Think-tank’s founding membership grows to forty-four, with an expanded research program of seventy projects on the strategic issues of the blockchain revolution
October, 4th 2017 Toronto, Canada
The Blockchain Research Institute ™ announced today that 16 new organizations have joined as Founding Members. Funded by companies and governments worldwide, Blockchain Research Institute ™ is a multi-million dollar Toronto-based research initiative that is undertaking the definitive investigation of blockchain strategy, opportunities, and implementation challenges over the next year.
“We are pleased to welcome these forward-thinking organizations to our initiative,” says Executive Chairman Don Tapscott, who along with Alex Tapscott is a co-founder of the Institute. “The rapid growth in our membership is a strong indication of the importance that companies and government agencies are placing on understanding the impact that blockchain technology will have on their business and the world.”
The Institute’s global team of over 50 experts is exploring the impact of blockchain on a number of key sectors — including financial services, manufacturing, energy and technology — and is examining how it will change the way companies are managed. Most recently, the Institute has released research projects authored by Research Director Michael Casey, entitled The Token Economy, and Faculty Member Jeremy Epstein on Blockchain and the CMO.
The new Founding Members include: Barrick Gold, Bell Canada, Capgemini Canada, Cimcorp, Deloitte Canada, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), FedEx, Fujitsu, the Institute on Governance, Interac/Acxsys, KPMG LLP, Loblaw Companies Limited, MKS Switzerland, Moog, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, and Tencent.
Comments from New Members:
Barrick Gold
“Blockchain is a transformational technology that every industry and organization needs to understand. The best way we have found to understand the impact is to take part in shaping it.” – Michelle Ash, Chief Innovation Officer, Barrick Gold Corporation
Bell Canada
“Blockchain is a powerful emerging technology that will play a role in supporting Bell’s innovation strategy while leveraging the speed and reliability of our world-class networks. We are excited to be the first Canadian communications company to join BRI to explore the opportunities this technology will provide to our customers.” – Stephen Howe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Bell Canada
Capgemini Canada
“At Capgemini we believe that collaboration is at the heart of innovation. We are delighted to partner with the Blockchain Research Institute ™ and engage with global industry leaders to maximize the potential of this disruptive technology for our clients.” – Sanjay Tugnait, CEO Capgemini Canada.
DTCC
“Distributed ledger technology has great potential in certain areas of market infrastructure, and if we’re going to be successful in the adoption and implementation of it, we must all collaborate and share knowledge, derived from experimentation. As a member of The Blockchain Research Institute ™, we look forward to working across industries and firms to play a leading role in enabling DLT’s potential to be realized.” – Jennifer Peve, Executive Director – Business Development and FinTech Strategy, DTCC
FedEx
“It is critical that we make the most of potentially disruptive technologies like blockchain. As a member of the Blockchain Research Institute ™, we will be able to truly capitalize on the opportunities created by blockchain to improve the way we do business. – Robert B. Carter, Executive Vice President & CIO, FedEx Corporation
Fujitsu
“We are delighted to join the Blockchain Research Institute ™ program as a founding member. Blockchain is one of the key emerging digital technologies. As it becomes embedded in core business process it will transform business, society as well as our everyday lives. As a member of the program, together with experts and leaders across industries, we will be able to fully explore the potential of this disruptive technology to co-create a new future.” – Nobuhiko Sasaki, Chief Strategy Officer
Institute on Governance
“Blockchain technology is of increasing interest to citizens, businesses and policy-makers across Canada and the globe and can be a key driver of the Innovation economy in Canada. The Institute on Governance is pleased to be a member of the BRI, contributing to research and education on the role of Blockchain in strengthening governance and providing new economic opportunities to improve the lives of Canadians.” – Maryantonett Flumian, President, Institute on Governance
Interac
“As Canada’s domestic debit network, Interac is committed to bringing new and innovative solutions to market to offer Canadians more ways to pay with their own money. Research and innovation are the pillars of our digital product development strategy, so joining the Blockchain Research Institute ™ empowers us to stay ahead of the curve in the world of Fintech.” – Mark O’Connell, President and CEO, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation
KPMG LLP
“At KPMG, innovation is in our DNA and is a fundamental building block for our firm and our economy. That is why we are excited to be part of the Blockchain Research Institute ™ program, a powerful initiative examining the strategic opportunities associated with this emerging technology. We’re pleased to be joining this important conversation, to understand the impact blockchain can have on business, government and society as a whole. We are proud to work on such an important program with so many leading players from across Canada.” – Greg Wiebe, Canadian Managing Partner, Tax, KPMG LLP
MOOG
“Collaboration is the rocket fuel for innovation and collaborative vehicles like the Blockchain Research Institute ™ are the vehicles that will take us to this new “trust” economy and beyond! Moog values our relationship with the Blockchain Research Institute ™ as we see their ground breaking discoveries as a beacon to guide companies down the path to Industry 4.0. Moog is leveraging Blockchain for Provenance in the aircraft and medical market segments as we position ourselves to be a leader in global digital supply chains.” – Jim Regenor, Business Unit Director
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care
“Blockchain technology and the research behind its applications is rapidly demonstrating great potential to address many consumer and healthcare challenges. My Ministry looks forward to sharing ideas and seeking out solutions to address these digital health opportunities and challenges as we work towards building a more patient-centred health care system in Ontario.” – Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-term Care
Tencent
“Tencent blockchain is committed to providing enterprise-class blockchain infrastructure, industry solutions, and safe, reliable and flexible blockchain cloud services. Blockchain Research Institute ™ provides a great platform for Tencent and other members of the institute to carry out blockchain research and discussion, which is of great significance to Tencent and the industry. We believe that the blockchain+ era is coming!” – Ray Guo, Head of Blockchain Innovation Lab, Vice General Manager of Financial Technology of Tencent
Complete List of the Blockchain Research Institute ™’s Founding Members:
Technology – Accenture, Bell Canada, Capgemini Canada, Fujitsu, IBM, SAP, Tencent
Financial – Bank of Canada, Deloitte, Digital Asset, DTCC, Interac, KPMG LLP, NASDAQ, TMX Group. An additional tranche of global financial services companies will be announced in two weeks.
Global Corporations – Barrick Gold, Centrica, Cimcorp, FedEx, Gowling WLG, Liberty Global, Loblaw Companies, MKS Switzerland, MOOG, PepsiCo, Thomson Reuters
Government Organizations – City of Toronto, Government of Canada, Institute on Governance, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, Province of Ontario, University Health Network
Blockchain Pioneers: Artlery, Bloq, CarbonX, Cosmos, Evrythng, Kognitiv, Nuco, Paycase, Polkadot, Votem, Youbase, Wisekey
Blockchain Research Institute ™ Affiliate Organizations:
COALA, Chamber of Digital Commerce, Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, Hyperledger, Illinois Blockchain Lab
About the BRI
The Blockchain Research Institute ™ is a Toronto-based think-tank that helps organizations to realize the new promise of the digital economy by researching the strategic implications of blockchain technology and producing practical insights that will guide its members in achieving success.
The Institute’s global team of experts is dedicated to exploring, understanding, documenting and informing leaders about blockchain strategies, market opportunities, and implementation challenges. There are 70 research projects underway in the areas of financial services, manufacturing, retail, energy and resources, technology/media, healthcare and government; as well as how this nascent technology changes the way companies are managed. Project deliverables include an in-depth research report, an introductory video, and a summary infographic. To complement the research, the Institute offers a suite of services to members, such as a private website for the display of deliverables, monthly webinars, two all-member summits, and other proprietary activities. The Institute’s research findings, conclusions and recommendations will be released after a period of time under a creative commons license.
To find out more, please visit: www.blockchainresearchinstitute.org/europe
Media Contact:
Luke Bradley
Director of Communications
luke@tapscott.com
647-228-3686