Most of us have heard about Bitcoin. And for the few who haven’t, in a nutshell, Bitcoin is a form of virtual currency with actual purchasing power, and whose value varies with market conditions. But what’s even more interesting to know is the technology that powers Bitcoin.
‘Blockchain’ is a highly secure way to structure data. It is considered to be a coding breakthrough since it allows stakeholders to create shared databases across a network of computers without need for a central authority. Experts say it has the power to ‘shake up the world’, help reduce bureaucracy and fraud, increase organisational transparency, and enable tracking of products’ origin and movement, among other benefits.
So what are some current applications of Blockchain? Who are some of the companies already using it to increase their impact? Who are the movers and shakers in the industry? Are there potential pitfalls?
Join us for our 106th Green Drinks monthly forum and the first of 2018, an evening with researchers, experts and practitioners of Blockchain to hear how revolutionary this technology is and how it can be used to maximise social impact!
Note: Event will be completely in English.
Event Itinerary:
- 18:30-19:15 Registrations and networking
- 19:15-20:15 Speaker presentations
- 20:15-20:45 Panel discussion / Q&A
- 20:45-21:15 Networking / end of event
Speakers:
Jason Inch, Co-founder and Strategic Lead at Genaro Networks
Subject: Jason will discuss the concept of blockchain-based projects, and why blockchain is important for impact organizations.
Background: Jason has worked in social impact since around 2012, when he helped Rotary Club of Shanghai launch the first Rotary chapter devoted to social enterprise, Fresh Start Rotary. In 2013 he founded LOHAUS, the Loft of Health and Urban Sustainability, China’s first social enterprise coworking space, and used that as a platform to promote a number of urban innovation and sustainability concepts. Today he is a co-founder of Genaro Network, a Singapore-based blockchain project that raised funding from its community and is now launching one of the first blockchain incubators for social impact, Genaro Ventures, in Shanghai and Singapore.
Zennon Kapron, Director at Kapronasia
Subject: Zennon will discuss some of the overall cryptocurrency trends globally as well as the role of ICOs and funding for blockchain in general. He will then discuss a few areas where blockchain technology projects can make a difference in politics, the environment, and economic empowerment.
Background: Zennon is the founder and Director of Kapronasia, one of Asia’s leading providers of financial technology consulting. Zennon has been involved in the financial technology industry for over 20 years and has been mentioned and quoted in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, the FT, the New York Times, the Economist, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Forbes to name a few. Zennon is a regular speaker on all topics financial technology and digital currency, and has testified in front of the U.S. Congress on issues of China fintech. Zennon is also the author of ‘Chomping at the Bitcoin: The History and Future of Bitcoin in China’ published by Penguin. Before Kapronasia, Zennon was the Global Banking Industry Manager for Intel based out of Shanghai, China and, prior to Intel, was the CIO for Citigroup Portugal. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from Syracuse University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Alex Shoer, CEO & Co-founder, Seeder Clean Energy, Inc
Subject: How can we redefine the future of renewables by using blockchain for tracking, trading and financing renewable energy
Background: Alex Shoer is a certified Climate Reality Project Leader and regularly speaks to raise awareness about climate change. Alex is working on reducing air pollution through the deployment of clean energy solutions such as rooftop solar energy.Seeder is one of the leading solar advisors in China and specializes in increasing the speed of solar development, reducing project risk and decreasing the cost of solar projects. Alex seeks to collaborate with other progressive thinkers passionate about solving grand environmental challenges by integrating technology and financial innovation. Through Seeder, Alex continues to plant the “seeds” for a cleaner tomorrow, one building at a time.
Alex has been in Shanghai for more than six years and is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, EO (Entrepreneur Organization) and is a graduate from China Accelerator, Fledge Incubator, Startup Chile and Stanford Ignite.
Dominic To, Regional Climate Reality Leader at Climate Reality Project
Subject: BlockChain technology and real-world applications in food, fashion, cosmetics, SMEs, 17 SDGs, recycling, and UBC via green/social token currency (Bitcoin, UBC).
Background: Dominic was trained as a Chemical Engineer and is a graduate of Business Management at HKUST. Well versed in multiple sectors, Dominic held executive roles in dyeing, coatings, polymers and recently, the graphene sector. In his journey to become more sustainable, he became a mentor, and an organic farmer, and founded Urban Organic Farming. In addition, Dominic also advocates for environmental betterment, similar to world leaders such as OECD, UNIPCC, and sustainable business leaders.Utilizing Green Chemistry and BlockChain, Dominic aims to transform our fossil-based economics towards a more social, environmental and economically inclusive world community for all.
