Podcast Summary: “Earn While You Scroll: Inside Mode Mobile’s Business Model with Dan Novaes”

Podcast: Right About Now with Ryan Alford
Network: The Radcast Network
Episode Date: September 2, 2025
Guest: Dan Novaes, Co-Founder & CEO of Mode Mobile

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the business model and entrepreneurial journey of Dan Novaes, co-founder and CEO of Mode Mobile—the company behind the “EarnPhone” and a pioneering participant in the attention economy. Host Ryan Alford guides an uncensored, energetic discussion on how Mode Mobile enables everyday users to monetize their mobile activity, why attention is the new currency, and the lessons learned from scrappy hustle to market leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Early Hustler: Nature vs. Nurture

• Dan’s Entrepreneurial Roots
  • Dan credits both curiosity and resourcefulness for his entrepreneurial drive, describing his first business ventures reselling on eBay and trading Pokémon cards in school:

    “I would say my first business I started was reselling items... I ended up becoming like a titanium power seller... doing over, I think a million a year on it. That was before drop shipping.” — Dan (03:26)

  • He contrasts experiences in Brazil and Indiana, illustrating cultural differences and mischievous early hustles.
• Realization about Work
  • After a tough stint at a Polo store (“worst thing I had ever done”), Dan realized he valued smarter—not harder—ways to earn.
  • Arbitrage breakthrough: Used employee discounts to flip high-end jackets from the outlet store on eBay—his first real “aha” moment.

2. Transition to Tech & Scaling Businesses

• From Physical Goods to Software
  • Dan moved from arbitraging electronics to developing apps, revealing the scalability advantages of software:

    “You can really scale this much better... without all that cash that you need.” — Dan (12:42)

  • Prior to Mode, several modest successes selling apps, but Mode emerged from a string of pivots rather than a single big idea.
• Founding Mode Mobile
  • Original concept: an app aggregating music services, which found unexpected traction with lower-income, high-time-available users.

3. The Mode Mobile Model: Monetizing Attention

• Pivoting to an ‘Earn OS’
  • Based on user interest, Mode began rewarding users for listening to music, then expanded to paying users to play games, charge their phone, and shop.
  • Exponential growth followed:

    “2019 was the first year we generated revenue... by 2022, we had done just over $25 million. And that's where that 32,481% growth rate comes.” — Dan (14:11)

• The Economics of Attention
  • Dan underscores that individual data isn’t highly valuable alone, but data plus attention plus action creates true value:

    “The most valuable thing that we have as humans is our attention... it's the new oil. When you mix data plus attention like action, that's worth a lot.” — Dan (00:15, 22:10)

• Innovating with the EarnPhone
  • Despite industry skepticism, Dan tested the first batch of "EarnPhones"—Android-based devices where using the phone itself paid you back.
  • The move proved retention and earnings were much higher for these users, leading to partnerships and plans to license this technology globally.

4. The Marketplace & Micro-Gigs Analogy

• How Mode Sells ‘Attention as a Service’
  • Mode acts as a marketplace for micro-gigs, drawing comparisons to Uber and Airbnb, but for smartphone attention:

    “Uber did this for cars. Airbnb did this for homes... everyone owns a smartphone. We're effectively giving people opportunities.” — Dan (24:18)

  • Instead of requiring skills or assets, anyone can participate by interacting with offers, apps, and games.

5. The Brand Proposition & Advertiser Value

• Why Brands Pay
  • Advertisers reward Mode’s users for taking actions (installing, playing, signing up), hoping some will stay and spend.
  • Offers are tailored—e.g., a banking app rewards Mode and the user if a user opens an account and deposits money, based on estimated lifetime value.

    “If you're willing to pay a hundred bucks for someone to deposit five into an account... that person deposits five, they get 50. Robinhood also gives them another... stock. So now this person has an $85 stock portfolio...” — Dan (19:22)

• Expanding to Affluent Users
  • Mode’s investment platform attracts older, more affluent investors, broadening both audience and advertiser appeal.

6. Business Model, Growth, and Vision

• From App to OS & Beyond
  • The focus is now software and partnerships with major brands and carriers worldwide. Mode sees itself as an “earn OS” and platform company, with future products and licensing deals:

    “You see a Verizon earned phone is what we would love to see. We're powering that for those brands in multiple countries.” — Dan (26:05)

• Market Timing and Strategic Pivots
  • Dan admits to learning the pitfalls of “growth at all costs” and now prioritizes sustainable, profitable growth.

    “We want to build a profitable business. We're really focused on profitable growth and not growth at all costs...” — Dan (26:53)

• IPO Ahead?
  • With nearly $60 million raised in crowdfunding and over 50,000 shareholders, Mode Mobile eyes a potential IPO.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Resourcefulness Roots

  “If I'm in a bunker somewhere, I want the most resourceful people with me. So Dan Navias is invited to my bunker.” — Ryan Alford (08:33)

• Attention as Currency

  “There’s nothing more that’s more important. And it’s the new oil. It is the data. Your data. And your attention isn’t.” — Dan Novaes (00:15)

• Nature of the Model

  “These aren't full time jobs. Is it capable of paying for your phone bill? Is it capable of paying for gas for you to get to work?” — Dan Novaes (24:36)

• On Brand Buying Logic

  “It’s the same thing that like why free samples… what do they want? They want you to keep paying after that three months.” — Dan Novaes (19:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Dan’s early hustles, eBay & Pokémon entrepreneurship | 03:26-05:29 | | Arbitrage breakthrough at the Polo store | 05:29-08:33 | | Nature vs. nurture in entrepreneurship | 08:33-12:21 | | How Mode Mobile was really started—series of pivots | 12:42-15:32 | | The “Earn OS” thesis and scaling into $25M+ revenue | 14:11-15:32 | | Launching EarnPhone, retention learnings | 15:32-17:52 | | The economics of attention and value to advertisers | 17:52-19:22 | | Why users and brands participate—comparisons to free trials | 19:12-22:10 | | Describing Mode as a micro-gig marketplace | 24:18-24:36 | | Debating “earn” vs “save” as branding | 27:30-28:00 | | Future vision: licensing, PE playbook, focus on profitability | 26:05-27:18 | | Crowdfunding & investor engagement | 28:51-29:52 |

Mode Mobile: How to Learn and Earn More

• For users:
  • Download the “Earn” app from the Play Store.
  • Search for “EarnPhone” online or find it at Best Buy.
• For investors:
  • Explore investment opportunities and company news at invest.modemobile.com.

Final Thoughts

Dan’s story is a masterclass in entrepreneurial agility and creative business modeling. From flipping Pokémon cards to reimagining the way people earn from their smartphones, his Mode Mobile journey shows the potential (and challenges) of building in the attention economy. For listeners hungry for a no-BS look at the future of monetizing attention, platform pivots, and scalable hustle, this episode delivers.

“Forget the LinkedIn fluff. This is for doers, builders, and dreamers who want results—not recycled soundbites.”