MidwestCon

"Crypto is untraceable" — that’s the myth. But during MidwestCon, Evan Karnoupakis and former Congressman Tim Ryan cracked it wide open. Turns out, blockchain’s immutability means lost assets can actually be tracked — and have been recovered. Evan, a Wharton MBA and global blockchain advisor who’s built toolkits for lawmakers in MA and OH, laid out how even “bad cops” who went rogue were caught because of the transparent ledger. Tim, a 20-year Congressional veteran now leading national blockchain and clean energy initiatives, added that once criminals off-ramp to fiat, agencies like the FBI and CIA have actionable data trails. Compare that to stolen art or uranium: unless it resurfaces, it vanishes. But with crypto, the chain tells the story — if you know how to follow it. This isn’t a Wild West. It’s a decentralized paper trail — and the Midwest is writing its next chapter. Huge thanks to Evan Karnoupakis and Tim Ryan for bringing their deep expertise to MidwestCon and pushing this conversation forward. Are we finally ready to outgrow the myths and lead on-chain policy innovation? ?? Drop your thoughts if you’re rethinking how traceable crypto really is.

AI won’t replace you. But someone using AI better than you just might. ?? At MidwestCon’s EmpowerHer Breakfast, Sharufa Rashied-Walker, CEO of Welcome Home | International Realty Group, broke down the real AI threat: ??? “The biggest barrier isn’t the tech—it’s our fear of not being ‘proficient enough’ to use it.” ?? The truth? -You don’t need to be a coder. -You don’t need to be an engineer. -You just need to start. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude aren’t reserved for the elite. They’re democratized—and the competitive edge goes to those who lean in and learn. ?? Your next business breakthrough might not come from working harder—but from thinking smarter, with AI as your co-pilot. Huge thanks to Sharufa for reminding us: adaptability is the new superpower. ?? How are YOU integrating AI into your work today? Let’s share tools + tips ??

Real estate investing used to be for the 1%. ?? Now it’s accessible to everyone—thanks to Odai Ammar’s bold vision. At MidwestCon, Odai shared how his company Elmnts is transforming Ohio’s housing market through blockchain and tokenization: ?? “We brought 70+ homes to Cleveland and Akron’s housing supply— via tokenization, making fractional ownership possible for just a few dollars.” Why? ?? Affordable housing needs new solutions. ?? Investors are locked out due to high barriers. ?? Tokenization = fractional ownership + transparency + liquidity. Odai’s journey: - Ex-Head of Real Estate @ Lofty AI, led $15M in transactions. - Now CEO & Co-Founder of Elmnts, tokenizing real-world assets (real estate, oil/gas royalties) on Solana blockchain—known for low fees, instant settlements, and compliance tools. What he’s building = the future of real estate investment.?? Massive thanks to Odai for sharing his expertise and showing MidwestCon how tech can create real-world impact. ?? Would you invest in real estate if it cost just $5? Drop a YES or NO ??

?? Data demands are accelerating—and MidwestCon 2024 delivered clarity. ↓ At the Builders Roundtable, leaders from healthcare, higher ed, open-source, and venture capital shared insights on navigating digital transformation through secure, scalable systems. Here’s who shaped the conversation: ??Bharath Prabhakaran — Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, University of Cincinnati Leads digital transformation at UC, including BearcatGPT, cloud infrastructure modernization, and cybersecurity. Recognized as 2025 ORBIE Enterprise CIO of the Year for aligning innovation with institutional strategy. ??Ry Walker— Founder and CEO, Tembo Focuses on optimizing PostgreSQL for enterprise use, securing $14M in Series A funding to expand scalable, open-source solutions for complex data management. ??Mack Myers — Co-Founder and Head of Product, Pieces for Developers Directs development of software tools that enhance productivity for developers, streamlining coding workflows and user experience design. ??Reddi Gudla — Staff Vice President of Technology, Elevance Health Guides healthcare IT modernization, leading initiatives in secure application development, digital infrastructure, and platform efficiency. ??Howard (Lee) Mosbacker IV, PhD — Co-Founder and CEO, Cyrannus Applies AI to venture capital through data-informed investment strategies. Holds a PhD in physics and experience in startup fundraising and AI company leadership. ????Professor William Hawkins — Faculty, University of Cincinnati Contributes research in software security and system reliability, with expertise in static binary rewriting and optimization for safety and performance. This session—and the broader MidwestCon experience—was guided by Rob Richardson, Chief Curator of MidwestCon, whose vision centers on the intersection of policy, technology, and social impact. The Builders Roundtable explored how organizations can elevate data readiness, improve accessibility, and implement strategies that support decision-making and innovation. Thank you to these disruptors for advancing the conversation on digital leadership. ??MidwestCon 2025 is in development—focused on depth, action, and insight. ↓ Join the early list: DM “BUILD” to connect.

If you're serious about building in AI, there's only one hackathon you should care about in 2025. → Future of Data Hackathon by MidwestCon. Meet 2024's WINNERS Why?: In 2024, Kaaustaaub Shankar, Arya Garg, and Raihan Rafeek used it to: ?? Build and deploy a full-stack AI solution ?? Get in front of top tech leaders ?? Walk away with $5K — and more importantly, real visibility These three are students at University of Cincinnati — but their output matches startup founders. That's why they won! If you’re hiring top talent in AI, Data Science, or ML, these names need to be on your radar. In 2025, the bar is even higher. ? Bigger prizes ? Bigger exposure ? Bigger competition ?? Applications open soon. Stay ready.

Her post reached 100 million people. What came next? Criticism. Misunderstanding. Noise. Her response? Not defensiveness. Not retreat. Instead: ?? Discernment — sift signal from noise. ?? Self-awareness — open to growth, not approval. ?? Confidence — silence is not always strength. Noelle didn’t just survive the feedback — she used it as a filter for truth, growth, and alignment. In an era where thought leadership can spark as much backlash as it does applause, her example is a blueprint: ? Be open to critique, but immune to fear. ? Lead from clarity, not crowd approval. At the EmpowerHer Breakfast, Noelle R., Founder of the AI Leadership Institute, shared the untold side of going viral. We’re grateful to Noelle for showing that leading in AI, tech, and ethics means being both seen and unshaken. When your voice grows louder, how do you navigate the echo? Let’s discuss ↓

Controversial truth: Sending money abroad is rigged — Paul Grewal pulled back the curtain… Global finance works?precisely as designed, taxing those who can least afford it. At MidwestCon, Paul Grewal, CLO of Coinbase, didn’t mince words: “Sending $200 to family can cost $20 or more. That’s crazy.” He’s seen both sides: ? Inside Facebook Legal ? On the bench as a U.S. Magistrate Judge ? Now shaping crypto policy at Coinbase Under Paul’s leadership, fee reductions of 50%-95% are possible depending on the service used, transaction type, and user tier. Not promises. Real tools. Real change. Traditional systems profit from complexity. Coinbase builds for clarity + efficiency. ↓ Do you think financial systems are rigged or just outdated?

The Midwest Just Put AI on the Map, Again! 500 startups. 16 finalists. 1 winner. BrandRank.AI , led by longtime MidwestCon community partner Pete Blackshaw, just won the HumanX Startup Competition in Las Vegas—beating out global competitors for a reason: they saw where marketing is REALLY going. ???? What’s broken: AI search engines (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini) don’t care about keywords anymore. They prioritize trust, credibility, and reputation signals. Brands relying on old-school SEO? Invisible. ??What BrandRank.AI cracked: - New trust-based ranking system measuring brand authority in AI-driven search. - They analyze authenticity, credibility & real-time trust signals. - Judges saw the future, and they were leading it. Pete has been a core part of the MidwestCon community, driving conversations on responsible AI, trust-driven branding, and the next wave of digital strategy. Thank you for Bringing your expertise to this community! This is proof that AI isn’t destroying marketing but demanding better marketing! ?? What happens to brands that don’t adapt? Let’s discuss.

U.S. CRYPTO POLICY IS CHASING INNOVATION AWAY. El Salvador has a national crypto policy. The U.S.? A maze of lawsuits & red tape. At MidwestCon’s Policy Rumble, Genevieve Leveille, CEO of AgriLedger, called it out: ?? “American companies aren’t just leaving because of regulations… They’re leaving because trying to create their own regulatory framework is RIDICULOUS.” What’s really happening? - Companies are relocating to crypto-friendly countries. - Lawyers are profiting off unclear policies. - Consumers are missing out on innovation. Instead of fostering growth, the U.S. is forcing companies to fight lawsuits just to exist. Should regulators be working with innovators, not against them? Drop your take below. ?? A huge thank you to Genevieve for bringing her deep expertise in blockchain, finance, and global policy to MidwestCon’s Policy Rumble. With over 25 years in banking, tech, and supply chain innovation—including leading a World Bank-backed blockchain pilot in Haiti—her insights on crypto regulation are invaluable. ??

?? Be so IMPECCABLE they can't ignore you. Women in business hear it all the time: “Just work harder.” But what if the key isn’t working harder, it’s working undeniably well? At MidwestCon’s EmpowerHer Breakfast, Kalista Zackhariyas, CEO of Sparkseeker ?, dropped a reality check: ?? "Be impeccable until you're undeniable." The secret? It’s not about waiting for a seat at the table, but building it yourself. - Show up confidently—the company wants someone who can deliver. - Stay humble—the strongest leaders ask for help. - Stop over-proving—you don’t need permission to succeed. The lesson? Own your worth. Show up ready. Bring your own chair. Tag a woman who’s creating her own opportunities. Let’s build together. ????