iMinds 2009
innovation, incubation, inspiration

Tuesday May 12th 2009

Goal

As a demand driven research institution, we consider staying in touch with industry, government and every possible stakeholder of paramount importance. The 5 editions of the yearly IBBT Brokerage Event can certainly testify to this. Now we launch a completely new networking event: iMinds, an interactive conference. The program will include inspirational speeches from Samuel Widmann (Google), Bruno Lanvin (INSEAD), Amy Shuen (author of “Web 2.0: A Strategy Guide”), Alain De Taeye (TomTom), Ben Cerveny (Stamen design), Ken Ducatel (Lisbon Strategy - i2010 ) and a number of others, as well as thematic tracks on research, incubation & entrepreneurship and ICT policy. Even more so than in earlier editions, we want to bring together actors and experiences with very diverse backgrounds, in order to reflect on and discuss new ways of doing ICT innovation policies in Europe.

ICT companies no longer are the only driving force behind innovation in the sector. We are evolving towards a digital economy. The success of projects characterized by interdisciplinarity, focus on design, users involvement, market-orientation and flexibility testify to this. We now want to take it a step further and reach out to developers and creative individuals who often construe quite marketable projects in a very short time span and with very little budget. With the first presentation of the INCA Award (INnovative & Creative Applications), we are looking for both local and international talent eager to take on the challenge of demonstrating that new forms of innovation are possible and do result in successes when put into practice (for more information: check www.inca-award.be).

Who should attend

iMinds is open to anyone with an interest in the subject of ICT innovation is welcome to attend and focuses on researchers, entrepreneurs from large and small companies, venture capitalists, civil servants, politicians and creative individuals with different disciplinary backgrounds.