What Blockchain Research Institute does

Blockchain Research Institute (BRI), founded in 2017 in Toronto by Don and Alex Tapscott as a division of The Tapscott Group Inc., is a privately held membership-based research and advisory organization that studies the strategic impact of blockchain and Web3 technologies on business, government, and society. BRI does not develop proprietary technology products; instead, it maintains a platform-agnostic research program that has produced more than 120 published projects across 11 industry verticals, supplemented by custom research deliverables (3,500–15,000 words), books, a podcast (W3B Talks), webinars, and a monthly newsletter. Its 2026 program centers on the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence ("trivergence"), including decentralized AI infrastructure and Identic AI.

The company monetizes through five primary revenue streams: enterprise/government/academic membership subscriptions (annual, quote-based), custom research engagements, advisory and consulting services, online education delivered via Coursera in partnership with INSEAD (and, for global commerce, with FedEx), and keynote speaking by the Tapscotts and BRI faculty. Named member organizations span Fortune 500 enterprises (Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG, IBM, Microsoft, FedEx), governments (Bank of Canada, Government of Canada), technology platforms (Hyperledger Foundation, Consensys, OMA3), and academic institutions (INSEAD). Distribution is global, with regional offices in Africa, Brazil, Europe, Korea, and the Middle East, plus the W3B Conference (co-hosted with MCI Group) and the W3B Awards as flagship events. In 2023, BRI restructured away from a syndicated research subscription model toward custom research, tailored education, and advisory services in response to shifting enterprise demand.

Name

Blockchain Research Institute

Legal name

The Tapscott Group Inc.

Website

https://blockchainresearchinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Blockchain Research Institute is a Toronto-based membership research and advisory organization, founded in 2017 by Don and Alex Tapscott, that produces blockchain and Web3 research, custom studies, and executive education for enterprise, government, and academic members across 11 verticals and five global regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain and Web3 Research and Advisory Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191), Libraries and Archives (51921)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Asset Risk, Security & Audit Tooling (Smart Contract Audit, Threat Monitoring) (FSAGAMAJ)

Keywords

• Blockchain research
• Web3 advisory services
• Executive education
• Custom research
• Thought leadership

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: BRI generates primary revenue through membership fees from enterprise organizations, governments, academic institutions, and technology platforms seeking access to blockchain and Web3 research, insights, and networking opportunities. Membership provides access to research library, webinars, events, and advisory services.
2. Advisory Services: Expert advisory services drawing from extensive research program to provide actionable guidance on blockchain, Web3, and digital innovations. Includes consulting partnerships, thought leadership advisory, speech advisory, book advisory, and custom PowerPoint development.
3. Custom Research: Custom research tailored to specific organizational needs, including big idea white papers, lighthouse case studies, research briefs, and event transcripts/output reports. Research deliverables range from 3,500 to 15,000 words.
4. Education Programs: Revenue from online courses developed in partnership with INSEAD and Coursera, including specialized specializations on blockchain fundamentals, financial services, and global commerce. Also includes custom education programs, seminars, and training sessions.
5. Keynote Speaking: Keynote speeches from renowned faculty members including Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott, bringing decades of experience and visionary insights to corporate and government events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Blockchain Research Institute conducts and distributes rigorous research on the impact of blockchain and Web3 technologies, delivering a research library, custom research reports, online courses, executive briefings, advisory services, and industry events to member organizations. Revenue is generated through membership subscriptions, custom research engagements, advisory and speaking fees, and event sponsorships targeting enterprise, government, and academic buyers.

Product overview

The Blockchain Research Institute (BRI) offers a portfolio of research, education, advisory, and event-based products and services focused on blockchain and Web3 technologies. The core offerings include a Research Library with over 100 research projects (white papers, case studies, reports), Custom Research services, Online Courses delivered through Coursera in partnership with INSEAD, Custom Education programs, and advisory services including Executive Briefings, Workshops, and Advisory Services. BRI also operates the W3B Talks Podcast, a monthly Newsletter, and hosts events including the W3B Conference and W3B Awards. The BRI Infrastructure Program provides guidance on blockchain infrastructure integration, while Regional Offices and Keynote Speeches extend global influence. The organization offers BRI Membership for enterprise organizations, governments, and startups seeking to leverage blockchain and Web3 technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Library Collection of 100+ research projects including white papers, reports, case studies, and webinars on blockchain and Web3 impact on enterprise, industry, and the economy; available to BRI members.
• Custom Research Tailored research including Big Idea White Papers (7,500-15,000 words), Lighthouse Case Studies (3,500-5,000 words), Research Briefs, and Event Transcripts designed to inform executive strategy.
• Online Courses Award-winning MOOCs on Web3 and blockchain developed in partnership with INSEAD and Coursera, including specializations on blockchain fundamentals, financial services, and global commerce.
• Custom Education Tailored educational programming including seminars, training sessions, course customizations, and new course sponsorships for organizations seeking Web3 knowledge.
• Executive Briefings Tailored presentations by experienced faculty offering expert insights and strategic guidance on blockchain, Web3, and digital landscape topics for senior leadership audiences.
• Workshops & Roundtables Interactive platforms including Company Workshops and Ecosystem Roundtables for structured discussions, strategy development, and stakeholder alignment on blockchain topics.
• Advisory Services Actionable guidance and consulting partnerships providing objective advice on blockchain, Web3, and digital innovations, including thought leadership advisory, speech advisory, book advisory, and custom PowerPoint development.
• BRI Infrastructure Program Strategic initiative providing feasibility studies, research access, education, partner recruitment, governance consulting, and mentorship to guide governments and organizations in blockchain infrastructure integration.
• BRI Membership Annual membership program for enterprise organizations, governments, academic institutions, non-profits, trade associations, and select blockchain startups providing access to research, education, events, and networking within the Web3 ecosystem.
• W3B Conference Global event co-hosted with MCI Group bringing together Web3 and blockchain leaders, thinkers, and innovators to explore growth opportunities in the digital age, with active participant engagement.
• Keynote Speeches Keynote presentations delivered by Don Tapscott, Alex Tapscott, and BRI faculty for corporate and government events, bringing decades of experience and visionary insights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Blockchain Revolution book sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide and translated into 20 languages
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• OMA3minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024OMA3 joined as an Affiliate Member contributing to BRI's global community of Web3 innovators, experts, builders, and thought leaders. As an Affiliate Member, OMA3 receives access to program deliverables including courses, webinars, podcasts, events, and the research library of over 100 projects. The partnership enables BRI members to benefit from OMA3's ecosystem contributions.
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2024TCS is an early member of BRI that has taken a leading role in the community, helping drive blockchain research, education, innovation, and adoption across industries globally. The partnership enables joint exploration of blockchain's transformative potential while stewarding blockchain innovation forward.
• FedExcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2023FedEx collaborated with BRI and INSEAD to develop a four-course Specialization on Web3 and Blockchain in Global Commerce available on Coursera. FedEx contributes real-world examples and practical insights derived from their blockchain initiatives, providing learners with access to FedEx's blockchain experience within BRI's research framework.
• INSEADcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSEAD, one of the world's top-ranked graduate business schools, partnered with BRI to develop Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on Web3 and blockchain technology through the Coursera platform. Courses provide high production quality and deep online instruction derived from BRI's multi-million dollar research program.
• CourseracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoursera serves as the distribution platform for BRI's online course offerings, including the Blockchain Revolution Specialization, Blockchain Revolution in Financial Services, and Web3 and Blockchain in Global Commerce specializations. Provides verified certificates upon course completion.
• MCI GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCI Group co-hosts the Web3 & Blockchain World (W3B) conference with BRI, bringing together foremost leaders, thinkers, and innovators in the Web3 and blockchain space. MCI Canada previously co-hosted as MCI Canada.
• The Tapscott Group Inc. (TTGI)coreOthersBRI is a division of The Tapscott Group Inc., the parent company established by Don Tapscott. This corporate structure connects BRI directly to the Tapscott thought leadership platform and resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Messari: Messari is a crypto and digital assets research firm offering institutional research, data, and analytics. It is directly comparable to BRI as a subscription-based blockchain research organization targeting enterprise, government, and institutional audiences, though Messari is more data-and-intelligence product-led while BRI is more advisory-and-education-led.
• The Block Research: The Block Research provides institutional research and data on digital assets and blockchain. It is comparable to BRI as a paid subscription research provider for institutional and enterprise audiences, with a stronger news/data product layer versus BRI's advisory/events emphasis.
• CB Insights: CB Insights is a tech market intelligence platform offering research, data, and advisory on emerging technologies including blockchain. It is comparable to BRI as an enterprise subscription research firm targeting executives with forward-looking technology analysis, though CB Insights has broader tech coverage and stronger product/tech infrastructure.
• Delphi Digital: Delphi Digital provides institutional-grade research and analytics on crypto and blockchain. It is comparable to BRI as a research-led organization publishing deep reports and analysis for enterprise and institutional clients, with a more crypto-markets focus versus BRI's enterprise-and-government orientation.

Emerging players

• Coin Center: Coin Center is a non-profit crypto policy research and advocacy organization focused on U.S. blockchain regulation. It is comparable to BRI in producing rigorous blockchain research for policy and government audiences, though narrower in geographic scope and policy-only focus.
• CoinDesk: CoinDesk is a leading crypto news and research publisher with events (Consensus) and a research arm. It is comparable to BRI in producing blockchain research and running flagship industry events, with a more media-driven model versus BRI's advisory-and-membership focus.

Regional players

• World Economic Forum (Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution): The WEF's C4IR network produces multi-stakeholder research and policy frameworks on blockchain and emerging technology. It is comparable to BRI in producing rigorous research and convening global leaders on blockchain impact, though the WEF is a non-profit international institution rather than a commercial research firm.

Broad incumbents

• Gartner: Gartner is the largest enterprise IT research and advisory firm, covering blockchain as one of many technology domains. It is comparable to BRI as an enterprise research subscription business serving executives, but operates at vastly larger scale and breadth, making BRI's blockchain specialization its differentiating contrast.
• Forrester Research: Forrester is a major enterprise research and advisory firm covering emerging technology including blockchain and Web3. It is comparable to BRI in serving enterprise decision-makers with subscription research, though Forrester is a broad incumbent versus BRI's blockchain-focused specialization.

Others

• Deloitte (Blockchain & Web3 practice): Deloitte's global blockchain practice provides enterprise advisory, research, and implementation services. It is comparable to BRI in serving enterprise and government blockchain strategy, though Deloitte is a broader consulting incumbent and BRI is a member; the relationship is also a customer overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blockchainri
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BRIfortheWeb3Era
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlockchainRI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blockchain-research-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blockchain Research Institute