Innovation at the Edge: Minting Innovation- The Story of Money

The Office of Innovation and Commercialization's is an incredible speakers series that is your invite to hear from founders, researchers, venture capitalists, distinguished alumni, and creative leaders as they converge to nurture your entrepreneurial spirit.

Presented by UC San Diego's , this interactive session invites audiences to experience the evolution of gold from the imperial die to extended reality.

Gold has defined value for more than 5,000 years, shaping civilizations, economies, and trust itself. In this special edition of Innovation at the Edge, Dr. Edward J. Watts, Alkiviadis Vassiliadis Endowed Chair in Byzantine Greek History at UC San Diego, and Jon Cavuoto, founder of First National Bullion & Coin (San Diego), explore how humanity’s faith in gold has evolved from ancient empires to modern markets. Watts reveals how gold coinage helped define empire and innovation, while Cavuoto brings these ideas to life through contemporary insights and hands-on demonstrations from the heart of Southern California’s bullion community.

Joining remotely, Dr. Adam Trexler, founder and president of Valaurum Inc., provides a rare look inside his nanotechnology-driven mint, where gold is transformed into flexible, verifiable Aurum® bills. Together, the discussion bridges history, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology to show how gold continues to anchor trust in an age of digital value.

Alkiviadis Vassiliadis Endowed Chair in Byzantine Greek History, UC San Diego Preeminent historian of money, empire, and innovation, Dr. Watts’s current book “The Romans: A 2,000 Year HIstory” explores how society built systems of trust, economy, and power that lasted millenia, and still shape global innovation today.

Founder & Managing Director, First National Bullion & Coin (San Diego) A leading voice in San Diego’s precious metals community, Cavuoto built First National Bullion to over 2 Billion in value. Jon has been a force in the transformation of the gold economy from a traditional store of wealth into a dynamic ecosystem of investment, education, and innovation.

Founder & President, Valaurum Inc.Dr. Trexler leads one of the most innovative private mints in the world. Through nanotechnology, Valaurum’s patented Aurum® bills transform gold from a static investment into a dynamic, accessible, and secure medium. His work bridges materials science, monetary design, and public access to change the way we think about value.

Whether you're a student with a burgeoning business concept or a seasoned professional seeking fresh insights, our series is your platform for education, connection, and bringing innovative ideas to life. Immerse yourself in this transformative community and unlock your entrepreneurial potential.

Presented by: MAVERiC Studio at UC San Diego is a Public Private Partnership of the Office of Innovation & Commercialization and Origami Air Co. LLC XR Publishing of San Diego California.

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Directions to the Design & Innovation Building

The event is located on the second floor (room 208) of the . The entrances are located across from the or next to the bus and trolley stop.

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MTS Trolley

The easiest way to get to the DIB is by taking the MTS trolley UC San Diego Blue Line and getting off at the UC San Diego Central Campus stop. The trolley stop is a short 1 minute walk to the DIB.

Parking

Public transportation is highly recommended as parking is limited on campus. If you plan to drive to campus, please give yourself plenty of time. You can download the ParkMobile app to pay for your space digitally once you find a spot.

• P510 - Pay and Display, Northside of the DIB *closest to the DIB*
• Gilman Parking Structure, Southwest side of the DIB

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Host or Publisher UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization