Interview with Mike Raitsyn, founder of ICObox
Moontec conference in Estonia in December 2017 was a great chance for us to finally have a face-to-face meeting with the founder of the ICObox ( our new adviser Mike Raitsyn).
To make our meeting more productive, we have recorded a quick interview asking questions that bother us the most.
So, here they are:
1. Now, when everyone is mostly talking about tech solutions on the blockchain, we wonder: Is it a right time to conduct an ICO for a real economic sector and for a traveling market, in particular? Should we just wait until the market is ready or it is better to start now?
In general, I’m a big fan of crowdfunding initiatives. Therefore, I consider that any project that uses blockchain reasonably is doing a right thing. In fact, I see a huge potential for almost any sector, but especially for a traveling market. It is such a vast field, and without any questions, it is obvious that there are many actual problems which are possible to be solved with the blockchain application.
2. What do you think, why don’t giant brands conduct ICO and issue travel tokens?
Well, that is a question from a category “Why Airbnb don’t conduct an ICO?”. And the answer is very simple “Why would they need it?” They are massive, and they need to focus on the product they are selling. They cannot dissolve the focus on every new trend around. They wait until new startups succeed and implement great ideas to buy them.
So do you think we are moving in the right direction?
I think you have all the chances to prove that traveling market is ready for a blockchain.
3. How can we interest big brands to collaborate with us if we don’t have critical databases yet?
In fact, you can go to your target partners already and start communicating by saying:
— Guys, we can solve your problems using a blockchain technology. Did you ever hear of a blockchain?
Be sure they did, and they will be interested. Just talk to them. It is all that it takes. You need to explain how you will solve their pain and offer to try to cooperate. What if it works?
Do you think it’s important to show how big is the user database and the growth metrics?
They don’t care about your metrics. Partners are interested in cooperating with a strong team and strong technology.
4. Many projects currently offer one token for various markets. For example: “One coin for all! Get cashback in the fashion industry, spend in the tourism industry”. It sounds like “We’re going to conquer the world”. So what is more important , to focus on one sector or use one token for all?
Well, universal token exists and it’s called US Dollar :D
Thus, if there are various markets with different problems in it, I don’t see much need for questioning all the markets as a bunch. You see that each market has its own process of interaction with a user, and if some solution fits one sector, it doesn’t mean that it will work for another.
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