This master thesis explores how blockchain technologies can be utilized within the financial sector with focus on how to store both private and public information on the blockchain. The capital market is looking into ways of cutting down administrative work through streamlining the financial process by using blockchain technologies. Public key encryption together with hash functions and a consensus mechanism make up the basis for creating a shared trustless database system. The thesis was conducted by extensive research concerning cryptographic topics, and a literature study was made to compare existing solutions. This was done in order to come up with a new design which suggests how to utilize blockchain technologies in order to create private transactions. The design solves issues regarding key management and how to handle both private and public information on the blockchain. The proposed design is an extension of Visigon's existing permissioned blockchain, and it introduces different roles within the peer to peer network as well as a concept of having regulating nodes that together with the involved bank's nodes handle the process of private transactions. Private transactions are encrypted by using symmetric keys and thereafter recorded on the blockchain. In conclusion blockchain technology might not be the most suitable database system for banks to keep transactions private. Future solutions should consider the best attributes of blockchain technologies and create a new system with the single purpose of being a tool for the financial market.

This thesis is dedicated to theoretical solutions and practical application of valuation methods used for evaluation of young startup companies. The aim of this work is to provide readers with theoretical introduction into the startup scene, conceivable valuation approaches and their practical application on the startup followed by drawing conclusions and recommendations. The thesis is divided into theoretical and practical part. The first part deals with the theoretical foundations of startups, the analysis of the Czech startup scene and possible arguments for valuing startups. The thesis discusses the specific characteristics of startups and their impact on the valuation process. The theoretical part is concluded by an analysis of the theoretical methods for the startup value estimation. In the practical section, selected valuation methods are applied on a particular startup company operating in the Czech Republic. Finally, the practical part summarizes the problems and specifics that arise during the valuation process followed by recommendations for valuation practice.