In July 2018, Columbia University and IBM jointly announced the establishment of the Center for Blockchain and Data Transparency, devoted to research, education, and innovation in blockchain and data transparency. To advance compelling new ways to apply Blockchain and help address growing demands around data transparency, the Center will also include an innovation accelerator to incubate business ideas from entrepreneurial students, faculty and members of the startup community.

Blockchain and data science have been making waves in how we approach business in the past few years.  This help various entrepreneurs, industries and business professionals.  If you are Entrepreneurs who want to make your blockchain related startups successful, or Professionals, Students interested in learning about Blockchain and big data, or Practitioners, Developers and Managers who work with Blockchain,  come to learn how you could benefit from this initiative.  We encourage you register via this link, the cost is $25 per person, $15 for student and free for IBM and Ascend members.  Hors d’oeuvre and refreshments will be served.  

Below is the event details:
Date: Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Location: Greenwich Library- Cole Auditorium;  101 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830

Agenda:
6:15-7:00 pm Networking Reception
7:00-8:00 pm Panel Discussion
8:00-8:30 pm Audience Q&A/Closing

Speakers:
Columbia University: Jeannette Wing, Avanessians Director of the Data Science Institute and Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University
IBM executives:
• Marie Wieck (Columbia Computer Science alumna), Global General Manager of IBM Blockchain
• Soroush Abbaspour, Inaugural Program Director at Columbia-IBM Center for Blockchain and Data Transparency
• David Post, Managing Director, IBM Blockchain Accelerator; Blockchain Strategy and Platform Growth Leader
• Panel Moderator:  Henry Hu (Columbia MBA), IBM Corporate Development Strategy Executive

Discussion Topic
1. What example problems can Blockchain solve, and what opportunities would it bring?
2. What is “data transparency” and what’s the implication on business and the society?
3. Why did Columbia and IBM recently launch a center for Blockchain and Data Transparency?
4. What does the center aim to accomplish, and how will it help the industries and society?
5. How can entrepreneurs, startups, professionals and students benefit from this effort?

Note:  This event is led and organized by Ascend and invites the Columbia Alumni Association of Fairfield County