We Wanna Be Friends With 20Mission Co-Founder Jered Kenna

We Wanna Be Friends With 20Mission Co-Founder Jered Kenna

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When former CEO of Tradehill Jered Kenna isn’t buffalo hunting in Oregon or exploring South American countries, he's running20Mission (what techies often refer to as “Bitcoin’s Hogwarts"), a 41-room tech space project located in the heart of the Mission. The 32-year-old former Marine has had multiple zip codes but reveals what he loves most about his favorite city (for now), San Francisco. 


Where do you call home? 

I grew up in Independence, Oregon. End of the Oregon trail. I'm a master at fording rivers, buffalo hunting, and surviving dysentery.  

What led you to Bitcoin?

I began working on Bitcoin before it had an established price. I believed it was an improvement on our existing financial system that would enable simpler, more efficient value transfer and create freedom in banking. Our current system is so antiquated it isn't even funny and rarely takes advantage of modern technology.

What was the inspiration behind 20Mission? 

I needed somewhere to sleep! I was living in San Francisco and found myself looking for a place to live and completely broke. I knew that if I rented a place by myself I'd need to get a "real job" and that was a terrifying concept.  I decided to start a co-living project that I could manage and provide a way to support myself. A friend of mine mentioned an abandoned building that hadn't been rented for 18 years in a great spot. I did some math and figured that by moving friends in I could cover my own expenses and grow the project if all went well. I worked out a deal with the owner that delayed my payments for nine months and the first 10 of us moved in. 

What differentiates SF from other major cities? 

You're not required to grow up, and at the same time intelligence is highly valued. No one looks at you like you're crazy regardless of what you're saying or wearing. 

1. What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in SF?

Yamo's beef house noodles. $6 for lunch can't be beat. 

2. What's your perfect night on the town?

It may sound cliche but I really enjoy hanging out with good friends and drinking beer. Going out for good food (Ethiopian is a favorite) then heading back to the house with 10 or so different microbrews to try out while listening to music and playing video games. I grew up in the Northwest during the 90s and haven't moved past NES, SNES, and grunge.

3. When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?

That last answer wasn't low-key enough haha? Friends and beers again but on the beach.

4. What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from the city?

Santa Cruz

5. Lightning Round:

Burrito or Burger: Burrito

Presidio or Golden Gate Park: Dolores park

Bi-Rite or Mitchell's: Too many hipsters 

Bike or MUNI?: MUNI (bike got stolen a week after I got it, seriously wtf SF?) 

Fort Mason or Dolores Park: Dolores 

The Independent or the Fillmore: The Fillmore

Baker Beach or Ocean Beach: Baker

6. Three words that describe your life in SF? 

Chaotic, intense and chill (does that make sense to anyone else?)

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