Dubai’s Global Blockchain Council Seeks to Spur Startup Growth

Dubai’s Global Blockchain Council (GBC) has revealed it may hold events this year that could seek to assist startups with job placement and investments.

The announcement comes on the heels of the recently formed coalition’s second meeting, which discussed the various initiatives it may take up this year. Launched by the Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation in February, the group’s 32 members include IBM and SAP as well as regional startups startups like BitOasis and Umbrellab and government organizations.

The GBC indicated that it may hold a conference as well as a hackathon this year that could function as an incubator for the local industry. There, participants would be able to connect with corporate innovation managers.

Elsewhere, the GBC resolved to study how global regulators are approaching blockchain technology while launching a series of pilot projects aimed at uniting the public and private sector in investigating the emerging technology.

In statements, Saif Al Aleeli, CEO of the Museum of the Future Foundation, cited the rising interest in the technology internationally as a driving reason the Dubai and UAE governments are seeking to encourage innovation in this area.

Al Aleeli said:

"The world is witnessing more interest in blockchain technology day after day."

Meeting image via Museum of the Future Foundation