GPD Step Change 2017

This year there are already 140 confirmed speakers for the conference sessions and workshops, 800 attendants are expected. “We are glad to introduce GPD Step Change, which is a twofold addition to the GPD conference aimed at to bring in new technologies to the glass industry through the involvement of startup companies and investors,” said organising committee Chairman Jorma Vitkala.

Step Change

The first new module is Step Change – a startup program, which is aimed at introducing new technologies, startup companies and investors together to develop the entire glass industry by finding new concepts from within and from the outside, and in doing so increasing the clock speed of the industry. “We are also looking to further develop the community by introducing a mentoring program to foster new startups and involve engagement between different generations in an open exchange of ideas.

“At the moment we are looking for startup companies, existing companies with new technologies or research groups with innovative ideas that can be implemented in any part of the glass industry supply chain.” Startups are invited submit Pitch Decks by the end of February to get early bird registration at reduced rates. Face-to-face-meetings can be arranged before or during the event through the Meeting Management Tool. A pitching contest for startups will be extended to all attendants at the GPD. This contest will showcase the startups to conference attendants, mentors, investors and the media.

Mentor and Ambassador programs

The second new module we are launching is the mentoring program. The goal of the program is to develop the glass industry, disseminate knowledge and promote the GPD Step Change within their networks and interest groups. This has been divided into two categories, Mentors, who are glass industry professionals or emerging technology scouts, and Ambassadors, who represent the retired industry professionals.

An important aspect of the Ambassador and Mentor program is to provide an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to tap into the know-how, networks and experience of established glass industry professionals, passing down knowledge from one group to another. “We invite our mentors to find, inform and finally invite startups as well as emerging technology scouts to join us at GPD Step Change 2017,” said Jorma.

Investors

“To bolster and ensure the success of the Step Change and Mentor programs, we are looking for glass industry emerging technologies divisions, investors, venture capital organizations, business angels, who would like join us in the first of its kind event in the glass industry. The investment element is needed to aid the event to become a platform for startup development.

See you in June!”

For more information, please contact:

Victor Jason

Event Coordinator

victor.jason@gpd.fi

tel. +358 50 362 9416

Jorma Vitkala

Chairman of the Organizing Committee

jorma.vitkala@gpd.fi

tel. +358 40 553 2042

P.S. The abstract submission deadline for Finland 2017 has been extended to 29 January. Submit now!