The next ten years of Robotex
100 countries. 50’000 Robots. 1’000’000 engineers.
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We are preparing for the robotics revolution that will finally give us the technologies promised years ago — from flying cars to cyborgs.
A year ago, we decided to take Robotex global and set ourselves a goal to open 25 franchises across the world by the end of 2019.
It is July 2018, and we already have 15 countries that are running Robotex programs. This means there exists a very high chance that we shall reach our goal already by the end of this year. And can easily set the next one to cover 100 countries by 2025.
But why are we doing that? Why do we need to expand this fast? And what will happen next?
We announced a while ago that we are working towards helping to generate 50’000 new robotics startups within the next 3–5 years. This goal is still there. And we have finally completed the rules for our first program, the Entrepreneurial Challenge, that will help us reach it. While continuing the development of other programs.
Moreover, we believe that most of the innovators around the world are not really building the innovations that could take humanity to the next level.
Yes, there are some. Some that build prototypes for flying cars. Others that try to generate general artificial intelligence. And many more developing other promising solutions.
However, there is not enough of this happening around the world as most people, teams and companies still only focus on solving the mediocre problems.
So we decided to change that by building a supportive ecosystem in every county around the world which would help us discover the most awesome innovators and help put them in touch with necessary parties.
Starting by bringing up to 100 new robotics projects (either on prototype or early-stage level) around the world to Robotex International 2018 festival in Tallinn, Estonia. And building the rest on top of that…
But we do understand that the talent for actually building those companies does not exist yet. Or at least they have not obtained the skills that would let them shine.
That is why we are also focusing on education and generating the next 1’000’000 engineers.
First, we are developing our pool of robotics and other frontier tech competitions into a staircase of ever harder challenges, teaching the basics of robotics as well as pushing the talent further with more complex assignments.
We already have over 25 such challenges starting from the beginner level, going through the intermediate, all the way to advanced and entrepreneurial ones.
But that is not enough on its own, as this way we have to rely too much on the other curriculum generators and program managers.
This is why we have set out to start our own global robotics schools network, called Roboversity. One which starts with a focus on the advanced students and teachers, giving them tools to get better. And eventually we will end up with a complete program taking any enthusiast to the advanced level and further.
This includes after schools, one-time workshops as well as weekend and summer boot camps.
Perhaps we’ll even launch programs for the corporates to teach them how to implement robotics and automation. Somewhere in 2020…
Meanwhile, we are already laying the foundation for a few other things.
Having the school network generate talent who will start their own frontier tech startups with our help will give us access the biggest pool of new startups, meaning it would be stupid not to use all this access to deals and not invest into them.
For that, we’re preparing to raise a pre-seed frontier tech startup focused fund to basically invest 50’000–100’000 euros to every starting robotics startup that makes sense. One day entering later and later stages. Meanwhile bringing all necessary supportive systems to them — from industrial designers and marketers to distributors and business developers
At the same time, expansion to new markets has shown that not all of them are as developed as we are. Therefore we need to raise another fund for development aid and sponsorships, which we are also working on. As a start, we have already partnered up with Makeblock, a STEM education startup to give out free robotics kits in countries that need it the most, line Afghanistan and Anguilla.
And Robotex has kind of become a brand already, which is why some companies have come to us wishing to licence our logos for their products. Such as robotics kits and all sorts of merchandise. This gives us an opportunity to one day start producing various types of education materials as well as games and TV shows. All helping us spread the mission!
Of course, we shall not launch all of those things at the same time, as it would be somewhat a suicide. But we are taking necessary steps to ensure we would be ready to cover all of those directions as soon as we have the necessary resources.
All so that one day we would finally have enough engineers across the world building the technologies that were promised to us a while back! While also taking the whole humanity to a new level…
But we cannot do it alone!
And for that reason, we are looking for partners to join this race.
Either as a team member, corporate partner, franchisee or investor / sponsor.
So if you feel like this vision could be something you would want to help realise then know we are welcoming all the help.
Moreover, we need this help as our team of 16 is already working on 300% the power. And thus we await you!
Robotex International (November 30 — December 2) is our annual event and the Biggest Robotics Festival on the Planet. Thousands of engineers, executives, students and families come together to be inspired by industry leaders, build robots for various challenges and learn about the latest technology innovations.
