News & Events > News > Tyler Harkness Explores ICOs and Blockchain’s Impact on Venture Capital Financing at TechFest NW
Tyler Harkness Explores ICOs and Blockchain’s Impact on Venture Capital Financing at TechFest NW
4.22.2019
On April 5, Tonkon Torp attorney Tyler Harkness was featured on two panels during TechFest NW, which was held at Portland State University (PSU).
The first panel Tyler sat on, hosted by PSU, explored blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies. The panelists included a number of local experts who discussed the potential and growing impact of blockchain technology on a broad spectrum of industries and business use-cases, beyond what is commonly thought of related to bitcoin and other cryptocurrency technologies. Portland is establishing itself as a hub for blockchain development and the panel shared some of the exciting work happening in the region, including a new Blockchain Certificate program that PSU will launch within its School of Business this fall and the opportunities coming out of the Oregon Blockchain Venture Studio (OBVS), a leading incubator for companies that are developing businesses models around the emerging technology.
The second panel, which Tyler moderated, considered the ways in which blockchain technology has begun impacting venture capital financing, and helped startups and investors determine how Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) and other related blockchain-based financing efforts fit into that picture. He was joined by other experts in the field — including individuals from the blockchain-focused venture capital firm Bloccerate and the well-regarded research firm Smith+Crown — to address some misconceptions about ICOs, provide insight into some of the unique opportunities and challenges related to fundraising through ICOs and other blockchain-based financing tools, and to discuss the impact of blockchain on venture capital financing more broadly. Tonkon Torp hosted the session as a TechFest NW Workshop Sponsor.
Tyler belongs to the firm's Entrepreneurial Services, Corporate Finance, and Mergers & Acquisitions practice groups. He has served on the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s Board of Directors for a number of years and he and his colleagues in the Entrepreneurial Services Practice Group are actively engaged in Portland’s startup community. Tyler’s practice includes advising startup companies in connection with their financing efforts and other general business matters, while working with established businesses as well.