After more than a year of research and the onboarding of partners from both the academic and business sectors, Block0 applies to the Walloon region for funding a project for decentralized logistic traceability. Unfortunately, in mid-2019, the project is rejected at the final validation stage, as the evaluation committee considers that blockchain is not (yet) a serious technology.
Block 0 joins the European Black cherry program, which promotes research and innovation in the field of decentralized technologies and is part of the European vision of blockchain as the technology of the future. Block 0 is a very simplified version of the tracking project and the first prototype using the Internet of Things to track the delivery of chocolate by boat to the United States. Block 0 wins the first prize in front of much larger companies from all over Europe.
The COVID pandemic does not stop the Block 0 command. The team provides clients with several projects, including a prototype for tracking mangoes from Africa to France and a business-oriented platform for decentralized identification. Block 0 is also receiving new European funding for research through the Block IS program.
Together with local partners, Block 0 creates and launches WalChain, a business network in Wallonia focused on the blockchain sector. The network is rapidly growing to more than thirty participants, including the WING State investment Fund and the Digital Wallonia regional digital cluster. As a true breeding ground for new ideas, WalChain is the driving force behind innovation.
Based on previous projects and numerous studies analyzing consumer behavior, Block 0 envisions a decentralized system capable of meeting new consumer needs for transparency and product information. Block 0 is launching a research program on this topic and is receiving guidance, as well as the first funding from the European TruBlo program. Block 0 plans to enter the market in late 2022 or early 2023.
Block 0 officially becomes the first Belgian baker for the Thesis blockchain. Block 0 is also deploying a second node for the Alastria network, and at the same time, the team confirms WalChain's commitment by launching its first test network, fully developed by Block 0 and based on substrate parity (the same technology that supports Street).
