The Ocean Team consist of highly experienced international professionals with proven track records in AI, blockchain, data science and big data
Founders
Trent McConaghy
- Trent McConaghy is the CTO of BigchainDB and co-founder of Ocean Protocol, has 15+ years of deep technology experience with a focus on machine learning, data visualization and user experience. He was a researcher at the Canadian Department of Defense and in 1999, he co-founded Analog Design Automation Inc. and was its CTO until its acquisition by Synopsys Inc. In 2004, he co-founded Solido Design Automation Inc., once again in the role of CTO. He is also an advisor to the Estonia E-Residency program, as well as an Ambassador to the AI XPRIZE, and advisor to many different AI projects, including TrueBit, SingularityNET, and Consensus.ai. Trent has written two critically acclaimed books on machine learning, creativity and circuit design and has authored or co-authored more than 40 papers and patents. Trent has a PhD in Engineering from KU Leuven, Belgium and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and in Computer Science from the University of Saskatchewan where he won awards for the top PhD thesis and top undergraduate thesis.
Bruce Pon
- Bruce Pon is the Founder of BigchainDB and Ocean Protocol, blockchain startups focused on bringing data and AI together since 2013. Previously, Bruce co-founded Avantalion, a consulting firm that helped to build 20 banks around the globe for companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi & Jaguar LandRover. He has an Advanced Executive Certificate from MITSloan, a B.Sc in Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and has given guest lectures at Oxford, MIT Media Lab, Columbia University and the European School of Management & Technology. In addition to being in the 2020 full-length documentary Cryptopia, Bruce was featured in Oxford University and Saïd Business School’s online Blockchain course as a guest expert.
Core Team
Ahmed Ali -Software Engineer
Monica Botez - Head of Communications
Alex Coseru - VP Engineering
Sheridan Johns - Ecosystem & Growth
Matthias Kretschmann - Core Development Team
Daniel Lustig - Head of Operations
Razvan Olteanu - COO
Manan Patel - Growth Accelerator
Cristina Pon - Marketing Director
Samer Sallam - Core Development Team
Mihai Scarlat - Core Development Team
Sarah-Jean Vallon - Communications Associate