Faces of Web3: Androux Reabow, BananaSZN

Faces of Web3: Androux Reabow, BananaSZN
July 9, 2025

Meet Androux Reabow, better known as Roux, the founder of BananaSZN. Roux leads a team that specialises in everything from small and large-scale events to community building and tech product development. BananaSZN focuses on creating fun, impactful experiences while helping organisations scale and tackle challenges across their business. Beyond BananaSZN, Roux serves as the growth and product lead for CryptoMondays London, one of the UK’s longest-running Web3 communities. For over eight years, CryptoMondays has hosted free monthly events educating people about blockchain, Web3, and emerging technologies. Roux also collaborates with other organisations on a contract basis, applying his expertise across various projects while continuing to grow BananaSZN, now over two and a half years strong.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED in the Web3 space?

I’ve been in Web3 for about 8-9 years, though my interest began 12-13 years ago when I first tried to buy Bitcoin and almost started mining. My real entry was buying Dogecoin and later focusing my university studies on blockchain. My dissertation involved building a decentralised warehouse management system for Unipart, a logistics company working with McLaren and Jaguar Land Rover. After graduating, I became a Binance Angel which involved helping build Binance’s UK community during its rapid growth. Seeing blockchain’s potential to solve real-world problems has been amazing and has gradually convinced others of its value.

What was your motivator to found BananaSZN?

My motivation for starting BananaSZN came from my passion for building communities. I’ve worked in both corporate and Web3, gaining experience in product management, project management, and agile training. I helped incubate startups at London’s DLT Hub, often giving advice freely. Eventually, I started BananaSZN to run events, build communities, and support companies’ growth through marketing, product, and operations. We’ve grown to around 12 people, running creative events worldwide, like tuk-tuk branding in Thailand and side events in Denver. We also launched Chain Reaction to educate students about blockchain and Web3 globally, combining growth, education, and fun.

The definition of ‘Web3’ is quite broad and varies depending on the industry backgrounds of the people you speak to. How do you define the term?

That is a loaded question. Web3 is the next generation of the internet, shifting from centralised control to personal ownership. In Web1, we could only read information. In Web2, we could start to interact and transact, but companies controlled our data. Over time, many have abused this power for profit and risked our privacy and trust. Web3 gives ownership back to individuals; we control our money, data, and identity, with transparency and accountability. In areas like science, blockchain can prevent data falsification by recording results directly from hardware, creating verifiable records. Ultimately, Web3 empowers us to choose who accesses our data and ensures trust through technology, not institutions.

What do you determine to be the biggest societal opportunities that Web3 brings?

I believe one of Web3’s biggest opportunities is breaking down financial borders. Traditionally, countries control money and access, limiting people based on location and currency. Web3 transcends that, allowing anyone to send and spend money globally, instantly, and without government restrictions. This opens access to financial systems like Bitcoin for people previously excluded. Adoption has grown rapidly, with major institutions and countries like El Salvador embracing crypto. What was once rejected is now part of pension funds and national reserves. Web3 creates a shared, decentralised financial system that isn’t controlled by any one country, which is incredibly exciting.

What do you see as the biggest challenge that the Web3 community faces?

The challenges in Web3 are evolving rapidly, especially with the current market cycle aligning with major shifts, including political factors. Regulation remains one of the biggest hurdles, as governments struggle to adapt centuries-old systems to this new decentralised technology. Without clear rules, users face risks like loss of funds or lack of protection. However, governments are recognising the need for action, with initiatives like Stand With Crypto gaining momentum. My passion lies in educating people about blockchain and crypto, explaining its importance, how it affects them, and how they can safely participate. Education is the most important thing moving forward.

What are some career highlights in your Web3 journey?

Web3 has been the most exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding experience of my life. I live and breathe it, and feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside my best friends, travelling the world and creating content for global communities. Highlights include projects like hiring 100 tuk-tuks in Thailand for a vlog series, helping early organisations like The Open Network at DLT Hub, and witnessing the incredible growth of the people and companies I’ve worked with. Over the past four years, I’ve constantly attended and organised events, meeting amazing people. It’s been tough at times, but I’m deeply grateful for every moment.

What’s coming up for you and your business in 2025?

At BananaSZN, we’re doubling down on event production, aiming to create bigger, crazier activations worldwide that help organisations build community, social traction, and growth. Our passionate team excels at delivering these experiences. Alongside events, we’re developing three software products, including internal tools, and two external launches are coming soon. We’re also expanding Chain Reaction to connect universities and industry, with upcoming Ignite events focusing on blockchain and AI. Beyond that, we’re planning to launch a merch company, sticker brand, and events platform, depending on funding. We have plenty of ideas and are excited to keep building and growing.

What inspires you to stay motivated professionally?

I love Web3 and crypto because they’re transforming how we interact with the world. Web3 empowers individuals to own their assets, data, and time, shifting us toward a creator economy where people get paid to contribute to communities and projects they care about. I’m passionate about building events, products, and marketing activations that engage people. The endless opportunities and creative freedom keep me motivated. While financial challenges exist, the responsibility of supporting my team drives me to keep pushing. Ultimately, doing what I love with people I care about makes Web3 rewarding and worthwhile.

When you’re not working, where would we most likely find you?

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me at events, often blending work and downtime since many of my friends are involved too. I’m currently based in Vietnam and focusing on fitness, prioritising my health after long hours behind a computer. I’ve been travelling recently to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, and I’m in full exploring mode, trying to experience as much of the world as possible. I even plan long-distance walks, like walking across Vietnam or from the bottom to the top of the UK. Exploring, staying active, and seeing new places keeps me energised outside of work.

For more information and to keep up to date with what Roux is doing on LinkedIn. For everything BananaSZN, you can stay connected on X, Instagram, & LinkedIn.

If Roux’s stories have inspired you and you’re craving more Web3 insights, dive into our exciting “Faces of Web3” series via our blog!