Blockstart & Beyond: the future of blockchain in North-West Europe

Smaller businesses and the public sector in Europe face similar hurdles when it comes to digital skills and the adoption of new technologies. Many do not have the resources to invest in research and development. So how can they make the most of blockchain technology?

Blockchain is a bit of a buzzword, but often SMEs and local governments are unclear on how blockchain technology can benefit them. Go beyond the buzz on blockchain during this showcase of real-world blockchain projects in sectors where the technology is not currently common practice.

Hosted by Brightlands, the event will be an interactive, dynamic guide to blockchain’s potential. The day will start at 11:00 am with an introduction to Blockstart, the Brightlands Smart Services Campus, and the North-West Europe region, before diving into our first panel discussion on “Blockchain: to use or not to use?” Following lunch, attendees will head into breakout rooms to discuss blockchain’s challenges and opportunities in their sector (choosing from AgroFood, Healthcare, Logistics, and the Public Sector) before returning for a panel discussion by experts and SMEs on “How to improve your business with blockchain technology”. The next refreshment break will be accompanied by a showcase of blockchain solutions by SMEs, allowing attendees time to walk around and engage with SMEs at the forefront of this technology. The event will wrap up by looking to the future, with policy and business recommendations and the official kick-off of the region’s blockchain ecosystem. Optional networking drinks will be hosted from 17:00 onwards.

Blockchain technology can seem daunting at first, so this event aims to make it easy, ensuring attendees leave with an in-depth understanding of what blockchain can do for them. The session will be interactive throughout, weaving in video content, quizzes, breakout rooms and plenty of opportunities to put your questions to the experts. Following the event, attendees will have access to recorded training sessions previously produced through Blockstart and will be considered official members of the North-West Europe blockchain ecosystem, with access to future events and networking opportunities.

The agrofood, health, logistics and government sectors are crucial for building a sustainable future, and creating an efficient, secure and transparent value chain is paramount for SMEs in these sectors to thrive in today’s digitised global market.

For anyone interested in connecting with North-West Europe’s blockchain ecosystem and developing a deeper understanding of blockchain’s real-world use cases outside of the typical tech sphere, this event is not to be missed.