What’s the South African innovation ecosystem like? Why does it appear to be one of the most promising tech geographies today? In what way are major trends such as population growth, social and economic progress, market consolidation, and technology assets playing a role in turning the African innovation ecosystem into the world’s next powerhouse? I discuss these matters (and more!) with 2 prominent innovators based in South Africa : Audrey…
How have different countries managed the unexpected Covid-19 global pandemic? And what could Western European countries and the United States learn from Asian countries that have proven especially successful in mitigating risks? I address this matter and more with Gérard de Bourbon, an expert in cultural change and digital transformation. Our conversation is available in full in the zoom interview below but, let me just highlight…
What makes lean startups lean? In his groundbreaking book, Eric Ries begins by showing that startups are different from traditional companies. The Lean Startup and the traditional approach to innovation While incumbents can look at their past to guess what the future may hold in terms of market dynamics, customer behavior, distribution channels and product development, and resource allocation, startups are out in the Unknown. In…
In what way is nanotechnology changing our world? Why is it that nanotechnology has numerous applications across many different industries? And in what way is it fueling exponential technologies ? What’s the difference between linear progress and exponential improvements? I address these matters with Lars Montelius, Director General of the Iberian International Nanotechnology Laboratory. A short bio of Lars Montelius A scientist and a…
How to build a successful marketplace based startup? And why would one want to focus on building such a startup in the first place? What are the most promising segments in the space today? To tackle these questions, I draw on: A recent conversation with the world’s top seed investor and expert in marketplaces, Fabrice Grinda A recent conversation with Romain Serman, Head of BPI…
If one were to advise the CEO on innovation, what would one suggest? In other words, what are the most promising innovation use cases out today? What role does customer centricity play in making resources allocation decisions? Following my conversation with Gérard de Bourbon, I tackle this matter with Board member of many innovation organizations in Europe including Hexicon, a world leader in floating windmills…
Fabrice Grinda, the world’s top seed investor, is developing an efficient investment strategy and achieving a steady 68% realized Internal Rate of Returns since 2009 across 540 startup investments by following a specific investment guide. Fabrice is following an investment philosophy much different from most Venture Capitalists: 1/ Many VCs are spending their time in low return startups while Fabrice, independent of LPs for capital,…
What books have played the most in one’s life and career? What idea stuck with the reader? How have the readings change his or her understanding of our place in the world and the meaning of our own existence? And have these readings help them acquire skills and innovation? Having touched upon this with digital transformation expert Gérard de Bourbon and indian-born serial entrepreneur Ambuj…
How do our readings affect our careers? What role does business, sales, innovation, and entrepreneurial books play in shaping our career and personal growth? Can reading help one evolve from a CTO role to a CEO one? Founder of process automation started that Zappy.ai and winner of many innovation awards, Ambuj Agrawal, and myself, address these questions in a recent conversation. Introducing Ambuj Agrawal,…
We’re all familiar with dollars, euros, and pounds. And yet, user-generated content represents a new form of economy from which one could build a digital currency, also known as a “social money”. Social money is pricing an individual’s value based on his/her choices as such, as opposed to traditional money pricing products or services. You find the idea strange and perhaps difficult to understand?…