[THE INVESTOR] Talao, a blockchain firm that provides Ethereum-based job-recruiting services, will launch in five countries including Korea, France, Japan, the US and Russia, according to industry sources on March 22. 

The France-based firm uses blockchain technology to connect freelance talents across areas in aviation, space, energy, life science and blockchain, to corporate recruiters looking for expertise. 

Recruiters can search for talent on Talao’s blockchain platform and pay in tokens to access the candidate’s information and reach out to them. Freelancers can use the platform to sign smart contracts, make payments, dispute settlements, and certify its skill and experience on its blockchain. 

Talao is also gearing up for an initial coin offering of its ERC20-based token TALAO, which could be used as a method of payment on the platform. It plans to raise about US$60 million to finance the development of its platform. The private sale of coins will take place by end-April, and will be open for public in May.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)