Jonathan Black: Blockception — Building a Business on Minecraft

 

Jonathan Black is an experienced company director who has co-founded several companies, ranging from gaming to commercial real estate. For over a decade, he has been actively involved in the Games Industry, originally specialising in 3D Modelling and Level Design while using Minecraft as a platform for distribution.

In 2015, along with his business partner, Alex Bellavita, he co-founded Blockception, a company specialising in the creation of consumer content within Minecraft. They’ve worked with clients such as Microsoft, Lacoste, Puma and Cartoon Network to develop products, achieving over 40 million downloads to date.

In 2021, Blockception started its second subsidiary company, Black & Bellavita Properties Ltd. focusing on commercial property investment.

In today’s episode we chat about:

  • Being born 15 weeks premature

  • Recreating a replica of the Titanic in Minecraft

  • Ending up on the news in China

  • Partnering with Microsoft

  • Selling virtual products on Minecraft

  • Being a digital builder

  • Running a remote company

  • The goal of financial freedom

  • And the greatest highs/lows experienced along the way

Check it out!

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Treasure Trove

Favorite Book?
I’ve always enjoyed more technical, factual, or coffee table books, most likely due to my Dyslexia which makes it difficult for me to take in the heavy reading & small text commonly found with fiction books.

My favourite book based on what’s most physically worn on my shelf would be the big book of experiments, which I got around 20 years ago. (The spine is barely holding together!)

My favourite coffee table book would be Titanic Ship Magnificent Vol I & II, which goes into incredible detail about the ships constructions (down to the shapes of skirting boards etc.).

What's Your Favourite Quote?
“If you can’t afford to pay tax, you’re not making enough money”, - Said to my grandfather in the early 1960s when he was starting out in business by his accountant.

Last but not least, is there anything you'd like us to promote?If so, please pop some links below:
Checkout Blockception at https://blockception.com/ & Galaxite at https://www.galaxite.net/

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Thanks again to Jonathan Black for taking the time to share his story with us.

See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew Thompson