Blockchain Breakfast Summer Series, Part 1: Weird Use Cases
By Vela Wood
This Tuesday, Vela Wood hosted the first of its three-part “Blockchain Breakfast” series. James Johnson joined us to “get weird with blockchain.” James is the co-founder and CMO of Oaken Innovations, a blockchain software company focused on automotive mobility applications. Read More
Buff Your IP: Tools for Gamers to Level Up Brand Protection
By Jeff Villalobos
Esports gamers’ talents are opening up portals to fame, and their brands are worth a lot more than they’re projecting. In this blog, we outline three overarching strategies for esports players’ to appropriately protect their brands. Read More
Startup Ecosystems Are Bridging the World
By Kevin Vela
Having been fortunate enough to participate in pitch competitions in three countries – the U.S., Dominican Republic, and Brazil – I have learned that startups are a great equalizer. Read More
Zuck Bucks – Facebook’s Libra Currency
By Lacey Shrum
Facebook recently released details on its long awaited currency, “Libra.” The goal is to create an alternative financial system allowing people to send money as easily as sending a text. We have some questions, primarily around incentives and motivations. Read More
This is Howey. Do it.
By Lacey Shrum
Earlier this month, the SEC posted guidance and a No-Action letter to Turnkey Jets, giving more insight into the particular way the Howey test is applied to tokens. Read More
Wyoming: Move Over, Delaware!
By Lacey Shrum
Wyoming’s 2019 legislative session just wrapped up, and as of close the state has signed 13 blockchain-friendly laws into effect. These laws are a strong play to attract blockchain businesses and development to the state of Wyoming. Read More
What Is A Smart Contract?
By Lacey Shrum
A smart contract is simply a piece of code that is executed on the blockchain network. It may or may not be a legal contract. As most code does, it runs off an “if/then” statement. Blockchain allows this code to run on a distributed system, across thousands of computers participating in the network, thus in a completely autonomous, tamper-resistant way. Read More
Bitcoin’s Solution To The Double Spend Problem
By Lacey Shrum
Until blockchain technology, an electronic currency was a dream beyond reality because no system could prevent a holder from spending her coin twice. Read More
Keep Your Investors Updated (Part II)
By Kevin Vela
A few years ago I wrote a blog about how important it is to keep your investors updated. That is as true today as it was then, but I want to highlight another benefit that I neglected to point out then: … Read More
The Hidden Cost Of Accelerators
By Kevin Vela
Accelerators are popping up all over the place. And I’m not sure that this is a good thing. Typically, an accelerator provides a little cash for a little equity, and some guidance or advisory services for a little more equity. Some … Read More
Believe In The Value Of Your Product
By Kevin Vela
I ran into a client this morning who told me about a difficult negotiation he’s currently having with a critical customer. The customer represents a significant portion of his startup’s revenues, but servicing the contract is so cumbersome that it … Read More
Beware Of Your First Investor
By Kevin Vela
We’re well aware of how critical it is for a startup to raise capital. I’ve yet to see a startup that can generate revenues without raising capital. This is the same for just about all small businesses besides service businesses. … Read More
