Detroit Regional Chamber > Member News > Lake Trust Credit Union Sponsors Blockchain Competition for Leading University Student Teams at Michigan State University

Lake Trust Credit Union Sponsors Blockchain Competition for Leading University Student Teams at Michigan State University

June 4, 2019
Lake Trust Credit Union – a community-based financial institution serving members across Michigan – co-sponsored the Spartan Blockchain Innovation Competition 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan, on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Supported by Michigan State University’s administration, the event brought together teams from leading academic institutions to compete in a thought-provoking blockchain pitch competition.

Lake Trust announced the credit union would double the pitch contest prize from $750.00 to $1,500.00. The top award went to Smartifi, which is a prospective solution regarding the student loan crisis, presented by Michigan State students Majeed Fardin and Parker Nolan.

Spartan Blockchain is a nonprofit blockchain advisory firm and student organization dedicated to making Michigan State University a global leader in blockchain development and innovation. In the belief that large-scale blockchain system adoption will restructure the global economy, the students seek to serve Michigan State University and the surrounding area by helping students, faculty and businesses adopt blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

In addition to the competition, Spartan Blockchain hosted a think tank that included sponsors, students, faculty and other attendees. The think tank was followed by a community meetup that allowed students and community members to connect and collaborate on innovative blockchain projects.

The only credit union headquartered in Livingston County, Lake Trust Credit Union has more than $1.8 billion in assets and ranks fifth-largest in Michigan in number of members. With federally NCUA-insured branches located in counties across the state of
Michigan, Lake Trust is an equal opportunity lender, equal housing lender and committed to creating stronger Michigan communities. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in the state of Michigan. For more information, visit laketrust.org and follow @LakeTrustCreditUnion on Facebook and @laketrust on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

The Lake Trust Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local Michigan-based opportunities that address the five basic human needs: food, shelter, clothing, education and health care. The Foundation frequently contributes to 501(c)(3) organizations who align with its mission to support economic development, basic human needs fulfillment and entities offering programs for entrepreneurs. Through partnerships, outreach programs, grants, financial assistance and support for a community’s underserved people, the Foundation helps to build and sustain stronger communities. For more information, visit laketrust.org/foundation. For information on Lake Trust’s Moved By Good initiative, see laketrust.org/moved-by-good. Follow @movedbygood on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.