Meet the ARC-H1VE Team
We are a team of passionate innovators dedicated to transforming the creative industry. Where creativity, technology, and law converge, we craft groundbreaking solutions and pioneering business models that empower artists to thrive and redefine the future of creativity.”
David Johnston
Founder and CEO
David is the visionary leader of ARC-H1VE driving the company's mission and strategic direction.
David is a former Sony recording artist and songwriter as "Life Of Dillon" with over 500 million streams and a SonyATV-signed writer/producer, working with top artists like:
The Chainsmokers, AJ Mitchell and Yung Bleu.
David's academic background is in Industrial Design Technology from Brunel University - a globally recognized institution for design engineering - underscoring his commitment to innovation and excellence.
His diverse skill set, combining creative artistry and technical acumen, positions him uniquely at the forefront of ARC-H1VE.
Under his leadership, ARC-H1VE is set to revolutionize the way creative talents manage and capitalize on their intellectual property, promising a new era of opportunities for artists and creatives worldwide.
Paul Mikulskis
CTO
Paul leads the tech team at ARC-H1VE, ensuring the platform stays at the forefront of innovation. As a full-stack engineer and former tech lead, Paul has advanced expertise in building software products from the ground up.
His background in DevOps and Product Engineering allows him to excel in system maintenance, architectural design, and software scalability, while prioritizing key investments for a sustainable developer experience throughout the product development lifecycle. Paul's background in both traditional web technologies and blockchain perfectly positions him to architect the best system for ARC-H1VE.
His expertise allows for a seamless integration of web2 approaches with blockchain technology, ensuring precision and innovation in the development of ARC-H1VE's digital IP rights management and monetization platform.
Joseph Sepúlveda
Product Manager
Joseph steers ARC-H1VE's platform development with a strategic focus on growth and success. As a multifaceted professional with a rich background in mechanical systems engineering, sales, marketing, and blockchain research, his expertise spans engineering architecture, systems design, market design, and product design.
Joseph's experience in providing in-depth market research of numerous technical systems is invaluable for monitoring market performance, protocol developments, and financial tools in development. As a technical consultant for five early-stage blockchain startups, his insights are instrumental in shaping ARC-H1VE's technical strategies and product advancements.
Joseph's unique cross-competent skill in communicating backend technical strategies to frontend marketing and growth strategies is crucial for aligning the team's needs and managing all aspects of the projects developments. He remains at the cutting edge of engineering and technical innovation, exploring areas like digital assets, modular blockchains, and industry-wide regulatory impacts to ensure ARC-H1VE's continued leadership in the industry.
Jacques Tredoux
Investor/Mentor to Founder
Jacques Tredoux brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to ARC-H1VE as a mentor to the founder and an investor in the company.
With a distinguished career in the fields of law and finance, Jacques has held prominent positions, including Non-Executive Director at Intercede, where he has a strong background in delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions for governments and multinational firms.
As the leader of Tredoux Capital Limited, Jacques has demonstrated expertise in corporate finance, further honed during his tenure as CEO of Credo Group (UK) Limited, a firm specializing in wealth management.
With a legal background that dates back to 1988, Jacques has practiced law at renowned firms such as Edward Nathan & Friedland Inc and Clifford Chance. His deep understanding of legal and financial matters makes him a valuable mentor to the founder of ARC-H1VE.
Amanda Hendy
Senior Advisor
Amanda is an experienced attorney, venture investor, advisor and most recently, co-founded WYE Media, a web3 media company created around the successful NFT character called, Aku. Amanda leads operations and legal for WYE, in addition to strategic development.
Prior to WYE, Amanda co-founded and served as the Managing Partner of the U.S. venture arm of a global single-family office platform. In that role, Amanda led investments in early-stage consumer and tech companies such as Enovix ($5bn+ Mkt cap exit), Gro Intelligence, Insightec, Carbon Direct, maude, Toucan, Repurpose, and Saie, among others.
In addition to her duties at WYE, Amanda continues to serve on boards and is an advisor to several early-stage companies. She is also an active angel investor. Amanda began her career as a corporate lawyer at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and at Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher LLP. She holds a B.A. from Indiana University and a J.D. from Fordham Law School.
Her background as a corporate lawyer, coupled with her active role in advising startups and serving on boards, makes her a valuable asset to the ARC-H1VE team. Her insights and guidance will be instrumental in navigating the legal and strategic aspects of ARC-H1VE's mission to revolutionize digital IP rights management and monetization.
Yorgos Papadopoulos
COO | GC
Yorgos is a New York-barred attorney and seasoned advisor specializing in transactional and startup law, particularly in early-stage company development. Educated at Case Western Reserve University in law and the University of Sussex in international relations, Yorgos's expertise spans global legal frameworks and strategic business transactions.
His career has seen him in roles such as Advisor, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Legal Officer, where he has been instrumental in spearheading fundraising, team assembly, and forging strategic partnerships. Notably, Yorgos played a key role in a startup that garnered backing from Fortune 100 giant Pernod Ricard in China. His operational and strategic prowess extends to managing large-scale negotiations and transactions for multinational corporations like CTIEC and CNBM, as well as advising Forbes 30 under 30 founders.
Yorgos's record highlights his ability to secure profitable revenue streams, streamline operations, and cultivate strong client and stakeholder relationships. His adeptness in negotiation, handling commercial contracts, and resolving conflicts ensures that he remains a pivotal asset in aligning business strategies with legal and market demands, vital for navigating the complex international business landscape.
Ben Gordon-Pound
Investor | Head of Product
Ben Gordon-Pound brings a wealth of experience in music marketing, label management, distribution, and operations to ARC-H1VE as the Director of Operations at The Nations, the largest music curation network on YouTube.
With over 250MM+ monthly views and 40MM+ subscribers across multiple channels, his expertise in curating content and managing a team of A&Rs has been instrumental in delivering over 350 music products in 2023.
Ben's role in managing a catalog with over 10,000,000 daily streams and 100,000 daily TikTok creations showcases his ability to navigate the digital music landscape effectively. His work with broke, The Nationsroyalty/DMCA-free label imprint, demonstrates his proficiency in contracting, distribution, deals, DSP relations, marketing, and operations workflow. Ben's experience extends to special programming, activations, community building, SEO optimization, and event management, making him a valuable asset to ARC-H1VE's creative strategy and operations.
Alejandro Reyes-Knight
Creative Advisor
Alejandro offers invaluable insights into creative direction and strategy for ARC-H1VE. With a rich background in content creation, he has collaborated with iconic musicians and artists such as Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, Oasis, Black Sabbath, Mark Ronson, and Damien Hirst, among others. As a founding partner and investor of Winston House, Alejandro has fostered a dynamic community for emerging talents, producing content for stars like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Mike Posner, Gary Vee, A$AP Ferg, Midland, Noah Kahn to name a few.
His involvement in Winston House, a renowned music venue in Venice, Los Angeles, has enabled intimate performances by global artists, creating a vibrant hub for artists and music lovers alike. Alejandro's experience extends to the digital realm, orchestrating the $180k sale of the John Lennon digital collectible, showcasing his adaptability and foresight in the evolving landscape of artistic creation, performance, and distribution.
Philip Knatchbull
Former CEO Curzon Cinemas
Philip Knatchbull has profoundly impacted the UK film industry by transforming Curzon into an integrated film company that deftly combines cinema operation with an innovative on-demand service.
As former CEO, he orchestrated the merger of three companies, expanding Curzon's reach with over five hundred films in its catalogue, including numerous Oscar and BAFTA winners. His leadership led Curzon to win a BAFTA for its outstanding contribution to British cinema in 2017 and to pioneer simultaneous digital cinema releases, enhancing film accessibility and audience engagement.
At ARC-H1VE, Philip's strategic acumen and deep industry insights are pivotal as we expand our revolutionary IP management solutions to creative industries worldwide.
Jay Rosenzweig
Strategic Advisor
Jay Rosenzweig, an internationally renowned social impact entrepreneur and leadership strategist, brings his extensive experience in building world-class teams and advocating for human rights to ARC-H1VE. He leverages his extensive experience to consult with a wide array of organizations, from global corporations to burgeoning tech startups, providing them with strategic guidance on innovative growth and operational excellence.
His commitment to social impact is evidenced by his leadership at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre For Human Rights and his pioneering Rosenzweig Report, which advocates for equality and has influenced leaders worldwide.
Educated at McGill University in Philosophy, Civil Law, and Common Law, and further trained at Harvard Law School's Negotiation Program, Jay offers a profound understanding of legal and ethical frameworks. His skills enhance ARC-H1VE's mission, guiding our initiatives to ensure that our digital rights management solutions not only comply with global standards but also actively support creator empowerment. At ARC-H1VE, Jay's role is pivotal in shaping policies that foster a fair, transparent, and thriving creative economy, making him a key asset in our journey to transform how intellectual property is managed and monetized globally.
Mason Stacker
Senior Software Engineer
Mason is a Senior Software Engineer at ARC-H1VE, where he applies deep expertise in full-stack development to advance the platform’s innovative digital solutions. With a history of consulting for a wide range of applications, Mason has a versatile background that spans building and scaling software products from the ground up.
At ARC-H1VE, Mason focuses on ensuring system reliability, scalability, security, and seamless user experiences through well-architected solutions.
His broad experience in software engineering, smart contract development, and payment handling systems enables him to address complex challenges while driving the platform’s growth and ensuring it meets both user needs and long-term goals. Mason’s ability to align technical initiatives with ARC-H1VE’s business objectives plays a crucial role in the platform’s ongoing success and innovation.”
Huseyin Ozyilmaz
Technical Advisor
Huseyin is an outcome-driven technology leader with experience in building, managing and growing the technology department of a multinational corporation with operations in 60 countries and $6B in revenue. He has a proven track record of establishing multidisciplinary, cross-functional, and globally distributed agile teams, delivering enterprise-grade solutions to clients worldwide using cutting-edge technologies and practices.
With a strong foundation in Software Engineering, he has developed a hybrid skill set that combines technical expertise and business acumen. He has played a pivotal role in scaling a startup from its early stages to a successful exit and led a global team of 120+ professionals in designing, developing, and operating SaaS, web, and mobile products.
With his rare blend of startup and enterprise expertise, Huseyin is uniquely positioned to deliver strategic guidance, cutting-edge technology solutions and expert investment advice that helps his clients drive growth and unlock their full potential.