Building the University Blockchain Ecosystem

During the process of organizing and attending the inaugural Yale Blockchain Conference this April, we gained valuable insights into crypto regulation, emerging industry trends, and how to incite student engagement. But as leaders of the Yale Blockchain Club, we came away with one burning question: How could university groups like ours unite to share resources, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in this developing industry?

We started discussing this question casually during a conference debrief. But over several weeks, we articulated a bold vision for an entirely new event. We envisioned a thriving global network of blockchain enthusiasts, founders, mentors, and investors to support the student Web3 community. Our biggest goal was to empower students to learn, adopt and adapt this technology tool to drive meaningful change across industries. By July, after receiving an initial sponsorship from venture capital investor Tim Draper, we committed to organizing the inaugural Collaborative University Blockchain Ecosystem (CUBE) Summit.

The lead-up to the event was a whirlwind of last-minute scrambles, sleepless nights, adrenaline-fueled energy, and moments of euphoria. Our planning team was invaluable, yet it still demanded immense coordination, communication, and precision to manage the expectations of over 50 stakeholders. We had to secure funding from sponsors, effectively communicate our vision to gain buy-in from speakers, and lock in optimal venues for both the event and the after-party. Alongside these major tasks, we juggled countless finer details, including seating placements, catering logistics, and agenda planning. In the end, every challenge was worth it—the outcome surpassed all expectations.

On October 3, our vision came to life in the heart of Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood. Hosted at the stunning offices of the blockchain platform Solana, with panoramic views of New York City, the summit welcomed over 300 attendees, bringing together a vibrant community of students, alumni, industry experts, and investors united by the event’s theme: the intersection of AI and Blockchain. The day was filled with insightful discussions as top startup founders shared the stage with leading investors, exploring the critical challenges facing these two emerging technologies.

Attendees came from far and wide, including students from our co-initiating universities and other institutions such as Dartmouth, Emory, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Rice, and the University of Connecticut. With participants representing diverse regions, hoping to address different challenges through blockchain, the event underscored how different sectors work together to drive innovation in blockchain.

Looking back, it’s been gratifying to see that conversations didn’t end with the summit. University club leaders generated new initiatives and several companies expressed strong interest in supporting and growing this dynamic student community across multiple campuses. We’re truly grateful to our sponsors, speakers, and attendees, without whom the event would not have been successful.

As we reflect on our experience of organizing this summit, we realize how much our time at Yale SOM has prepared us for this work. The courses we’ve taken shaped our understanding of blockchain and prepared us to navigate the complexities of producing a large-scale event like the CUBE Summit. Professor Daylian Cain and Barry Nalebuff’s Negotiations course enabled us to devise win-win solutions with sponsors and partners. We also drew on the course Entrepreneurship in the Art Market, taught by Magnus Resch, when curating a unique conference experience. Strategies developed by art gallerists helped us design an organic event flow, facilitate personal interactions, and craft an inviting atmosphere to ensure attendees felt part of something truly special.

We’re excited to bring the valuable insights gained during the summit back to SOM and foster meaningful collaboration across the university. As we plan the second annual Yale Blockchain Conference, our goal is to connect and integrate Yale’s diverse student bodies to approach blockchain technology from a holistic perspective. By curating panels with thought leaders from a range of industries, we aim to explore new applications for blockchain and inspire interdisciplinary solutions.

Innovation knows no boundaries, and by uniting Yale’s different schools, we hope to unlock groundbreaking ideas and expand the potential of this transformative technology. Together, we’ll keep learning, building, and shaping the future of blockchain.

We’re currently inviting input as we begin planning the second annual Yale Blockchain Conference. If you have ideas, please register your interest.