PIN AI: 1.8M+ users onboarded
How did you drive 1.8M+ users to PIN AI?
PIN AI was an a16z-backed personal AI protocol. We acted as their in-house CMO — end-to-end launch execution. The 1.8M users came primarily through their Telegram mini-app. We designed the user acquisition campaigns around referral mechanics and social media virality baked directly into the TG app experience. On top of that, we scaled their X audience from 10K to 300K+ followers ahead of their token launch. The strategy combined top-down KOL activations with bottom-up community-driven growth to create a compounding flywheel.
What strategies worked best?
The TG mini-app distribution was the big one — we integrated referral mechanics and social sharing elements directly into the product loop so growth was embedded in usage, not bolted on. We also managed the community growth strategy, helped secure their acceptance into the a16z CSX cohort, and executed IRL events to build credibility with institutional and builder audiences. The combination of product-led distribution through Telegram plus high-signal narrative positioning on X created a high-intent community that wasn't just farming — they were actually engaged before TGE.