The SMEChain - Venture Partner

Venture Partner supporting FinTech, Blockchain, Metaverse & Web3 innovators who are seeking to achieve sustainable growth through Investment, Joint Venture Partnerships & direct Client Acquisition, globally. Essentially, matching people with people who can work together to achieve a combined, aligned objective in their field. EQ with IQ is the winning formula.

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Ambassador & Committee Roles:

Steering Committee MemberBlockW

Blockchain Ireland Skills & Innovation Sub Committee

CHAISE Blockchain Skills for Education Advisor

WiiT Women in Immersive Tech Europe Ambassador for Ireland

AWIC Association of Women in Crypto Ambassador for Ireland

ECOTA European Carbon Offsetting Tokenization Association Advisor

Christopher Lafayette is a Silicon Valley-based technologist, speaker, and humanitarian. He founded Gatherverse and HoloPractice, and leads BTMP and C-TAP, promoting inclusive technology and healthcare innovation. His advisory roles span global organizations like Google and Meta, with a focus on keeping humanity central to technology.

 

In alliance with several global platforms, we’ve initiated the Human Capital Initiative, aspiring to raise $300 million to support startups and organizations committed to leveraging innovative technologies with a focus on technology, education, health and wellness, youth mental wellness, and climate impact. With the goal to raise the fund in three years, we call upon corporations, investors, governments, nonprofits, social enterprises, and kindhearted individuals to contribute. The fund aims to etch a global fabric of mutual benefit, fostering a robust ecosystem where innovation intersects with key societal pillars. This appointment aligns with my perpetual quest to amplify social impact, tech-driven innovation, and global community development. Your support in sharing or contributing to this initiative is highly valued.

Phil Kasiecki is a software engineer and technology industry champion. After graduating with a degree in electrical and computer engineering from Northeastern University, he began a career that has spanned multiple industries and software technologies, most recently at BAE Systems. He has developed a wide variety of software and is working to leave the world of technology better than it was when he entered it.

 

Phil serves on the Workforce Development Committee of the New Hampshire Tech Alliance and is part of the event committee for the Granite State Code Camp, is an industry mentor for a senior programming course at MIT and the Black Technology Mentorship Program, and frequently works with students looking to enter software engineering either at an early age or later in life by way of a career change. He is also a mentor in the Hack.Diversity Program and an active networker who has written and spoken about the subject and was also part of the committee behind LinkedIn Local Manchester in New Hampshire, a chapter of a game-changing networking event movement in recent years.

Alison Chiwara FRSA is a Zimbabwean born Corporate Mental Health and Business Consultant residing in Scotland, with numerous awards and accolades to her name. Alison is the founder of Human Focused Ltd and also serves as the CEO for Mind Analytix Ltd, a company specializing in AI-powered precision psychiatry with voice biomarkers. In addition to her consultancy work, Alison is a renowned motivational and public speaker. She is a fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, a member of Forbes BLK, Scottish women in Business (SWIB), National enterprise network and UN Women UK. She has been featured in publications such as the Scottish Business Magazine, Trusted Magazine, STV Growth Academy, Arise Africa Magazine, Black Tech Day Magazine, Future X, Business Manchester, and Men's Radio Station, among others.

 

She currently serves on the board of several purpose driven and impact focused organizations across Europe and as far as India. She also holds the position of African Global Ambassador for Women in Blockchain Talks (WiBT). As an advocate for female empowerment, Alison believes in actively ensuring that everyone is provided with opportunities to make a real difference and strives to be the change she wishes to see in the world.

Brian Waterfield is a pioneering expert in XR technology with over 18 years of experience in the automotive, 10 years in construction and over 3 years in higher education, driving development, innovation, and immersive visualization. With a deep understanding of these fields, Brian has been transformative in all these sectors through his expertise in XR technology, digital transformation, and research into high-end visualization.

 

Brian has actively contributed to many other fields, leveraging XR technology to increase visualization and understanding. He has helped organizations enhance their design, planning, and project management processes through immersive techniques. Brian's unique blend of expertise in understanding XR technology has allowed him to drive positive change in industry, empowering professionals with innovative tools and approaches.

Not only is Brian the founder of ImmerseUK, but he also serves as the Chair and founder of the UK Immersive Futures Alliance. In these positions, he has accelerated the convergence of knowledge streams, laying the foundation for change in the digital and metaverse space. Brian's leadership has been instrumental in connecting, inspiring, and guiding digital entrepreneurialism, encouraging both start-ups and larger firms to embrace digital transformation and XR adoption.

His expertise in XR technology, digital transformation, human-in-the-loop design, and research innovation has earned him prestigious awards and acknowledgements. With a passion for driving positive change, Brian continues to inspire and guide organizations and academic institutions toward realizing their digital vision.

Chet W. Sisk -- Is a Futurist, author and visionary. Chet’s focus is on developing organizations and individuals that can thrive and succeed in a time of massive change  affected by climate change, technological evolution and social/political disruption. 

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Chet has spoken on these subjects at the United Nations in 2015 and 2017. He has presented in almost 30 different countries, including South Africa, Albania, Malaysia, Nigeria, The Netherlands and Bahrain. As a Futurist, Chet’s push is to merge Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into our re-imagination of society and the future. All of the challenges and opportunities facing our community right now are intimately related to our DEI position.

 

Chet is the founder of The UBR climate strong initiative, an organization created to fund and counsel businesses that bring climate resilience and adaptation to communities of color specifically and our overall community in general. He’s written several books on personal and corporate change, he was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa and considers popcorn one of the important food groups.

Dave Pierce is currently the Director of Global SD-WAN at a privately held Cloud Communications, Managed Connectivity and Security company reporting directly to the CEO and SVP of Engineering. He serves as part of the executive organizational team; responsible for accelerating the design and creation, product rollout, business development and sales operations management of the company’s Global Managed SD-WAN initiatives. He also works with numerous cross-functional, internal departments (Engineering, NetOps, Service Delivery & Assurance, Product, Marketing, Sales, HR) to create, fine-tune and deliver products/solutions, message and interact with channel sales teams and partners on specific opportunities, to drive revenue via training, webinars, direct and channel sales engagement globally.

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Dave Pierce is an accomplished business advisor, owner and corporate executive/director with over 20+ years of experience in the Technology and Software verticals, Renewable Energy, Agriculture and numerous Start Ups driving all aspects of the business from investment strategy, operations, market strategy, sales and channel development.

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