About the Conference

SWITCH is a two-day event created by a group of young entrepreneurs back in 2009, which aim is to gather people from different backgrounds to discuss and share ideas and knowledge for a full weekend. Our hope is to gather again in Oporto entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists and thinkers among others, providing them with a networking experience that can enable their businesses and their lives. The 2011 edition will take place in the beautiful city of Oporto (Portugal), considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, on the 16th and 17th of April 2011. The four key areas of SWITCH are innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology that we will always mix with quality networking. SWITCH has affordable tickets and a free live feed allowing ultimately everyone to watch and participate. SWITCH is a fully nonprofit.

MISSION

Gather people from different backgrounds (technologists, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, do-ers, …) in one city for a full weekend in order to discuss and share knowledge and ideas in a powerful networking environment that enables building relationships.

THEMES

Although SWITCH concept is based on having a diversity of themes being discussed on stage, the 2011 edition will happen around the themes of Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology and Innovation. Nevertheless our attendees can also expect some talks with out-of-the-box ideas and amazingly inspiring life stories. The unifying theme is “Embrace Change”. Our goal is to get you in touch with realities you don’t know and inspire you to do better everyday.

WHO ATTENDS?

SWITCH is aimed for those willing to change their mindset, to discover things outside their area of expertise and to get in touch with other inspiring people. Due to our focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and science, at SWITCH you’ll find entrepreneurs, innovators, students, as well as technologists. However, due to the wide range of themes being discussed, you’ll also find markteers, executives, scientists as well as common citizens looking forward for inspiration and knowledge.

FORMAT

MAIN STAGE
Over two days, 30+ speakers each take the stage for 10-20 minutes each to tell a story, share an idea or spread knowledge. This fast-paced talks allow anyone to learn and be inspired.

2ND STAGE
The Second Stage will be divided to host our Startup Competition, partners workshops and activities and more talks.

NON-PROFIT

SWITCH is fully nonprofit. Our goal is to empower idea and knowledge sharing in a powerful networking environment. No one at SWITCH makes a dime out of its organization. All money is targeted to cover for conference expenses.

2010 EDITION

SWITCH took place for the first time in 2010. In Coimbra we counted on more than 150 on-sight attendees, and 1.000 different persons watching our free live feed. SWITCH got covered by portuguese media and dropped attention on social networks scoring the #1 most used hashtag in Portugal for two full days on Twitter. And you know what? 94% said they would repeat.