Valory, the pioneer of co-owned AI and core contributor to Olas, the original AI agent project, announces leadership changes. Founding team member Gemma Welsh is appointed Chief Operating Officer, recognizing her leadership in building excellent operations and scaling the team to 30+ people across 16 countries.
This year alone, Valory has launched its consumer-facing “agent app store,” Pearl, and its enterprise-focused Mech Marketplace. Further, the $1 million Olas Accelerator is bringing serious teams to build agents for Pearl. With the Olas ecosystem maturing, co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Oaksprout the Tan, is stepping back from Valory to join ecosystem builders driving decentralization.
Since its founding in 2021, Valory has led the decentralized AI movement—shipping innovations enabling users to earn from web3 agents they own, rather than pay for web2 agents they rent. Recently featured in CoinDesk, Valory’s Pearl forms the backbone of a new internet of user-owned agents.
Welsh’s promotion reflects her significant contributions since becoming Valory’s first hire and a founding member of Olas, establishing Valory’s operations. A serial entrepreneur among Jumpstart’s top 1% of UK early-careerists, she brings over a decade of experience leading across tech and nonprofit ventures. “Three and a half years in, I’m more committed than ever to Valory’s mission,” she said. “I believe contributing to Olas is humanity’s best chance to take ownership of powerful AI as a source of our own wealth and wellbeing.”
Indeed, the Olas ecosystem is closer to realizing this vision than ever. Over 600 Daily Active Agents have already generated over 6 million transactions. Now, from 40+ applications, teams including Celo, Spectral Labs, Spartan Labs, Trendmoon, Bio Protocol, and Offchain Labs on Arbitrum have joined the Olas Accelerator to build agents for Pearl.
“It felt like the perfect time,” Oak said of his transition. “After 3.5 years and the recent $13.8 million raise, the Valory team is ready for the next stage—and so is the ecosystem. I’m excited to continue collaborating while joining the ranks of ecosystem builders, ushering in further decentralization.”
“Valory has never been stronger,” said CEO David Minarsch. “Oak’s contributions will always be a part of our DNA and laid the foundation for what’s already been an exceptional year—and it’s only May!”
As the pioneer of agents in crypto, Valory remains focused on building open, decentralized systems that serve people, not platforms. With a maturing ecosystem, proven team, and growing momentum behind Olas, Valory is just getting started.
