Chicago Blockchain Center Launches
The Chicago Blockchain Center (CBC) launches to catalyze the local potential of blockchain-based technologies.
CHICAGO, June 8, 2017 — The Chicago Blockchain Center (CBC) launches today to catalyze the local potential of blockchain-based technologies. Blockchain technology is one of the most important technological advances seen in a generation, and is already transforming the worlds of banking, insurance, supply chain, government and many others. Chicago-based technologists, business leaders, academics and government officials have launched the CBC as a dedicated resource for collaboration, innovation, and education surrounding this transformative technology.
The CBC’s founding partners include:
- State of Illinois Blockchain Initiative, a comprehensive blockchain technology initiative of The State of Illinois;
- FinTEx Chicago, a financial technology trade association;
- Chamber of Digital Commerce, the world’s leading trade association representing the blockchain industry;
- Blockchain Education Network, a global network of universities innovating with blockchain technology;
- CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace;
- DRW, a Chicago-based principal trading firm and venture capital investor; and
- Bloq, a leading enterprise blockchain software company.
“The Chicago Blockchain Center is a modern expression of our city’s rich history as a financial and technology hub,” said Matthew Roszak, founder of the Chicago Blockchain Center and chairman of Bloq. “We believe very strongly in the technical, commercial and societal potential of blockchain technology, and so we’re hoping to bring together people who feel the same way or who otherwise want to know why some so many of us are excited about this new technology frontier.”
Other strategic partners of the CBC include: Distributed, provider of news and intelligence covering the blockchain industry; Perkins Coie, a leading law firm in the blockchain ecosystem; and Tally Capital, a private investment firm focused on digital assets and blockchain-based technologies. The CBC’s board of advisors and additional partners will be announced in the coming months.
CBC’s programming will include guest speakers, workshops, hackathons and meetups. Partner companies will have access to mentorship from leading blockchain entrepreneurs, technologists and investors. Large, established companies will have the opportunity to tap into this dynamic ecosystem, which is already transforming their industries.
Jennifer O’Rourke, the Illinois Blockchain Business Liaison and Deputy Director at Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) stated, “DCEO is the State of Illinois’ primary economic developer, and as such, we recognize the opportunity distributed ledger technologies bring to our business community. The State of Illinois is committed to embracing this innovative technology and our partnership with the Chicago Blockchain Center will provide the Illinois blockchain ecosystem the support necessary to continue driving Illinois to become the state for blockchain innovation.”
For more information about joining, partnering and sponsoring, please contact hello@chicagoblockchain.org.
About the Chicago Blockchain Center
Leveraging Chicago’s rich history and DNA in finance and technology the Chicago Blockchain Center is an accelerator focused on blockchain-enabled technologies and provides a platform for education, innovation and development. The Chicago Blockchain Center was founded by a group of Chicago-based business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators in collaboration with the State of Illinois. The Chicago Blockchain Center is located at 20 West Kinzie Street in Chicago. For more information please visit: ChicagoBlockchain.org, or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter @ChiBlockchain.
Contact
Lexy Prodromos: Chicago Blockchain Center — lexy@chicagoblockchain.org | Phil Gomes: Edelman — phil.gomes@edelman.com
About the Illinois Blockchain Initiative
The Illinois Blockchain Initiative is designed to be a collaborative effort and position Illinois as a leader in blockchain innovation. The State invites all government entities, businesses, organizations and academia interested in participating in this exciting opportunity to contact either: Cab Morris, Deputy Director of Strategy and Operational Performance Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at richard.morris@illinois.gov or Jennifer O’Rourke, Illinois Blockchain Business Liaison, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at jennifer.orourke@illinois.gov.
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