On Wednesday, IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced the launch of its new blockchain ecosystem. This program was reportedly created to help accelerate the creation of blockchain networks.
According to IBM, the blockchain ecosystem program is designed for innovators looking to build real networks, which consists of venture capitalists (VCs), start-ups, systems integrators (SI), independent software vendors (ISV), and enterprise developers. The company will provide education and tools aimed to reduce the time required to go from idea to execution. It will also host “office hours” through the Hyperledger Fabric Slack channel as a way to provide support to developers and help with troubleshooting. Sharing more details about the program, Bridget Van Kralingen, senior vice president of IBM Industry Platforms, stated:
“The future growth and adoption of blockchain is reliant upon building a strong ecosystem. Business networks will only reach critical mass when innovators, industry experts and infrastructure providers come together in new ways to reinvent how business transactions happen. The growing maturity of the Hyperledger Project code is a major milestone. That’s why IBM is investing to help developers accelerate the creation of blockchain networks by providing an environment where these players can work together.”
IBM added that its programs are designed to support the Linux Foundation Hyperledger Fabric v1.0 and the IBM Blockchain platform which is expected to transform the way blockchain networks transact, opening up new possibilities for development. The Hyperledger Fabric v1.0 will notably provide a modular approach, much like the network-of-networks model of the Internet. Companies that have joined IBM’s blockchain ecosystem include Cloudsoft, EY, Everledger, Gliding eagle, HACERA, The Hive, IntellectEU, Loyal, Mooti, Netfki, Sensify Security, and Skuchain.
