PNG's Blockchain Pasifik proudly launches the Junior Blockchain Challenge

A CALL to uniquely design blockchain challenges based on real-life problems that companies and/or organizations face, thus providing true blockchain solution to solve complex situations while securing its adequate and smooth implementation are initiatives undertaken globally by various governments. 

In Singapore, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), advocates for a digital economy for a smart nation and promotes a blockchain challenge that sees its participants to produce Blockchain-enabled solutions going beyond financial solutions.

The Smart Dubai Office (SDO) also facilitates Blockchain challenges to startups in Blockchain application businesses.

In Papua New Guinea, the Blockchain Pasifik, in the true spirit of inclusive, the Junior Blockchain Pasifik Challenge was launched recently, and is in full swing.

Four schools in the National Capital District, Port Moresby International School (POMIS), Kila Kila Secondary School, Don Bosco Technical Institute, and Kopkop College will participate in the inaugural challenge.

The competition requirement is for each School Team to prepare a Proof of Concept Paper on blockchain projects for PNG or the Pacific.

The teams will pitch their ideas during the PNG Leaders blockchain session on 10th October, at the grand event, and will be judged by blockchain experts from all over the world.

The top concepts will win cash prizes and possible funding from investors or government.

Outstanding individual talents will be placed in a talent pool for further development via junior internships under blockchain projects in PNG, or abroad.

All schools will undergo weekly mentoring workshops, leading up to the Main Event in October

The Junior Blockchain Pasifik Challenge is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by Em Stret and Blockchain Pasifik. 

Port Moresby supports blockchain technology in Papua New Guinea

The National Capital District Commission has given K50,000 to support the Blockchain Pasifik 2018 convention.

Governor Powes Parkop made the presentation and launched the event in Port Moresby yesterday.

Event team leader Rex Paura said Blockchain Pasifik was a Papua New Guinea initiative. The event will be held from Oct 11 to 12 at the Convention Centre in Port Moresby.

“It will include a blockchain start-up expo, panel discussions featuring PNG and foreign experts on various uses of blockchain, investor opportunities for local and Pacific start-ups and a schools’ competition,” Paura said. Parkop said blockchain technology had the potential to help PNG and the Pacific to fast track into developed economies.

“I want to invest public money in this technology to explore it, as to how it will be useful in providing solutions and building our economy here in Port Moresby and PNG.”

Source: The National newspaper

Australia supports blockchain startups in PNG

THE Australian Government through the PNG-Australia Partnership is piloting a new approach to support small and growing enterprises in PNG. It is promoting the development of digital industry in PNG. 

One of the first blockchain companies to participate in this pilot project is Coin-Sure, a PNG- based blockchain startup. Coin-Sure PNG is developing blockchain-based cryptocurrency insurance software that will underwrite cryptocurrency transactions and crypto-wallets.

The Coin-Sure concept has been developed by two (2) Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs, Rex Paura and Nou Vada. 

Australia’s support to Coin-Sure paired the startup with Generative Solutions, a Melbourne-based technology business consultancy that partners with startups to help them leverage technology to deliver impact.

Through a series of intensive engagements in both Australia and PNG, and through virtual communication, Coin-Sure PNG and Generative Solutions Australia worked together to establish a product prototype, and undertook an intensive process of business building, testing and piloting, and adopting to establish a model to drive Coin-Sure’s sustainable growth. 

Australia’s support for innovative enterprises like Coin-Sure is helping PNG businesses connect with international market places and readying them for the digital future.

Coin-Sure PNG also supports the pitching of four (4) new blockchain startup concepts developed by four (4) different secondary schools in Papua New Guinea.

Tano Network, a blockchain-based Land Titles Registry and Management System that will eliminate corruption by preventing duplication of titles and delay in processing, developed by Kilakila Secondary School students.

The second startup is Birdwing Network, a blockchain-based National Identity Registration and Management System developed by Kopkop College students. 

The third is Diwai Network, a blockchain-based global carbon emissions trading platform to combat climate change by creating an economy for the preservation of forest stocks via a compensation mechanism is developed by Don Bosco Technical Secondary School students.

And the fourth is Doa Network, a blockchain-based digital currency (cryptocurrency) that is fully subject to existing PNG Monetary Policy and can be deployed to sectors that cash is either risky or problematic to utilize, is developed by Port Moresby International School students.

These four junior startups are sponsored by PNG-Australia Partnership under the Department of Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In 2019, the Australian Government will continue to support more blockchain startups in PNG as part of the PNG-Australia Partnership.