Aida Announces First Appointments to Advisory Board with Experts in the Cannabis, Blockchain and Technology Sectors


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aida Minerals Corp. (“AMC” or the “Company”) (CSE:AMC) (Frankfurt:2AD.F) is pleased to announce it is forming an Advisory Board to provide expertise to the company in anticipation of its acquisition of Greenstream (“Greenstream”), a company engaged in the development of a blockchain-enabled supply chain management platform for the legalized cannabis industry.

Pursuant to the Articles of the Company and subject to Canadian Securities Exchange approval, the Aida Minerals Corp. intends to change its name to BLOK Technologies Inc. Management believes a new name and eventual new trading symbol for the Company will help the market to identify the core blockchain focus of the Company.

The Advisory Board will be made up of experienced professionals from the Cannabis, Blockchain and Technology Sectors. Today’s appointments include: Mr. Saško (Sashko) Despotovski, Mr. Robert Dawson, Dr. Lui Franciosi and Mr. Andreas Schleich.

Don Gordon, Director of Aida Minerals Corp., commented, "We are grateful for the addition of Mr. Despotovski, Mr. Dawson, Dr. Franciosi and Mr. Schleich to our Advisory Board and believe there vast experience in the Technology, Finance and in Cannabis Research will be invaluable in supporting our company, and strengthening our team, in directing the multifaceted regulatory road ahead.”

Mr. Saško (Sashko) Despotovski
Mr. Despotovski is a seasoned investment banker and an active investor in both private and public companies. He is a Canadian national living in the Nordics, with international corporate finance experience in the energy, real estate, and technology sectors. Sashko has held posts within several funds and hedge funds in the investment banking capacity in USA and Canadian markets, as well as on the operational side as management and as a director for a number of companies. Sashko until recently was an M&A Director at one of the Big Four, and currently serves as Special Advisor to the firm, focusing on cross border transactions. His specialties are fundraising and fund dissemination.

Sashko holds advisory board seats at Smart Plants AS, Excitus AS, Memobase AS and Teaja Inc. and is a board member of Vidom AS and Stamper Oil and Gas Inc. In 2006 he was inducted into the Golden Key Society of Canada as an honorary member. Sashko is a University of British Columbia (Jack Bell Research Centre) and University of the Fraser Valley science graduate and has held various alumni posts within both institutions.

Mr. Robert (Rob) Dawson
Mr. Dawson is a performance-driven and innovative executive with over 20 years of global experience in business leadership, strategic marketing, consulting, technology, crowdsourcing, innovation and communications. He is currently President and CEO of Tectonic Strategy Inc., a boutique innovation and business model advisory firm for technology companies.

As a C-Level executive in growing software technology and innovation companies, Rob has developed and delivered compelling business strategies for both Fortune 500 and growing enterprises. His experience crosses several categories including: technology, financial services, blockchain, consumer goods, food, retail, and environmental sustainability with well-known brands such as Intel, Dell, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Expedia, HSBC, LEGO, VELCRO and others. He has extensive experience in the ideation and creation of new technology-based business models based on emerging market dynamics.  

Rob has held positions as Chief Client Officer at Better Ventures and Chief Marketing Officer at Chaordix, a crowdsourcing SaaS company. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University. A frequent speaker at global marketing and innovation events, Rob was President of AIM, the Association of Integrated Marketers, a member of the Digital Strategy Conference Advisory Board and in 2006 he was recognized as one of BC's "Top 40 Under 40".

Dr. Lui Franciosi
Dr. Franciosi is Chief Executive Officer of Veritas Pharma Inc. a company led by strong management and a renowned team of scientists, that is addressing the critical need for real science to support medical marijuana claims. Veritas’ mission is to develop and commercialize the most effective cannabis strains and with strategic alliances, propose to effectively address these concerns over the medical industry’s varied output in content, quality, potency and efficacy.

Lui has more than 20 years of experience conducting pharmaceutical and medical device studies in academia and industry. Previously, he acted as the Chief Operating Officer at Verona Pharma PLC, London Stock Exchange (AIM:VRP). Prior to Verona Pharma, Dr. Franciosi completed his post-doctoral research in COPD progression modeling at the Clinical Pharmacology & Discovery Medicine Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, UK. He obtained his Doctorate & Masters degrees at The University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada – and pursued business studies at the University of Warwick, UK. He is currently an adjunct professor at UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Mr. Andreas Schleich
Mr. Schleich is President and CEO of Snaptech Technologies Inc., a leading Canadian Digital Marketing Agency & Google Premier Partner. He is a member of the Google Partner advisory board, specializing in conversion optimization, data storytelling, lead generation and ecommerce sales for the North American market. An analytical marketing professional with more than 15 years of management expertise in the IT and Marketing industry Andreas has a track record of generating measurable results. He has a strong background and knowledge in digital marketing and is a proactive, multilingual leader with experience in multi-cultural and global environments. Andreas’ expertise spans strategic planning, P&L responsibilities, process optimization, staff development and management, business development, and market research. Andreas was previously CEO of PROFUNDUS GmbH, a 20M+ Euro German Group of companies specializing in fundraising, software development, and digital marketing.

The Company also announces the issuance of 1,810,000 million options to various executives, directors, and consultants, in accordance with the Company's approved option plan. Each option is exercisable into one Share at $0.40 per Share for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of grant and have no vesting conditions.

For further information, please contact:

David Alexander, CFO
(778) 772-8184
dmalexander2@gmail.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Donald Gordon”
Director

Statements in this news release may be viewed as forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. There are no assurances the company can fulfill such forward-looking statements and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions; actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks facing the company, some of which are beyond the company’s control.