From Cuban Roots to Web3 Innovation: How Steven Aguiar Is Building the Future of Social Impact
What if your family’s migration story didn’t just change your life—but gave you the courage to change the world?
For Steven Aguiar, co-founder and COO of Givepact, every business move, every calculated risk, and every leap into the unknown is fueled by a story that began long before he was born—when his father left Cuba in search of freedom and opportunity.
That story didn’t just inspire Steven—it shaped his entire philosophy on gratitude, hard work, and the responsibility to use opportunity for good.
Growing up in a Cuban immigrant household, Steven learned that success isn’t measured only by money—it’s about family values, resilience, and a deep sense of community. His parents’ sacrifices gave him a powerful anchor, a reminder that the opportunities available in the U.S. are not to be taken for granted.
Those early lessons would prepare him for an entrepreneurial journey that’s as unconventional as it is impactful.
Steven attended a highly competitive high school—a training ground that taught him discipline, adaptability, and how to push through challenges. Those skills would later serve him well in the fast-paced world of tech and startups.
In 2016, he founded Bluewing, a full-stack digital marketing agency that has supported dozens of mission-driven organizations, including the Innocence Project and Your Music Your Future. For the Innocence Project, Bluewing has been instrumental in running high-impact Facebook and Google ad campaigns, growing their email lists, and amplifying their mission of exonerating the wrongfully convicted.
But Steven’s ambitions didn’t stop at marketing.
In 2022, he co-founded Givepact, a Web3 technology company building the foundation layer of a metaverse economy for social impact. Their first product? A platform that converts cryptocurrency donations into cash for progressive nonprofits—while funding a DAO for social good. It’s an innovation that bridges two worlds: the speed and transparency of blockchain, and the life-changing work of nonprofits. When Givepact pitched at Coindesk’s Consensus Web3 Pitch Fest in May 2022, they didn’t just participate—they won first place out of 120 dynamic startups.
Steven believes the internet and AI are creating unprecedented opportunities for immigrant communities—but also redefining the meaning of work. His advice to immigrant parents? Be open to different definitions of success. Support your children’s curiosity, and don’t limit their paths to only “safe” careers.
He’s candid about the lessons learned from watching his parents run their own business—especially the benefits and challenges of working with family. To him, entrepreneurship demands hard work, accountability, and a commitment to being fully present.
Through it all, Steven’s philosophy remains grounded in one simple truth: the immigrant story is a strength, not a limitation.
“Follow your curiosity and lean into what you know,” he advises.
To aspiring entrepreneurs and investors—immigrant or not—his message is clear: your unique perspective is your competitive advantage. In a world where innovation moves at lightning speed, voices like Steven’s remind us that technology, when driven by values, can create real and lasting change.
Your Turn to Reflect:
What sacrifices made by your parents or grandparents shaped the opportunities you have today?
How can you use your skills—not just to succeed—but to create impact?
Are you building for profit alone, or for a purpose that will outlive you?
Steven Aguiar’s journey from the son of Cuban immigrants to a leader in Web3 and digital marketing is a masterclass in turning gratitude into action, and roots into rocket fuel.
The question is—what will you do with your story?
🎙 Listen to Steven’s full story on The Immigrant Nation Podcast, available exclusively on Spotify.
Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OGTk1rn3GXxdyXhia5ucX?si=ZDeUltxzT4eUQeOFxL_b-g
Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YakU3zNffFUfKoQSkp2Ee?si=P345opgWSAmw9UjfmkHxow
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihVS9DShbBQ
