4YFN kicks off to harness the power of startups to “create a better world“.
The 4 Years From Now (4YFN) show kicked off this Monday at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via exhibition center with the aim of harnessing the power of startups to “create a better world” in a hybrid format and with the capacity to bring together some 400 start-ups at the Fira de Congressos de Barcelona. This was stated by the honorary president of 4YFN, Yossi Vardi, on Monday during the opening session of the show ‘A leap into four years from now’, which for the first time has been integrated into the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2021 and has been moderated by Oisin Lunny. During his speech.
The technology sector was one of the fastest growing during 2020 with the birth of countless startups and fintechs worldwide.
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC2021), this sector has its place of privilege at the 4YFN (4 Years From Now) fair. This fair is organized by ICEX and Red.es, which make available to companies the Spain Space at 4YFN 2021, a reference event for technology startups organized by GSMA within the framework of MWC Barcelona. This year, unlike previous years, this fair shares the l’Hospitalet facility.
The aim of the change is to boost the rapprochement between the very different cultures of start-ups and large corporations. “Interactions between both parties will be easier and everyone will benefit,” says Pere Duran, director of 4YFN, who highlights how “the world is changing at an unprecedented speed and entrepreneurs must take advantage of this opportunity.”
According to the association Barcelona Digital Talent, “It is key to promote the recovery from the pandemic crisis by reconverting professionals to the digital field both for the market demand and the quality of employment. More and more companies, whatever the sector, will need professionals with technological skills. They will require technical profiles, such as web developers, but also basic programming skills, known as “low code”.
Several events are scheduled to take place during the congress, including a hackathon organized by the BDT, where companies such as Bayer, Suez, Wolters Kluwers, i2CAT Foundation or Accenture will be looking for professionals to join their companies or advising them on their professional careers.
A total of 350 startups will be at this year’s 4YFN, 150 speakers will share ideas to boost the mobile ecosystem and another 200 companies will make their presentations, hoping to attract the attention of major funds and equity investors.
BDT will also organize speed datings, 15-minute speed dating events where digital professionals looking for jobs will meet with companies and start-ups in the digital sector. “It’s a good opportunity to find a job, get comfortable with interviews and meet many companies in the digital sector at the same time,” says Carla Agulló (39), a web developer.
There will also be an awards ceremony recognizing the best digital companies from around the world that contribute positively to the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s edition has wanted to exhibit a social accent, with a desire to reflect on the implications of the technology that emerges from the more than 400 projects participating in the congress have on people’s lives. That is why the conference also included the participation of the government advisor and founder of the consultancy firm Eticas, Gemma Galdón. “There has never been so much technology and so much distrust towards it. […] We have to change the way we do technology, technicians must be aware of the implications of the products they design,” she said.
