Since its inception, the blockchain industry has been anything but dull, and 2019 was no exception. Even with the uncertainty of Brexit, London is still one of the strongholds of the world’s startups. In 2019 London was named Europe’s unicorn capital, for creating 13 ‘unicorn’ companies in one year. Over a third of Europe’s fastest-growing tech companies are based in Britain.
With all this good will, talent, and investment in London, what has happened in the London Blockchain scene during 2019?
Many companies have thrived, but a lot more have struggled with the tougher route to investment during the crypto winter. In 2017 and 2018, investors were willing to hand over money to the next great idea that caught their eye. This was partly due to the clouded mystery of the exciting blockchain space, and many decisions were being made on gut instincts. Sadly, through no fault of the investors, some of those investments failed to come off, or are still held up due to a lack of liquidity for the company’s token. This has led to investors not only having less money to put back in, but understandably being a lot more skeptical about future blockchain investments.
The good news is, through the struggles and harder times, blockchain startups have had to be a lot more mindful of their business strategies and routes to market, and must ensure there is a real use for their new business solution. This means that although many businesses have fallen away over 2019, there are real gems who have fought through the reeds, emerging stronger and more confident than many who just happened to be lucky in 2017/18.
A review of 2019: Blockchain with a beer
Beer & Blockchain was launched at the beginning of the year, sponsored by one of the survivors of 2019, the Craft Beer Coin. Craft Beer Coin is a fintech company that invests into independent craft breweries. Those breweries then accept their virtual currency (CBC), which allows its users to buy drinks through an app and skip the queues at bars.
For the 29 November event, Beer & Blockchain have pulled together some of the best known and most outspoken members of the London blockchain space to give their own reviews of 2019, make predictions and recommendations for 2020, and to answer questions from the audience.
The intention of the event is for the panel to be as accessible to the audience as possible, with plenty of time for questions and answers. The panel includes successful fundraisers, investors, scam busters, researchers, and innovators.
Industry-leading speakers and influencers
The highly regarded list of speakers includes:
On Yavin, founder and CEO at Cointelligence, a company that conducts data research and analysis for the crypto economy. On has extensive experience as a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, as well as more than 20 years of experience in the tech industry. On uses his deep, hands-on experience and knowledge of online marketing to create winning strategies for crypto, and blockchain companies. Having earned the reputation of “crypto expert”, On continues to contribute to this industry in ways that advance cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. On has a law degree (LLB) and is also a certified Advocate by the Israeli Bar Association.
Gregory Klumov is an innovative, research-driven investment management leader with a career built around leading teams and managing unique, multi-million-dollar portfolios on behalf of global funds and private investors. A non-linear thinker with authoritative knowledge of capital markets, specifically skilled in building and introducing liquid / digital alternatives to compliment more traditional portfolio investments (long / short equities, global macro). In recent years, Gregory has developed and legalised the framework of a virtual financial asset in Malta and is now building upon this infrastructure to build disruptive digital products, including the world's first euro over PoW & DPoS blockchains.
Jon Walsh has had a 15+ year career as a digital media entrepreneur and angel investor. In addition, Jon is a published author, contributing to the successful Understanding Digital Media series of books, as well as being a regular contributor and columnist for City AM and CoinRivet.com on the topics of Blockchain, DLT and cryptocurrency. Jon now leads the European growth and expansion of EMX Digital, the programmatic arm of Engine (enginegroup.com).
Robert Gaskell, experienced Director of International Financial Services Businesses. Over 15 years as a Director and over 27 years’ knowledge and experience in technology, operations, software, security and M&A. Every company Robert has worked for either doubled or trebled in size. Robert recently completed a Fintech Qualification from MIT and now has strong interests in Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin), Artificial Intelligence and the disruption that Fintech will have on the Financial Services Sector.
“We are very proud to sponsor Beer & Blockchain and impressed to see the caliber of speakers it attracts,” says Florian Krueger, CEO of Craft Beer Coin. “This month’s theme has built up lots of interest and we’re looking forward to sharing our partner brewery German Kraft’s fresh craft beer with the attendees.”
To join the attendance list please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/82984905085 or search for Beer & Blockchain - London Blockchain 2019 in Review on Eventbrite.