TechDay Online: Connecting to Success

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Make STEAM Work For You

Mark your calendar--TechDay Online happens November 17th! And it's going to be an unprecedented gathering of leaders from three major innovation hubs. "I think the learning we'll be offering people is world-class," says TechDay HQ President and Continental Expositions Owner/President Walter Charnizon. Normally, TechDay, the world's largest producer of startup events, hosts three annual shows: in London, New York and Los Angeles. The goal: providing tech startups access to the resources they need to succeed. But as we deal with the pandemic, 2020 is far from "normal". Innovator-fashion, TechDay is pivoting. They're bringing together all three communities in one all-virtual event. Education sessions, three unique pitch stages and 24/7 access to digital learning opportunities will all be a part of the three-day program. So will networking. "Ask Me Anything" live round talbe sessions will feature industry experts, answering questions from small groups. Hundreds of startups, from all three communities, have signed up to present their innovations in the digital expo hall. Keynote speakers from Los Angeles, New York and London will share their knowledge and perspectives. A new AI-powered matchmaking service will connect attendees with the information they're seeking. Another innovation? In consideration of the ways the pandemic has affected the economy, they're offering a new pricing model: a "Pay What You Wish" Expo and Networking Pass! There's a suggested admission price, but, "If what you can afford is nothing, you're welcome at TechDay," Walter says. Walter talked about the process of taking TechDay Online, offered a preview of what attendees will see and discussed the ways TechDay Online might change the future. On this edition of Over Coffee®, we cover: How the magic of bringing communities together in trade show events first captured Walter's imagination; A look at the ways TechDay offers "democratized access to success" to startup entrepreneurs; What the process was like, for Walter and his team, as they adapted TechDay to an all-digital event due to the pandemic; How the free resource, TechDay Town Hall, resulted from this process; Walter's experience with the TechDay Founders Summit, and how the video chats paved the way for TechDay Online; A preview of the scheduled events for TechDay Online; A projection of the ways some startups might prevail during the pandemic; How future onsite TechDay shows might evolve, after the pandemic ends; A closer look at some of the technology scheduled for the TechDay Online digital Expo Hall, and the ways exhibitors are pivoting their services; A statistic that may surprise you, about the number of new-business applications by comparison to 2019! The specifics of TechDay Online's pricing model (everyone's welcome! Please consider supporting them if you can).