BLOCKCHAIN:  Hype or real opportunity!! 

TiE New Jersey, in partnership with IIM Ahmedabad Alumni Association, USA, is kicking off a 2-session series to demystify blockchain and help you focus on the potential commercial opportunities.

Session 1: “Demystifying Blockchain” – Oct 24^th 2018  This will be covered by Rajesh Makhija and Sriram Venkataraman, where they will introduce the basics of Blockchain and cover some preliminary applications, based on their respective experiences. 

• Session 2: “Blockchain: Realizing the Potential” -  Nov 2018 - Date to be announced  The second session will be a panel discussion — panelists who are exploiting blockchain commercially and date to be announced.

Session 1 - Demystifying Blockchain – Oct 24^th 2018

Agenda

• Introduction to the basics of Blockchain and learn about it beyond the hype 
• What are the advantages and what are the trade-offs
• When will blockchain become widespread and feasible at scale
• Early Stage opportunities and areas where it can be applied, and some actual preliminary applications (e.g. financial services, Insurance, healthcare etc.)
• Learn about examples of cost reduction as well as transformative business models
• What kind of structured approach can our member companies take to address the most significant pain points and opportunities?  How can companies start attracting value in the short term? 

Speakers Profiles 

Rajesh Makhija, Founding Partner, 92angels

Rajesh is the founding Partner of 92angels, an angel investment company nurturing startups focused on human aspects of technology; specifically education, food, water, healthcare, communication and energy.

Previously, until May 2018, Rajesh was the CEO of Mphasis Wyde and Eldorado. Rajesh led a quick pace complete turnaround of both Eldorado & Wyde during his 4 years’ tenure. In recognition, in June 2017, Rajesh was awarded the Gold Stevie Award for "Executive of the Year" at American Business Awards. His experience spreads across Healthcare & Life Sciences, Telecom, Retail & Logistics, and Manufacturing & Hi-Tech.

An experienced presenter, Rajesh has been a guest lecturer at multiple universities in U.S. & India. He is often called upon to share his insight in cross-industry forums on next-generation technologies affecting business processes and the state of global outsourcing industry.
 
Academically, he holds an Engineering degree in Electronics and a PGDM (MBA) from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. He is also a Alumni of Wharton, Univ of Pennsylvania.  

Sriram Venkataraman, Co-founder of Heracles Solutions

Sri has a strong financial services industry track record in all facets of the project lifecycle from strategic business technology planning to business case development and implementation. He brings a wealth of consulting experience in Capital Markets in trading, investment banking, operations and technology.  Sri has led blockchain related development sessions for use cases related to Capital Markets, Loyalty Programs and Identity Management.