About This Workshop
Good, bad or indifferent, if you are not investing in new technology, you are going to be left behind. -- Philip Green
We're living in an age of unparalleled disruptive change. The technologies that will carry us into the next era (the Fourth Industrial Revolution) will upend every sector of society globally and will, undoubtedly, offer opportunities to build exciting and lucrative new companies and businesses models. No one knows how this will all play out, but this much is true: technology creates new opportunity.
JOIN US for this special, interactive workshop featuring guest instructors, Christina Bechhold (VC at SamsungNEXT) and Eugene Lewis (Advisor at Republic), as we explore the evolving landscape of startup investing and how VCs and Angel Investors are thinking about and investing in the next generation of disruptive startups, and how new laws, uncertain times, and an insatiable drive for global innovation is creating a perfect storm for anyone to potentially make a lot of money in the near future.
What Will We Cover In This Workshop?
AI, machine learning, blockchain, smart cities, driverless vehicles and flying cars, VR/AR, 3D printing, drones, life-extention technologies -- So many disruptive technologies, so little time!
Among other things, Christina and Eugene will cover your most need-to-know questions about how investors are thinking about the future. Who is investing in what, where are the opportunities and the land mines, and how can ordinary people who don't have a fund behind them, or a lot of money, or investor accreditation, invest in the disruptive startups developing technologies of the future?
Some of the questions and topics to be discussed will include:
- Which technologies are more ripe for investing and which ones are possibly overhyped?
- What exactly are the "problems of the future" that emerging tech startups of today are trying to solve?
- How can people participate smartly in supporting emerging tech startups and educate themselves on the new "consumer investor" models and what is the difference between these new investor models like: Crowdfunding (like Kickstarter), Blockchain Token Crowdfunding, Equity Crowdfunding (like Republic), and others.
- How is the frenzy around certain emerging technologies like AI and autonomous vehicles changing the investor landscape?
- Are we in an AI-bubble? How are top investors separating AI hype from AI reality?
- How are big tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Samsung NEXT Ventures (among others) spurring investment in emerging tech startups by launching their own funds? Should we look to them for a sign on where, and in which technologies, to invest our money
- What types of startups is Samsung NEXT looking for in the VR/AR, IoT, AI, space
- How should we be thinking about technologies that will not only disrupt industries, but likely cause mass technological unemployment? How are VCs thinking about this?
- Where's the best place to get started for ordinary people who want to start investing in emerging technologies?
Prerequisite
No technical experience required. This is a non-technical workshop meant for everyone: marketers, advertisers, developers, engineers, product managers, investors, data analysts, students, policy wonks -- all are welcome! You may find these articles informative and interesting:
- Samsung’s $150 Million Bet to Find the Next Big Startup (SamsungNEXT Ventures - interview with Christine Bechhold)
- Why a Group of AngelList and Uber Expats Launched This New Crowdfunding Website (Republic)
- The Initial Coin Offering, the Bitcoin-y Stock That’s Not Stock—But Definitely a Big Deal (Blockchain VC)
- Build Your Fortune in the Fifth Era: How to Prosper in an Age of Unprecedented Innovation (Book)
Agenda
- 6pm - 6:15pm - Sign in, enjoy lite bites and beverages
- 6:15 - 6:20 - Introduction, Tech 2025 announcements, sponsor acknowledgement
- 6:20 - 7:00 - Guest instructor presentations
- 7:00 - 8:50 - Interactive group exercises and problem-solving
- 8:50 - 8pm - Final thoughts and Q&A
Guest Presenters
Christina Bechhold is a Principal at Samsung NEXT Ventures.
She's based in New York, focused on early stage investments in software and services, particularly in mobility, IoT and fintech.
She is also Co-Founder and Managing Director of Empire Angels, a member led angel group of young professionals investing in technology startups with a focus on supporting young entrepreneurs.
Christina is a Regular Contributor for the Wall Street Journal on startups and small business, a columnist for Inc.com, a mentor at The Brandery and Venture for America and a member of VFA’s Rise Committee focused on increasing diversity in entrepreneurship. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at events in the U.S., Europe and Asia, a TEDx speaker, and was recognized by the New York Business Journal as a 2016 Woman of Influence.
Follow Christine on Twitter: @CMBechs / LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/2pKlF1x
Eugene Lewis, Advisor, RepublicAwesome Workshop Sponsor
We partner with innovators to build ideas into products, grow products into businesses and scale businesses that leverage and transform the Samsung ecosystem.
We started in 2013 on a mission to create breakout software and services and foster a startup culture at Samsung. What began as a small group has since become a global organization working to realize this vision in close partnership with innovators everywhere. Each of our partners share our passion for building deeper connections and seamless experiences to inspire the world and create the future.
Read about their new initiative:Samsung’s $150 Million Bet to Find the Next Big Startup
Follow Samsung Next in social -- Twitter: @SamsungNEXT / Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qEDfEi / Instagram: http://bit.ly/2qF4MWg
Register for Workshop
Guest Instructors
Christina Bechhold is a Principal at Samsung NEXT Ventures
Eugene Lewis, Advisor, Republic
Early Bird: $20
Regular Price: $45
Workshop Sponsor
