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As Director of Comcast Ventures, Gil Beyda is interested in "hard technology problems." Comcast Ventures is the investment arm of Comcast/NBC Universal and according to Beyda, he is incredibly "excited" about blockchain technology and the potential for new business models. Comcast Ventures works with a diverse range of products and businesses, but Beyda is mostly involved in B to B enterprises that deal with hard technology including cybersecurity, "the internet of things", blockchains and IT. According to Beyda, the cybersecurity space is quite interesting today because of the "cat and mouse game" that allows hackers to use the same tools that enterprises benefit from such as cloud storage and open source applications. As for blockchain technology, Beyda predicts the core blockchain technology will be able to accelerate many business and act as a springboard to new products and services. He sees tremendous potential in the use of blockchain in advertising, loyalty/reward programs, and "the internet of things."
PubNub is a data streaming network with connectivity in every country in the world and ensures low-latency data sharing through state-of-the-art APIs. An API, or application programming interface, allows one application to speak to another and according to CTO Stephen Blum, there is a chance that every IoT device currently in your home is already connected to PubNub. Using a single network capable of handling hundreds of millions of connections at once, PubNub provides a secure network that allows mobile phones to interact and control IoTs in less than a quarter of second even from the other side of the world. Using patented technology, PubNub has created a unique global network that will find the fastest path between mobile devices and IoTs. In addition to IoT device control, PubNub allows for real-time chat, updates and messaging, as well as mobile push notifications. Looking ahead, Blum sees blockchain technology working with PubNub technology to create connections in a decentralized platform.
Blackmoon offers a platform that connects investors and loan originators that bridges the gap between crypto space and traditional investments. According to COO Sergey Vasin, Blackmoon provides a one-stop solution for investors and utilizes the benefits of blockchain technology. The two primary services include tokenizing investment funds and providing investors access to approved originators. By bringing blockchain technology to the asset management industry, Blackmoon offers a platform for investors to control all aspects of the investment process. In some ways, according to Vasin, the cryptocurrency "revolution" is merely replicating the traditional economic infrastructure at every level and mirrors the security market and traditional banks. Although blockchain does not require a trusted entity to complete transactions, the crypto space will continue to need the traditional economic infrastructure in the future and Blackmoon is facilitating that relationship.
What is the most precious commodity that a person owns? DNA according to Dr. Axel Schumacher, CEO of Shivom. Shivom is linking two revolutionary technologies: genomics and blockchain to provide a safe, secure platform to store genetic data and improve health and well-being. Shivom provides users access to a global precision medicine platform that allows for the anonymous sharing of genetic information that may eventually help cure complex diseases. In addition, once genetic information is stored, users can gain valuable advice regarding disease predisposition, ancestry patterns, and drug profiles. All information is protected using a blockchain database as well as an additional level of cryptographic privacy which allows users to remain completely anonymous. Shivom is building a massive global genomic data hub that will improve healthcare and well-being in a secure a platform that users can trust.
Phage therapy is the next generation of medical treatment against bacterial infections, according to Jonathan Solomon, CEO of BiomX and may hold to key to curing chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. Over 1.5 million Americans suffer from IBD and according to CBO Assaf Oron, the numbers of cases are growing rapidly. BiomX was founded by scientists with expertise in bacteriophages, or phages, which is the natural viruses that fight bacteria in the body. By sequencing strains of harmful bacteria, BiomX hopes to create effective phages to provide targeted and specific treatment of diseases caused by bacteria. The process of identifying the correct phage to attack bacteria is very complex and requires the collection of bacteria strains from many people and test various phages for effectiveness against the various strains of bacteria. BiomX is also working on ways to manipulate and strengthen phages to fight against bacteria.
Lisk Academy is a free educational platform that explains blockchain technology in a simple yet accurate way using non-technical terms. According to founder Jacob Kowalewski, the goal is to make complex concepts understandable to everyone. There is no denying the impact of cyptocurrency and blockchain technology, yet many people do not understand how it works. By providing an interactive, easy-to- understand platform, Lisk Academy is educating consumers with concise, articulate lessons that include infographics and animation. Lisk Academy recognizes the importance of teaching blockchain technology in a simplified, transparent and enjoyable learning experience. People of all ages can benefit from the information at Lisk Academy which can provide valuable information to people with no prior knowledge of blockchain as well as entrepreneurs who are ready to integrate blockchain technology into their business.
HEDG.fund is an investment platform that connects the crypto market and the traditional financial industry. According to CEO/founder Robert Rutherford, as the blockchain space matures, the next step is to integrate traditional financial service companies. HEDG provides a secure, regulated, compliant platform to store blockchain assets. Currently, HEDG offers services for custody, execution and clearing of assets with the goal of additional value-added services to address the needs of users and the industry. Rutherford sees tremendous positive momentum in the market and hopes to stay at the forefront of integrating digital assets into traditional businesses and financial institutions. Rutherford sits down to explain the services offered by HEDG including digital asset liquidity, custody, training and support and provides insight into the need to work with traditional financial service companies as the blockchain industry evolves.
There is a lot of hype surrounding blockchain technology, and according to IBM consultant Brian Sweeney, you should believe the hype. The impact of blockchain technology is "immutable," Sweeney recently told Future Tech podcast, and "is happening whether you like it or not." As a senior blockchain consultant with IBM, Sweeney provides education, consultation, implementation and maintenance of blockchain technology to businesses eager to be more efficient. According to Sweeney, any business that is involved in any supply chain can benefit from blockchain due to increased traceability. Traditionally, businesses put trust in other businesses based on relationships that may take years to develop. With blockchain technology, however, businesses put trust in the network which greatly reduces risk because data is recorded through a decentralized system with complete transparency. Today, blockchain technology is like Facebook in 1997, according to Sweeney, and is approaching the "tipping point" of becoming part of everyone's everyday life.
What does computer programming, blockchain, internet voting, ICOs and music have in common? They all contribute to the continuum of experience and knowledge that Joe Mohen, CEO of Chimes Media possesses and shares with Future Tech Podcast. Despite an impressive career involving technology, elections, church fundraising, fashion and music, Mohen is driven by two fundamental questions: how is the world different today and how can I use my technical and engineering skills to change the world? Most recently, Mohen has launched Chimes Media, an innovated bifurcated ICO that seeks to repurpose music data and create a comprehensive music ecosystem that will provide access to music production credits in a cool interesting way. According to Mohen, an estimated eight percent of internet searches is related to music. Chimes Media is building a database to consolidate search results related to music to provide consumers access to an organized, structured index.
ZED is helping small to medium sized MTOs compete with larger remittance services by providing solutions to key problems. The three most common challenges facing smaller MTOs are issues due to banking, technology, and cash flow. ZED Network provides a fully compliant and KYC verified crypto currency that is secure and designed to reduce transaction friction costs. CEO and founder Alan Safahi knows the problems facing smaller MTOs because he also runs one in Canada. With that valuable insight, ZED zeros in on solutions to provide clients access to blockchain technology that maximizes security and limits risk. In addition, ZED provides critical technical support because many smaller MTOs do not have an IT department. Safahi points out that most smaller MTOs are constantly "worried about their banking relationships" and are afraid that banks will drop MTOs in an effort to reduce risk. With that in mind. Safahi created ZED to provide a new SaaS platform specifically designed to support small to medium sized MTOs.
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