Interview with Victoria Gago, Co-founder of EBC | EBC11

Transcript

Hello everyone. We are here at the European Blockchain Convention number 11 with our most amazing guest, the founder of everything, the builder of this wonderful event for the past 11 editions, Victoria. Hi. Hello. I'm a little tired. It's day two. We're towards the end, but I still have a little bit of energy. So, how do you summarize the biggest event so far? >> Um, I'm very happy. There's always a little bit of few things going on behind the scene, but we're not going to Oh, yes. I mean, that's that's human nature.

>> No, but basic. I mean, it's our largest event, so we're growing the attendees year after year. So, we're not trying to double up and make it, I don't know, a mobile world congress, which is one of the largest event we have in Barcelona. But attendees, it's important to to to grow a bit each year. And especially the quality. Yeah and that's also the feedback I've got that the quality is amazing much better than last year. Um so on institutional side amazing but also still EBC is an event for the whole ecosystem. So the startup competition that takes place even now towards the end of EPC uh is super important. We have 50 startups pitching. We had hundreds of applications. We chose 50.

Five are going to go to main states at the end of the end. We'll have three winners. No. So just to say like the startups also important because they're showcasing new projects, new ideas for the future. So I think we have a nice mix of big institutions, startups foundations uh basically bringing the whole ecosystem. >> Amazing. And you have a pretty exciting year ahead of you now. Uh with London coming up in February, right? And a new exciting event happening in Abu Dhabi later this year. Uh next year, sorry. Uh so tell us how this came about. I mean London was a huge success last year, so I can only understand why it's going to be coming back again. But how did you come to the idea and the realization that you want to extend beyond Eurovv?

>> Yeah, good question. Uh questions. So, we've done two editions of the dead last forum in London. Um last one was a one-day event. Huge success packed. So, now what we're doing is second edition of this last form in London early next year, February. And it's going to be two days and bigger. And so we have a very strong presence in in Europe, London, let's you know, yeah, London is long longer part of the European Union, but I but let's just say Europe, >> the continent.

>> The continent. Yeah, >> the continent. So, which is great, but we want to expand to new regions. Um, and and Abu Dhabi is really interesting because they promote themselves as the capital of capital and there's there's something about it. It's not just branding. There's a lot going on there. There's a lot of money there. Uh, a lot of innovations. So, to bring one of our events there is is key. We're going to bring our crowd from Europe to Abu Dhabi, but also to mingle with the with the funds with institutional crowd there, but also it's kind of like a bit between, you know, Asia, you know, different parts of all US. So, it's actually a good strategic position. So,

it's also like a global hub basically. So, I'm quite excited about that. We're gonna do it in May. It's going to be bit too hot, but it doesn't matter because we're going to be inside. >> Yeah, I think I mean, yes, for sure. Uh, the Emirates are taking a dramatic uh role, you know, with financing and crypto specifically. >> Yeah. >> And I was pretty excited to hear that you're planning this for Abu Dhabi and not in Dubai, which is like, you know, the usual suspect. And I really think this is going to be the start of something truly incredible. >> Yeah, I mean, Dubai super excited for sure. And there's a lot of great events there already and a lot of also not so great events. I think there's a bit of everything there. So it's like why another event? And also we're bringing

into this license forum which which is our purely institutional event. So I think it goes better with Abu Dhabi basically. >> Yeah. I would say Dubai could maybe we could bring an EBC to Dubai but um I think it's the right choice. We'll wait. We'll wait. Yeah. Abu Dhabi is the right choice right now for sure. Uh last year you also initiated the first AI rush event uh and it's you know it's probably the most interesting time point in time for AI and AI innovation. Uh how do you see the difference between the AI crowd and the crypto crowd? Different uh and who do you like more?

Well, I'm biased. I mean I've been in crypto for so many years now. So the AI crowd I mean AI is like super super exciting but it's a different crowd. it it's I feel it's a bit like it's very tech and also quite corporate and I think crypto digital assets I think people are a little bit more alive I don't know if I want to say that you're calling it's a little bit more I don't know yeah more parties I mean and business for sure I mean this is it's all about that business and parties but um yeah it's it's different >> Oh yeah yeah yeah so um pretty exciting first half of the year uh is awaiting.

Uh anything else you would like to add about >> Well, last year plan. >> Last year, remember we talked about how it is to to work with your partner? Yes. You remember that? >> Yeah. Yeah, of course. I remember now. Now, now I'm again uh pregnant, so I'm waiting for a third baby. So, um yeah, that's more on the personal side. So, that's exciting, too. At some point, I'll have a little baby again around some of these events. >> Super exciting for joining us. It was a wonderful event. I want to personally thank him for, you know, what you have built here throughout the years and I'm really looking forward uh for what's coming up for 2026. I will definitely be there. You have to.

>> Thank you. Thank you so much.