Interview with Victoria Gago, Co-founder of EBC | EBC11

Hello everyone. We are here at the 11th European Blockchain Convention with our most incredible guest , the founder of it all, the builder of this wonderful event for the past 11 editions, Victoria. Hello. Hello. I'm a little tired.

It's the second day. We're nearing the end second day. We're nearing the end , but I still have a little energy left. So, how would you summarize the biggest event so far? Um, I'm very happy.

There are always things happening behind the scenes, but we're not going to...Oh, yes. I mean scenes, but we're not going to...Oh, yes. I mean , that's just human nature.

No, but basically, we're increasing attendance year after year. So we didn't try to duplicate it and turn it into, I don't know, a Mobile World Congress, which is one of the biggest events we have in Barcelona. But in terms of attendance, it's important to grow a little each year. And especially the quality. Yes, and that's also the opinion I've received, that the quality is incredible, much better than last year.

Um, so on the institutional side it's incredible, but EBC is still an event for the entire ecosystem. The startup competition that is taking place even now, at the end of the EBC, is super important; We have 50 startups launching their proposals; we received hundreds of applications, we chose 50, five will go to the main stage, and in the end we will have three winners. No, just to say that startups are also important because they showcase new projects, new ideas for the future. So I think we have a good mix of large institutions, startups, foundations, basically bringing together the whole ecosystem. Incredible.

And you've got quite an exciting year ahead of you now, with London in February, right? And an exciting new event taking place in Abu Dhabi later this year. Uh, next year, sorry. So tell us how this came about. I mean, London was a huge success last year, so I completely understand why it's coming back again .

But how did you come up with the idea and the realization that you want to expand beyond Europe? Yes, good question. Uh, questions. Well, we've held two editions of this forum in London. Um, the last one was a one-day event, a huge success, completely sold out.

So now what we're doing is the second edition of this forum in London at the beginning of next year, in February. And it will be two days and it will be bigger. So we have a very strong presence in Europe, London very strong presence in Europe, London , well, yes, London is no longer part of the European Union, but let's say Europe, the continent, the continent. Yes, the continent. So that's great, but we want to expand into new regions.

Uh, and Abu Dhabi is really interesting because they promote themselves as the capital of capital. And it has something special. It's not just marketing. There's a lot going on there. There's a lot of money there.

Uh, lots of innovations. So bringing one of our events there is key. We will bring our audience from Europe to Abu Dhabi. But it's also to mingle with the funds and the institutional sector there, plus it's kind of in the middle of, you know, Asia and different parts of the US. So it's quite a strategic position.

It's basically like a global hub. So I'm pretty excited about that. We'll do it in May. So it will be a little warm. But it does n't matter because we'll be indoors.

Yes. I think, I mean, yes, definitely the Emirates are taking on an important role, you know, with financing and cryptocurrencies specifically. Yes. And I was quite excited to learn that they're planning this for Abu Dhabi and not Dubai, which is, you know, the usual suspect. And I truly believe this will be the beginning of something truly incredible.

Yes, I mean, Dubai is super exciting, no doubt, and there are already a lot of great events there and also a lot of not-so-great events. I think there's a little bit of everything there. So it's like, why another event? Furthermore, we will be bringing it to this licensed forum, which is our purely institutional event. So I think it goes better with Abu Dhabi, basically.

Yes, I would say Dubai could, maybe we could bring an EBC to Dubai, but I think it's the right choice. We'll wait. We'll wait. Yes, Abu Dhabi is the right choice right now. Definitely.

Last year you also started the first AI Rush event and it is you also started the first AI Rush event and it is , you know, probably the most exciting time for AI and AI innovation. How do you see the difference between the AI ​​community and the crypto community? Different, and who do you like more? Well, I'm open to it . I mean, I've been in crypto for so many years now.

So the AI ​​community, I mean the AI ​​community, I mean , AI is super, super exciting, but it's a different community. It's, I feel it's a bit technological and also quite corporate. And I think that in crypto and digital assets, people are a bit more savvy. I don't know if I want to say that it's a little more, I don't know, yes, more parties. I mean, and business, of course.

In other words, that's what this is all about : business and parties. But, um, yes, it's different. Oh yes, yes, yes, so we have a pretty exciting first half of the year ahead of us . Is there anything else you'd like to add about last year? Last year, do you remember we talked about what it's like to work with your partner?

Yes. Do you remember? Yes. Yes. Of course.

Now I remember. Now, I'm pregnant again, so I'm expecting my third baby. So, um yeah, that's more on the personal side. So that 's exciting too. At some point, I will have a small baby at some of these events again.

It's very exciting that you're joining us. It was a wonderful event. I want to thank you personally for what you've built here over the years, and I'm looking forward to what's to come in 2026. I'll definitely be there. You have to be.

Thank you. Thank you so much.