Understanding the foundational principles that drive innovation and success is crucial. Every successful company can base its success on concrete, ironclad rules. These rules have helped us navigate difficult times and allowed us to break into a shielded market.

We are committed to our ideal of open source and total transparency. That’s why we are sharing the rules that enable us to face an unconquered opponent. For the first time in written form, we delve into the "Five Rules of ICN"—a set of principles that guides our team through the difficult process of building a true challenger to the giants of the cloud computing industry.

Watch our Co-Founder Christian Kaul explain the Five Rules of ICN live during FIL Brussels:

Rule Number 1: Building an Ecosystem, Not a Single-Service Silo
Specialization may seem simple and appealing, but in the cloud industry, customers aren’t excited by a standalone service. They expect a full suite of services that complement each other and foster innovation. In the highly competitive world of cloud services, focusing on just one use case destroys potential.

That’s why our first rule is to build an ecosystem, not a single-service silo. As we enter the market, it's crucial to aim for a perfect market fit that, from the start, supports multi-service use cases. Customers today want solutions that seamlessly integrate multiple cloud services, rather than being confined to a single, narrow offering. By focusing on an expansive ecosystem, we position ourselves as true challengers to the hyperscalers, ready to meet diverse needs across various industries.

Rule Number 2: Start with Storage
Where should we start? The second rule revolves around the importance of beginning with storage. History shows that foundational services like storage are key to building a robust cloud ecosystem. Take AWS, for example—they began with S3 storage, which played a pivotal role in their growth. Most cloud services require some form of storage, and it often enhances the service when integrated. Additionally, storage benefits from data locality and data gravity laws, which can help attract other services to the ecosystem. By establishing a strong foundation in decentralized storage, we set the stage for future expansion.

Rule Number 3: Focus on Demand—B2B is Key
Understanding market demand is crucial, and the third rule emphasizes the need to focus on what business customers really want. The B2B cloud service market is significantly larger than the consumer market, making it a critical area of focus. The most successful services—especially in the web3 and decentralized platforms (DePIN) space—tend to be those tailored to business needs.

Rule Number 4: Enterprise-Level Hardware is Non-Negotiable
To serve business customers and compete with the giants of the industry, we must operate on their level, particularly when it comes to hardware. The fourth rule stresses the necessity of using enterprise-level hardware. The standards set by hyperscalers are high, and to be seen as a viable alternative, our hardware must meet or exceed these standards. Compliance with industry benchmarks isn’t just about meeting expectations; it’s about positioning ourselves as a top-tier provider that offers equal reliability and performance.

Rule Number 5: Overcoming the DePIN Verification Problem
Finally, the fifth rule addresses a challenge unique to decentralized platforms: solving the DePIN verification problem. In an industry where trust and reliability are paramount, demonstrating that our service is both dependable and trustworthy is critical. Overcoming verification issues isn’t just about technical solutions; it’s about building confidence with customers and proving that our service can be relied upon in the most demanding environments. 

The Five Rules of ICN serve as our roadmap for the incredible venture of building a successful cloud ecosystem that can compete on a global scale. By focusing on building a diverse ecosystem, starting with storage, targeting B2B markets, utilizing enterprise-level hardware, and overcoming the DePIN verification challenges, we set ourselves up for success in a competitive field. These rules are not just guidelines—they are the pillars of a strategy that will lead us through the difficult process of building a true challenger to the giants of the cloud computing industry. 

Watch our Co-Founder Christian Kaul explain the Five Rules of ICN live during FIL Brussels:

‍