{"id":"rhett-shipp","title":"Rhett Shipp","content":"**Rhett Shipp** is a founder in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, primarily known as the founder of the Avalanche-based crypto yield protocol [Avant](https://iq.wiki/wiki/avant) Protocol. He is also the founder of the DeFi protocol Gravita and is an active commentator on [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) technology and regulation. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vcRB7HRb1W) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-AIU79XQVeH)\n\n## Education\n\nRhett Shipp earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern Utah University, with a minor in Actuarial Science. During his studies, he focused on financial modeling, statistical analysis, and quantitative risk assessment, laying the groundwork for his later work in financial systems, data science, and blockchain-based finance.  [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-JM8mpD3S7D)\n\n## Career\n\nRhett Shipp currently serves as the Founder of [Avant Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/avant), a decentralized finance platform launched in 2024. In this role, he leads protocol design, governance frameworks, and cross-chain integration efforts. He oversees a globally distributed development team focused on creating next-generation blockchain infrastructure and ensuring operational scalability. Before founding Avant Protocol, Shipp established Gravita Protocol in 2022, where he directed all aspects of platform architecture. From 2022 to 2023, he worked as a Senior DeFi Specialist at Wave Financial (Wave Digital Assets). Earlier in his career, Shipp spent nearly four years at HireVue, progressing from Data Science Analyst to Data Scientist. During this period, he built predictive analytics models to improve hiring decision algorithms and leveraged behavioral datasets to enhance product performance. His analytical work contributed to advancing the company’s AI-driven recruitment technologies.\n\nPrior to entering the data science field, he worked as a Software Developer at Leavitt Software Solutions from 2015 to 2017, developing enterprise-level applications and improving backend data systems. From 2010 to 2014, he served as a Transfer Pricing Analyst at Ernst & Young (EY), where he performed financial modeling, valuation analyses, and cross-border tax compliance for multinational clients. His early professional experience also includes positions as a Teacher’s Aid in Economics and Finance and as a Math and Economics Tutor at Southern Utah University, where he supported instruction and student learning in quantitative disciplines. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vcRB7HRb1W) [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-JM8mpD3S7D)\n\n## The Paul Barron Show\n\nOn Augusr 26th, 2025 Shipp joined *The Paul Barron Show* to discuss [Avant’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/avant) approach to yield generation through decentralized finance. He explains how the platform employs on-chain strategies to optimize returns while managing risk, emphasizing transparency, algorithmic asset allocation, and automated portfolio deployment.\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=K8tPGRyeahU)$$","summary":"Rhett Shipp is a DeFi founder, known for creating Avant Protocol and Gravita. Avant, an Avalanche-based yield protocol, raised $6.5M in a 2024 seed round. Shipp is also an active crypto commentator on X, advocating for DeFi and decentralization.","images":[{"id":"QmQ9EdftoHzFUaNwuRufwbaMUV8ePgzh35WQEo4ygxcJW1","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Organizations"},{"id":"Ethereum"},{"id":"Protocols"}],"media":[{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tPGRyeahU","name":"K8tPGRyeahU","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tPGRyeahU","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"vcRB7HRb1W\",\"url\":\"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding\",\"description\":\"The Block article on Avant Protocol\",\"timestamp\":1760710559788},{\"id\":\"AIU79XQVeH\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/rhettshipp?lang=en\",\"description\":\"Rhett Shipp's X (Twitter) profile\",\"timestamp\":1760710559788},{\"id\":\"event-joined-x-(formerly-twitter)-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/rhettshipp?lang=en\",\"timestamp\":1760710560014},{\"id\":\"event-founded-avant-protocol-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding\",\"timestamp\":1760710560014},{\"id\":\"event-began-avant-protocol-seed-round-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding\",\"timestamp\":1760710560014},{\"id\":\"event-closed-avant-protocol-seed-round-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding\",\"timestamp\":1760710560014},{\"id\":\"JM8mpD3S7D\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn: Rhett Shipp\",\"timestamp\":1760710792556,\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhett-shipp-0a117823/\"}]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/rhettshipp?lang=en"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhett-shipp-0a117823/"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Create page for Rhett Shipp, founder of DeFi protocols Avant and Gravita.\""}],"events":[{"id":"91397cc9-d7c2-499a-b14a-e79175e3cd7d","date":"2024-06","title":"Founded Avant Protocol","type":"CREATED","description":"Rhett Shipp founded Avant Protocol, a crypto yield protocol based on the Avalanche blockchain, designed to generate market-neutral yields.","link":"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"20d3a666-cb7f-49df-899e-e9a3f0ea15de","date":"2011-05","title":"Joined X (formerly Twitter)","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Rhett Shipp joined the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where he later became an active commentator on DeFi and cryptocurrency topics.","link":"https://x.com/rhettshipp?lang=en","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"f38c0253-97ab-4a25-bcef-b299dea08dfe","date":"2024-10","title":"Began Avant Protocol Seed Round","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Shipp officially began the fundraising process for Avant Protocol's seed round, targeting his existing network and angel investors.","link":"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"b58f2ab7-0a27-489f-b6d8-b267d0939670","date":"2024-11","title":"Closed Avant Protocol Seed Round","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Successfully closed a $6.5 million seed funding round for Avant Protocol, achieving a $25 million post-money valuation.","link":"https://www.theblock.co/post/328512/avant-protocol-ethena-like-seed-funding","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":["avant"],"speakers":[]},"operator":{"id":"0x4a2bC97afBF41a2Cbf4b4628F63420682Ff4CF2a"}}