Techweek Makes First Move Abroad to Havana, Cuba
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 24, 2015 -- The Techweek mission is to build a better world through tech entrepreneurship. Since its inception in Chicago in 2011, Techweek has moved into the tech ecosystems of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Miami and Kansas City. Next, Techweek will turn its attention to international expansion, hosting the first annual Techweek Havana beginning December 1, 2015.
Techweek works to achieve its mission by gathering communities of technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors; showcasing the world’s most innovative ideas; and celebrating the people, companies, and gusto that make progress happen. This “people to people” exchange in Havana, Cuba is being done in partnership with the Florida Keys TREE Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is licensed to take Americans to Cuba to share and learn.
Techweek seeks to uncover and shine a light on the most innovative products, platforms, and ideas -- long before they are known to the masses. In 2012, Techweek hosted Travis Kalanick (Founder & CEO, Uber) to discuss an app that would go on to transform the way we move from place to place. Earlier in 2015, Techweek announced the 100 Cities Fund to invest in the winners of its Launch Championship, solidifying a commitment to the most exciting new tech entrepreneurs across the country. In December, Techweek will continue on this mission by celebrating exceptional entrepreneurs and the tech community of Havana, Cuba.
Techweek Havana will center on an exchange of ideas between local innovators, visiting visionaries, and dreamers from all walks of life. The event will provide an open space for all who are passionate about technology and entrepreneurship to be a part of the conversation – goals for the event include:
- Introducing some of the most prominent tech founders in the US to Cuban entrepreneurs, students, ministry representatives, and local leaders: Through interactive panels and presentations, Cuban business people, students, educators, professionals and policy experts will propose their visions for technological and business development in Cuba. In turn, U.S. CEOs will present to Cuban entrepreneurs, innovators, and educators about some of the most innovative U.S. tech companies and their goals for expansion, both domestically and abroad.
- Creating a forum for the exchange of culture, ideas, and understanding: Techweek believes that entrepreneurs around the world are quite similar – passionate, visionary, and hard-working. This event will allow U.S. entrepreneurs to experience Cuban culture and history firsthand – and will create an open forum for Cuban and U.S. entrepreneurs to sit together, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
- Encouraging partnerships that will last for years to come: Through both formal panels and presentations and informal gatherings and excursions, Techweek aims to create a space where U.S. technology founders and Cuban entrepreneurs, educators, professionals and ministry representatives can build prosperous partnerships that will last well beyond the event itself.
“Techweek has had the distinct privilege of learning from talented entrepreneurs from across the U.S., and we could not be more excited to continue that journey internationally,” said Katy Lynch, CEO of Techweek. “We are honored to be able to create an exchange among entrepreneurs, innovators, and visionaries from two places that are close geographically, but to many feel quite far away.”
To learn more about Techweek Havana, email Havana(at)Techweek(dot)com
Media Contact:
Cory Zielke
312-670-8941
cory(at)motionpr(dot)net
ABOUT TECHWEEK
Techweek is a seven-day conference, expo and festival where entrepreneurs, tech visionaries and thought leaders meet to enable the innovation ecosystem in the cities of Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami and New York. Techweek curates compelling programming that allows a global spotlight to shine on each ecosystem and its leaders. Past speakers include Rahm Emanuel (Mayor, Chicago), Travis Kalanick (CEO, Uber), Craig Newmark (Founder, Craigslist), Barney Harford (CEO, Orbitz), Dan Gilbert (Founder, Quicken Loans), Peter Diamandis (Founder, X PRIZE) and Pitbull (World renowned musician). The Techweek expo has gathered more than 200 sponsors, including companies such as Google, Groupon, Microsoft, Motorola, Redbox, Uber and Wordpress. The after-parties at Techweek have become famous for events like the Bootlegger's Ball, attracting sports teams such as Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks and for hosting entertainers like Calvin Harris.
Cory Zielke, Motion PR, +1 (312) 670-8941, [email protected]
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