Edge & Node CEO Rodrigo Coelho Drives The Graph's Growth in Web3

Rodrigo Coelho, the CEO of edge & node, has been instrumental in the development of The Graph, a decentralized protocol for indexing and querying blockchain data. His journey from co-founding tech startups in the late '90s to leading Edge & Node reflects a blend of entrepreneurship, technological foresight, and a deep-rooted belief in the decentralized future of the web. Coelho's interest in Bitcoin began around 2010, and he became more intrigued by the industry in 2016 after moving to San Francisco and meeting more builders. His transition into the Web3 space was solidified when he met Yaniv Tal at a coworking space in late 2017, who was working on the pitch deck for The Graph. Coelho joined Tal as the first employee and has since played a crucial role in the company's growth.

Coelho's prior entrepreneurial experiences have been invaluable in his role at Edge & Node. He has worn many hats, from setting up social channels to handling people operations, which has given him a deep contextual knowledge of the company. As CEO, he has brought a sense of urgency and an engineering culture focused on shipping products. His strategic initiatives include examining every corner of Edge & Node with honesty and curiosity, encouraging bold ideas, and expanding the imagination. He is excited about the traction The Graph is seeing in mainstream sectors, such as traditional finance and enterprise use cases, which signals the closing of the gap between Web2 and Web3.

Interoperability has been a significant challenge for The Graph, which has integrated with nearly 100 blockchains. Coelho acknowledges the unique technical and governance complexities of each blockchain but has refocused the approach to prioritize quality over quantity. This shift allows for better resource allocation, deeper support, and long-term sustainability for The Graph ecosystem. Moving forward, Edge & Node will continue to streamline integration efforts while staying aligned with real innovation.

Developer experience and community engagement are critical for the success of decentralized protocols. Edge & Node has been proactive in empowering developers within The Graph ecosystem. Since 2022, they have operated the House of Web3 in San Francisco, hosting various in-person events such as workshops, hackathons, and meetups. Additionally, their developer relations team hosts many online events, including live sessions on X and YouTube, covering topics from full-stack dapp development to crypto accounting for businesses.

Staying ahead in the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape requires more than just reacting to trends; it involves defining them. Edge & Node has created foundational pieces of the decentralized stack, such as Subgraphs and Graph Node, which are not surface-level innovations but real contributions to the field. Coelho envisions The Graph becoming synonymous with data itself, with the world's data flowing through it in a structured, queryable, and open way. The goal is to make this flow as seamless as possible, with an intuitive and powerful user experience.

Ask Aime: What is The Graph's role in bridging Web2 and Web3?

Navigating the regulatory environment is a common challenge for blockchain-based projects. Edge & Node takes compliance seriously, working with experienced counsel to understand and navigate global regulatory frameworks. They remain committed to the ethos of decentralization, designing systems that don't rely on centralized control. This balance is achievable through transparency, decentralization by design, and community-led governance.

Maintaining a cohesive organizational culture in a remote-first company can be challenging. Edge & Node prioritizes intentional communication, regular virtual gatherings, and async collaboration tools. They also invest in rituals that celebrate wins, acknowledge contributions, and create a sense of belonging. Offsites between the Graph Foundation and Edge & Node provide opportunities for face-to-face collaboration and deepening connections. Additionally, they have a “Celebrating Wins” Slack channel and other channels for music, parenting, food, and more, fostering a close-knit environment despite the global distribution of their team.

Coelho's previous role as Chief Spirit Officer at Edge & Node has influenced his leadership style as CEO. He leads with empathy, curiosity, and a belief that culture is a strategic advantage. This mindset influences decision-making and team support. He keeps an open-door policy, encouraging innovation and growth through a culture of failing up. Looking ahead, Coelho envisions The Graph as the backbone of the new internet, powering every truly decentralized application. He hopes to build a legacy where users have ownership, data flows freely, and innovation is not bottlenecked by gatekeepers. Edge & Node is not just building technology but a movement, making the decentralized future of the web inevitable.