Silicon Valley traditionally prides itself upon driving change, but what percentage of the companies getting funded today are addressing major, global problems? How many startups are created each year that actually have a positive and meaningful impact on industries... and humanity?
At the 16th Founder Showcase on May 12th in Mountain View, we will feature three of technology's leading change agents who are on a crusade to change not only industries, but also the world.
Our first speaker, Chamath Palihapitiya, is the Owner of the Golden State Warriors and Founder of The Social+Capital Partnership ("Social Capital") - a partnership of philanthropists, technologists and capitalists utilizing venture capital as a force to create value and change on a global scale. Social Capital is a different type of VC firm, which has a financial structure and mission to fund many long-term, impactful companies solving global problems, over flash-in-pan, short term gains.
The companies we invest in could take eight, 10 years to be successful, but these are areas that need to be fundamentally disrupted... You might as well just swing the bat on something crazy, big, and audacious” - Chamath Palihapitiya
Our second speaker, Peter Diamandis, is the Chairman & CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, Co-Founder of Singularity University, Human Longevity & Space Adventures, and in 2014 he was named one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune Magazine. In his latest book, BOLD – How to go Big, Create Wealth & Impact the World, Peter argues that anybody - not just large companies - can now build products to tackle global challenges by harnessing the growing power of crowdfunding, 3D printing, AI, and robotics.
Upstart entrepreneurs can go from ‘I’ve got an idea’ to ‘I run a billion-dollar company’ far faster than ever before... Your mission is to find a product or service that can positively impact the lives of 1 billion people, because that's the game we're playing today" - Peter Diamandis
Our final speaker, Gabe Zichermann, is the world's leading expert on gamification and behavioral design, Founder of Dopamine and Gamification Co, and a best selling author of The Gamification Revolution. Gamification is the process of using Game Thinking and Game Dynamics to engage audiences and solve problems, and when combined with behavioral economics, it can drive lasting change. According to Gabe, companies today need to fundamentally change user behavior in order to build not just a company, but an industry.
Games are the only force in the known universe that can get people to take actions against their self-interest, in a predictable way, without using force. By leveraging the dynamics of games and behavioral economics, you can drive change” - Gabe Zichermann
In addition, panelists for the event include some of world's top venture capitalists and journalists, including;
- Adeo Ressi, Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, TheFunded.com
- Boris Wertz, Founding Partner, Version One Ventures
- Cyan Banister, CEO of Zivity, Owner of Banister Capital
- Jed M. Katz, Managing Director, Javelin Venture Partners
- Jessica E. Lessin, Founder & Editor in Chief at The Information
- Manu Kumar, Chief Firestarter @ K9 Ventures
If you are interested in learning how to make a real impact through capitalism, then join us for this great event.
The 16th Founder Showcase event takes place on Thursday, May 12th in Mountain View, and will be attended by hundreds of investors and press. Get your tickets today.
