Powering your education and
Why ODEM Now?
The Problem
Improving accessibility means addressing the challenges that students face in acquiring a great education. We recognize that overcoming obstacles is an important part of growing up. However, we also believe that creating a global marketplace can assist students in accessing many education options, customizing program selections, and managing the acquisition of student accommodation and transportation.
The Solution
Using the power of blockchain technology and its smart contract-based payment platform, ODEM will enable students and educators to interact directly and participate in the exchange of education and learning, without the involvement of intermediaries. Our goal is to make quality education more accessible and affordable to a broader audience.
The ODEM Difference
ODEM is not an online education platform. To address the inherent weaknesses of online learning, we combine a real-world classroom learning experience with the agility and flexibility of the best parts of online education.
The Power Behind ODEM
A Platform Built on Blockchain
The ODEM model will create an integrated platform where all types of students and student representatives can create and request services for education programs. Educators and educational service providers can receive requests for program fulfillment and delivery services all through a frictionless, smart contract-based payment gateway.
ODEM is built in partnership with Origin Protocol.
ODEM Platform Infographic
The Team
The ODEM team was inspired by the success of U.S.-based Excelorators, a premier provider of education services to overseas students, executives and managers seeking exposure to America’s elite learning institutions and corporate campuses. On that foundation, ODEM is establishing a new industry standard of satisfaction by revolutionizing the quality and accessibility of high-impact educational experiences.
The ODEM Token
Cryptocurrency for Education’s New Age
Using the power of blockchain technology and smart contracts, ODEM will enable students and educators to interact directly and participate in the exchange of education and learning, without the involvement of intermediaries.
ODEM Wallet
Flexible and Secure
The ODEM Wallet allows educators, students, and service providers to seamlessly send, receive, and exchange ODEM Tokens for a variety of cryptocurrencies and fiat.
The Odem Platform
Connecting Students and Educators Across Borders, in the Real World
One-stop shopping for education products and services
Top quality and professionally curated educational content from Ivy League and beyond
Reduced customer costs through the removal of unnecessary intermediaries
Streamlined negotiation and resource fulfillment through the use of smart contracts
Instant and frictionless cross-border payments using ODEM Tokens
Guaranteed trust every step of the way with all points of negotiation and product delivery captured on the blockchain
Education & Advisory
Steve Jarding, Harvard University
Education and Leadership Curriculum Adviser
Steve, has been a lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government since 2004. An international educator, author and political advisor, Steve is a specialist in the areas of education and leadership. In 2016 the Kennedy School’s student body voted him Teacher of the Year.
Ingo Fiedler, Hamburg University
Blockchain and Economic Adviser
Ingo is an economist and expert in the analysis of the economics of digital token sales. He is co-founder of the non-profit Blockchain Research Lab, an Affiliate Professor at Concordia University in Montreal, and works at Universität Hamburg. Ingo has been involved in cryptocurrencies since 2011 and has conducted research on blockchain and its applications since 2015.
Sven Beiker, PhD - Silicon Valley Mobility and Stanford University
Technology Adviser
Sven is the Managing Director of Silicon Valley Mobility, a consulting firm that focuses on the future of mobility in four key disciplines: automation, communication, electrification and commoditization. He is also a Lecturer in Management at the Stanford Business School. Sven’s insights stem from more than two decades of experience at BMW, McKinsey and Stanford.
Richard Wang, DFJ Dragon Fund
Strategic Adviser
Richard has been with the Dragon Fund since 2011. He has more than two decades of experience in business development, technical marketing and sales management in the technology space. Prior to joining the fund, Richard served as QunZhong E-Commerce’s CEO and founded OLEA Network with partners in Silicon Valley.
Charles “Chuck” Eesley, Stanford University
Strategic Adviser
Chuck is an Associate Professor in Stanford University’s Department of Management Science and Engineering. He is a specialist in identifying and implementing success factors in the early life of high-growth, technology startups. Chuck has conducted award-winning research into education and high-tech entrepreneurship in China.
Management Team
Richard Maaghul
CEO
Rich is a seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in emerging-and-disruptive technologies. A former software provider to Chevron Corp. and a co-founder of ODEM’s education partner Excelorators Inc., Rich is committed to using blockchain technology to make higher education more accessible and affordable.
Bill Bayrd
Chief Token Officer
Bill is a natural leader, innovator and thinker. An early developer of the ODEM concept, he has founded three companies, including Excelorators Inc. Bill has a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee. Passionate about big, world-changing ideas, he served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Michael Zargham
Chief Systems Engineer
Michael has a doctorate in Systems Engineering with an emphasis on optimization and control of decentralized systems. With over a decade of experience applying data to business decision-making applications, Michael founded BlockScience, a firm focused on applying rigor to the design of the socio-technical network systems.
Adel ElMessiry
Chief Technology Mentor
Adel is a proven technology leader and out-of-the-box thinker. He is a product of North Carolina State University where he earned a doctorate in computer science, machine learning and natural-language processing. He played a central role in the founding and growth of several tech companies, including Utilize Health and InVivoLink.
Johanna Maaghul
COO
Johanna, who brings out the very best in people, is a tireless leader and collaborator with hands-on experience in project management, corporate strategy and technological integration. Her industry involvement spans healthcare, software creation, finance, and the practical application of blockchain technology.
Bowen Gao
Director, Business Development
Bowen is adept at forging partnerships with Chinese travel agents and maintaining productive relationships with key government officials. He also has a deep understanding of Chinese travel culture through his extensive involvement in marketing international tour products and services.
Alexa Narma
Senior Director, Product and Marketing
Alexa has more than a decade of experience in software strategy and marketing. A startup veteran, Alexa is known for her energy, insight and ability to motivate those around her to think outside the box and probe the limits of what is possible. In her off time, she enjoys exploring America’s natural wonders and wilderness.
Melissa Matos
Manager of Special Projects
Melissa is a skilled project manager and administrator with a flair for achieving impressive results. Having been part of the education and technology industry for several years, Melissa is keenly aware of the power of matching the needs of students and teachers to well-designed educational technologies.
Kelly Mulherron
Integration Technical Project Manager
Kelly, a 14-year veteran of the visual effects industry where she focused on technical project management for R&D, she has a keen interest in emerging technologies. Kelly is always striving to leverage her passion for creative problem solving. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting antiques and travelling.
Ethan Staus
Marketing Coordinator
Ethan is a talented communicator with experience in the nonprofit, private events, and hospitality industries. A graduate of California State University Fullerton with a communications degree in public relations and marketing, Ethan’s passions include playing and teaching music, freediving, and cooking.
Jeff Slavin
Technical Writer
An extremely meticulous practitioner, Jeff has more than eight years of technical writing experience, an MBA, and PMP and ITIL Expert certifications. He currently works for ODEM as a Technical Writer, producing clear and easy-to-understand documentation.
Patria Abditiar
Community Manager, Indonesia
Patria is a marketing specialist who has years of experience interacting with entrepreneurs and technology startups in Southeast Asia’s most-populous country. He is particularly passionate about building relationships of trust with industry leaders at the intersection of blockchain technology and education.
Gustavo Guimarães
Lead Ethereum and Smart Contract Architect
An experienced software engineer and a graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, Gustavo is skilled in blockchain development, Ethereum protocol, smart contracts and databases. He enjoys dancing in his spare time.
Kieren Davies
Ethereum Developer
Kieren, a gifted programmer, is a graduate of the University of Cape Town and two-time world finalist in the Association for Computer Machinery’s International Collegiate Programming contest. Kieren is passionate about developing innovative and under-appreciated technology. He also has a soft spot for his adorable Ragdoll cats, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
Sergio Diaz
Software Developer
Sergio is an experienced full-stack developer with a penchant for helping emerging technology companies design, develop and launch their products under demanding timelines. Sergio has for several years worked closely on projects with Dr. ElMessiry, ODEM’s Chief Technology Mentor.
Jose Castellanos
Software Developer
Jose has worked as an offshore software developer in the healthcare industry for more than five years. He graduated with Honors, Summa Cum Laude from UNITEC, Laureate International Universities. A proud Honduran, Jose enjoys watercolor painting and supporting his wife who runs her own arts-and-crafts store.
Gazy Mahomar
Software Systems Architect
Gazy, a full-stack developer, is a passionate problem solver and technology enthusiast with 10 years of experience working on desktop, Web and mobile applications. A graduate of UNITEC, Laureate International Universities, in computer systems engineering, Gazy feels he applies his best work to projects that will make the world better.
Mohamed Taraman
Senior Technical Lead
Mohamed, a computer science graduate of Alexandria University’s Faculty of Engineering, has an MBA and two decades of experience in software development. Mohamed, an avid learner, is a software enthusiast who enjoys playing table tennis.
Scott Akers
Blockchain Solutions Engineer
Scott is a self-described polymath bridging gaps between technical systems and their users. Scott has a masters degree in technology commercialization from UT Austin and extensive experience with blockchain-based identity management systems. When he isn’t trying to revolutionize education, Scott enjoys whitewater rafting and seeking out California’s best hamburgers.
Jan Bass
Creative Director
A veteran marketer who has worked with Nokia, Athleta, and many San Francisco Bay Area enterprises, Jan has always had a focus on the creative and branding side of business. His work with ODEM centers on developing and communicating ODEM’s brand and enhancing the user experience on the ODEM platform.
Advisory Council
SICOS
Crowdsale Advisory
SICOS guides startups through the process of conceiving, planning, and implementing digital token sales. SICOS is primarily responsible for connecting startups with relevant partners for developing a token sale platform and drafting a workable business model. The SICOS team also has expertise in compiling token-sale whitepapers and other relevant communication documents. It also provides ongoing support to developers of blockchain-based business models.
BlockScience
Blockchain Economics Advisory
BlockScience is a technology research and analytics firm specializing in the design and evaluation of decentralized economic systems. We are focused on economic networks being instantiated via blockchain and smart contract enabled applications.
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