Blockchain technologies are changing the way we think about data archival and storage. For instance, most database systems can only capture the current state of a data set. This means we must rely on secondary backup systems to ensure historical data can remain accessible, a stark contrast from what the most basic of blockchains provide out of the box. Database systems that offer immutability and historical context for data would be greatly beneficial for companies as it would make internal and external audits much less costly and time-intensive. We’re delighted to bring you an interview with Flip Filipowski and Brian Platz. Flip is a veteran entrepreneur whose career spans 50 years, having worked for and founded some of the world’s largest software companies of the 80’s and 90’s. He is also the CEO of SilkRoad Equity and a Founding Partner of Tally Capital. Brian’s background includes having founded A List Appart in 1994, which is among the oldest and most influential web development blogs, and SilkRoad Technologies. Flip and Brian join us to talk about their new company, Fluree. Their product, FlureeDB, is a scalable graph database which provides the benefits of blockchain technologies, such as immutability, replayability and fault tolerance. Currently, in development, the goal for FlureeDB is to support various consensus rules based on the network configuration: private systems, federated (or consortium) clusters, and fully decentralized public networks. Topics covered in this episode: Flip and Brian’s respective backgrounds and entrepreneurial ventures How blockchain will disrupt most major companies that exist today FlureeDB and the problem it is trying to solve How FlureeDB improves compliance procedures for enterprise How FlureeDB can address some of the challenges ahead with regards to GDPR FlureeDB’s technical infrastructure and elementary components The different consensus modes and scalability properties of FlureeDB Why they chose to structure the company as a Public Benefit Corporation FlureeDB’s development roadmap Episode links: Fluree Website FlureeDB Whitepaper Blockchain, Meet Database This episode is hosted by Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/216

We’re joined by Christopher Fabian, Co-founder of Unicef’s Innovation Unit. We discuss how the global non-profit institution leverages innovative technology to solve real-world problems in humanitarian work. We explore the different applications of blockchain in the UN and Unicef, as well as the challenges we can anticipate when deploying these technologies in the developing world. Shaun Conway, Founder of Ixo Foundation, also joins the discussion as a startup working Unicef and talks about the value of a global reputation network for humanitarian projects. Topics covered in this episode: Chris’ and Shaun’s respective backgrounds A bit of background on the UN and Unicef Unicef’s Innovation Unit and Venture arm How Unicef evaluates the different technologies in the space (public, permissionned, etc.) The challenges faced when deploying new technologies in the developing world Unicef’s recent experimentation with an Ethereum smart contract Potential applications for blockchain at the UN and Unicef Unicef’s Venture arm and the types of projects in which they invest Ixo Foundation, their collaboration with Unicef and the value of a Proof of Impact blockchain network Episode links: Blockchain at UNICEF Christopher Fabian - Wikipedia UNICEF Ventures: Exploring Smart Contracts ixo foundation ixo foundation – Medium This episode is hosted by Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/214