Blockchain Innovation Forum in Berkeley
Blockchain Innovation Forum in Berkeley
for Founders, Industry & Academia with Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator Demo Day & Expo
Join us in Berkeley or via livestream on April 12, 2024 to explore the latest trends & exciting startups and discuss what's next.
The Blockchain Innovation Forum, hosted by the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator, Blockchain at Berkeley & Berkeley RDI, and planned in connection with the Funding the Commons SF Bay Area event on April 13-14th, invites thought leaders, venture capital, educators & innovators to share insights with our large Berkeley and broader community.
Speakers:
Juan Benet - Founder, Protocol Labs
Avery Ching - Co-Founder, CTO, Aptos
Jeremy Clover - VP Engineering, Circle
Mahdi Zamani - Head of Crypto Solutions, Visa
Avichal Garg - Managing Partner, Electric Capital
Dan Robinson - GP & Head of Research, Paradigm
Dawn Song - Berkeley RDI, Professor, UC Berkeley Engineering
Christine Parlour - Berkeley RDI, Professor, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Kevin Farrelly - Managing Principal, Director of Digital Assets, Franklin Templeton
Catherine Gu - Head of CBDC and Tokenization, Visa
Spencer Farrar - Partner, Theory Ventures
Jason Levy - Co-Founder, Story Protocol
Michelle Munson - CEO, Co-Founder, Eluv.io
Chetan Nandakumar, Head of Product, Gensyn
And our 7th cohort of the Xclerator!
The programming days (April 12-14th) will also include leaders from NEAR AI, Optimism RPGF, Gitcoin, Linux Foundation and more to be announced!
The Forum also highlights our annual Xcelerator Demo Day for the 2024 7th cohort. Our Xcelerator has worked with 110 global teams since 2019 that have raised $650+M in follow-on funding!
Agenda:
1:30-1:40pm Welcome & Introduction to Xcelerator, Berkeley RDI, Blockchain at Berkeley
1:40-2:10pm Technology Frontiers in Blockchain
Prof. Dawn Song, CS, Berkeley Engineering
Avery Ching, CTO & Co-Founder, Aptos
Jeremy Clover, VP Engineering, Circle
Mahdi Zamani, Head of Crypto Solutions, Visa
2:10-2:35pm Blockchain Innovation in Traditional Finance
Prof. Christine Parlour, UC Berkeley, Haas Business School of Business
Kevin Farrelly, Managing Principal, Director of Digital Assets, Franklin Templeton
Catherine Gu, Head of CBDC and Tokenization, Visa
3:00-3:10pm Break
3:10-3:35pm Lens to the Future of Blockchains
Prof. Dawn Song, CS, Berkeley Engineering
Avichal Garg, MP, Electric Capital
Dan Robinson, General Partner & Head of Research, Paradigm
3:40-4:00pm Keynote
Juan Benet, Founder & CEO, Protocol Labs
4:00-4:20pm Emerging Landscape in Blockchain
Spencer Farrar, Partner, Theory Ventures
Jason Levy, Co-Founder, Story Protocol
Michelle Munson, CEO & Co-Founder, Eluv.io
Chetan Nandakumar, Head of Product, Gensyn
4:25-5:00pm Blockchain at Berkeley Intro, Blockchain Xcelerator Demo Day Presentations & Berkeley Blockchain Project Spotlight
5:00-5:10pm Berkeley RDI Frontier Research Fellows Lightning Talks
5:10-6:00pm Expo & Networking - Tabling by Xcelerator Teams, Sponsors for Devs & Talent
Date & Time: April 12, 2024, 1-6pm PT
Venue: David Brower Center, downtown Berkeley, immediately adjacent to the UC Berkeley campus
Virtual Live Stream: Link
Note that snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the afternoon; other dining option are available near the venue.
IF YOU REQUIRE ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ATTENDING, please submit your request by 4/1/2024 at rdi_events@berkeley.edu with your planned dates of attendance. Thank you.