforce them in court.

We also go deep into how Tim’s new venture, 3THIX, is flipping ad-tech on its head, cutting out middlemen, and putting real money back into the pockets of gamers and consumers. If you’re curious about how blockchain can enable new business models, or how to think about patents as strategic assets in tech startups, you won’t want to miss this episode.

[2:20] – Tim shares how he went from Texas oil fields to the gaming industry—and how networking and relentless hustle opened doors in an insular industry.

[7:45] – Inside Tim’s journey as a four-time founder and three-time gaming studio exit, including how gaming companies often center on single-IP plays and why he pivoted from language-learning games to influencer-driven games.

[15:08] – The grueling two-year process of securing the first SEC no-action letter for blockchain tokens in gaming—and how it paved the way for credit card processing and stablecoins in crypto.

[25:42] – Why entrepreneurs need to pause and celebrate wins, big or small, and how Tim balances ambition with mental health and gratitude.

[31:15] – Tim’s perspective on patents: why they’re critical as proof of innovation and how they make startups more “acquirable,” even if you never plan to litigate.

[41:09] – The fine line between moving fast and protecting IP, and how patents, regulations, and competitive landscapes all fit into the startup puzzle.

[51:23] – Tim breaks down how 3THIX is revolutionizing ad-tech by storing purchase data anonymously on blockchain, enabling hyper-targeted ads that reward consumers directly—and why this could transform industries far beyond gaming.

[55:12] – Tim’s best advice for entrepreneurs: “Everything you need is already within you”—plus the power of routine for staying grounded, calm, and confident, especially when pitching investors.

3THIX Website: www.3thix.com

Timothy Tello LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytello

Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com

Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Thanks so much for tuning in, everyone! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to rate, follow, share, and leave us a review—it helps more innovators like you discover the show. Catch you next time on the Patent Hacks Podcast!