This summer, the Media3 team – me, Annet de Graaf, and Alfred Moesker – found ourselves in Barcelona for the European Blockchain Convention (EBC). It was our first time doing interviews on-site, and I have to admit, it was a bit of a learning experience. We were excited to step into a world of innovation and get a real feel for what’s happening in blockchain.

Now, here’s the thing: we all originally met in the Cardano blockchain community. So, when we arrived at EBC, which had a heavy focus on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) world, there was a bit of an “okay, this is different” moment. But the more we explored, the more we realised that this event was a perfect opportunity to dive into a world we weren’t as familiar with, and it quickly became clear that we were in the right place.

What really stood out to me at EBC was the way people were talking about their projects. For once, the focus wasn’t on which blockchain people were building on. It was almost as if that detail didn’t matter much. Instead, what people cared about was what their project could do, how it could solve problems, and what impact it could make. It was refreshing to hear people talk about the “why” instead of getting caught up in blockchain wars.

Many of the projects we spoke to were looking for funding, which led us to invite a few of them to come on Pitch Point – a program on our Media3 Network where projects seeking funding get a chance to pitch their ideas. It felt like a great fit, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how some of these projects evolve.

On top of that, there were some incredible initiatives focused on sustainability and humanitarian efforts. We had the chance to chat with Doctors Without Borders about how blockchain could potentially support their life-saving work. And then there was LAKE, a fascinating Swiss project that’s tokenising fresh water from the Swiss mountains. It was eye-opening to see how blockchain technology is being applied to solve real-world issues beyond finance.

Of course, we were also learning as we went. This was our first time interviewing on-site, and, well, let’s just say we didn’t quite expect the podcast space to be right in the middle of a noisy, bustling hall. But no problem – we quickly adapted, moving our interviewees to quieter spots, like the internal courtyard, to get a better sound. It was all part of the experience, and we had a few good laughs along the way.

Looking back on it all, I think the event helped us realise something important about Media3 – we need to be more than just a platform for tech news. We want to be a 360-degree space that covers everything from innovation and gaming to art, design, and even policy. This experience really solidified that direction for us, and I’m excited about what comes next.

In the end, the European Blockchain Convention was both a learning experience and an eye-opener. It gave us a deeper understanding of the EVM world, introduced us to some fantastic projects, and helped shape the future of Media3. Can’t wait to see where our next adventure takes us – and hopefully, next time we’ll find a quieter spot for the interviews!