Ignasi Oliva Corrales is a blockchain and DLT engineer and manager for i2CAT Foundation, a non-profit research and innovation center focused on developing a digital society. He is also a blockchain manager for the Digital Catalonia Alliance (DCA), an initiative uniting emerging technological sectors of the Catalan territory. ^[1][2]

Education

Corrales graduated from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya with a Computer Systems Engineering, Information Technology, and Software Engineering degree in 2000. ^[1]

Career

Corrales began his career in IT and consulting roles, starting as a system administrator and database administrator at Comercial Anónima Vicente Ferrer S.A. and a SAP consultant at Indo Optical between 1999 and 2000. He then worked as an IT consultant at Oracle Ibérica from 2000 to 2003, followed by a role as IT project management director at Marketingcom from 2004 to 2005, where he supervised software development projects in the pharmaceutical sector. From 2005 to 2007, he was the IT director of the public health department at Telvent Interactiva, overseeing technical projects for the Catalan Health Service. At Deloitte, from 2007 to 2008, he supported project management for strategic health initiatives, including electronic prescription systems. He continued in management roles at Agència Catalana de l'Aigua and KEAPPS, focusing on ICT systems integration and public administration consulting until 2009. ^[3][4]

In 2010, Corrales co-founded and became CEO of SitWithUs, a tech company providing solutions for SMEs, while also working as an associate consultant at RKS Consulting, offering strategic ICT and public administration consulting services. His public service career began in 2007 as a councilor for the Eixample district and later as chief of staff for the Nou Barris district until 2015. From 2016 onward, he shifted focus to freelance consulting, including marketing strategy and blockchain technology. His subsequent roles included positions at Firmaprofesional and Espublico S.A. He was a blockchain engineer, developing blockchain-based applications such as medical records management systems. ^[3][4]

Corrales taught blockchain traceability in agriculture and software engineering at various academic institutions while advising on urban and environmental strategies. In 2020, he joined i2CAT Foundation as a blockchain and DLT cybersecurity innovation manager, leading projects in blockchain observatories, data management, and e-voting technologies. He was promoted to blockchain innovation manager, driving R&D initiatives in applied cryptography and privacy-preserving technologies. Since 2024, Corrales has been the blockchain manager at Digital Catalonia Alliance, overseeing the blockchain community's development and technology implementation across Catalonia. ^[3][4]

Panels

Metaverse Experiences

At the Centre Blockchain de Catalunya (CBCat), Corrales participated in a roundtable discussion titled "Com construïm les experiències al metavers?" It focused on exploring how experiences are created within the metaverse. The panelists, Eva Dominguez, Vincent Lamarca, and Alan Navarro, shared insights on the current challenges and opportunities in designing and implementing virtual experiences. They discussed the importance of user engagement, the role of technology in shaping immersive environments, and the evolving nature of digital spaces. The panel also highlighted the need for collaboration among creators, developers, and businesses to ensure that metaverse experiences are accessible and meaningful for users. ^[5]

Implementing Blockchain

At Congres Govern Digital 2019 (CGD2019), Corrales participated in a panel titled “Les realitats de la blockchain a nivell de país.” With Marc Giro and Ricard Gutierrez, he discussed the state of blockchain technology at a national level. They explored blockchain's real-world applications, challenges, and potential in various sectors, including government, finance, and industry. The discussion focused on the practical implications of implementing blockchain, highlighting the benefits and complexities of integrating this technology into existing systems. The panelists provided insights into how blockchain could enhance transparency, efficiency, and trust in public and private operations while addressing regulatory, technical, and societal barriers to its broader adoption. ^[6]