The fourth annual International Tech Summit, which combines discussions about the latest breakthroughs in digital assets and blockchain technology on the island and worldwide with an educational and career element, is set to unfold in the second week of April.

Conference panels on April 11 at the Hamilton Princess will be followed by a community day on April 12 at the Ignite Bermuda incubator in Hamilton – and a virtual start-up pitch competition involving local and international organisations the day after that.

Panel topics include crypto, decentralised finance, banking digital assets, insurtech, and privacy and security. Panellists will include members of international groups as well as local stakeholders.

Featured companies from the international cohort will be 3iQ, a Canadian digital asset management firm, and Elliptic, a forensics software company that services groups such as the US government, FBI and regulatory agencies.

The day will conclude with Michael Casey, chief content officer at Coin Desk, in conversation with David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance.

Kerem Kolcuoglu is the managing partner at Penrose Partners, the consulting firm that is jointly presenting the summit with the Bermuda Innovation Technology Association and 3iQ.

Of the closing session, he said: “We want to lead into the next international event – Consensus in Austin, Texas – which I believe the Premier will also be attending.

“We are building a bridge by overlapping key speakers to drive Bermuda's digital asset narrative forward with the hopes of having our event be a way to keep Bermuda’s international business presence active in this industry.”

The community day will feature workshops, product demonstrations by summit sponsors, and a “speed dating” element in a career fair format.

It is designed to attract entrepreneurs, students, and professionals seeking to retool their skills and transition from a different industry into a career in the technology industry.

Mr Kolcuoglu said: “We don’t want this just to be people coming, talking, and leaving. That’s not the purpose of our event – it’s about those leaders staying on the island and showing that there is economic growth and job opportunities in the technology and innovation sector.”

He added: “We are planning a community day where there is an element of mentor matching if there are local entrepreneurs who aren't looking for a job, but are seeking guidance or support from other international entrepreneurs.

“We want that to be a platform where they can connect to have those discussions and build relationships.”

Registration for next month’s summit is open now.

International Tech Summit '23