Start up the ICO
The word “start-up” has been in vogue for a few years now but probably still the first thing that comes to mind when we hear this word is “google”. Founded by two improbable but audacious businessmen Larry Page and Sergey Brin (both PhD students from Stanford University) they had little voice in the business world at the time. They emerged out of the unknown with what could have been considered as a “crazy” idea. It is just because of this that who would have thought that Google would be where it is today? Its founders are however the icons of the business dream today and an inspiration to most young entrepreneurs around the world. Page and Brin’s invention catalysed the disruption of the business model and along with Apple and FB (part of the well- known synonym FANG) they are going from strength to strength. The result is that they have revolutionised our ways of communication creating a globalised synergy across the countries.
There are two words in this first paragraph which I find particularly salient to identify the promising ICO. These are “Audacious” and “Revolutionized”. Indeed these two words are extremely important, firstly perhaps because riding against a wave of disbelief inevitably takes a lot of courage, self-belief and drive which all founders of successful ventures must have. Secondly and perhaps more importantly to innovate is to revolutionize.
Looking more closely at the ICOs on the market today you will probably come across Productivist. At its helm is Benjamin Pestel, has a challenging and exciting project in front of him fitting with the above description. Certainly he is one of those many google inspired entrepreneurs and this project has all it takes to be a survivor. It is such survivors, who have the vision to revolutionise and innovate (doing what others believe is certainly not possible) who create a trend, changing our concepts and facilitating the way we function on a daily basis. Their unique vision is more than often at the source of their product’s profitable outcome.
It is now just over ten years ago since Google was founded and Satoshi Nakamoto (the mystery “man” behind the bitcoin), has catalysed that same sensation as the crypto world changes the face of business today. “His” invention again goes hand in hand with those two words listed above. The result has been a disruption from methods which have stood the test of time. The world of investment has been shaken by this new world with the coming of the ICO. This less exclusive method has indeed resulted in a wave of unease being felt in the realms of financial circles.
With this great step forward we have seen the awakening of blockchain technology start-ups. Inventions are flying (both probable and improbable) and with it the world of the start- up is going wild! The ICO is playing a major part in opening up the investment market for startups. Projects such as Productivist are one of the many blockchain technology ICOs on the marketplace today. Indeed, the market inclination of blockchain startups is at an all- time high and we can expect more from the future. Confidence in it is increasing: even the mention of these words have a feel good effect. Proof of the confidence in blockchain could perhaps be the example of a small UK tech company called Online plc who decided recently to change its name to On-line Blockchain Plc. Within 24 hours its value had grown more than it had done in the past two years.
It is, of course, not the name that will make it an undoubtable high return investment. Indeed it is here that perhaps those two important words cited above should be considered carefully. In doing so that we can conclude that projects such as Productivist make sense. They have done their homework (for Productivist see due diligence on site done by Block Pulse). At the heart of their project there is a sincerity and a passion for their concept. With an ambitious but feasible aim to revolutionize the manufacturing supply chain, their idea is audacious. Productivist matches the true spirit of the successful start up which is fired by a passion for what they will do. The startups which formed the original multinational goliaths of change (GAFA) before Netflix were just this : young men with great ideas, up against the scepticism of the norms. The founders of these start ups, renowned for their techie guys in hoodies passing their lunch break playing table tennis, were all about thinking out the box. First to recognise the advantages of the lean but agile team and the ability to make strategic decisions quickly, these companies broke the norms of company structures. Propelled by their sheer belief that they could make a difference, they were true innovators and protagonists of change. Promising Start-ups are just this. It is not just a label with a copy paste of ideas from the past, it is a structure ready to push out the norms. In the world of spotting the promising ICO, it is such projects driven by passion which we should focus on.
As the blockchain startups multiply, we ponder on their future. Do they form the makings of a giant bubble which will burst as enthusiasm grows and therefore should we avoid ICOs? The answer to this is not complex because inevitably in the unpredictable world of investments whether a VC or ICO there is always a chance of financial loss. However this is certainly not a reason to not invest. One thing is true, it will be those promising ICOs like Productivist, driven by a firm self-belief in change which catalyses irreversible positive change, which will remain feasible and always profitable. The only thing that is key to the survival of such startups is that their initial imagination does not dwindle but continues to evolve. Only by remaining ahead of their game (while other entrepreneurs cash in on their great idea) will they reward investors with continued high returns.