In a signed Memorandum of Understanding last July 7, two local leading Technology Business Incubators, QBO Innovation Hub and Animo Labs collaborated with Building Cities Beyond Blockchain in establishing smart city projects in the Philippines, to be powered by blockchain technology.
“We are glad to have a strong and rigorous collaboration with QBO and Animo Labs, tapping on their expertise, knowledge, and experience to create the next wave of applications for the development of sustainable smart cities of the future,” said Vanessa Koh, CO-CTB of BCB.
The joint efforts of the two parties aim to reach out and engage potential researchers, startups, and community members. Through BCB Blockchain’s platforms and innovated technologies, participants are free to use them to start creating smart city projects and applications.
The partnership of QBO and Animo Labs with BCB also includes a commitment to work closely in critical areas such as co-incubation of projects, research and development, seminars and training, promotional activities, competitions, hackathons, and collaborative endeavors. “Providing QBO and Animo Labs a holistic understanding of BCB Blockchain platform and access to hands-on workshops, materials, events, and technical support will allow them to deepen their competencies in the area of designing and developing applications and projects for smart cities,” Koh added.
In the final quarter of this year, as part of the BCB initiative, BCB, GBO, and Animo Labs will reach out to universities to conduct competitions, Hackathon and Bug Bounty. Winners will receive $15,000 and be given the chance to participate in the incubation programs for commercialization and fundraising, together with selected projects in Hackathon.
“Through the mutual collaboration between Animo Labs and BCB, we hope that our technological expertise and access to a wide range of research institutions will help build and promote the growth of blockchain and smart city projects, promoting innovation within the blockchain and smart city projects, promoting innovation within the blockchain sphere for smart city solutions,” said Frederico C. Gonzalez, Executive Director, Animo Labs.
BCB believes the next step towards a smart city ecosystem will be through its BCB Blockchain, and mass adoption is the key to success. Together with QBO and Animo Lab, BCB also believes that through the blockchain ecosystem, smart cities solutions will be established to answer common problems of highly urbanized cities like traffic, waste and energy management.
“We believe that blockchain will play a crucial role in the development of smart cities with an increasing number of people living in urban areas. We are pleased to work closely with BCB and establishing their BCB Blockchain platform and technology in QBO hub to create the next generation of smart city applications,” said Katrina Rausa-Chan, Director of QBO Innovation Hub.
To attain a smart city ecosystem, the Singapore-based BCB Blockchain seeks to enlighten the people about the significance of blockchain technology in the community and how to build trust in its platform.
Meanwhile, QBO extends their gratitude towards the initiative of BCB in bringing the program into action.
“It will be exciting to see the actual implementation of these smart city applications of tomorrow in the Philippines and appreciate BCB’s support to bring them to fruition,” added Rausa-Chan.
