Sylvain Horwood, founder of Puru Suisse and Pureternia, explains why he left Switzerland's first regulated crypto bank to make 100% natural skincare in his kitchen. Over six years, he's evolved from hand-mixing coconut oil and cocoa butter to launching a full skincare line, publishing five Captain Puru children's books, and preparing to test whether cute penguin IP can actually sell premium skincare on Amazon.

This episode covers:

- Kitchen chemistry to contract manufacturing: Why finding truly natural products in Switzerland in 2018 was harder than working in crypto banking, and whether that same playbook still works in 2026's crowded wellness market

- The inflatable penguin moment: Launching a 6-foot Captain Puru at a professional sailing race in France and watching kids sprint to hug it, the instant realization that Pudgy IP has "magical appeal" for physical products

- 1,000 applications for 2 bottles: How requesting just two penguin licenses via Overpass IP created a DM avalanche and taught him he massively underestimated holder demand to see their penguins on real-world cosmetics

- Traditional licensing hell vs. NFT efficiency: Why major IP deals require 6+ months of negotiations, upfront fees, and minimum sales quotas while Pudgy Penguins took "a few clicks" and holders emotionally onboard themselves

- The bathroom vibes thesis: Testing whether cute penguins smiling at you daily during skincare routines can beat "traditional boring style cosmetic bottles" from premium brands, and if billions of Pudgy Penguin views translate to Amazon conversions for natural sunscreen

Important Disclosures

This content is intended for educational purposes only. Please note that the availability of the products mentioned may vary by country, and it is recommended to check with your local stock exchange. 

Please note that VanEck may offer investments products that invest in the asset class(es) or industries included in this podcast.

This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.

Prior to using any AI tools, please consult your compliance and legal departments to assess and mitigate potential risks associated with its application in your specific regulatory environment.

Please note that any content generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system has not been subject to a human review, and thus no assurance can be made as to its accuracy. Please exercise caution when using AI systems and verify the content produced through such systems wherever possible.

An investment in a cryptocurrency exchange-traded product (“ETP”) or other digital asset investment vehicle is subject to significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of digital assets, including but not limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, is highly volatile and you can lose your entire principal investment. Cryptocurrency ETPs are not registered investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and therefore are not subject to the same regulatory protections afforded to mutual funds or ETFs registered under the 1940 Act.

Investments in digital assets and Web3 companies are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk. These risks include, but are not limited to: the technology is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; volatility and limited liquidity, including but not limited to, inability to liquidate a position; loss or destruction of key(s) to access accounts or the blockchain; reliance on digital wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Moreover, the extent to which Web3 companies or digital assets utilize blockchain technology may vary, and it is possible that even widespread adoption of blockchain technology may not result in a material increase in the value of such companies or digital assets. 

Digital asset prices are highly volatile, and the value of digital assets, and the companies that invest in them, can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. If their value goes down, there’s no guarantee that it will rise again. As a result, there is a significant risk of loss of your entire principal investment.

Digital assets are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank and are not covered by FDIC or SIPC insurance. Accounts at digital asset custodians and exchanges are not protected by SPIC and are not FDIC insured. Furthermore, markets and exchanges for digital assets are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in traditional equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing.

Digital assets include, but are not limited to, cryptocurrencies, tokens, NFTs, assets stored or created using blockchain technology, and other Web3 products.

Web3 Companies include but are not limited to, companies that involve the development, innovation, and/or utilization of blockchain, digital assets, or crypto technologies.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

© SegMint
© Van Eck Associates Corporation

Ep.84 Swiss Sunscreen & Sailing Penguins: An Unconventional Brand Story | PURU Suisse