A panel of international entrepreneurs addresses how advances in technology and telecommunications are changing entrepreneurship around the globe. Listen to their conversation
In the past few years accessibility to technology and cloud computing has blown away many of the traditional obstacles to innovation, fundamentally changing the playing field for creative entrepreneurs and community leaders around the world. This unprecedented openness is inspiring new business models and social programs that were unfathomable just a few years ago.
In developing countries, where barriers to innovation and business development can be severe, the cloud and mobile technology are paving new roads to development and prosperity.
The Panelists' Conversation
Click the links below to hear the panelist's thoughts
What is the cloud? "Bigger. Better. Faster. Cheaper. It changes the rules of the game." With these words, Ayman El Tarabishy opened an inspiring and insightful conversation that emphasized the enormous potential for entrepreneurs in technology.
"There is only one comparison to mobile technology: the printing press" said Joel Selanikio, who described how he turned an idea to make health information more accessible into a company that is both profitable and meets its original social mission through its economic success.
Mohsen Khalil shared his insight after years investing in technology entrepreneurs in developing countries. "People are smart all around the world. The question is, 'do they have the right enabling environment?'" This means access to information and markets, which mobile technology and the cloud deliver.
The cost of entry is very low now, explained Pete Erickson, who started his latest venture with free website software in one afternoon. "Your job is to identify who is underserved, be passionate about what you are doing and go for it."
Panelists discussed how scalibility and profitability in a business actually lead to the social impact that so many development organizations strive to achieve.
Their full conversation is available below.
What: Head in the Cloud: A New Playground for Entrepreneurs
When: November 15, 2011 11:00-1:00 pm EST
Where: George Washington University School of Business, Duques Hall Room 254, 2201 G St., Washington, DC
Panelists:
Mohsen Khalil, Director of Global Information and Communication Technologies Department, The World Bank/IFC
Mohsen Khalil is a joint Director at the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the Global Information and Communication Technologies Department. In this capacity, Mr. Khalil is in charge of the World Bank Group’s activities in the area of telecommunications and information technologies world wide. This involves advisory work to governments on sector reforms, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity building, in addition to supporting private investments in developing countries.
Prior to this appointment, he was Director of IFC's Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa Department. He also served IFC as Chief Investment Officer in the Telecommunications, Transport, and Utilities Department.
Before joining the World Bank Group, while also a Professor of Business at the American University of Beirut, Mr. Khalil served as Chief Advisor to the Lebanese Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Board Director of Lebanon's Autonomous Fund for Housing, and advisor to various governments and major corporations in the Middle East. He also worked with McKinsey & Co. Management Consultants, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and MITRE Corporation.
Mr. Khalil holds an M.S. from MIT Sloan School of Management, a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and a B.Sc. in Physics from the American University of Beirut.
Joel Selanikio, CEO and co-founder, DataDyne.org
Named by Internet Evolution to their 2010 IE100 list of key internet influencers, and by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful innovators of 2009, Joel Selanikio is a winner of the 2009 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability and the 2009 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award for Healthcare IT. His work has been reported on by The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and the Washington Post, among others. He is a sought-after speaker, a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, and a participant in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and the annual Renaissance Weekend retreat.
A practicing pediatrician, former Wall Street computer consultant, and former CDC epidemiologist with a passion for combining technology and public health to address inequities in developing countries, Dr. Selanikio leads DataDyne.org's pioneering efforts to develop and promote new technologies for health and international development, including the award-winning EpiSurveyor mobile data collection project.
In his former role as an officer of the Public Health Service, Dr. Selanikio served as the Chief of Operations for the HHS Secretary's Emergency Command Center in the aftermath of 9/11. In 2005, he was given the Haverford Award for Humanitarian Service for his work in treating tsunami victims in Aceh, Indonesia (for which he was profiled in the Washington Post).
Dr. Selanikio holds a bachelor's degree from Haverford College, and an MD from Brown University, and is a graduate of the Epidemic Intelligence Service fellowship of the CDC. He continues to practice clinical pediatrics both as an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University and on the Emergency Response Team of the International Rescue Committee, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Little known fact: Dr. Selanikio has a landspeeder named for him in the Star Wars universe.
Pete Erickson, Founder, Director of Innovation at Disruptathon
Pete Erickson founded Disruptathon based on the belief that unique times economically, technologically and globally require a new kind of company. A company that encourages open innovation, helps identify disruptive opportunities, brings smart people together and strengthens communities of interest. Previous positions include:
- Founder at Technology Frontiers
- Vice President of Development Strategies at G&H International Services, Washington DC
- Founder at The Executive Summit Series
- Vice President of Business Development at CoCo Communications
- Director of Business Development at Picture IQ Corporation, Seattle, WA
- Director of Business Development at Vitessa Corporation, Seattle, WA
- Vice President of National Accounts at Bomac, International, Inc
- Vice President of National Accounts at Shube's Manufacturing, Albuquerque, NM
- Regional Director at Black Hills Gold
- Data Processing at Costco Wholesale
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. Launched in 2002 by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation President and CEO Carl Schramm, Global Entrepreneurship Week is now in 115 countries—with nearly 24,000 partner organizations planning more than 37,000 activities that directly engage more than 7 million people.
Global Business School Network
Since 2003 GBSN has been a leader in promoting management education as a critical component in successful international development strategies. GBSN connects and engages a network of top international business schools, plus corporate and NGO partners, who are committed to improving lives through the advancement of management education. Together, we strengthen the next generation of leaders for the developing world.
International Council for Small Business
Founded in 1955, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. The organization brings together educators, researchers, policy makers and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.
