I [posted last night](https://steemit.com/blockchain/@steevc/all-aboard-the-blockchain) that I was at an event hosted by @etch. I heard about this via @ultravioletmag (Sarah) who I met at a Steemit meetup recently. I didn't do a long post from there as it's fiddly on my phone.

![Crowd](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTjCYpWhVSJR1WWDvAu1kqDw2bjx6yk1pg9B2YwTP7Ez2/image.png)

[Etch](https://www.etch.work/) are building payroll systems for those on hourly rates. The idea as I understand it is to get the money to them quickly. The example given is that you could buy lunch with what you earned that morning. A lot of people in such jobs are shut out of the regular banking system and may have a pay a premium to get the services they need, such as sending money to their family. This is another example where new models can reduce the friction of finance to empower the less well off.

We had an introduction from CEO Euros and then 'futurist' John took us through their vision. They are still in their early stages, but it's an exciting project.

[Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/N-O-M-A-N-London/events/248374217/) says 114 peopl went, but it was probably more like 30 to 40. I was able to talk to a few of them afterwards over drinks and nibbles. It's always fun to talk to people in this field as you get all sorts of different viewpoints. I had the opportunity to introduce some of them to Steemit. Sarah has put @etch on here so you can follow them to see what they are doing.

The venue was [Rocketspace](https://www.rocketspace.com/tech-campus/london) where Etch have their office. This seems a fairly typical London startup incubator with lots of cool stuff to keep the geeks happy. It's an old bank that still has the vault with the massive doors. There's meeting areas and a pool table in there these days.

![Vault](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRMoWyW5W34RrCqsWYkjmhaqvRJMov1gyPJyshrYCjoUW/image.png)

There's also a relaxation area for people to recharge their personal batteries.

![Hammocks](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcp2bgGRRvMKPxpkCwn5cLY16YLemKxKU8drsVsPbs6Yh/image.png)

Here I am chilling with @ultravioletmag under one of many slogans painted on the walls.

![Selfie](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZv4kNTxG7kyKceSSuEkTPnFJPgZzhYJTmpjaXbCbKGBt/image.png)

I will try to get to some of the other events down there. It's an easy trip into London from where I work. My next crypto event is [Steemcampuk](https://steemit.com/steemcampuk/@steemcampuk/two-weeks-to-go-more-campers-please) in Birmingham in a week. The week after that there is the [London Cryptocurrency Show](https://steemit.com/promo-steem/@anarcotech/promo-steem-at-the-london-cryptocurrency-show-update), but I'm not sure if I'll get to that. This is all just a hobby for me and I've got other things going on.

I can recommend getting to events like this. If there's nothing on near you then why not organise something yourself. It could just be a meetup at a pub or cafe. You never know where it may lead.

Steem on!

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