StartupToken Tour Promotes Legitimate ICOs for Investors

With the explosion of ICOs that have occurred over the past year, which have seen an estimated US$2bn raised in funding, and the controversy that has followed, a series of events called the “StartupToken Asia Tour” has been scheduled to begin on the 17th of October 2017 in Singapore.

StartupToken aims to bridge the divide between blockchain entrepreneurs and potential token buyers through this series of events to be held in Asia. With the increasing number of organisations that are issuing their own digital currencies, and who offer it to a network of global token buyers, it becomes increasingly challenging to identify the right projects to invest in.

By removing much of the bureaucratic and costly procedures incurred for traditional fundraising, ICOs have attracted a lot of attention; however, a lack of regulation and eagerness of companies or start-ups to leverage the opportunity this provides has led to untrustworthy or ill-intentioned fundraising being offered.

In an effort to assist token buyers in discerning legitimate ICOs and to impart a trustworthy reputation to ICOs as a legitimate way of raising funds, StartupToken is offering a service for start-ups wishing to sell tokens to support the development of their platforms, from access to legal counsel to technical support, PR and marketing.

To qualify, a project must first pass a test put in place by StartupToken to distinguish between true innovators and opportunists. The aim is to work with start-ups which are utilising blockchain technology for a genuine improvement on traditional processes and offering a token with real utility and benefits for their owners.

Yacine Teraï, founder of StartupToken, explained: “We are working closely with associated policy makers and local partners in Gibraltar including legal & incorporation with law firm Isolas. We are looking forward to a regulatory framework for blockchain companies and want to make sure best practices are applied by the StartupToken companies. After a careful review we support truly innovative projects which we believe can build lasting solutions providing long term benefits to the community and to the token holders. We are highly selective in the projects we take on and take into consideration their added value, the potential to scale and the solidity of the team.”

During the tour, a selection of start-ups will participate in a roadshow of events, meetups and private sessions to explain their projects, answer questions and develop their communities. This tour combines the expertise of blockchain authorities such as Eddy Travia, CEO of London-listed Coinsilium, with the opportunities provided by new blockchain projects such as Dether, Hacken or Pesabase. The event will move to Hong Kong on the 18th of October, followed by Tokyo on the 19th of October.

Travia remarked: “I have been traveling extensively over the last four years since I have started investing in blockchain companies and the main objective has been to meet and talk with entrepreneurs. In this new world of ICOs, I still want to meet and challenge the founders to make sure the token economics make sense for all stakeholders and ensure the sustainable development of the company. I am happy to join the StartupToken Asia Tour and share my experience in investing in this space and helping blockchain companies to navigate the challenges of the early stages of their startup life.”

StartupToken community support intends to extend to offer co-working space, accelerator programs with seed capital and education for founders to help scale businesses in a cost-effective manner. It plans to establish a global presence with operations in London, Paris, Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Tokyo in the coming year.