The EYIF UNconvention 2012

Dedicated to inspiring innovation among European youth and featuring leading personalities in innovation policy and practice.

This unique UNconvention brings together young Europeans with innovative ideas and those who will inspire, guide and support them: entrepreneurs, investors, business and corporate personalities, academic and industrial experts, opinion leaders, and policy and decision makers.

The two days feature many inspiring keynotes, exciting unconventional sessions, networking lunches and cocktails as well as opportunities to directly and closely interact with key speakers and leaders at two special sessions: Speakers and Leaders Dinner and InnoCoffee.

The UNconvention is hosted under the Official High Patronage of the President of the European Parliament, Martin SCHULZ and as you know we’ll be welcoming high-level keynote speakers from Europe and the USA including:

EXPERTS, INNOVATORS, ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESSPEOPLE

• Jan MUEHLFEIT, Chairman Europe, Microsoft
• Harry van DORENMALEN, Chairman, IBM Europe
• Marne LEVINE, Vice-President, Facebook
• Matthias UMMENHOFER, Head of Equity and Risk Finance, European Investment Fund
• Sheila MARCELO, Founder and CEO, Care.com and Young Global Leader, WEF
• Anne GLOVER, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Amadeus Capital Partners
• Carlos Eduardo ESPINAL, Partner, Seedcamp

• Alec ROSS, Senior Advisor on Innovation to US Secretary of State Hillary CLINTON
• Rohan SILVA, Senior Advisor to Prime Minister David CAMERON, and responsible for the UK’s first Tech City
• William E. KENNARD, US Ambassador to the European Union
• Amalia SARTORI, Chair of European Parliament Committee on Industry Research and Energy
• Neelie KROES, Vice-President European Commission and Commissioner for Digital Agenda
• Dr. Anneli PAULI, Deputy Director-General Innovation and ERA, European Commission
• Sidonia JĘDRZEJEWSKA, MEP, European Parliament
• Carl HAGLUND, MEP, European Parliament
• Maria da Graça CARVALHO, Member of the European Parliament
• Karen WILSON, Structural Policy Division,Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, OECD

Check the Agenda and the Speakers' bios

Still hesitant? Here are the top 3 reasons to participate in the EYIF UNconvention:

MEET AND COLLABORATE

The EYIF UNconvention is your on-stop shop to meet and discuss with experts, experienced innovators as well as policy and decision makers. The UNconvention gives you the opportunity to network and exchange with:

- Talented Young Innovators

- Successful Young Entrepreneurs
- Top European Business and Political Leaders, Policy Makers
- Renowned Investors and Venture Capitalists
- Leading Experts in Business and Technology
- Thought-Leaders, Journalists, Bloggers, Consultants
- Well-Known Companies Supporting and Promoting Innovation

BE INSPIRED

Overcome risk aversion, learn why it's Okay to Fail! and take the next bold step forward through up, close and personal interactions with people who have succeeded in business, innovation and entrepreneurship across domains, countries and cultures, and the experts, companies and investors that guide and support the innovation ecosystems across Europe and the world. Some of our keynote speakers include the chairmen of IBM Europe and Microsoft, high-level international political representatives, European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, leaders from the European Parliament, European Investment Fund, World Economic Forum (WEF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Seedcamp and many others.

MOBILISE

Raise your voice on how innovation should be done in Europe, share experiences, identify obstacles, and as a community of innovators, engage directly and interactively with the Europe's Leaders: policy designers and decision makers from the European Commission and the European Parliament.