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That’s according to John Wolpert, IBM’s Research Triangle Park-based Blockchain Offering Director, who says his IBM unit is trying to help startups across the globe use Blockchain to create an Internet unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Wolpert, who just moved here from San Francisco, has been at IBM since the mid-90s, starting three startups over the years, including Uber competitor FlyWheel.
"When I’m not starting a company I kind of like to work for IBM because it’s a great place to be an entrepreneur, oddly enough,” he says.
And he’s finding that opportunity in his role in RTP, where he says he’s trying to re-invent the Internet. As IBM makes its push in the Blockchain space, it’s a push coming specifically out of IBM’s Triangle operation, he says.
While IBM’s RTP headcount used to be known for PCs and servers, a shift in business strategy had Big Blue divesting those businesses in separate sales to Lenovo. That left space at the campus to innovate. And Blockchain is one of the technology areas putting IBM’s Triangle operation on the map.
“How would you like to never file your taxes again?” he says, adding that Blockchain has the potential to eliminate that – and more tasks. Blockchain, put simply, is a technology for transactions. “Everyone has control, but no one is in control … Your peer is an equal participant in the network.”
Made famous by Bitcoin, a distributed ledger makes it easy to track virtually anything of value – all without requiring a central point of control. And through open-source projects in conjunction with companies such as Red Hat, IBM is trying to make a dent in the space. But Wolpert says there’s real opportunity in entrepreneurs willing to tap into Blockchain.
“It’s really growing extremely fast, like a virus,” Wolpert says, adding that it represents a big opportunity for entrepreneurs trying to push new innovation. "You should all be rushing to the door starting a new block chain network startup."
As IBM tries to partner with every company starting a viral Blockchain-based business network, it’s doing so from RTP.
“And we do most of this work straight from Raleigh,” he told a crowd at the CED Tech Venture Conference on Tuesday. “So you are at ground central for whatever you want to call it, the next Internet.”
It’s not entirely unselfish. By offering free help to Blockchain-focused startups, he’s getting new ventures hooked on IBM early – possibly creating lifelong customers. And partners and collaborators – startups or otherwise – help to advance a technology he says is key to further innovation down the line.
Wolpert is one of several speakers at the CED Tech Venture Conference, happening Tuesday and Wednesday in downtown Raleigh.