Tech 4 Society

"It's critical to identify the best, most high-impact and sustainable ideas…throughout the world." -- Julia Novy-Hildesley, Executive Director, Lemelson Foundation

In advance of the Tech 4 Society event convening in Hyderabad, India later this week, AshokaTECH Podcast host Alex Budak interviews Julia Novy-Hildesley, Executive Director of The Lemelson Foundation.  As a sponsor of the Tech 4 Society event -- which brings together leading social entrepreneurs, showcasing tech solutions and innovations revolutionizing social change throughout the world -- The Lemelson Foundation continues its tradition of supporting innovation and invention throughout the world.

In addition to the Tech 4 Society event, Alex asks Julia about her recent research on the "innovation engine" model for growth, her thoughts on where social-tech is headed in the next decade, and how we can ensure that a diverse group of future inventors are creating the next great innovations for the world.

As always, be sure to follow Alex on Twitter, @TheBudak, for updates on the podcast and your chance to have your own questions answered in future interviews.

That's the team, or at least a small part of it.  Our team that has gotten us to this moment, just 3 days away from the Tech4Society event.

It's about 1am here in Hyderabad.  A group of us are sitting in our guest house working, on about our 18th hour of the day.  You'd think it would be drudgery but its not.  Everyone is so tired that at this point, everything is funny.  Everything is hysterical.  The fact that it was suggested that we have a fortune-telling parrot at our event made us laugh so hard.  (The parrot won't be there, just in case you were curious).

Our Keynote speaker, Fernando Flores, arrived tonight and was brought to his hotel safe and sound.  We have volunteers and event planners at the airport and a fantastic-sounding line-up of presentations and activities for our Market Place Evening on the 12th.

Our videographer has landed, as has nearly the whole team.

Now is the time when we move from plans to action, from well-thought-out lists to quick-response phone calls.

3 days until a year's worth of work comes to fruition and hopefully something even better.

Can't wait to share the ride with you all!

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