THE JOURNAL JUNE 2022
BUSINESS // TRAVEL // POLITICS // CULTURE // LIFE PRODUCED BY
ALEA GLOBAL GROUP
Contents FOREWORD ESPORTS: THE VIRTUAL GAMING PHENOMENON THAT MAKES VERY REAL MONEY
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SIMU LIU: STORY OF A SUPERHERO
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EUROVISION: MAKING THE POLITICAL CULTURAL
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COLOMBIAN CUISINE SUCCESS IN THE U.S
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INTRODUCING DEAN BRETTSCHNEIDER
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THE FUTURE OF THE CAR
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THE BIGGEST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AROUND THE WORLD
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DEMOCRACY V OLIGARCHY: A TENSION DOMINATING OUR TIMES
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COULD HUMAN WASTE SOON BE OUR GREATEST ASSET?
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JUSTDIGGIT: COOLING THE CLIMATE THE TRADITIONAL WAY
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INTRODUCING BRADFORD: UK CITY OF CULTURE 2025
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COPENHAGEN
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WELCOME
JUNE 2022
The alea journal FOREWORD BY MOHAMMAD AL DUAIJ CEO OF ALEA GLOBAL GROUP Welome to another issue of The Alea Journal, packed once again with inspiring stories of people pushing the boundries of technology, entertainment, philanthropy and more. This month we focus on esports and how this once fringe pastime has grown into a mighty industry that challenges traditional sport and video gaming while combining the best of both. This blending together of the real and the digital is a growing trend in our lives, as technology becomes more sophisticated and changes every element of our existence. We investigate the future of the car and how we can expect its use and functionality to develop over the coming years with the added implementation of software, among other things. We also take a look at the continued prevalance of social media and who is winning the battle for online attention in 2022. More analogue ways of changing the world are breaking new ground too. The work of Justdiggit is combining old methods of regreening with a modern marketing approach to cool the climate through organic means. Meanwhile we have a whole new approach to human waste which could see a revolution in energy production as we learn how to transform our problem product into power. This exciting spread of business and tech news sits alongside entertainment pieces in which we explore the career of actor Simu Liu, and the tale of Eurovision and its geopolitical edge.
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We also profile the achievements of TV baker and entrepreneur Dean Brettschneider. In foodie news closer to home, our Colombian restaurant partners Elcielo have made big waves in the USA. Ihope you enjoy reading this latest issue and learning about the wide variety of business, lifestyle, travel and more, as much as we enjoy researching and covering it all. If you have ideas for future issues or news of your own to add, don't hesitate to get in touch. In the meantime, we hope you see you at one or more of our forthcoming events. As ever you can contact me at info@aleaglobalgroup.com
Esports: the virtual gaming phenomenon that makes very real money
What is esports?
Watching esports
Esports has grown from a fringe passtime to a multi-billion dollar industry seemingly overnight.
The video streaming platform, Twitch, is the home of gaming and esports content and was launched specifically for this purpose.
Taking the fun of video gaming, the connectivity of the internet, and the competitiveness of professional sports, esports has found a winning combination that has truly exploded in popularity.
By 2015 it had already clocked up 100 million monthly users tuning in to see others play games competitively. The number of users in 2021 hit 140 million per month.
More than just gaming
Lockdowns, of course, helped to fuel the rise of this industry, as people stuck at home sought outlets for their boredom and need for human connection.
Underpinning the success of esports is the social and communal element, which allows audiences to chat with, follow and buy merchandise from their favorite gamers, turning some into global stars for their prowess and online personalities.
But even prior to 2020 the evidence of its mass appeal could be seen.
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There are various genres of esports games, some mirroring traditional competitive sport, but also one-on-one fighting, first-person shooters, and multiplayer battle or strategy games. Whether playing or watching, esports fans can explore to find a genre they like, and follow or compete with the best in that field.
edge between the virtual and physical worlds through brand partnerships. For example, players of Rocket League can drive the Lamborghini Huracán as part of the game, in a brand partnership which also sees the car manufacturer sponsoring multiple esports events with prizes of up to $5k. Meanwhile, fashion giant Gucci has collaborated with esports organization Fnatic to create a real-world limited edition watch inspired by one of Fnatic’s teams – League of Legends.
Real-world crossover Another way in which the sector is generating new financial opportunities is by blurring the
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watches will be sold by Gucci for $1620 apiece and will feature crossover elements including the Fnatic logo and colorway. In addition, Gucci has developed a mobile game for Fnatic’s gaming app.
Professional esports teams have come into existence to compete against each other, recruiting new gamers and selling themselves collectively as their own brands with their own identities.
Esports growth
Sponsorships, tournaments and franchising – just as in the real sporting world – exists in the world of esports, and there is massive money to be made.
As for esports, the US alone will see an estimated 30 million users per month this year, a rise of 11.5% since 2021.
For example, esports team TSM was valued at $410 million in 2020, with an estimated revenue of $45 million.
Although partly fueled by the pandemic, it’s not all online-only. Live events featuring individuals and teams competing against each other in front of in-person audiences.
Esports in general is expected to turn over $1.8 billion in revenue in 2022 through a combination of ticket sales, advertising, sponsorships, merchandise and in-game purchases.
The APAC region is the largest esports market, accounting for 57% of the global industry, and this is closely followed by North America and Europe. Esports infiltration into popular culture has been helped by the success of games like Fortnite, a seemingly inescapable title that even permeated the consciousness of those who don’t play games.
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Seeing this potential for growth early on, investment from private equity and venture capital grew from $490 million in 2017 to $4.5 billion in 2018, showing massive growth even pre-pandemic.
Simu Liu: story of a superhero Actor Simu Liu has hit entertainment headlines recently for his involvement in the upcoming Barbie movie, in which he will star alongside Hollywood A-lister Margot Robbie. While Liu’s role in the movie hasn’t yet been disclosed (rumors abound that he will be playing Barbie’s boyfriend Ken), he has been talking about the painful full-body waxing he’s had to undergo to star in a film full of smooth and hairless dolls. But that’s not the most attention-grabbing headline that could be written about Simu Liu’s career in TV and film.
So how did this incredible journey begin? Born in China in 1989 to a Chinese mother and an Indian father, Liu came to Ontario, Canada, at the age of five. His academic career led to his studying business administration. He graduated in 2011, and began working as an accountant at Deloitte, but was laid off in 2012.
What’s much more interesting and remarkable is that, until 2012, he was working as an accountant.
Deloitte’s loss was the world’s gain, however, as Liu began looking around for career options he would find much more fulfilling.
Within the space of ten years, he has gone from having zero acting roles to becoming a star of TV and cinema, as well as being the first Asian actor to lead a movie in the legendary Marvel series, and has been named as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2022.
Having already experienced working as a shirtless greeter for Abercombie and Fitch, and doing stints as superheroes at kids’ birthday parties, he now ventured into a role along not-too-dissimilar lines as a stuntman and extra in TV, clocking up stints
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in music videos for artists such as Fallout Boy and Avicii. His first recurring role on TV was from 2015-2018 in crime drama ‘Blood and Water’, for which he received industry awards in Canada. A main character performance also came in 2015, when he was cast as Jung Kim in the sitcom ‘Kim’s Convenience’. The story of a Korean-Canadian family running a convience story a in Toronto rocketed Liu to fame, turning him into a recognisable face and opening up new opportunities for this rapidly rising talent. Once the series hit Netflix and was available all over the world, Simu's star quality became an international phenomenon. By 2019, Liu had been cast in his first starring role in a Hollywood movie, playing Shang-Chi in Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. Not only was this role a huge boost for the actor personally, but also an important development for representation, as he was he first Asian to play a main character in a Marvel movie. This groundbreaking chievement was honored at the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards with a win in the ‘Game Changer’ category. This year, Simu Liu became an ambassador for UNICEF Canada, who are working to help children in need both in Canada and around the world. His inspiring story will also no doubt encourage many children and young people to take a chance and pursue their dreams.
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Eurovision: making the political cultural
The Eurovision Song Contest is a global fixture in the cultural calendar.
So what was going on at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021? In a word: Brexit.
Not only restricted to Europe, its popularity is such that Australia is now among the countries permitted to enter a song each year, and even America has taken inspiration from it with the newly founded American Song Contest.
The political stink surrounding Brexit undoubtedly affected the way that judges from other European countries voted in the competition, and led to Newman’s ultimate defeat.
But this is not merely a competition pitting song against song, and performance against performance.
On the plus side, Newman and his team took the loss well, celebrating the night in a way that showed an understanding that the result was a critique not of his work but of the political context in which it was presented.
While judges and audiences from individual countries should, in theory, place their votes on the entries they like the best, there is a long history of politics which makes its way into the voting each year and can have a huge influence on the results. Some notable examples include Britain – one of the ‘Big Five’ countries which makes it to the final every year due to being a consistent funder of the competition – suffering a ‘nul points’ result at the competition last year. The UK’s entry was written and performed by James Newman, an accomplished songwriter whose previous work includes songs for Calvin Harris and Toni Braxton among others, scoring a number one single in the UK and also winning an award for British Single of the Year.
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It’s not only unfriendly relationships which play out in the voting at Eurovision, but also friendly ones. Countries cannot vote for their own entries, but another phenomenon which regularly occurs is countries who are neighbors and have good relationships voting for each other, regardless of the song or performance each one offers. This is not necessarily political, but can also be seen as cultural. Denmark, Sweden and Norway, for example, often give each other particularly high scores.
Interestingly, Russia has arguably benefited from such block voting in the past, with neighboring countries offering big points to Russian entries.
Whether Ukraine will be in a position to host the competition next year remains to be seen, with the event requiring a year of planning, and the country still in political and military turmoil.
This year, however, Russia was banned from the competition amidst the huge controversy around conflict in Ukraine.
But at the end of the day, perhaps one thing to be said about Eurovision is that it tends not to bring out nationalism among its most devoted fans.
Ukraine’s entry, however, was predicted to score very highly amidst that same controversy, with sentiment for the country running high around Europe.
Instead, competitions see dedicated viewers rooting for their favorite song and performance above all else, and wearing flags from all over the continent.
This prediction turned out to be accurate, with Ukraine winning by a large margin thanks to the public vote, which saw it push the UK’s stunningly popular entry into second place.
In that respect, when Eurovision is at its best, it remains a cultural force for understanding and unity.
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colombian cuisine success in the u.s
This month at Alea Global Group we are celebrating the huge success of our partners Elcielo Group.
On top of this exciting news, the restaurant also hosted a visit from the President of Colombia himself, Ivan Duque, who visited America to mark 200 years of the friendship between the two countries.
Their restaurant team in Washington DC was recently given the coveted job of providing the food for the Michelin Guide gala in the city.
We were honored to meet with the President, and at the same time to progress our work and future plans to bring Elcielo’s beautiful Colombian cuisine to new parts of the world.
This is the first time Colombian food has been served at the prestigious event since 1904, and it was a great reminder to all who attended that the Michelin-starred restaurant deserves every accolade they receive.
Find out more about Elcielo at elcielorestaurant.com
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Introducing Dean Brettschneider Baker Dean Brettschneider has risen through the ranks of the baking world to become an entrepreneurial star, in an industry that doesn’t typically see its representatives become quite so well known. The professional baker and patissier is now an award-winning author, TV show judge, and the founder of a business that both sells his products and trains others to follow in his footsteps when it comes to baking excellence. Dean’s business, Baker & Cook, is an artisan bakery chain, and he also owns Plank Sourdough Pizza based in Singapore while working on future plans to expand to London. It’s an unexpected journey around the world for a baker from New Zealand. Dean’s grandmother was responsible for his initial interest in baking. She loved to bake scones, and as a small child Dean would help her each weekend while he stayed with her. He also lived with her for several months in his teens while on his baking apprenticeship, taking his interests to the next level. The apprenticeship at Rangiora Bakery was tough, with 16-hour days devoted to learning his craft to a professional level, but Dean was determined. Determined enough that he went on to win New Zealand Apprentice of the Year in 1988. Dean then went on to join industrial bakery Earnest Adams as a Test Baker, before moving to Goodman Fielder as a National Technical Support Manager in 1996, and then to Windsor Cakes. His first book, The New Zealand Baker, was published in 1995, and with it he won the Golden Ladle Award at the World Food Media Awards – no mean feat for a first book.
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His next move was to BakeMark as a Technical Account Manager in 2003, followed by establishing Baker & Spice as a public-facing bakery brand for Waga’s restaurant outlets.
The establishment of bakery and foodstore Baker & Cook followed shortly after
The brand took off and became a well-known cafe chain, Dean clearly had the golden touch.
Brettschneider’s Baking & Cooking School was launched in 2016 to train new professionals and ensure other young enthusiasts are as inspired by Dean as Dean was by his grandmother all those years ago.
in Singapore in 2012, and Plank Sourdough Pizza opened there in 2015.
2011 saw Dean break into TV for the first time with New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker – a move that would begin a career in the media.
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Find out more about Dean and his work at globalbaker.com
The future of
the car
Build
With advancements in motoring technology meeting new green energy and lifestyle objectives, what will the car of the future look like, and who will use it?
Making cars as light as possible has always been a manufacturing goal, because the lighter a car is, the less fuel is needed to move it.
Here we break down some ideas about how the car will develop in the short and longer term, and how some of those changes can be seen right now.
The rise of electric vehicles has accelerated the development of lighter cars too, because their batteries can weigh up to 300kg. If the battery weight is non-negotiable, that leaves the rest of the car to be engineered for maximum strength at minimum weight.
Power It’s no surprise that electric vehicle production and purchase is rapidly on the rise. Even with electric cars, however, there is work to be done on the power source.
Swapping out heavier materials like steel for carbon fiber magnesium, and aluminum can reduce the weight of a car by up to half.
From reducing the high cost of the batteries to extending their life and energy density, and ensuring their safety while doing so, research continues into ways to make electric vehicles a preferable choice across every category.
Software
Solid-state lithium batteries are cheaper, safer and perform better than the batteries currently in use, and will likely be the future of electric vehicles once this technology has reached a suitable level of cost, safety and efficiency.
However, with the advent of electric vehicles has come a new area of expertise in car manufacturing, and that’s the software.
The physical build of the car is of course extremely important, and there are manufacturers with a long history in this area.
Drivers in the future are just as likely – if not more likely – to want to know that the car’s software is top spec. This opens the door for software companies to begin designing cars, just as much as it opens car manufacturers to develop software.
Also on the table are lithium air batteries, which promise numerous benefits including a lesser environmental impact.
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The future melding of these two formerly separate industries will be an interesting thing to watch.
Security One big problem for electric vehicles is their ability to be hacked. Traditionally breaking into a car was a manual job, but now it can be done by hacking wifi or cloning electronic keys. And it’s not only having a car stolen that is a concern, with the potential for taking control of electric vehicles also a possible threat. However, car manufacturers are working to solve this problem and are introducing new security features that will, within just a couple of years, make this threat much less of a concern. A standardization of security across the sector, and legislation to protect consumers, will also help to push these developments.
Ownership The old model of buying a car outright, or even on finance, is rapidly going out of the window. For the generations who have grown up with the idea of ongoing subscriptions rather than ownership, the same model can be seen on the horizon for cars. Volvo, Jaguar and Mercedes are among the car manufacturers who have recently launched a subscription service for their vehicles through which customers pay a monthly fee covering all aspects and costs associated with car ownership. If the car needs to be replaced, this can also be covered by the subscription, until such time as a car may not be needed anymore. This works well for those who can’t afford to front up the money for the purchase of a car and promises major disruption to the traditional showroom purchase. There may also, of course, be a total reduction in the number of people opting to use a car at all, as green strategies across the world make public transport and bikes a better way to get around, as well as increasing pedestrianization in cities.
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The biggest social media platforms around the world
With a huge 4.6 billion people (or more than half the world’s population) now using social media in some form, for an average of two and a half hours each day, it’s difficult to dismiss it as a way to reach new customers or simply to gather information on public opinion. The latest report by Hootsuite estimates that more than 424 million social media users (or 10% of the current total users) signed up in the last 12 months,
different platforms each. Social media use is also split fairly equally among men and women (female users accounting for 46.1% of the total to male users at 53.9%). But all social media platforms are not equal, with many having very distinct demographics, locations and functions. Here’s a breakdown of the current top 10 most used social media platforms:
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6. Snapchat
9. LinkedIn
A more established messaging and story-sharing platform, Snapchat is another platform used primarily by younger audiences. It currently has a user database of 538 million, and is worth $1.06 billion.
This business-focused platform is a place for users to create profiles related specifically for their work, and to network with other professionals. It has 250 million users and is currently worth $12.4 billion.
7. Pinterest
Anyone creating a collection of images from around the internet will find Pinterest a vital tool, whether that’s professional creatives making mood boards or individuals trying to find their ideal house or hair inspiration. The platform has 444 million users, along with a value of $575 million. 8. Reddit
A platform in the style of a message board, Reddit users create public discussions with longform content, organized into different broad and also more specific topics. It has 430 million users and a value of $289.9 million.
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10. Twitter
For such a well-established platform, Twitter surprisingly only comes in at number 10, with 217 million users. The platform is a place for sharing shortform content, usually text only, and can be a place which sparks argument among strangers more than any other platform. This may account for its lesser appeal among those using social media for feelgood entertainment or conversation among friends.
1. Facebook
Despite being one of the oldest platforms in a fast-paced tech world, Facebook is still number one when it comes to sheer numbers. With 2.9 billion users worldwide, generating a value of $85.96 billion, Facebook’s legacy status as the original social media platform is bolstered by its current status as the most lucrative and powerful. 2. YouTube
You may not think of YouTube as a social media platform, but with its user-generated content, and ability to add and message other users, YouTube ticks some of the main boxes that make social media what it is. There are currently 2.2 billion YouTube users, generating $28.8 billion of value. 3. WhatsApp
Another social media platform you may not think of as such, but WhatsApp users can broadcast content, update statuses and create communities, all within what may seem like just a messaging service. It has two billion users right now, and between them they are worth $5.5 billion..
4. Instagram
Also with two billion users is the photo-sharing platform Instagram, which comes in below WhatsApp purely for its lower value of $24 billion. This may be surprising to those familiar with the platform, which – unlike WhatsApp – allows the running of ads.
5. TikTok
Surprisingly for a platform that hits headlines regularly for its viral youth and celebrity content, TikTok only comes in at number five. This is because, due to its relative newness, it currently only has one billion users so far. Nonetheless, it’s worth an impressive $11 billion right now.
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Democracy v Oligarchy: A tension dominating our times If 2020 and 2021 were largely defined by a focus on matters of health and freedom, 2022 is rapidly becoming defined by background matters of governance. Specifically, who holds the power in various important elements of our world, and why. It is becoming more and more apparent that, even in regions of the world where democracy is officially the ruling principle, there is something and someone else underpinning many of the decisions and changes that influence the lives of ordinary people everywhere. Now more than ever we are able to observe that those with more money than others, with more power in the world of business in particular, are leading on decisions that affect citizens with no such power or wealth. This may come in the form of shaping our media and social media platforms, forming unelected groups to decide how to solve global problems, or applying pressure on governments in unofficial capacities. Whether this influence is in the spheres of social media, health, politics or any other element of life that touches us all, those who have the massive resources that allow them to buy such influence are the loudest voices by far even in socalled democracies. And the wealth gap that allows this to happen is only becoming larger and giving even more power to this
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elite few. 76% of the wealth in the world is now owned by just 10% of the richest people, with the billionaires of the world growing by more than $5.5 trillion over the course of the pandemic. Since March 2020, the ten richest men on earth have doubled their collective wealth. The poorest half of the planet, in contrast, takes just 8% of global income. We can see how this wealth gap plays out on the world stage every day, as these super rich yet unaccountable decision-makers push their visions for change on the voting masses. When such decisions are made by those with undue power and influence, this can become something of a crusade in which the rich and powerful seek to shape the world according to their own grand visions, while being disconnected in the extreme from the daily lives of the people those decisions affect the most. It is a dangerous combination and the path to a dark place. As family offices bridging the gap between global business and the communities in which we have lived and worked often for generations, it is our unique opportunity to ensure that this imbalance of wealth does not equate to an imbalance of decision-making and power among the citizens of our own regions however we can.
THE NEXT BIG THING THE 'UNICORN HUNTERS' ARE AFTER IS CRYPTO Executive producer Moe Vela explains to Business of Business why the reality show launched Unicoin.
Business of Business: I was really interested to see you had been a former adviser to Joe Biden. What did you do in that capacity? And what did it have to do with crypto? MV: That was my second White House tenure. I have the honor and the privilege of having served twice in the White House. I was also CFO and senior adviser to Vice President [Al] Gore for five years, and came back to be the director of management and administration to then-Vice President Joe Biden. And it was also his senior adviser on several policy matters. Crypto wasn't really on the radar screen. back then. So no, I was not advising on crypto. But of course, fintech and other related topics certainly were in our portfolio. What kinds of things were you most interested in keeping them abreast of in terms of ongoing financial issues? First of all, when, when we first took over, we were in a recession. And so I think almost all of our finance concerns revolved around the Recovery Act. In fact, it was housed literally across the hall from my office. So I worked very closely with their team and all of our senior team. So I think all of our finance related issues, frankly, were to focus on getting us out of the recession, and the proper implementation, and the infrastructure and the operational infrastructure necessary to implement the Recovery Act that President Obama had asked Vice President Biden to spearhead. Okay, so what is your understanding of crypto, and where does that come from?
My understanding of crypto comes from the fact that I have co-created a new cryptocurrency and launched it. And, of course, I'm executive producer and co star of our business reality show called Unicorn Hunters, which has multiple millions of viewers around the world. So I've been involved in the investment and finance space for over a decade now since I left the White House in various capacities, and in various roles, sometimes peripherally. So we launched our own crypto. One thing you learn in law school is how to research and learn and get up to speed. So I've been doing that for the last couple of years, a few years on crypto. And so that's where my experience comes in now as a cocreator of a new cryptocurrency that we believe is going to be popular. We’re excited about what we brought to the marketplace. Frankly, when we launched Unicoin, our cryptocurrency, we felt very, very proud to be launching and introducing the next generation of crypto. I call everything we've seen so far traditional crypto, the Bitcoins, the Ethereums and the Solanas, even some of the stablecoins and Dogecoins and so forth. Or doggy coins, whatever. To me, those are traditional cryptos. We saw some vulnerabilities, not some, lots of vulnerabilities. We were seeing tremendous volatility and traditional crypto. So we're really proud that we took the best of traditional investing and what we believe to be some of the best attributes and traits of crypto and brought it together with Unicoin. One of the issues you seem to be raising is that Bitcoin in particular (the most well-known cryptocurrency) is not an optimal investment option, or safe option. Why, in your mind, is that not safe? A couple things first, just because somebody knows about
something doesn't make it wiser or smart or safe. Does it have the greatest brand recognition? Absolutely. It was the shiny new object and people gravitated toward it. Let’s be clear here. Only 18% of Americans so far, you know, are estimated to trade crypto. So it's not, you know, it's not like every American is trading and exchanging crypto yet. We anticipate hopefully, that as we're giving them more viable options with mitigated risks that you will see that number go up. We believe it will. We're banking on it going up. So just because Bitcoin is a strong brand name, that doesn't make it less volatile, or more stable. We clearly have seen that not to be true, right? It’s dropped in value by over 50% In the last year. And I'm not picking on Bitcoin. I just think the traditional crypto, including Bitcoin, is extremely volatile. What attracted people to the traditional crypto was the anonymity, the decentralization. And, unfortunately, they're all having a rude awakening. Those very things that were its original allure are now its Achilles heel. Right? So this decentralization and anonymity are what I believe are causing people to be very nervous and sell off in record numbers. But I don't think that people have been asking me lately, do you think crypto is dead? Of course not. Crypto is not dead. I think crypto is a very important part of our future. My argument and my stance is that our coin, Unicoin, is an example of what crypto will look like in the future, which is a hybrid model of sorts with mitigated risks, and some semblance of centralization and operational infrastructure using the blockchain technology that is at the heart of crypto.In my opinion, the sell off you're seeing is because people are realizing, again, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but when you buy a Bitcoin or Ethereum or Solana or whatever, you’re trading air. There's nothing behind it. I've often said that, in many ways, the traditional crypto so far is somewhat fantastical.
Well, OK, so yes, crypto including Bitcoin is very volatile and there are pluses and minuses for that. What would be a plus of volatility? You have a chance to, you know, reap huge rewards potentially if you buy low and are able to somewhat manage to sell high, which is obviously very difficult to predict. That would be with any investment. True. But if it’s more volatile, there’s like more opportunities for people who are focused on the short-term. But there would be more risk. Well, yes, there is no reward without risk. Anyway, what makes Unicoin different is we will be assetbacked. So we will be in the near future. When you buy a Unicoin, you are literally buying a stake in a global innovation fund we are creating. That fund will be taking an equity stake in emerging growth companies around the world, some which appear on our show Unicorn Hunters. [Others will be] pre-IPO emerging growth companies with technological and innovative solutions to challenges around the world through various industries and sectors. You said it perfectly: Every investment has risk. What I think we’re seeing from the sell offs is that investors, because of the economy, because of inflation, because there are many projecting and predicting a recession, I think investors are rethinking the level of risk they're willing to engage in.
I think that's what we're seeing here. So we're going to give them a mitigated risk."What I think we’re seeing from the sell offs is... I think investors are rethinking the level of risk they're willing to engage in." Again, nothing is risk free. You said it perfectly. There's no reward without risk, right. But I think when you're facing inflationary environments, like we are now, and we don’t know who owns these traditional cryptos. We don't know whether Vladimir Putin owns Bitcoin. We're not going to play that game at Unicoin. We want some stability. I jokingly said the other day, but I kinda like it: We'd like to bring “stable” back into “stablecoin.” So stablecoins, what have been going on with those? Why has that been not so stable lately, in your view? Again, I think it's the economic environment we're facing. Some of those, again, are not asset backed. Some of those are backed by I guess, gold? There are different ways that they’re backed, and I just look, I think it would take a triple Harvard educated PhD, psychologist-backslash-economist combo to truly understand what’s in the psyche. And what motivates these types of sell offs. So that’s not me, right? I don’t have a joint economic and psychology degree. I guess what my opinion would be is just what I said already. I’ll repeat it. I believe that investors are nervous right now. There’s unpredictability about whether we’re headed into a recession or not. Inflation is at record highs, right? Rates are going up. You can see in the daily results of Wall Street. You see small increases and then the next day you see a decrease. There’s a lot of rollercoastering going on. Sorry, I'm changing topics slightly. You must have
thoughts on regulation. And that's certainly a hot topic in crypto. I have a lot of thoughts. Regulation is a very interesting topic. I was somewhat disappointed to see many in the crypto space react so negatively and nervously when President Biden issued his executive order. I thought that, you know, the president did an excellent thing by issuing his executive order, and recognizing the role crypto is going to play in our country’s future. I thought that was an acknowledgement from the administration that crypto was here to stay. I thought it was a smart move to instruct his government, our government to start to figure out which agency has what purview. What oversight, which agencies need to begin to assess what regulations might be necessary. So I am one of those in the crypto world that does not fear regulation. We don't fear regulation at Unicoin. I don't think anybody should fear regulation. Now, that said, let me be clear, I have said this over and over again, about regulation. Regulation can be healthy, when it's used to encourage, to inspire, and to motivate innovation. But the minute it becomes stifling, it's wrong and it's bad. If it ever comes to the point where regulation becomes prohibitive in the sense that it's keeping people from being able to improve their position in life, then in my opinion, that's bad regulation, or over regulation. We cannot go there. And so I would highly encourage the Biden administration to be careful to find a healthy balance, I believe regulation has to be healthily balanced. And I will be the first one to criticize them or anybody else. We’ve seen historically, in our country, regulation becomes bad when these agencies think that they're “protecting” somebody, when in essence, they are keeping them
uninvolved. And I don't support that. The only way you're gonna have economic parity in this nation, the only way we're going to create a democratization of access to wealth creation, is by informing and educating and encouraging, inspiring and motivating people, not intimidating them through regulation. So you can say, I'm protecting somebody through this regulation. But in essence, you're keeping them uninformed. I don't buy into that. I do not support that. And I hope to God, they don't go there with crypto regulations. Okay. Can I ask something about Unicorn Hunters, then? What do you think about tech right now? Does it seem like we’re at a position where there’s some hot air coming out of the VC market? I’m going to stay positive on this. One of the many reasons I am so proud that I co-created Unicorn Hunters, and that I have the privilege of executive producing and co-starring in, is because if you go back and you look at all of the companies that come on our show, they are all about solutions to challenges facing humanity.
Whether it be in healthcare, whether it be in financial tech and fintech, whether it be in energy, whether it be to fight climate change, and to save our planet, the list goes on and on. So to me, I feel blessed that I get to be on a show that sees technology being used in a way to address the world's challenges. I'm not going to comment on what venture capital is focusing on. I hope that they continue to support companies like the ones on our show. We're about to shoot the next round of shows in early June and I And, the companies that will be appearing are going to make a difference in the world using technology. So hopefully the VC world will rally and be encouraging entrepreneurs to use technology in a way that makes the world a better place for everyone.
Christie Smythe Editor in Chief Thinknum's The Business of Business.
could human waste soon be Our greatest asset?
The movement to turn human waste into energy is in full flow, and – if perfected and upscaled – could be a game-changer when it comes to renewable resources.
Developing countries require 60% of the world’s energy, but are under resourced in this regard and have no energy independence with which to supply their population’s needs Researchers at the University of Johannesburg cite Nigeria as an example, with an energy production rate which falls 80% below what is needed Working in much the same way as the production of biogas from food waste, using human waste for power has one key difference: the waste must be treated first to remove ammonia and nitrogen. Combining the waste with powdered chicken feathers appears to solve this problem according to researchers
Research has been taking place into the potential for biogas, produced by human waste, to create energy independence. Here’s everything you need to know about how this process is developing and where it could lead. Globally we produce 290 billion kg of solid human waste each year This waste is a particular problem in parts of the world with poor sanitation, where it can spread disease Biogas produced by the breakdown of human waste can be harnessed and turned into energy, using the 45% leftover once water content is removed This remaining waste is valued by the UN as having a potential value of almost $10 billion If properly collected and processed, the waste produced by the total 1 billion of the world population without proper sanitation could power up to 18 million households
Research continues, with prototype projects underway around the world and – if successfully implemented on a large scale – this plentiful form of energy could be the key to leveling up developing nations, reducing pollution, solving the energy crisis, reducing energy costs, and ultimately changing the world.
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Justdiggit: cooling the climate the traditional way
Charity organization Justdiggit is on a mission to combat the effects of global warming in Africa, not by pinning our hopes on some new technological development of the future, but by getting their hands dirty – quite literally.
around the world, Justdiggit are showing just how effective a good communication and collaboration strategy can be.
To date Justdiggit is restoring 60,000 hectares, turning dry land into a fertile resource for local Advocating for nature-based solutions to climate people and the planet at large. They have also change, Justdiggit’s mission is based on research by brought back more than nine million trees in just The Nature Conservancy which concludes that 37% of four years through Farmer Managed Natural the problem could be tackled with an entirely Regeneration (or FMNR). organic approach. Using tried-and-tested ‘regreening’ methods, the Justdiggit team are cooling the climate by making it easier for new vegetation to grow in certain areas of Africa. The theory goes that Sustainable Land Management such as encouraging the growth of new crops on otherwise dry land can ultimately help to cool down the planet. Not only this, but regreening land also provides new resources for farmers, new water sources, and education opportunities for those who participate in the efforts in whatever way they can. The regreening of Africa is no small feat to undertake, but Justdiggit are well prepared for the challenge. Through on-the-ground activity with communities in Africa plus an education and communication offensive to remote communities
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Rainwater harvesting is a hugely important part of the regreening process, since water is essential for the growth of new plants. By digging bunds (semi-circular pits) into the ground to capture rainwater, Justdiggit’s methods create what they like to call ‘earth smiles’ where new biodiversity flourishes on what would otherwise be barren soil. Justdiggit also has eight grass seed banks, with grass harvested, grown and sold by programme participants. These banks form an oasis of green where they’re planted, creating hay and more seeds for future use. Areas in which Justdiggit operates with their regreening activities include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia. At the same time, the charity has been campaigning tirelessly in the
Most noteworthy of all, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a patron and represented the charity across the world.
Netherlands since 2013 to raise awareness about the work they’re doing. Ambassadors for Justdiggit are impressive and varied, including Dutch presenters Amara Onwuka, Tess Milne, Harm Edens, Floortje Dessing, Mark van der Molen and Rámon Verkoeijen; Dutch astronaut André Kuipers; celebrity chef Jonathan Karpathios; East African artist Ben Pol; MMA fighter Simon Biyong; German hip hop artist Thomas D; Kenyan inger-songwriter Judith Nyambura Mwangi a.k.a. Avril; Tanzanian comedian Jaymondy; and Canadian model Philippe LeBlond a.k.a. The Van Man.
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No matter where you live, there are opportunities for individuals and businesses alike to support Justdiggit. Businesses can count support towards the charity among their sustainability activities, fulfilling SDG goals and ESG strategies, while individuals and groups can start their own ‘bundraisers’ (like fundraisers) raising money for work on even more bunds to help regreen Africa. To find out more and get involved, visit justdiggit.org
introducing bradford: uk city of culture 2025
With many of its beautifully preserved Victorian buildings empty, its relative poverty compared with neighbouring Leeds, and its diverse and complex demographic, the Yorkshire city of Bradford has struggled to find its feet economically since the wool trade boom faded.
Art and culture should be accessible to everyone and this prestigious title will help Bradford deliver unforgettable events for communities on their doorstep... Coventry has shown us how powerful the UK City of Culture title is at boosting investment, attracting visitors and leaving a lasting legacy for local people.”
This once economically rich city known as the 'wool capital of the world' has seen a lack of investment over several decades, combined with a growing national reputation for being somewhat edgy and unmanageable.
Bradford district’s year of culture is set to deliver more than 1,000 new performances and events including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals and major national and international collaborations. Its themes will be rooted in the unique heritage and character of Bradford and will reveal the magic of the district that is held in its people, its ambition, and above all, its potential.
However, the lack of investment in the city has not led to a dearth of cultural activity. On the contrary, the DIY ethic of the cultural scene across the Bradford district has flourished, seeing spoken word, theatre, dance, film, visual art and more being pursued for passion rather than profit. Meanwhile its stunning landscapes and international links have continued to make it a fascinating place to live.
A City of Culture designation brings considerable long-term benefits including increased employment, new investment, enhanced skills, renewed pride, greater cultural capacity and more opportunities to participate in arts and cultural activities.
And now, at last, Bradford's formerly underground cultural wealth has been brought into the light and recognised in the most extraordinary way possible: Bradford has been crowned the UK City of Culture 2025, following on from Coventry's reign in 2021.
What this means for the city and its residents cannot be explained meaningfully enough to anyone who hasn't lived there. Residents' frustration that the rest of the UK has, until now, failed to see the beauty and potential of the district has been a common complaint for many decades. This seemed unlikely to change, with the city carrying the feeling of constantly missing out on the kind of investment that could change potential into real transformation.
The announcement of the winner is the culmination of a three-year long campaign for the Bradford district which announced its intention to bid for UK City of Culture status in the summer of 2019.
It is estimated that the UK City of Culture 2025 title could bring an extra £700m into Bradford district, creating 3,000 jobs and attracting around 1.1m visitors by 2030.
In a live TV broadcast on 31st May, Secretary of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Nadine Dorries announced: “Congratulations to Bradford, which is a worthy winner of UK City of Culture 2025.
To find out more about Bradford's plans, visit bradford2025.co.uk
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Copenhagan welcome to The capital of the happiest country in the worlD
Denmark might not always grab the number one spot when it comes to the official list of the world's happiest countries, but it's consistently up there. A single trip to the capital city, Copenhagen, will leave you in no doubt as to why. Here are our top picks of things to do in the city
Copenhagan's canals
The city is built on two islands surrounded by canals. Whether walking, cycling or taking a boat tour, you simply must explore the clean and picturesque waterways. Tivoli Gardens
This historic fairground is one of the oldest theme parks in the world, opening in 1843. It's a colourful fairytale experience to rival more modern efforts. Amalienborg Palace
A functioning and beautiful palace which is home to one of the world's oldest monarchies See the stunning architecture and watch out for the changing of the royal guard.
Botanical Garden
Wander among Denmark's largest collection of living plants in this peaceful 10-hecacre site dating back to 1874. Complete with butterfly house and tropical palm house.
Strøget
If you find shopping stressful, you probably haven't tried it in Copenhagen. Luxury brands in heritage buildings makes it a classic and enjoyable affair.
King's Garden
The oldest royal garden in the country is as fresh and green as ever during spring and summer. Step back in time in this unchanged paradise.
Food and drink
From morning coffee through to evening drinks, Copenhagen's cuisine scene is as classy as everything else in the city. Explore the markets by day for delis and lunch, and find waterside restaurants for dinner and drinks.
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Upcoming Events 16-17 June 2022 Europe Family Office Investment Summit London, UK 24-25 June 2022 Big Future Festival Sana'a, Yemen 8-9 September 2022 APAC Family Office Investment Summit Singapore 7-8 November 2022 Middle East Family Office Investment Summit Dubai, UAE 13-15 November 2022 Dawn of Oman Sultanate of Oman 7 December 2022 The Alea Sessions, US Edition Miami, USA 22-23 February 2023 Africa Family Office Investment Summit South Africa 13-14 March 2023 Latam Family Office Investment Summit Mexico City, Mexico
See aleaglobalgroup.com for updates
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