The City of Los Angeles has joined forces with Goren Holm Ventures (GHV) to host Block Tank — a “Shark Tank” style pitch contest for blockchain startups. The partnership focuses on exploring and sourcing blockchain solutions at the fourth annual CIS, the world’s biggest investment-focused blockchain conference.

Ted Ross, the City of Los Angeles’ CIO, will also be speaking at CIS. The event seeks to strengthens Los Angeles’ position as one of the first cities to leverage blockchain as an innovative solution for public benefit.

With over 4,000 attendees, the event will take place on October 15th at the Los Angeles Convention Center where four finalists (selected by officials and event organizers) will present their pilot projects. The eligible pilot project areas include: environmental sustainability, online voting platform and secure resident IDs.

The winning team will receive a $25,000 minimum investment offer from GHV and a $25,000 pilot project with the City of L.A. to use blockchain technology to address one or more important initiatives. Tim Draper, who is known as the father of viral marketing and is an early proponent of Bitcoin and blockchain technology, is on the panel of judges confirmed for this year’s CIS.