International trend experts, futurists discuss local, global innovation trends

in5, the enabling platform for entrepreneurs and startups launched by TECOM Group, hosted a delegation of futurologists and trend experts at its in5 Tech innovation centre in Dubai Internet City (DIC) under the auspices of La Futura 2017 Dubai conference.

Organised by La Futura Global Trend Network (La Futura), the world’s leading trendspotting organisation, the exclusive event convened renowned futurists from across the globe to discuss the latest trends to impact the future with representatives of local and international companies. Held under the theme ‘The Future Is Yours to Create’, this is the biggest edition of the conference to date, and the first one in the Middle East.

At in5, the delegates listened to presentations by Ammar Al Malik, Executive Director of DIC, Duleesha Kulasooriya, Head of Strategy at Deloitte LLP Center for the Edge, and Piers Fawkes, founder of New York-based business intelligence platform PSFK.

Ammar Al Malik said: “I am delighted to welcome the distinguished delegation from La Futura 2017 Dubai conference to in5. Today’s visit aligns with our mission to assist fledgling businesses in bringing their creative ideas and projects to market.”

Speaking on Dubai Internet City’s role as a driver of innovation and growth across the region, he said: “Since its inception, Dubai Internet City has played an integral role in achieving Dubai’s vision of becoming one of the leading cities of the future through providing an enabling environment for businesses to grow and develop new, cutting-edge concepts. Extending this tested formula to entrepreneurs and startups, our innovation platform in5 currently nurtures over 100 startups across the tech, design and media industries to their next phase of growth.”

He added: “Much like La Futura that is focused on connecting experts from a wide variety of fields in the name of innovation, in5 encourages its members to not only draw inspiration from their own sectors, but explore valuable synergies within its diverse network of partners focused on distinct areas of expertise. We firmly believe that innovation can only thrive through gaining exposure to other schools of thought.”

Brett Cameron, Managing Director of Serviceplan Experience, event organisers for La Futura, said: “Organising an event like La Futura in Dubai was an obvious choice for us, considering the city’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and futurism. We brought Serviceplan Experience to Dubai three years ago, when we saw that Dubai was heading in a very interesting direction, specifically with its push towards increased digitisation and implementation of futuristic technologies. The Dubai 2017 conference has been an especially eye-opening and engaging one for the members of the La Futura delegation, who have witnessed how to turn trends into feasible innovations and develop creative solutions to global issues.”

With its burgeoning innovation landscape teeming with start-ups and entrepreneurs looking to disrupt industries and break with the status quo, Dubai continues to attract leading trendwatchers and futurists to its shores. La Futura is the latest organisation to hold its global gathering in the emirate.

Founded in 2010 in Berlin, Germany, by noteworthy researchers and trendspotters from across Europe, America and Asia, La Futura quickly established itself as a central trend intelligence network with a host of global and local events to its credit. With a tagline ‘Not Yet Another Conference’, its annual convention connects experts across industries to its robust business trend network, and seeks to bridge the gap between upcoming trends, latest innovations and future opportunities.

© Press Release 2017