At its core, blockchain is a vehicle for organizing and storing data shared among members of a network. Using sophisticated cryptography, verification, and incentive mechanisms, blockchain networks allow participants to agree on what constitutes valid and acceptable transactions; the idea is that no central authority controls the data or ensures consistency.
Several new business models are emerging in the media and entertainment industries, where monetizing value has been — and continues to be — a significant challenge. Newspapers and magazines, for instance, still struggle to monetize value in the face of plentiful free content and limited mechanisms for protecting intellectual property. Advertising revenue, long an important income source for publications, has shifted to social media and search platforms, and media companies must figure out how to compensate.4 In the music world, to cite another example, digital content distribution via streaming is beneficial to major record labels and top-tier artists. But it isn’t commercially viable for smaller labels or average musicians, who receive only a tiny fraction of the revenue generated from their music. Ian Lee Managing Director IDEO CoLab Ventures and leads its blockchain and crypto-asset investments as well as its Blockchain Startup Studio. Prior to IDEO, from 2014 to 2017, he led Citigroup’s blockchain and cryptocurrency initiatives as part of its venturing arm, Citi Ventures, where he was a Director and Senior Vice President. He also led Citigroup’s network of R&D Labs, an early-stage R&D fund, and emerging technology research. In 2015, Ian helped IDEO start the CoLab as one of its founding corporate partners. Prior to Citi Ventures, Ian was a management consultant for 8 years, co-founded two companies, and worked in investment banking and asset management. Ian holds an M.B.A. from UC Berkeley and B.A. degrees from UCLA in Human Computer Interaction and Economics. He is an Adjunct Faculty Member in cryptocurrency courses at UC Berkeley, where he launched the university’s blockchain curriculum and classes in 2016 across its business, law, and engineering schools. Paul Meed CEO/CoFounder Matter Music started a cryptocurrency market-making company in Seoul in 2017 (exited 2018) While there he released his debut tracks and received over 5m streams. Used proceeds from his acquisition to fund streaming startup Matter Music. Adam Ettinger Partner FisherBroyles LLP Adam is a partner in the Corporate and Technology practice groups, and leads the firm’s FinTech and Blockchain practice group as co-chair. Mr. Ettinger represents leaders in Blockchain technologies and digital currencies, social gaming, advertising, mobile apps, e-commerce, semiconductors, and networking technologies. His clients have included AMD, Apple, BitGo, Brave, Comma.ai, DeviceScape, Fakespace, Get Satisfaction, Intel, Internet Devices (acquired by Alcatel), Lightning Labs, Magma Design, MasterCard, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Network Solutions Inc., Nimble Collective, Orchestria (acquired by CA), S3 (acquired by HTC), Self Aware Games (acquired by Big Fish), Tivo, and Undertone Networks. Josh Pan CoFounder Matter Music After getting his MBA he signed to Skrillex’s electronic music label OWSLA. His music can be heard on Fifa 19′ and the Netflix series Wu Assasins. Over the past year he has been building streaming startup Matter Music. Gili Ovadia VP/Head Global Bus Dev Orbs Prior to that he served as the Consul, Head of the Israeli Economic and Trade Mission to the West Coast, where he developed the business relationship between huge tech conglomerates in the US and Israeli companies across industries and stages, contributing hinders of millions dollars deals. In his previous positions at the Ministry of Economy, Gili served as the assistant to the Director of Foreign Trade and in the North America desk. Prior to his diplomatic career, Gili completed his Internship in Dr. A. Klagsbald & Co. Law firm, a national leading litigation firm known for its specialty and expertise in corporate litigation. MODERATOR: Phil Jeudy Journalist Phil started his career in finance and IT positions in subsidiaries of companies like Vinci or Electrolux, mainly in construction and retail (BtoB and BtoC), mostly in charge of organizational projects, then join SEGA to be responsible of Southern Europe territories for the mobile gaming business unit based in London. Since 2007, Phil has been developing lobbying activities for European companies interested to develop their activities with tech leaders in San Francisco Bay Area.