Tech Summit to dig into digital assets and blockchain – The Royal Gazette
Updated: 20 March 2023 08:07
Kerem Kolcuoglu of Penrose Partners (file photo by Akil Simmons)
The fourth annual International Tech Summit, which combines discussions on the latest breakthroughs in digital assets and blockchain technology on the island and around the world with an education and career element, is set to unfold in the second week of April.
Conference panels on April 11 at the Hamilton Princess will be followed by a community day on April 12 at the Ignite Bermuda incubator in Hamilton – and a virtual start-up pitch competition involving local and international organizations the day after that.
Panel topics include crypto, decentralized finance, digital banking, insurtech, and privacy and security. Panelists will include members of international groups as well as local stakeholders.
Selected companies from the international cohort will be 3iQ, a Canadian digital management firm, and Elliptic, a forensic software company serving groups such as the US government, FBI and regulatory agencies.
The day ends with Michael Casey, Head of Content at Coin Desk, in conversation with David Burt, the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Kerem Kolcuoglu is managing partner of Penrose Partners, the consulting firm that is jointly presenting the summit with the Bermuda Innovation Technology Association and 3iQ.
Of the closing session, he said: “We want to lead into the next international event – Consensus in Austin, Texas – which I believe the Prime Minister will also attend.
“We are building a bridge by overlapping keynote speakers to drive Bermuda’s digital asset narrative forward with the hope that our event will be a way to keep Bermuda’s international business active in this industry.”
The community day will feature workshops, product demonstrations by summit sponsors and a “speed dating” element in a career fair format.
It is designed to attract entrepreneurs, students and professionals who want to reshape their skills and transition from another industry to a career in the technology industry.
Kolcuoglu said: “We don’t want this to be just people coming, talking and leaving. That is not the purpose of our event – it is about the leaders who stay on the island and show that there is economic growth and job opportunities in the technology and innovation sector.”
He added: “We are planning a community day where there is an element of mentor matching if there are local entrepreneurs who are not looking for work but are seeking guidance or support from other international entrepreneurs.
“We want it to be a platform where they can connect to have these discussions and build relationships.”
Registration for next month’s summit is now open.
International Tech Summit ’23
