NGIN is reaching around the world to help entrepreneurs no matter where they reside. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization held a five day “Cleantech Days” conference at its headquarters in Vienna. UNIDO hosted their week-long Cleantech Days conference at the UNIDO headquarters in Vienna.
For the past ten years the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has offered its Global Climate Innovation Program (GCIP) to developing countries as a tool to up-skill their cleantech entrepreneurs. NGIN is UNIDO’s Implementation Partner, responsible for delivering a range of entrepreneur-assistance programming to entrepreneurs in GCIP’s 16 developing countries. To date, we’ve worked with 1,500+ entrepreneurs.
The conference takes place over five days with a combination of large meetings (typical UN-style meeting room above), smaller work sessions and presentations from GCIP entrepreneurs. NGIN’s Kevin Braithwaite leads a training session with country managers, entrepreneurs, and UNIDO staff. The degree of planning and preparation for these sessions is significant. By far and away the most fun activity was listening to startup pitches. Notice Armogrid’s management team. They start’m young at Armogrid: ) Zoku Hotel in Vienna is the latest version of the new micro-room/big social space hotel trend. Located central Vienna adjacent, the Zoku follows the trend of small rooms, big social spaces, high style. Big difference for Zoku is that its cheap ($100ish). One of the more clever room designs, all Zoku rooms have a mini loft for the bed, a small living room/kitchen, lots of storage and a regular sized bath. Took me a while to figure out how to get up to the loft, but then realized stairs pull out from the wall. Top floor is reception, bar, restaurant, and co-working space. Very cool and relaxed. It became the meeting place for everyone at the conference.. Final two days were spent at the International Vienna Energy & Climate Forum held in the Hofburg Palace in downtown Vienna. One of the opening videos was a preview of this year’s COP 28 event held in Dubai delivered by the Dubai official in charge of the event. This was an interesting discussion from leaders representing three overlooked and under appreciated groups whenever the transition t o carbon neutrality is discussed: (1) Nuclear is pitched as a “ready to go” source of clean power that can be built relatively inexpensively NOW. I tend to agree. (2). Much of Sub-Sahara Africa doesn’t have something to transition FROM as there are sill hundreds of millions of people without any kind of electricity; and (3). The group that has the most to lose from not slowing climate change is today’s young people. All of these groups are represented in the dialog and solutions that are taking place now. For entrepreneurs participating in one of UNIDO’s programs, the Vienna conference represents a big stage to pitch their companies. How can you not smile: one of the startup contest winners was a single-mom/CEO from Nigeria. She was carrying her baby to all the events — including pitching..Wow! How can you not smile #2: Closing ceremony featuring a couple of songs from the Vienna Boy’s Choir. Pretty special and a reminder of who we’re working for. Leave a comment
Good vibes, great to see smart people focusing on saving the planet. However, although very cool design, I don't think I would have ever made it to the loft.
FW, looks like a great Conference, I should have been with you to carry your bags! As I've
said before, " I do hope your travels bring you and KR our way one of these days. Travel
safely please and stay well. Charlie from the desert