Why does Odyssey organize an(un)Conference on the next level of the ecosystem?
At Odyssey, we mobilize an ecosystem of key stakeholders through our yearly program, which culminates in the largest blockchain and AI hackathon on the planet. Over the last three seasons, our program has delivered 230 prototypes that have been co-created by teams and key (multi) industry stakeholders. What is the role of the Next Level (un)Conference in our program and how does it contribute to these results?
Update June 23, 2020: note that the event formerly known as Odyssey Hackathon has been moved online and rebranded as Odyssey Momentum. More: https://www.odyssey.org/odyssey-hackathon-becomes-momentum/
Every year we end the Odyssey innovation program on a high note: the Next Level (un)Conference. Here we bring together the ecosystem 100 days after the Odyssey Hackathon to look back on the past season, share learnings and obstacles while looking ahead to next year. Here the ecosystem gathers to connect, share, learn and empower one another in order to move forward collectively.
At the conference fellow entrepreneurs, developers, policy-makers, business developers, and researchers, share the challenges they face in order to move forward and move beyond their obstacles with help from the ecosystem. Peers sharing their stories with peers, empowering each other to break barriers and grow their own ecosystems.
Shaping the Odyssey program together
Moreover, for Odyssey, the Next Level (un)Conference is a crucial part of the Odyssey program. As we take the opportunity to collectively look back on what has been learned this season and look forward by discussing the ambitions for next year, we connect the “next levels” of yourself, your peers and the entire ecosystem to get insights into the Odyssey 2020 Next Level.
In the previous editions we sourced from the ecosystem a growing number of events for the 2018–2019 season. The 2018 edition resulted in the addition of three Deep Dives to the innovation program in order for the ecosystem to reach their goals:
- The Odyssey Entrepreneurial Deep Dive — all videos
- The Odyssey Legal Deep Dive — all videos
- The Odyssey Ethical Deep Dive — all videos
Moreover, many speakers and Jedi were attracted because of direct input from the community present at the Next Level. If you need someone in the ecosystem which currently is not present, let us know!
Why together?
“Current models of linear and top-down leadership are proving too slow and ponderous to cope with increasingly complex and interactive ecological, economic, social and cultural environmental problems.”
Odyssey aims to solve complex challenges through mass collaboration. It is clear that these often ownerless, borderless and interconnected challenges need fundamental grassroots transformation. Here we come into the realm of ecosystems, which are collaborative networks that use public digital infrastructure that goes beyond industries and consortia. Therefore, we incubate ecosystems that solve complex challenges through mass collaboration. Grassroots ecosystems can grow as they become more relevant to join. We make a difference by finding fundamentally new ways to organize our society through collaboration. If you are curious to know more about our vision, read it here.
The Next Level (un)Conference is a crucial element in building the ecosystem together and collectively move forward next season by building on the lessons learned today. Let’s (mass) enable every human to be able to contribute as effectively as possible to any challenge anywhere anyhow, now.
How can you join?
Have a story to share or want to learn from the ecosystem? Join our Next Level (un)Conference at Brightlands Smart Services Campus in Heerlen on June 27th and get an epic BBQ as a bonus.
Register for the Next Level (un)Conference by following this link.
Find the entire program here.
Curious about last year? Check out all videos of the 2018 Next Level Conference.
I want to contribute to the ecosystem!
Host your own session! This year we are opening the stage for you. We invite you to host a session on a topic or question of your interest. We believe that through sharing your knowledge and leading a discussion, not only you can move forward but the entire ecosystem too.
We now have 18 sessions confirmed, ranging from deep tech to entrepreneurship to policy, but all with a 5-minute intro and a 25-minute discussion of all participants. No preaching, just sharing and together coming up with relevant questions and answers for reaching the Next Level.
Check out the already confirmed sessions from the ecosystem here.
See you in Heerlen!
About Odyssey
Odyssey connects governmental, corporate, and nonprofit partners with innovative ideas to collaboratively address complex 21st-century challenges. We mobilize a global ecosystem of more than 6,000 members, among whom developers, creatives, startups, corporates, investors, governmental bodies, legal experts, regulators, scientists, and other key stakeholders. The past three physical editions of the event known as “Odyssey Hackathon” have drawn thousands of participants from around the world to Groningen, the Netherlands. The next edition, rebranded as Odyssey Momentum, explores the internet’s potential to unlock new levels of online collaboration and next-gen event experiences.
