Security Token Listings
CityBlock Capital – Venture Capital for the Digital Age
Who is CityBlock Capital?
CityBlock Capital is a venture capital firm that is looking to launch various geographically based funds. They believe the future is digital, and that the technology that will take us there is blockchain. With multiple high-profile partnerships, CityBlock Capital is poised to make waves in the industry in the coming years.
What is the problem?
Traditional investing in foreign start-ups is typically met with high levels of resistance. This may occur though simple accessibility, or through a lack of liquidity.
Both of these issues have a negative effect on both the investor and the start-up themselves. The investor is deterred due to the hurdles that must be cleared, and the start-up suffers because they may be passed over for another company.
Finally, money is limited. There needs to be a way to tap into a larger investment pool. If this is achieved, along with the removal of liquidity and accessibility issues, the industry’s future will look bright.
How will they fix it?
CityBlock Capital believes they have an answer to the issues raised above. The company intends to launch various VC funds targeted towards different markets. Their current flagship fund is specifically geared towards start-ups based in New York City. This fund is known as NYCQ, and totals $20million.
Through the implementation of blockchain, a simple idea is made possible. CityBlock capital is able to provide start-ups with capital to help them along their way. This is drawn from a pool of capital, globally, rather than being restricted to the United States. Those that invest and provide this capital receive a digital version of a ‘share’ in the fund. This digitized share is known as a security token.
This token provides international investors accessibility to start-ups in the United States. Investors within the United States are only required to invest $25,000 or more, while international investors can start with as little as $1000.
At the same time, investors have the luxury of high levels of liquidity. Through partnerships with trading platforms such as AirSwap, these tokens can be traded easily. This is enticing to investors, as they are not locked into their investments long term if they do not want to be.
By following these simple steps, CityBlock Capital has increased accessibility, liquidity, and appeal of their planned funds.
Team?
In the short time that the company has been around, the trio at the helm of CityBlock Capital have managed to develop partnerships with multiple high-profile companies. These range from Morgan-Creek Financial and Airswap, to Securitize. Drawing on their experiences from working at Google, practicing VC law, and entrepreneurialism, the following founders have high hopes for CityBlock Capital.
Robert J. Nance – Cofounder & Managing Partner
Jon Avidor – Cofounder & Managing Partner
Max Goldstein – Cofounder & COO
Whats next?
NYCQ is only the tip of the iceberg. CityBlock Capital has announced that this fund is only the 1st of 3 that they plan on launching before years end. Each of these funds will be targeted to specific geographical areas similar to NYCQ.
To learn details about the project, please view our CityBlock Capital Token Listing page.
Who is VMC?
VMC is a Dutch company, looking to disrupt the mobility sector through the use of blockchain technologies.
VMC envisions a future where payment processes and usage of varying types of transportation becomes a seamless process.
The company was founded in 2017, and has since successfully developed and implemented their working platform. VMC was able to make waves in 2018 through partnerships which saw the launch of the world’s first blockchain powered bus, and blockchain enabled electric scooters.
VMC intends to utilize a two-token ecosystem, in which they distribute a utility token alongside a security token.
What is the problem?
The mobility sector is inefficient and costly. Many of the commonly used transportation services are operationally segregated. Each will use different payment providers, which more often than not are unable to provide data-sets for usage towards service improvements.
A platform/service is needed that can unify the payment process between a variety of services. A commuter needs to be able to rent a bicycle to ride to a bus station, to drive to a subway, to take them across town – all through the use of a singular, cheap, and efficient platform. Furthermore, this platform needs to provide data-sets to the companies supporting it.
How will VMC Solve it?
In their continued bid to disrupt the sector, VMC has recently announced their intent to host a security token offering. The goal of this event is to raise up to a hard cap of €5 million. This funding is earmarked primarily for use towards the continued research and development required for growth of the company.
These security tokens are digital securities. This means that token holders are entitled to revenue shares garnered from platform usage. It is important to note that these tokens differ from their utility token.
The company’s utility tokens, VAI, function as a stable coin. These are used within the platform to facilitate the payment of services, negating the need for a payment processor. As this token is exclusively used to access services through the platform, VMC is able to gather detailed analytics. This data is valuable to service providers, as they are able to gain a better understanding of their customers, and structure accordingly around them.
The platform itself has been designed to appeal to anyone. It allows for travellers to not only plan their travel, but book and pay for it as well. Throughout this process, privacy is maintained, along with convenience through mobile ticketing.
Commentary
We reached out to the team at VMC to get a better understanding of the event. Jochem Verheul, CEO of VMC had the following to say.
Q: Why has VMC chosen to host an STO rather than traditional means of fundraising?
A: “With a stable token for the transactions/travel and a security token for the investment, we can capture the network effect in the security token, without harming the stability of the travel token. Distributing a share of revenue fits the principles of the blockchain industry.”
When asked about potential expansion, Jochem Verheul indicated that, “We have already opened an office in Singapore!”
Team?
The team at VMC is comprised of various accomplished individuals. Below are those that are leading the charge.
Jochem Verheul – CEO & Founder
Ruurd Somberg – CFO & Cofounder
Dick Roeffen – COO
Whats Next?
Beyond the security token offering, VMC has a busy schedule ahead of them. In a few short weeks Jochem Verheul is scheduled to be a speaker at SGINNOVATE – a conference focusing on ‘blockchain technology implementations in mobility. Verhaul promises an announcement at that time, adding, “We are doing some cool stuff here.”
For a more detailed look at VMC, check out our token listing page. There, you will find STO details, and links to information packets such as a whitepaper.
What is ‘Almond’
Almond is a blockchain-based company, looking to ensure a bright future for the Earth. The company offers a platform geared toward incentivising consumers to develop spending habits with an eye on sustainability. The platform is mobile-based, and can be used on both IOS and Android systems.
This free platform looks to usher in a brighter future through incentive tasks such as:
- Buying Challenges
- Thoughtful tips to utilize sustainable goods and services
- Action Challenges
- Tailoring habitual actions such as exercise, showering, etc., to reflect a sustainable attitude
- Offsetting Challenges
- Encouragement of participation in carbon offsetting activities.
By gamifying and incentivizing the completion of such tasks, it is hoped that habits will change, and we will no longer simply be ignorant to the issues at hand. Rather, we will partake in sustainable activities by default.
What is the Problem?
We live in a throwaway world. Most of us are simply ignorant to the amount of waste created every day, through normal mundane tasks and activities. This waste is often justified in the name of convenience. While some companies have begun to warm to the idea of sustainability (no more ‘one use’ items), it is still a woefully underdeveloped trait within most industries.
A large part of the problem is simply a lack of transparency afforded to consumers. People are not often ignorant due to their own choosing – you can’t know what you don’t know. The consumer goods industry needs a user friendly and effective means of communicating to the world, the level of sustainability in its products. Hopefully, by doing so, consumers can make an active choice to buy ‘green’.
How will Almond Solve It?
Almond intends to solve the problems discussed above through the continued development of their platform. To ensure constant development, the company has decided to host their own security token offering. This fund raising event will be facilitated by TokenMarket – a UK based issuance platform with a strong track record in crowdfunding.
During the course of the sale, the team at Almond intends to raise £2.4 million. They indicate that these funds will not only cover their released roadmap, but give the company a 2 year runway to achieve their goals.
Known as Almond Shares, these digital securities represent an asset that combines the perks of blockchain – transparency, immutability, efficiency, etc. – along with those of traditional investments. As such, these tokens represent not only ownership rights, but dividends as well.
Naturally, as these are digital securities being sold through the funding event, participation comes with restriction. To learn more about eligibility, make sure to visit the Almond site HERE.
The Team?
Drawing upon their experience in a variety of industries, the following individuals are well poised to ensure the bright future of Almond.
The team established Almond in 2017, and continues to guide its operations today.
Commentary
In a recent press release, both Oliver Bolton and Ransu Salovaara, the CEO of TokenMarket, commented on the development discussed here today.
Oliver Bolton, CEO of Almond, stated,
“Almond is designed to ensure that those who are shopping sustainably and truly changing their behaviour are rewarded for doing so. TokenMarket’s vast experience in the world of token issuance, advisory and technology meant that working with them was an easy decision. We are excited about our partnership with TokenMarket and the future ahead.”
Ransu Salovaara, CEO of TokenMarket, stated,
“Sustainable consumerism is an issue that we feel needs to be addressed. Almond’s work is truly pioneering the way in which people can shop sustainably, incentivising them to know more about what they are buying and using blockchain technology to track its supply chain. TokenMarket is proud to be working with a company that can truly help to change the way in which consumers shop.”
Whats Next?
Those at Almond have fleshed out a roadmap that takes them from the now, into 2020. Here is a brief look at a few key markers along their path.
April 19, 2019 – Security Token Offering opens to the public
September 19, 2019 – Full platform goes live in the United Kingdom
Q1 2020 – Platform pilot launches in the United States
Platform Licensing
It was recently announced by Globex, that they have successfully licenced their software ATS platform to First Growth Fund Limited. This platform is tailored specifically for dealing with blockchain-based digital securities.
Being tailored for digital securities, the platform was built with the goal of offering end-to-end services for token issuers. This means token creation, issuance, compliance, distribution, and management.
The success and totality of the platform cemented First Growth Funds’ belief in not only their products, but Globex itself. With this in mind, the aforementioned announcement also indicated that First Growth Funds Limited has purchased equity within the Globex.
Commentary
In their press release, representative from each company spoke on the licensure discussed here today. The following is what each had to say on the matter.
Brian Collins, CEO of Globex, stated,
“Capital raising using the blockchain has proven to be a massive opportunity for business and doing so in a compliant manner is in the interest of the issuer, investor and investment advisory firm. First Growth Funds believes in the importance of such an end-to-end compliance platform and, coupled with their access to institutional and wholesale investors, the sky’s the limit for their clients.”
Anoosh Manzoori, Executive Chairman of First Growth Funds, stated,
“We see these new exclusive partnerships as an opportunity to support local companies wanting access to funding in new markets. We can also help enable and support local investment banks and advisory firms to gain liquidity of their illiquid assets. Regulatory compliance is the number one topic in this sector of late and will be even more important as the market matures. We are really looking forward to collaborating with Globex and leveraging this amazing blockchain technology to compliantly raise capital for our issuers.”
Horizon Globex
Horizon Globex is a software company situated in the heart of ‘Crypto Valley’ – Zug, Switzerland. They have been in operation since 2010. In the time since, they have grown alongside the crypto/blockchain industry, while developing solutions for investors.
Drawing upon previous experience as a CEO at Abbey Technology, Brian Collins decided to found Horizon Globex. Company operations have been overseen by Brian Collins ever since, as he occupies the role of CEO.
First Growth Funds
First Growth Funds Limited is an investment company, based out of Australia. Fund management is overseen by a board of directors. The following four individuals, comprising the board, boast a vast amount of experience in various sectors.
Anoosh Manzoori: Executive Director
Michael Clarke: Non-Executive Director
Atham Lekkas: Non-Executive Director
Geoff Barnes: Non-Executive Chairman
It should be noted that, to date, First Growth Funds is the only investment fund listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, which is licensed to deal with cryptocurrencies.
In Other News
The digital securities sector shows no signs of slowing down. This is made obvious by the increasing amount of articles detailing digital securities as one of the hottest emerging trends. With this in mind, here are a few articles detailing recent partnerships and developments with the sector at large.
NEO Announces Formation of Security Token Industry Consortium
Blockchain Identity Firm WISeCoin Announces STO