WIE, WHERE STARTUPS TAKE TO THE WORLD STAGE

Today I am proud to announce that I will be speaking at and partnering with World Innovation Economics at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos on 25 May. We are thrilled to be partnering with WIE as they share our passion for supporting startups and helping them to expand and grow to make a positive impact in the world.

WIE is the brainchild of founder and CEO Spandana Ayachitam.

“When I went to Davos for the first time I met influencers, corporate leaders, policymakers, CEOs and Government officials who give big talks about making an impact and stimulating change,” she tells me, “But the people who bring real change in financial ecosystems are startups, which are nowhere to be found in Davos.”

Like weinvolve, WIE believes startups are the real game changes because they are from a real idea to solve a real problem.

“I choose the World Economic Forum as my stage,” Ayachitam says, “because WEF attracts more than twenty thousand people every year and it is the best all-around opportunity for any startup to expand its business. Networking is crucial for any early-stage startup and WEF is all about networking.”

WIE’s event is housed in the partner venue at WEF and brings startups and innovators together with investors, institutes, regulators and incubators from around the world to address mutual challenges and share information.

“Our goal is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects in innovations, to foster learning, inspiration and wonder-and provoke conversations that matter,” Ayachitam says. “We mainly focus on accelerating startups and young entrepreneurs. Last year we attracted over 250 professionals including Semya Ayoubi, Chief Economist, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and 30 startups around the globe.”

Participants are exposed to speakers and delegates from varied backgrounds. This year, venture capital firm Swisspost are acting as Judges and are ready to shake hands with interesting startups. Danish investment first Fintech Mundi will also be present and looking for investment opportunities. STFA investors network, who invested in Aequaland, are also on the list of confirmed investors.

There will be speakers from the United Nations, DXC Technologies, SIX Digital Exchange, Founders from Imburse payments, Monii app, Loan box, Hyphen.earth, Global Data Excellence, ITEO, Zenus and some of the student entrepreneurs from ETH Entrepreneurs club, among others

Prof. Mihoko Kumamoto, Director of UNITAR, which propels Sustainable Development Goals through impactful, innovative training and learning opportunities around the world will be the keynote speaker for the education segment.

This year, WIE has partnered with ETH university and is expecting student entrepreneurs to participate in the SFTA/WIE joint Davos Innovation Event at the Sunstar Hotel in Davos Platz. 

The event, Spananda says, is about innovation and ideas, and includes startups from pre-seed to fully grown unicorns.

WIE welcomes startups from around the world. “Many countries are under-represented  in terms of innovation but I believe nature has given equal talent, equal resources, and equal opportunities to every county So this is the stage where the world meets and massive opportunity to represent themselves.”

One issue that arises, she says, is affordability. Davos’ costs shoot up to average around 5000CHF per night around the time of WEF. Given that statistically 99% per cent of startups fail due to a lack of funds, WIE aims to keep costs down for startups by providing reasonably priced accommodation.

“We not only set the stage but also accelerate the startups through the Award program,” Ayachitam says. “My primary target is not only to focus on Promoting growth and creating opportunities. but also to raise funds in coming years.” 

In this journey, Ayachitam mas received major support from Philip Weights, who she met at her first annual event. “He opened the partnership with SFTA who co-host and has stood by me like a backbone throughout.”  

Ayachitam is also grateful to the entire STFA team who believed in her and supported her, and for everyone who has made the WIE event possible. “You can’t do something of this magnitude alone,” she says. “Just like with a child, it takes a village to raise a startup.”

This sentiment is echoed by next week’s special guest, who says “I must reinforce the fact that nobody makes it alone. NOBODY!! … It is only with the help and encouragement of many who believe what you believe and believe in your potential … And with their support, you do your part to realise that potential.”

Can you guess who it is?