WISE Conference 2024 : What’s Shaping the Future of Impact Startups?

The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) will host the 'WFUNA Impact & Start-up Ecosystem Conference 2024' (WISE Conference 2024) in Geneva, Switzerland, for two days starting on November 4th. 

This landmark event aims to broaden the impact ecosystem network within East Asia to a global scale. WFUNA is inviting global partners from international organizations, public institutions, educational institutions, and impact start-ups to foster the impact start-up ecosystem.

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Why WISE Conference 2024 Matters

• Global Stage for East Asian start-ups: WISE Conference puts a spotlight on East Asian start-ups, giving them a chance to share their innovative solutions and connect with potential investors and partners. 
• Building a Global Network: The conference brings together stakeholders from different countries and backgrounds to work together and share ideas, speeding up progress towards a sustainable future.
• Inspiring New Ideas: WISE Conference 2024 showcases technologies and creative solutions that are making a positive impact on society and the environment. This will spark new ideas and help build a stronger community of innovators.

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WFUNA's Strategic Focus & Event Structure

WFUNA is providing a platform to globalize the East Asian impact start-up ecosystem, taking a significant step toward enhancing the global network. Through this event, these stakeholders will have the opportunities to showcase the East Asian impact start-up ecosystem to the UN experts and representatives from Europe and other global regions, thereby raising awareness of the impact ecosystem on a global level.

The conference aims  to provide global expansion opportunities for start-ups through impact start-up showcases, enhance understanding of the start-up ecosystem, and raise awareness of the impact ecosystem through meetings with supporting institutions and stakeholders. It also seeks to build a global cooperation network to spread impact and achieve the SDGs, and to share innovative examples of entrepreneurship education linked to the UN's SDGs for a sustainable future.

The conference consists of five main components: a conference, 1:1 business meetings, a networking dinner, VIP sessions at the UN Geneva headquarters, and more. The schedule includes an impact start-up showcase featuring ten start-ups, lectures and panel discussions on achieving the SDGS and impact, discussions on collaboration between start-ups and the UN Procurement Division & European investors, and opportunities for UN officials and local impact ecosystem players to build close networks (venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel). The event also includes visits to the UN Geneva headquarters and WFUNA's Villa Le Bocage.

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Goals for Global Expansion & Anticipated Outcomes

Through this event, WFUNA is dedicated to creating a forum for communication and sharing between impact ecosystem players and European partners, fostering innovation and synergy, strengthening networking among participating companies, facilitating meaningful discussions on impact start-up ecosystem investments among investors, and sharing green technology and circular economy innovation ideas through exhibitions.

The WISE Conference will mark the beginning of the transition from a limited East Asian impact start-up ecosystem to a global start-up ecosystem, providing the impetus for growth within the global start-up ecosystem. It will offer an excellent opportunity for start-ups, especially for those considering global expansion, to be a part of the global start-up ecosystem.