Gearing up for its Web3-powered treasure hunt at SXSW 2025, Sponstar utilizes blockchain and geofencing to make sponsorships more interactive and measurable.
Sponsorships have long been a cornerstone of brand marketing, but the traditional model often leaves much to be desired. Brands frequently grapple with opaque processes, struggling to measure the true impact of their investments.
Matching the right influencer or event with a brand’s identity can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, while audiences are left with passive experiences that fail to resonate. It’s clear that the sponsorship industry is ripe for innovation to attract more engagement from individuals.
Rethinking sponsorships with blockchain
One platform tackling these challenges is Sponstar, a Web3-powered sponsorship marketplace that bridges brands, influencers and events through blockchain technology. The platform’s approach integrates blockchain mechanics to create transparent and interactive sponsorship experiences that reward participation and foster deeper connections.
A prime example is Sponstar’s upcoming activation at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025, a key tech event that celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education and culture. As part of SXSW, Sponstar will launch a city-wide treasure hunt powered by geofencing technology. This technology uses GPS to create virtual boundaries that trigger actions when a device enters or exits the area.
Check out how the STAR web app operates in Real world experiences! We'll be live @sxsw pic.twitter.com/31IF5WwrX3
— Sponstar (@sponstar_io) January 14, 2025
At the event, participants will track STAR tokens — Sponstar’s native cryptocurrency — to unlock exclusive rewards, access premium SXSW events and compete for a grand prize: a VIP invitation to Wellness Day 2.0 at Kintsugi Ranch, hosted by actor and environmentalist Adrian Grenier.
Sponstar’s model builds on the success of its past activations, like its collaboration with Don Londres, a luxury tequila brand founded by Dre London — American artist Post Malone’s longtime manager.
At Art Basel 2024, Sponstar and Don Londres demonstrated how Web3 sponsorships can create high-impact, real-world experiences by blending art, music and blockchain. The collaboration showcased the potential of sponsorships as more than mere advertisements, proving they can be immersive, interactive and rewarding.
Turning live events into interactive adventures
The platform’s geofencing adds a layer of interactivity to live events, turning ordinary locations into engaging checkpoints. For instance, during the SXSW treasure hunt, pedicabs will serve as roaming hubs where participants can collect STAR tokens or unlock rewards.
Imagine attending an event where every experience feels tailor-made for you 🎯. Sponstar uses AI-powered recommendation engines to enhance physical events, from personalized rewards to curated brand interactions. It’s the future of engagement, redefined. 🚀 #AI #Web3 #EventTech pic.twitter.com/EdahdZqi97
— Sponstar (@sponstar_io) January 27, 2025
Sponstar’s tokenized rewards system further amplifies participation by offering tangible incentives. Users earn STAR tokens for completing tasks or engaging with activations, which can be redeemed for real-world perks or exclusive access. This system creates a feedback loop where brands gain measurable insights while users are motivated to stay involved.
At the core of Sponstar’s operations are smart contracts, which automate and secure sponsorship agreements. These self-executing contracts ensure that terms are met before payments are released, reducing disputes and fostering trust between brands, influencers and event organizers.
From SXSW to global festivals
Sponstar plans to expand its reach to global festivals and conferences, including Coachella, Cannes and CES. The platform is also refining its tokenomics model to empower ecosystem participants further.
Touching upon the “transformative” potential of Web3 sponsorships, Sponstar CEO Manuela Seve said the future lies in “gamified, immersive and decentralized” experiences. Seve emphasized that sponsorships are no longer just about ads but about creating interactive adventures that benefit brands and users. “SXSW is just the beginning,” the Sponstar CEO underlined, highlighting the platform’s vision for a new era of engagement.
With its innovative use of blockchain technology, Sponstar is addressing the challenges of traditional sponsorships while reimagining their potential. As the lines between the physical and digital worlds continue to blur, platforms like Sponstar are contributing to a new era of sponsorship experiences that are as engaging as they are impactful.
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