5th Global Innovation Forum at the World Bank HQ

ICT Powering Constructive Entrepreneurs

May 22 – 24, 2013

Countries Represented

Young Entrepreneurs

Startup Concepts Established

Universities Involved

Program Highlight

A Keynote Videoconference to Remember

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda

A very special guest, H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda joined the forum via video conference from his office in Rwanda. He presented the success story of Rwanda’s growth in healthcare, education, and technology in the past decade.

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Winners

First Prize - $3000

The first place winning team presented a solid plan to utilize first response unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide emergency medical solutions to disaster prone areas. UAVs are drones that can provide high-resolution, landscape pictures of disaster areas so that emergency response teams can be more alert and responsive to a devastated area. This team argued that such technology would assist emergency response teams by increasing their effectiveness and abilities to save lives.

Second Prize - $2000

Second place went to Team H20asis. The team members plan to partner with NGOs like Convoy of Hope and universities to help fund their project. Their plan is to purify water in unused shipping containers. Not only is the team reducing waste of unused shipping containers, but they are also providing clean, potable water to communities lacking such access. The innovative design of the shipping container will also use water as an insulator so that the potable water will stay cool in hot environments.

Third Prize - $1000

Third place was awarded to Team Momentum. The motto was “Bike, Light, Live.” Momentum’s proposal was a biking program that will grant access to many in the developing world to electricity. A small, detachable battery device is connected to bicycles. The device is charged utilizing the kinetic energy of the bicyclist during its use. After it is charged, the battery can power small electronic devices such as cell phones or lamps. Their program provides a small-scale solution to the lack of access to electricity in the developing world.

Program Summary

by Jenna Franze

Athgo’s 5th Global Innovation Forum at the World Bank HQ opened on May 22, 2013 in Washington, DC. The three day event began with a welcome address delivered by Athgo’s VP of Education and Training, Darel Tai Engen, PhD. He challenged participants to bring intelligence, knowledge, experience, and creativity to the table. Over 120 students and young entrepreneurs awaited the series of speakers and startup development sessions that would later ensue. The first day’s agenda included keynote dialogues, panel discussions, and collaborative entrepreneurial team sessions, ending with a private reception hosted by the Embassy of Finland in Washington, DC.

Ms. Stephanie von Friedeburg CIO, World Bank Group VP, Information Management and Technology delivered the keynote welcoming remarks at the forum. She called upon the youth to use technology to monetize innovation and startup development…