This article is part of a MeetInc. series titled “Malta’s Tech Entrepreneurs” a compelling series that shines a spotlight on the innovative minds driving the island’s rapidly growing tech industry. The series features in-depth interviews and stories from Malta’s leading entrepreneurs, showcasing their journey from concept to success.

Each episode delves into the challenges and triumphs these visionaries face as they transform Malta into a hub for technological advancement. From fintech to AI, the series captures the dynamic energy of Malta’s tech scene and highlights the contributions of these pioneers to the global tech landscape.

Max Thake is the 28-year-old Maltese founder of peaq, a blockchain company valued at over 300 million dollars, which is set to revolutionise the way the world works.

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Thake explained that peaq was born out of the combination of “an itch, a conviction, and a dream”—the itch being humanity’s imbalance with nature, the conviction that technology to course-correct exists, and the dream that utopia is achievable in our lifetime.

Thake envisions peaq as a platform that will allow increasingly intelligent machines to serve everyone, democratizing abundance in the Age of AI and job automation.

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Max provided examples of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) on peaq, such as NATIX and Silencio, which allow users to earn rewards by contributing to decentralized services like mapping streets or recording noise data.

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Max Thake explains that today, people rely on apps like Uber for taxis, WeShare for car-sharing, and PlugShare for electric vehicle charging.

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These are examples of ‘Web2 apps’—centralized platforms operated by companies focused on maximizing profit.

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These companies develop apps that offer a service, with users providing their data and paying fees to access the service.

When asked what gets him out of bed in the morning, Max Thake shares that, literally, it’s the sun—he hasn’t used an alarm clock in over two years. Figuratively, it’s his passion for his work. To him, work is play, and he genuinely loves what he does.

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As for what keeps him up at night, Max humorously mentions his co-founder, Leo, snoring in the next room. On a more serious note, he admits that juggling multiple responsibilities can be challenging.

When he skips meditation for too many days, work-related thoughts can take over, leading him to jot down notes at all hours of the night.

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Thake advises young entrepreneurs to pursue what truly makes them tick, take risks, and avoid settling on an idea.

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He also encourages Maltese entrepreneurs to gain experience in larger startup capitals before deciding to launch or expand in Malta.