Supply Chain & Trade Finance SIG Meeting

Attendees: Jeff Pribich , Venu Borra, Andrea Frosinini

Purpose

This meeting was scheduled outside of the common Thursday timeframe to discuss a new urgent project for this SIG.

Summary:

Jeff Pribich provided updates on the supply chain and carbon accounting projects, noting limited participation in recent meetings, with only himself and Andrea attending one session. He discussed the ongoing digital twin project and the potential for a mentorship role to develop the low-level technical architecture, with a decision on this mentorship expected by the end of the month. Jeff also confirmed the completion of business requirements and solution architecture for the digital twin. Venu Borra introduced the concept of "Cognitive Fluidity in Trade Finance," addressing inefficiencies in open account trade processes and proposing a framework that integrates compliance and sustainability within the trade finance ecosystem, highlighting a significant market opportunity projected to grow substantially by 2033.

Venu also presented a vision for a service aggregation platform aimed at reducing service completion times through a digital trust infrastructure. He emphasized the need for harmonizing trade documentation and compliance to combat industry fragmentation. Collaboration with the Linux Foundation was discussed, with Jeff Pribich suggesting the use of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for outreach and potential funding opportunities.

Both Jeff Pribich and Venu Borra acknowledged the importance of using the meetup platform to possibly enhance participation and engagement in these presentations, with Jeff sharing insights from past events. The conversation concluded with a focus on teamwork and the significance of workshops and regular meetups to raise awareness about the Open Working Group.

Cognitive Fluidity in Trade Finance Presentation

Venu Borra discussed the challenges in open account trade finance, highlighting the need for harmonization and the reduction of paper-based processes. He presented market opportunities, noting that $9.7 trillion of the $33 trillion in global trade is related to trade finance, with projections indicating growth to $21.18 trillion by 2033. The focus is on supporting exporters and ensuring compliance while integrating sustainability into the trade finance ecosystem.

• Overview of the pitch deck and its objectives was presented

Service Aggregation and Decentralization Strategy

Venu Borra outlined a strategy for aggregating services and establishing partnerships to enhance efficiency in service delivery. The plan includes developing an intelligent layer for domain-specific models and automating processes, while also addressing the competitive landscape. The aim is to create a decentralized platform that initially has centralized management but will evolve towards progressive decentralization.

• The importance of sustainability and compliance in trade finance.

Discussion on Collaboration and Funding Opportunities with the Linux Foundation

Venu Borra outlined the intention to gain support from the Linux Foundation and asked Jeff Pribich about his potential participation in the initiative. Jeff recommended leveraging SIGs for awareness and proposed using meetup groups for effective communication. He was asked about funding and mentioned the possibility of obtaining funding through grants and shared insights on existing funding mechanisms within the Linux Foundation.

• Strategies for outreach and education through meetup groups.

• Funding opportunities and mechanisms for the project.

Planning for Upcoming Presentations and SIG Activities

Venu Borra mentioned that they are working with a marketing expert to enhance their presentation's visual appeal, aiming for completion within a week. Jeff Pribich discussed the importance of scheduling meetups well in advance to attract a larger audience, sharing his experiences with various tech and non-tech events. He expressed willingness to contribute to the project, emphasizing the need for active engagement in Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Action Items:

1. Venu Borra will structure the outreach for the meetup groups to create awareness and education about the Open Working Group.

2. Venu Borra will finalize the pitch deck with improved visuals and share it by the middle of next week.

3. Jeff Pribich will put notes out in the SIG about the meeting and the next actions.

4. Jeff Pribich will reach out to David Boswell to discuss funding mechanisms for the project.

Key Questions

What are the next steps for engaging with potential partners?

What is the timeline for the project to gain traction and adoption?

How do you want to structure the communication piece for the project?