Draft:Alex de Bruyn

Alexander Angus "Alex" de Bruyn (born 29 November 1987) is a South African entrepreneur, known for founding various award-winning technology platforms and for his book, "Escaping the Amazon." De Bruyn's military service in the French Foreign Legion, particularly in the elite jungle unit, the 3e REI, and his subsequent escape, formed the basis of his memoir.

Early Life and Education
Alexander Angus de Bruyn was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He grew up in Johannesburg and later attended Stellenbosch University, which laid the foundation for his future entrepreneurial career.

Military Service
Following his graduation, de Bruyn made a significant life decision to join the French Foreign Legion, a choice that led him to a challenging and transformative period in his life. His experiences in the Legion, particularly his service in the elite jungle unit, the 3e REI, in French Guiana, were later detailed in his book, "Escaping the Amazon." This book chronicles his journey, including his disillusionment with the Legion's demands and his eventual daring escape.

Entrepreneurial Career
Alex de Bruyn transitioned from military service to technology entrepreneurship, influenced by his father, Daryl de Bruyn. He founded several technology platforms, with a notable focus on blockchain and digital assets.

As CEO of DoshEx, de Bruyn was instrumental in pioneering crypto-tokens and smart contracts. He emphasized the adoption of distributed ledger technology in business, aiming to integrate blockchain into everyday commercial activities. His work included developing tokenized solutions, which represented value in various forms, aligning token holders' interests with those of the enterprise.

A key project under his leadership was Sherlock, a smart contract network for the construction sector, combining IoT, distributed document management, and blockchain. Sherlock, enhancing contract management efficiency and transparency, was shortlisted for the 2020 IBM Beacon Award's Blockchain Trailblazer category.

De Bruyn's entrepreneurial approach was shaped by his diverse experiences, applying rigorous discipline from his military background to his business ventures. His efforts in blockchain were geared towards addressing trust issues in industries like construction, using technology to streamline processes and enhance transparency.

Personal Life
Alexander de Bruyn is married to Nienke de Bruyn, has two children, and resides in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Publications

 * "Escaping the Amazon" - A memoir detailing his experiences in the French Foreign Legion.