The EIC Pavilion is all set to bring the 20 most promising deeptech companies to Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain from 27 February to 2 March 2023. Few weeks before the kickoff of world’s largest trade fair for mobile communications and telecoms industry, the EIC sat with Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA, for a quick fireside chat. Lara talks about European innovations and shares highlights on what to expect in the tradeshow.
MWC Barcelona 2023 will focus on accelerating growth and positive change, hence the key theme this year is ‘Velocity’. What does this concept mean to you and how can digital technology improve business efficiency?
Lara: The past few years have shone a spotlight on the value of technology in helping businesses build resilience, improve efficiencies, and respond to challenges in new and innovative ways.
In recognising the potential for technology to bring about positive change, our event theme for MWC Barcelona 2023 is Velocity. To this end, discussions at the show will be largely focused on unleashing tomorrow’s technology, today, and accelerating growth and relationships.
With attendees representing all aspects of the connectivity ecosystem, we’ll all be focused on several key issues and trends shaping the industry’s future. This includes 5G Acceleration, exploring how the technology can unlock value for the industry as it continues to evolve; Reality+, encompassing the immersive technologies that will change the way we live, work and consume information; OpenNet, focused on embracing openness in mobile networks and making them more agile; FinTech, which is reinventing the way businesses and consumers manage finances in the digital economy; and Digital Everything, recognising the opportunities created across every industry as digital technologies continue to develop.
As digital technologies continue to develop, so too will the potential for businesses to better predict and respond to new challenges and navigate the digital economy.
What added value does the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pavilion bring to the tradeshow?
Lara: Through our start-up and innovation platform 4YFN, the GSMA has long been committed to encouraging start-ups to showcase their ingenuity at MWC Barcelona, introduce their concepts, and network with the entrepreneurial community.
The European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Pavilion is an important part of this community and a must for any European start-up, scale-up or SME looking for support to launch or scale their breakthrough technologies and innovations.
We look forward to learning about the extraordinary innovations unfolding in the European start-up community!
What should attendees expect at MWC Barcelona 2023? Which areas/conference sessions would you recommend?
Lara: As always, MWC Barcelona will be the place to network, make new connections, do deals and catch up on the latest digital trends. It offers world-class content, inspiring speakers, and a range of networking opportunities for everyone. There is so much positive momentum as we look forward to hosting over 2,000 exhibitors. Between the exhibitor stands, speakers, new areas and various summits, the halls will be buzzing!
The telecoms industry, once a vertical sector, now impacts all industries. We have curated the content so that it reflects the horizontal nature of mobile. Over 40 per cent of our keynote speakers come from adjacent industries including some of the biggest names in industries and markets around the world. I am excited to hear from CEOs such as from Extreme E to Vattenfall, from Maersk to NEC and from G Cash to Ethio Telecom.
New to MWC Barcelona this year is our Journey to the Future immersive storytelling space, a new zone which will showcase the future technology and connectivity solutions impacting business – through interactive demos, visitors will get a glimpse into the full potential of emerging technologies in healthcare, sustainability, retail, robotics and more.
Industry City will also be returning to MWC Barcelona for its second year following a successful launch at last year’s event – we’ll be hosting a variety of in-person sessions showcasing the connected technology innovations unfolding in the Manufacturing, FinTech and Smart Mobility sectors.
We’re also excited to be hosting the 9th edition of our start-up and innovation platform, 4YFN (Four Years From Now). 4YFN will showcase and connect startups, investors and companies to launch new business ventures together, and also celebrate some of the world’s best digital start-ups through the 4YFN Awards.
There is so much to see and so many people to meet – and where better to do it than at Beat Barcelona, the official MWC and 4YFN after-work “Place to B” for networking and entertainment. Beat Barcelona captures the spirit of Barcelona, bringing the beat of the city to the heart of MWC. It’s located in our outdoor terrace by Hall 8 and is a dedicated space for attendees that blends networking, art, technology, music and gastronomy. Be sure to check out the live daily concerts from DJs and music artists and sample extraordinary culinary experiences from the 3 Michelin star chefs, the Roca brothers. Don’t miss it!
Any piece of advice that you would like to share with the EIC innovators, who will exhibit their impactful solutions in the event?
Lara: I encourage the EIC innovators to embrace all the benefits that MWC has to offer. As the largest and most influential connectivity event, MWC is a pivotal point for many organisation in their annual business calendar. It’s a wonderful opportunity to network with the 10s of 1000s of industry decision makers attending; about half of attendees are at Director level and above. There are not many places where there’s the chance to make 12 months of lead generation in 4 days. And I am sure the EIC innovators will relish the opportunity to take a deep dive in the show’s world-class content, thought leadership and discussion.
MWC Barcelona will take place in Fira Barcelona Gran Via Conference Centre from 27 February to 2 March 2023 with social events, numerous workshops and fruitful roundtable discussions. The leading exhibition will present a range of tech products and services showcased by more than 2,000 exhibitors and sponsors from across the world.
Do not miss the opportunity to visit the EIC Pavilion at Booth 8.1A20 and get ready to be impressed with the latest deeptech advancements!
Find out more on the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0 website and check the official delegation of pioneering SMEs to attend MWCB 2023 here.
