Contributors

Alex Norta

@01krxr80dhtk1jra6my1v98nk3

Please find my full bio on: https://www.etis.ee/CV/Alexander_Norta/eng/

Dr. Volker Wannack

@01ks5ce46ayqr70frewsdpj96h

Dr. Volker Wannack is an internationally recognized economist and graduate industrial engineer who combines scientific excellence, entrepreneurial thinking, and technological vision. With a PhD focus on energy, regulatory, and investment economics, as well as a strong affinity for information technology, he has been shaping the intersection of innovation, business, and digitalization for many years. He began his career as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Jacobs University Bremen within the Bremer Energy Research Group before taking responsibility for asset management and network operations in the energy sector as a department and project manager for electricity, gas, water, and district heating infrastructures. Today, Dr. Wannack serves as Managing Director of the Blockchain Competence Center Mittweida (BCCM) Inkubator GmbH and holds a leading position at the Blockchain Competence Center (BCCM) at the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida. He is regarded as an architect of future technologies, driving the development of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions with a clear focus on data-driven innovation and forward-looking business models. His activities span energy and circular economy systems, Industry 4.0, urban mobility, public administration, education, and logistics. His outstanding ability to transform visionary ideas into practical implementation is built upon a global network of leading stakeholders from industry, academia, politics, media, and major associations. This network includes international key players from the energy and consulting industries, top universities, research institutes, funding organizations, ministries, and industry associations. Dr. Wannack strategically leverages these partnerships to design interdisciplinary and international innovation projects and ensure their successful execution. Among his major initiatives are a blockchain-based hydrogen market designed as a lighthouse project for the energy transition, the Blockchain Showcase Region Mittweida as a model for digital ecosystems, and AI-driven solutions for digital identities and platform-based business models. His work creates significant value for regional and national partners while influencing the global technology and economic landscape. Dr. Wannack combines visionary innovation with strong implementation capabilities. As a thought leader in the digital transformation of global markets, he advances sustainable technologies and future-oriented business models. His mission is to create a connected, innovative, and sustainable future for business, society, and the environment worldwide.

Sowelu Avanzo

@sowelu-avanzo

Norta DeSyCo OU

I am a PhD research fellow in Computer Science at the University of Torino with a background in Finance. My research focused on the development and formalization of specification languages for Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and their application to real-world case studies. I also work on Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocol design and evaluation, focusing on Decentralized Exchanges and smart contract based derivatives. Part of my research also focused on the analysis the data of blockchain-enabled payment systems. This activity was conducted as part of my research internship at Circles UBI in Berlin and the FRIBIS Net-Fi research group, focused on network analysis of payment networks. I am Co-founder and CTO of Norta DeSyCo OU, an Estonian startup specialized in decentralized system consulting. Norta DeSyCo designs, verifies, and develops large-scale blockchain-enabled systems—ranging from DAOs and decentralized exchanges to DeFi protocols—leveraging advanced model-driven engineering. The company also provides consulting for the development of algorithmic and AI-powered trading systems in decentralized finance. I have contributed to several international research projects on DAOs, including applications in healthcare data management, participatory budgeting, and formal verification of their organizational structures. I was also involved in the MKM project led by Tallinn University, focused on modeling and implementing a DAO for governing and valorizing data related to Estonia’s economic and technological development.