19/9/2011 The annual event, 'Silicon Valley Comes to the UK' (SVC2UK), is back this year as business leaders from companies such as Google, LinkedIn, Gilt Groupe, Threadless and Style for Hire travel to the UK to share insights into some of the most innovative ideas of the 21st century, the details of which are announced today.
The programme of events, supported by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), Cambridge University and a number of other organisations will run from 16th - 19th November and will address the theme 'Economy 2.0: re-writing the rules'.
Approximately 30 leading Silicon Valley entrepreneurs will meet their UK and European counterparts to look at collaborating on business ventures and to share insights into ideas that have changed the world. They will also lead classes examining cutting-edge technologies and business models, and they will meet with policymakers to look at how entrepreneurship can contribute to the growth in the economy.
This year, SVC2UK, which runs during Global Entrepreneurs Week, will also be run simultaneously at 30 universities across the country involving over 10,000 students, from Edinburgh to Southampton. Student societies will run their own events on 18 November in the largest ever attempt to inspire students to be entrepreneurs and foster relationships with entrepreneurs, angels and investors. Participating student societies will be invited to attend an event in London on 19 November to hear keynote speeches from the Silicon Valley visitors and to attend master classes run by them.
This year's programme also includes the launch of the 2011 SVC2UK 'Appathon' where university students will be invited to use government data-sets and create original applications across a number of platforms. The Appathons will take place in Edinburgh, Sheffield, London, Cambridge, Oxford and Southampton in October and the winners will then have the opportunity to tour Silicon Valley in March 2012.
The SVC2UK schedule includes:
Sherry Coutu, SVC2UK co-chairman, says: 'This is the fourth event in the Silicon Valley comes to the UK series and it is bigger and more ambitious than ever before. This year's focus on re-writing the rules for economic growth in a digital era speaks to the colossal power and potential of a digital world in making a real difference at a time of immense economic turbulence. We hope that by inspiring our world-class students, who are overflowing with ideas to make change happen, we will reap rewards in the not-too-distant future.'
Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn and SVC2UK co-chairman says: 'When it comes to entrepreneurship there are no borders, which is why I look forward to this event each year. I and the other entrepreneurs benefit hugely from meeting the inspirational businesses and students from the UK and Europe. And if in turn we help inspire the talent of tomorrow, then everyone benefits.'
Full details of the speakers and programme of events can be accessed at www.svc2uk.com
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The world-class line up of Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs taking part in the programme is:
For further information, please contact: Jan Singleton on 020 7438 2606/ jan.singleton@nesta.org.uk or Laura Allen on 020 7438 2609/ laura.allen@nesta.org.uk
About NESTA
NESTA is the UK's foremost independent expert on how innovation can solve some of the country's major economic and social challenges. Its work is enabled by an endowment, funded by the National Lottery, and it continues to operate at no cost to the taxpayer. NESTA is a world leader in its field and carries out its work through a blend of experimental programmes, analytical research and investment in early-stage companies. www.nesta.org.uk
About SVC2UK
Silicon Valley comes to the UK (SVC2UK) is an annual programme which welcomes pioneers of the most disruptive consumer internet and green technologies to the UK. The entrepreneurs will meet their UK and European counterparts to look at collaborating on business ventures. They will lead classes at the University examining cutting-edge technologies and business models, and they will meet with policymakers to look at how to expand the UK's innovation capacity. The SVC2UK is supported by a number of businesses and has grown into an eagerly anticipated event, with thousands of students and entrepreneurs benefiting from the collective expertise of the group. The programme is organised by Co-Chairs Sherry Coutu and Reid Hoffman, the Executive Committee and Partnering Organisations.
http://www.svc2uk.com/
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