Imagine an event where those who write the future, readers – researchers, coders, and most importantly, those who believe in the future come together in the same place, at the same time with a single aim. Initiatives and entrepreneurs using science and technology gathered to share the technologies they use to build the future. This year, the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit, held for the 5th time, successfully took place on March 14 – 15 at 104 Centquatre, Paris with the contributions of global partner BNP Paribas.
This event, where entrepreneurs aiming to change the world through science and technology met with over 200 VCs, CVCs, and investors, featured many different presentations on deep tech, innovation, and our future over two days. We had the opportunity to listen to pioneering figures in these presentations that took place simultaneously on 4 different stages (Main stage, Challenge Stage, Deep tech Academy, Startup Showcase). For example, Prof. Dr. George Church, known as the founder of synthetic biology from Harvard University, enlightened us on the path from past to future with his speech titled "Bringing extinct species back to life through genetic engineering." There were also impactful speeches by experts on other topics that will shape the future, such as artificial intelligence and ethics, quantum computing power, and space travel to Mars.
Entrepreneurs making a difference in various parts of the world presented early-stage business ideas in 12 different categories to the jury with great excitement. As a result of these presentations, the first place in each category was awarded with partner support, while the winner of the €100,000 grand prize was RxAll, which participated from Nigeria and developed a digital platform that tests the quality of medications using IoT-based nano scanners and mobile applications.
At the Global Summit, it was not only the speakers or initiatives that shone with their achievements, but also Hello Tomorrow Turkey, the first international hub of Hello Tomorrow. This year, Istanbul outperformed Boston and Toronto with a record number of applications, managing to stand out with its success in the deep tech field within its own entrepreneurship ecosystem. The category winners of the Hello Tomorrow Turkey Finals, which took place in December, showcased their technologies by setting up a stand in the Showcase area. In the Hello Tomorrow Turkey Finals, entrepreneurs competed in 4 categories, and category winners and finalists were determined. These initiatives included “NanoMatTR” (finalist) in the “Energy and Environment” category, “Interact Medical Technologies” in the “Health and Biotechnology” category, “B-PREG” in the “Industry and New Materials” category, and “TAZI.AI (TAZI Informatics)” in the “Data and Artificial Intelligence” category. Among the other participating initiatives were Quant Co, GEEN Biotechnology, Vispera, and Strategic Innovative Initiatives. A record number of startups from Turkey represented our country at the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit.
The event, which reached saturation from a scientific and technological point of view, also provided support for those who were tired or needed to work, offering sleeping tents, working spaces on couches isolated from outside sounds, or swings that gave a sense of being above the clouds, as well as intriguing exhibits.
Hello Tomorrow Global Summit was indeed an event that allowed us to say hello to the future in just 2 days. In the world's most prestigious event that enables universities, accelerators, incubators, institutions, and organizations to come together and support those making a difference on an international platform, we once again saw that the future belongs to those who have hope for the future and work to build it. So, are you ready to be among those building the future with us?
Sümeyra Eprimez
