Stay ahead of your rivals and understand the latest trends. FutureScope returns to Dublin, May 10th

By @SimonCocking, interview with the organisers of FutureScope, Ireland’s leading event for staying up to date with current trends and future insights.  See more about last year’s event here.

 When is it on?

Wednesday 10^th May 2017 in the Convention Centre Dublin

The early bird catches the…. #FutureScope Early bird ticket! Get yours today https://t.co/ZwnyB7fr0M pic.twitter.com/qQKo0LYYiR

— Dublin BIC (@BICDublin) February 27, 2017

How many years has it been going?

This is the fourth year.  FutureScope started out as Silicon Stroll – an event designed to foster collaboration between global technology companies based in Ireland and entrepreneurs participating in Dublin BIC’s programmes.  Demand for Silicon Stroll was so high that Dublin BIC decided to open its doors to anyone interested in attending the event –  and so introduced FutureScope to the Convention Centre Dublin in 2016.

The 900+ attendees at Futurescope 2016 heard insights from over 50 high calibre speakers and panellists, including multinationals – Google, Facebook, IBM, Microsoft; start-ups –  Blueface, Davra, Heystacks, Circle, NewsWhip, Nasal Medical; scale-ups – Endeco, Moocall, Movidius, Slack, Stripe; research centres and academia – CONNECT Centre, DCU, TCD, UCD; state agencies and ecosystem influencers – EI, IDA, Ryan Academy, and more.

What was the inspiration to start it?

Dublin BIC’s purpose is to empower entrepreneurs to start and scale.  Engagement within the ecosystem is an important way for entrepreneurs to access ideas and contacts needed to create and scale successful businesses.  At FutureScope, thought-leaders from the Irish tech ecosystem share perspectives on evolving trends and how these trends will shape our future world, providing crucial insights for developing businesses.

FutureScope brings together a strong mix of seed and growth stage start-ups, scale-ups, investors, multinationals, research centres and entrepreneurial support agencies to explore business opportunities arising.

What exciting things can people look forward to for the 2017 version?

High caliber speakers, lively offstage panels, innovation showcases, technology demonstrations as well as structured networking and engagement. The format has changed to allow for more content be shared throughout the day.  There will be a main stage focused on ‘current trends and future insights’, a collaboration stage focused on ‘community and collaboration’, and offstage panels focused on interactive, deep-dive discussions on a range of topical issues relating to starting and scaling in various verticals.  All with lots of time and space for constructive networking.

What opportunities are on offer for people / startups / investors and companies attending?

For Entrepreneurs, insights from market leaders & access to business opportunities

For Enterprise, access to cutting edge innovations & collaboration opportunities

FutureScope One2Watch 2017 competition offers start-ups the opportunity to pitch their idea too.

Competition Time #FutureScope is looking for the One2Watch-Ireland's most scalable business idea! Application open! https://t.co/PSZrnvusWn pic.twitter.com/4qu93blgiF

— Dublin BIC (@BICDublin) March 6, 2017

How can people book tickets / when does it usually sell out?

You can book tickets here, they are reasonably priced in line with Dublin BIC’s commitment to ‘invest in entrepreneurs’. There are also currently  early birds tickets at €145!

What is the format for the event?

FutureScope 2017 takes place Wednesday 10^th May in the Convention Centre Dublin.   Thought-leader presentations, innovation showcases, technology demonstrations and structured networking will come together to create an event which will attract seed and growth stage start-ups, scale-ups, investors, large enterprise, multinationals, academia, media and key influencers within the start-up ecosystem.

There are six elements to FutureScope 2016

1. Insights Stage (thought-leader presentations)
2. Collaboration Stage (showcasing collaboration tools and case studies)
3. FutureScope Panels (interactive offstage breakout sessions)
4. FutureScopeOne2Watch Competition
5. Future World Showcase
6. Networking (throughout venue withcorporate exhibition opportunities)

What is different about FutureScope?

1. There is no shortage of events in the start-up space in Dublin, but FutureScope is very clearly differentiated from these events:FutureScope is run by a not-for-profit organisation, Dublin BIC, where the purpose is very clear – ‘to empower entrepreneurs to start and scale’.  Dublin BIC has been doing this for nearly 30 years. FutureScope is not a commercial play; the objective is to deliver real value to all participants and create business opportunities for entrepreneurs, established businesses and FutureScope partners.

    

   FutureScope has a clearly defined purpose. It is to facilitate the sharing of current trends and future insights, and in doing so foster engagement and collaboration between innovative multinationals and Ireland’s entrepreneurial community. FutureScope caters primarily for Ireland, and companies operating in Ireland.  Of course speakers and delegates from overseas are welcomed, but the focus is on bringing together key players from the very rich Irish start-up and innovation ecosystem.   As a result, one of the most notable outcomes from FutureScope 2016 was the very high quality and constructive nature of the networking activity.

   FutureScope represents more than a one-day event.  It is one of many Dublin BIC touchpoints in the start-up ecosystem which support the FutureScope agenda throughout the year.  Dublin BIC delivers on its promise to ‘empower entrepreneurs to start and scale’ through four strategic areas of focus (see graphic below)

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