Program i7 Summit 2012

The i7 Summit brings together a select group of high-level leaders including:
 

• Large Corporations: IT buyers, CIOs, VP Innovation, senior technology and business development executives of Large Corporations
• Entrepreneurs: CEOs of some of the most innovative private companies from around the world in the high-tech, clean-tech and bio-tech sectors
• Investors: leading Venture Capital funds and leading Corporate Venture arms
• Influencers: Government officials, Academics, NGOs and Media representatives
• Service Providers: Technology Integrators and Global Service Providers

The participants will engage in intensive discussions, moderated workshops, networking sessions and pre-organized one to one meetings. They will also discover 30 selected disruptive Emerging Companies presentations during the 2 days event.

To view the past event's program, please click here.

The i7 Summit 2012 Program

Themes and Agenda

Throughout the history of society, technology has repeatedly created huge waves of innovation and dramatically transformed society as  with the printing press in the 1400’s and the Internet in the late 1900’s.  In the 21st century, even more technologies are emerging creating major changes in the way we work and live. People are spending hours on social networks with more than 10% of the world’s population on Facebook alone. Social commerce is a huge area for new revenue streams for companies to consider. Sophisticated business analytics is providing bigger insights for better decision making.  And pervasive consumer analytics is allowing for more accurate ways to reach consumers and even manipulate them.

In these sessions, we will explore what some of the exciting new technology and services are, and also some of the issues that have arisen along with the benefits like possible threats to our privacy and free will.

THEME 2: Sharing values to generate global value and sustainability

Societal, political, economic and environmental forces are changing the way we created jobs, manufacture and deliver goods/services, and expand into new markets. This requires the creation of a sustainable framework for comprehensive and global industrial policy, new business models but perhaps a new definition of ROI.  Meanwhile, the current crisis is not just an economic crisis but also a societal crisis that calls into question the degree to which our current systems and institutions embody those values that we hold most dear. Poverty, employment creation, and education inequality are challenges faced in all parts of the world. What does social responsibility mean for corporations and what opportunities exist with new technologies and innovations?

During these sessions, we will explore and share ideas for the implementation of best practices for a sustainable and responsible society across the globe at multiple levels – industry, government, academia, and more.

THEME 3: Empowering global SMEs and entrepreneurs

Small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in their respective countries and economies. On average, they represent over 2/3 of the jobs around the world and 50% of the GDP. The major advantage of the sector is its employment potential at low capital cost which represents a true engine for growth and a crucial source of innovation.  It is generally accepted that it is easier for Entrepreneurs with ideas to start their company, raise funds and trade across borders with more flexibility and speed.

This session will assess the current situation, analyze the challenges and opportunities and provide actionable recommendations to empower SMEs and entrepreneurs.

Agenda for October 10-12, 2012

* To be confirmed