ODEM, short for On-Demand Education Marketplace, is an innovative blockchain-driven network designed to facilitate seamless interactions between university students, professors, and academic collaborators. By establishing intricate digital channels, ODEM enhances the quality of education accessible to users at an affordable price. The platform empowers qualified professionals from the global education sector to develop tailored curricula, equipping students with practical insights and hands-on experiences across various industries. Furthermore, ODEM expands options for housing, transportation, and essential services, enabling both international and local students to take charge of their educational journeys.
Through a smart contract-based payment system, ODEM connects learners with diverse educational institutions. This approach fosters direct engagement among scholars, eliminating the need for intermediaries in the educational exchange process. Users can explore uniquely designed courses and programs that align with their specific educational goals. Unlike conventional online platforms like Coursera or Khan Academy, which rely solely on virtual interactions, ODEM focuses on creating personalized in-person educational experiences that prepare students for careers in the real world. According to its official whitepaper, a significant portion of ODEM’s offerings includes onsite learning opportunities.
The company is led by Richard Maaghul, its CEO, who brings over 20 years of experience in the startup landscape and has been involved with various emerging technologies. In addition to co-founding ODEM.IO, Richard has previously held executive roles at Chevron Corporation. The COO, William Bayrd II, is an entrepreneur with a track record of founding three companies, including notable ventures like Excelorators Inc. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Michael Zargham serves as the Chief Backend Engineer, possessing a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering with a focus on decentralized systems and over ten years of experience in digital systems and disruptive technology.
To engage with ODEM, participants can acquire ODEM tokens, which are ERC20 tokens based on the Ethereum blockchain. These tokens facilitate transactions for educational services within the platform. The Initial Coin Offering (ICO) will allow users to purchase ODEM tokens, following the completion of the pre-sale in December 2017. The ICO is scheduled to run from February 17 to March 19. Tokens can be purchased using ETH and stored in any compatible Ethereum wallet, with distribution occurring immediately upon the conclusion of the sale.