All posts tagged cartagena

  • Talking Bitcoin with international experts in Cartagena

    tropicalgringo-bitcoinI just got back from speaking at an excellent Bitcoin/Blockchain event in Cartagena, Colombia called Blockchain Latam. I spoke about Bitcoin within the context of industry disruption.  I enjoyed interacting with the audience immensely.  My thesis is that the pace of industry disruption that we’ve seen up till now (Uber in Transporation, AirBnB in hospitality, etc.) will not only continue, but will accelerate in the coming years.  Bitcoin as a virtual currency and Blockchain or Distributed Ledger Technology is a potent tool, along with Artificial Intelligence, Bots, Data Analytics, and others at the service of new industry disrupters.

    It was an honor to be on stage (presenting and as a panelist) along with experts in this technology, which included some awesome global experts from Argentina such as Diego Gutierrez, CEO of RSK, and Gonzalo Blousson, CEO of Signatura.  Taylor Gerring, Ethereum Director of Technology, also gave an insightful presentation on the present and future of these technologies.  Tony Gallippi, co-founder of BitPay, and Peter Bidewell, of Applied Blockchain, were able to promote their services to attendees interested in launching Bitcoin or Blockchain initiatives.

    Read more

  • Lots of speeches lately

    Speech at eCommerce DayIt looks like I’ve been doing a lot of talking lately about Digital Innovation and Internet startups and the startup ecosystem.  Last night, I had the opportunity to talk at an event called eCommerce Day Bogota along with impressive entrepreneur, Oscar Giraldo, founder of Arcaris.  It was great to hear the interest from everyone in entrepreneurship and  what we’ve been accomplishing with the Founder Institute in Colombia.

    Additionally, last week, I had the opportunity to address a group of bankers at an event sponsored by the Bankers’ Association.  I was able to give them a perspective on where the startup action is in terms of the financial services vertical and was happy with the feedback and the interest from the industry in these topics.  I was accompanied by my Founder Institute Colombia team member, Juan Manuel Lopez as well by a co-founder of one of the Founder Institute graduating companies that is firing on all cylinders, financial product comparator site: Comparamejor.

    CartagenaLast but not least, I had tremendous pleasure of staying in some swanky accommodations in Cartagena and took advantage of this by smoking 4 of my favorite cigars during that two day period.  I’m sure hardly anyone kicks back like that, but to each his own. :)

  • eCommerce Day hoy y Cartagena ayer

    CartagenaHoy, al final de la tarde estaré hablando en uno de los ultimos paneles del dia en el evento llamado eCommerce Day Bogota.  Es un panel al estilo de acá donde uno lleva una presentacion.  Esto es un poco diferente de lo que hicimos el año pasado en South by Southwest donde fue mas en formato conversador.   Vamos a ver como me va con la presentacion y la reacción del publico.   Si estas leyendo esto despues de dicha presentacion, y si la viste, ponga en los comentarios lo bueno y lo malo. :)

    Por otro lado, la semana estuvo muy chevere en Cartagena hablando en el Congreso de Banqueros coordinado por AsoBancaria.  Fue una experiencia muy enriquezedora y recibi excelentes comentarios sobre mi expocision sobre Innovación Digital.  Gustó mucho mi mensaje de cambiar paradigmas y las disrupciones que vienen en camino para la industria financiera.  Fuera de todo eso, me pude fumar 4 tabacos (cigars) en el balcon de mi hotel!

    Fue excelente ver a Juan Manuel Lopez, parte del equipo del Founder Institute Colombia, a Alejandro de Comparamejor, a Miguel de Accion International y a un viejo amigo de BanColombia (Jorge Ivan)!

  • Frivolous Video ‘Bout my Love Life

    I couldn’t help taking advantage of being able to tell the story of my love story from Google’s perspective.