i3 | August 22, 2019

CTA Supports the Ninth Annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit

CTA co-sponsored the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in The Hague. Co-hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, GES 2019 brought together nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, supporters and government officials from more than 130 countries to support the next wave of entrepreneurship and innovation. The program was organized around five global issues: agriculture, connectivity, energy, health and water.

CTA’s relationship with the Netherlands continues to flourish. This year, the Netherlands brought more than 50 startups to CES 2019. And on October 17, CTA will host its third annual CES Unveiled Amsterdam at the Beurs van Berlage. GES 2019 was an opportunity for CTA to network with more than 1,200 startups from around the world and share the benefits of participating in CES and CES Unveiled.

CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro met with high-level U.S. and Dutch government and business leaders to discuss, among other issues, trade, innovation and sustainability policies. He also moderated a plenary panel on autonomous mobility. “If there’s one area that’s ripe for disruption, it’s transportation,” Shapiro said in setting up the discussion

He was joined on stage by Bibop Gresta of Hyperloop Technologies, Michael Thacker of Bell Helicopter, Michael Johnson of Sea Machines Robotics, Maarten Steinbuch from Eindhoven Institute of Technology and Anouk Visser of Birds.ai. The group discussed which countries have policies that are open to AI-enabled mobility, and Shapiro highlighted CTA’s International Innovation Scorecard, which tracks and evaluates innovation-friendly policies.

Other high-profile speakers at GES 2019 included U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag.

CTA’s EVP of CES Karen Chupka emceed the closing plenary alongside Michael Kratsios, U.S. Chief Technology Officer designee. Together, they announced the winners of the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Catalyst Startup Awards:

Catalyst Grand Champion: SpellBound – United States

An immersive, augmented reality platform to help patients get through difficult procedures.

Outstanding Women Entrepreneur in Science and Technology: STENTiT – The Netherlands

A biodegradable, regenerative stent that doesn’t require invasive surgery.

Outstanding Entrepreneur from an Emerging Economy: AzaadHealth – Pakistan

An online, HIPAA-compliant platform for health care providers and patients to share medical information.

Each winner will receive a booth in Eureka Park at CES 2020, along with other prizes geared toward helping them grow.

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