The recently launched decentralized application and sidechain platform Lisk has announced the appointment of IOHK CEO Charles Hoskinson and serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Steven Nerayoff as senior advisors to facilitate product development.



“We are extremely pleased to announce Charles Hoskinson and Steven Nerayoff as our senior advisors, which accelerates Lisk product growth by giving valuable input on the technology and startup methodology,” said Lisk CEO Max Kordek.



Hoskinson brings his deep knowledge and experience to Lisk. He founded Invictus Innovations and created BitShares – the first cryptocurrency utilising Delegated Proof of Stake, a consensus algorithm also used by Lisk. He is a founder of Ethereum and served as its initial CEO from December 2013, until June 2014. Hoskinson’s major contributions to smart contract platform include designing the legal structure, crowdsale model, and building a global network of evangelists and developers which continues to this day. He worked on the original cryptographic design and is greatly responsible for what it is today. Hoskinson is currently the CEO of the Hong Kong-based Input Output HK, which hosts one of the largest cryptocurrency research divisions in the world.



“Whether it be Bitshares, Ethereum or Cardano, I only work with projects that satisfy three criteria”, said Hoskinson. “First, they have to promote a cascading disruption in an industry. Second, the technology has to be interesting. Third, the team has to be honest and hardworking. Lisk satisfies all three of these criteria and I am glad to be advising the team as they develop a vision and execute on a roadmap throughout the coming months and years.”



Nerayoff is a prolific serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and attorney, having founded six companies and inventor on 20 patents. He is currently the CEO and founder of Maple Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on blockchain related technologies. Nerayoff is also the Founder and CEO of Cloudparc, a patented next generation artificial intelligence company in the smart city and Internet of Things sectors. In addition, he has been involved in the Ethereum project since the very beginning and created the initial legal framework and co-drafted the crowdsale model which set the standard for all other crowdsales to follow.



“I saw the gargantuan potential in Ethereum very early, and I was pleased to be part of their meteoric rise,” said Nerayoff. “I see similar potential in a very different aspect of the blockchain’s potential with Lisk, and I look forward to working with this incredible team to fulfill the potential of consumer blockchain applications in much the same way Ethereum is now realizing the potential of financial blockchain and smart contract solutions.”



Kordek said that Hoskinson and Nerayoff are two of the most important individuals behind the “phenomenal” success of Ethereum and Lisk is definitely going to benefit from their advice.



“There is no one else in the world like Charles who has the vision to build a successful cryptography project and Steven, who has an invaluable entrepreneur insight after founding six companies and being a venture capitalist. Steven knows exactly what a startup needs to become a success. With their advice, we are dedicated to creating a blockchain application juggernaut”, Kordek added.



Launched on May 24, Lisk is a blockchain application platform for decentralized services written in JavaScript. According to recent estimates from CoinMarketCap, Lisk currently holds the 7th position in the list of blockchain assets with its market cap around $41 million.