Blockchain ticketing solution provider Aventus has appointed Professor Mike Waterson, the academic whose report on the secondary ticketing sector influenced the UK Digital Economy Bill, to its advisory board.
As well as Professor Waterson, whose review into the sector was published last year, Aventus has also brought in Professor William Knottenbelt, who has been the director of the cryptocurrency research and engineering centre at Imperial College, London.
In addition, Bernie Dillon, a 30-year entertainment industry veteran who has worked with brands such as HBO, UFC, Santana and Caesars, joins the board, along with Daniel Masters, the director at Global Advisors Bitcoin Investment Fund PLC.
The newly-appointed board will provide strategic, technical, and legal counsel for the Aventus team, as its solution joins the global ticketing markets.
Masters said: “What I’ve learned from the somewhat limited experience I’ve had with the collection of start-ups in which we’re invested and to whom we offer management services is that the keys to success are vision, motivation, passion, hunger, eloquence, technical expertise, experience, maturity, organisation, reputation and balls.
“I’ve had varied outcomes, but Alan (Vey) and Annika (Monari), the founders of Aventus, are the best of the best, and are enhanced greatly by what we have to offer in order to fill out their card.”
Waterson added: “My investigation into the event ticketing industry, particularly in music, brought home to me how a structure has grown up that leads to consumer confusion and frustration, alongside a range of dubious practices.
“Technologically, the problems are challenging, but to me, Aventus has a comprehensive approach to their solution. Provided there is sufficient industry buy-in, Aventus can be a real force for positive change.”
Knottenbelt, a technical advisor to the Aventus team, said: “Aventus represents the next generation of blockchain technology which will unleash the true power of blockchains by creating and empowering new kinds of markets. The founders embody the very best of the qualities that our graduates are known for and we are proud to support them.”
Meanwhile, experienced industry leader, Dillon, said: “Anyone who has ever attended, hosted, or produced a live entertainment event, be it a UFC fight, boxing match, or concert has been affected by counterfeit tickets or extortionate secondary resale prices.
“Aventus brings a refreshing solution to these age-old problems that could very well end fraudulent activity and unregulated ticket touting once and for all.”
The Aventus blockchain solution is working to eliminate ticket fraud and allows owners and event organisers to control and receive commissions on secondary market ticket sales.
Recently, Aventus partnered with North American venue management and live music festival producer Blue Horizon Entertainment. The company said it hopes to bring its blockchain solution to the US, Canada and Central and South American markets. The announcement comes ahead of its initial coin offering (ICO), which launches tomorrow (Wednesday).
Image: geralt
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