Following the success of its 2012 event, which brought together over one hundred people to work on innovative, start-up projects that benefit society, Idea Transform today announced the dates and venue for its 2013 weekend event.
To be held between 15-17 March 2013 at the Cambridge Judge Business School, Idea Transform 2013 will support entrepreneurs looking to develop technology projects that make a difference in the areas of healthcare, education, the environment and community.
Backed by the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Idea Transform aims to inspire projects that can deliver long-term change across the globe. The weekend event brings together people with ideas and those with business, marketing and technical skills to work together intensely to develop meaningful and innovative projects. Attendees benefit from a combination of hands-on, experienced mentors and inspiring keynote speakers to provide the perfect environment to learn, advance their ideas and network with like-minded individuals. Ahead of the weekend, lead in events in January and February 2013 will provide an opportunity for potential attendees to meet, discuss ideas and learn from expert speakers in the fields of healthcare, education, the environment and community.
2012 winners from the 26 ideas pitched included mobile phone-based biometrics project Sim Prints; Imvoto, a teacher developed system for mobile maths learning; and electric charging technology provider Ampium. Attending Idea Transform has helped nurture their development, providing new skills, contacts and mentoring. Ampium has successfully demonstrated its in-road charging while Imvoto is now beta testing its software with a wide group of schools.
Shailendra Vyakarnam, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL), Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, said:
“This is a really inspiring, in-depth learning experience for entrepreneurs who want to do something more meaningful. We’re delighted to be supporting this important initiative.”
High profile speakers, mentors and judges representing Raspberry Pi, Research in Motion, Amadeus Capital Partners, Springboard and Cambridge Angels made Idea Transform 2012 a positive and successful weekend for attendees, who included established and budding entrepreneurs, software/web developers, business people and marketers. As well as CfEL, Idea Transform 2012 event was backed by ARM, Red Gate Software and ideaSpace, with additional support from Research in Motion (RIM). Speakers, judges and mentors for Idea Transform 2013 will be announced in the coming months.
Created and organised by Mauro Ciaccio, Chris Measures, Jeremy Parsons and Jo Vertigan, the success of Idea Transform has continued with the event format powering the Future Business Weekend science-based startup event in Oxford in November 2012.