The BCV, which was founded in Vilnius a year ago created a strategically important triangle of such centres with Australia and China, declaring ambitions to carry the flag of Vilnius as the European blockchain capital.
"The Blockchain Centre Vilnius has become a centre of gravity for potential investors and start-ups. Lithuania has become a bridge for these technologies into Europe and from the world – into the world. With the mediation of BCV, the World Economic Forum has included Klaipėda Port alongside the ports of Los Angeles and Rotterdam into a pilot project on the use of blockchain in logistics. In consideration of our work experience, the European Commission has invited BCV to become a founding member of the European Association of Trusted Blockchain Applications together with such world high tech giants such as IOTA, Airbus, Philips, SAP and many others," BCV head Eglė Nemeikštytė highlighted in an annual report on the non-profit organisation.
E. Nemeikštytė also presented the Centre's new director. The BCV will be headed by Justas Šireika, who earlier consulted financial technology companies on business strategy, investment attraction and development.
In presenting his vision, Justas Šireikia emphasised that the main goal is to not yield positions and maintain leadership in Europe. "To the international tech community, Lithuania is known as an open country, the Centre already has recognition and there are very high expectations for us. We feel the demand for specialised business missions, leadership training, blockchain and artificial intelligence start-up mentorship. These will be priority areas," J. Šireika says.
In 2018, the BCV helped attract 5 million euro of investment, hosted delegations from 40 states, organised more than 70 education events of various formats. Where over 170 tech experts, business and political representatives, investors shared their experience. They were listened to by a total of 6850 participants.
"The BCV has become a regional leader of not only blockchain, but also new technologies. Here, ideas are born, contacts established and leaders meet. We, the founders of BCV and its board have from the start seen an opportunity to become the incubator and accelerator of young, innovation-based business. In our second year of operation, we aim for the most prospective start-ups in the region to settle themselves and grow stronger here. Thus, we are establishing an early stage start-up financing instrument, the Distributed Intelligence Fund. Together with the BCV team, we will help blockchain and artificial intelligence development businesses enter new, international waters," BCV board chairman Paulius Kunčinas spoke of the project's vision during the BCV first birthday conference.
The conference hosted a World Trade Organisation representative, who is directly responsible for the application of new technologies in international trade. According to the organisers, this is a strategically important topic for Lithuania because Lithuanian businesses are already seeking working prototypes.
One of the heads of the European Commission's Startup and Innovation Department Helen Köpman, Lithuanian Minister of Finance Vilius Šapoka, Bank of Lithuania board member Marius Jurgilas, senior analyst for the World Trade Organisation Emmanuelle Ganne and former Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas also shared their insights. The event was attended by more than 150 guests: business, technology and innovation professionals.
The Blockchain Centre Vilnius was founded in Vilnius at the initiative of MEP, innovation expert and businessman Antanas Guoga. The BCV board is chaired by economist Paulius Kunčinas. The board is comprised of the following: former Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, blockchain technology company and Pillar Foundation head Rob Gaskell, former president of blockchain company NEM Lon Wong, Audrius Jankūnas of Goldman Sachs, marketing professional Žilvinas Pakeltis, technology expert Vytautas Kašėta and University of Oxford Saïd Business School director Atif Ansar.
Briefly on Justas Šireika:
Justas Šireika finished a financial technology programme at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School (UK), founded one of the first mobile games companies in Lithuania. Having developed digital advertising and cyber security businesses, in recent years, J. Šireika led a financial technology consulting business.