Interview with Jon MacDonald
In an interview in the lead up to Minima’s Innovation Challenge (MIC), Eric Van der Kleij (Co-Founder of EdenBase) has a discussion with Jonathan MacDonald, covering Minima’s ethos and values, and Jon’s personal journey to the world of tech.
"It is the responsibility of scientists never to suppress knowledge, no matter how awkward that knowledge is, no matter how it may bother those in power; we are not smart enough to decide which pieces of knowledge are permissible and which are not."
- Carl Sagan, 1961
Interview Summary
Jonathan MacDonald (Jon) started his journey into the world of technology at an early age, being adopted into a family of entrepreneurs. He was exposed to developing computer languages. His father, a man playfully described by him as a ‘tech geek’ first introduced him to the ways in which technology can shape the lives of individuals and communities. In this interview, Jon explains why decentralisation is such an important component of the new age of technology.
‘Our society is used to accepting centralised control. It is easy to assume that the larger companies and authorities are able to correctly make certain decisions for us.’
For Jon, decentralisation enables a democratised opportunity for prosperity. There is no limit to how much prosperity can be generated from person to person communication. When liberated from mediating third party systems, such uncensored communication has the potential to empower every member of society to thrive and prosper.
EdenBase are always on the lookout for members of the tech industry like Jon who combine pioneering technology with innovative ideas, drive and enthusiasm, as embodied by Minima, and we are there to help them take their projects and ideas to the next level.
Minima’s Values
Total freedom
A decentralised network for information and value transfer
Enabling individuals to exchange any data wherever and whenever they want
Value exchange without third parties
You own your data, your projects and your communities
Deciding the speed and nature of communication yourself
Flexibility to do what is right for your application or business
Founded by Hugo Feiler and Paddy Cerri, Minima is an ultra-lean blockchain protocol that fits a node on a mobile or IoT device, allowing every user to run a full constructing and validating node. This protocol gives you back control over how your application or business is managed, removing the middleman and unleashing the full creative potential available.
Jon MacDonald:
For Jon, decentralised protocol matters because it is about interpersonal communication and giving businesses the true control of their product.
‘The world's first truly decentralized blockchain network.’
- Minima
EdenBase have teamed up with Minima as we recognise the value of exploring alternatives to top-down tech platforms. For true innovation, it is important for businesses to have as much control over their technology as they can, and not allow themselves to be wholly steered by the requirements and restrictions of large tech companies when planning the design of new products.
It is clear to see why Minima is an ideal fit for Edenbase. Minima is a company that is not afraid to challenge conventions and create technology that pioneers new models. They present an exciting opportunity for pioneering innovation in the tech industry which our hub and ecosystem is excited to support and work with.
Why not see for yourself what they had to say in their interview?
About Jon MacDonald
Jonathan MacDonald is an award-winning, bestselling author and one of the most in-demand keynote speakers in the world on the topics of change, digital transformation, mindset, innovation, strategy and the future. He is also the Chief Marketing Officer at Minima, a cooperative network that enables everyone to freely connect. Born in the UK, Jonathan has worked in over 100 cities globally and is internationally renowned as a business, technology and social expert. With a background in retail, entertainment and strategy, Jonathan has been creating and advising businesses for almost three decades.
About Eric Van der Kleij
Eric Van der Kleij, Co-Founder of EdenBase, is a technology entrepreneur having previously delivered the Tech City (now Technation.io) strategy and organisation for the U.K. Prime Minister and then created the famous Fintech hub, Level39, home to many supergrowth fintech companies. He is Chairman of distributed ledger company Activeledger.io and he also chairs the crypto-finance-conference.com in St Moritz, Switzerland.
About Minima
Minima was founded in London in 2018. It has created an ultra-lean blockchain protocol that fits on a mobile or IoT device, allowing every user to run a full constructing and validating node. By adopting this approach, Minima has created the possibility of operating a completely decentralized network that is scalable and inclusive, while remaining secure and resilient.
About EdenBase
EdenBase is a fund, hub and ecosystem for the next set of Game Changers designed by the team that created London’s famous Level39 in London’s Canary Wharf, the TechCity/TechNation initiative establishing the UK as a European “Silicon Valley”, the Fintech vertical of the Swiss Kickstart accelerator with Digital Switzerland, and one of the UK’s first $trillion metaverse economy product opportunities. By building a community and ecosystem, EdenBase supports portfolio companies to deliver responsible growth and valued impact to create a better future.