Description

PopTech is a unique innovation network – a global community of cutting-edge leaders, thinkers, and doers from many different disciplines, who come together to explore the social impact of new technologies, the forces of change shaping our future, and new approaches to solving the world’s most significant challenges. We are known for our thriving community of thought-leaders, breakthrough innovation programs, visionary annual conferences and deep media and storytelling capabilities.
Why We Exist
PopTech’s mission is to accelerate the positive impact of world changing people, projects and ideas. We do this by creating transformational experiences that showcase the ideas, trends, challenges and opportunities that are shaping the future. PopTech fosters breakthrough, multidisciplinary collaborations that help individuals, companies and organizations work together to change the world. Participating in PopTech offers a firsthand glimpse of the future, and a chance to influence innovation. 

Breakthrough Innovation with Real Outcomes

Project M

More than simply talking about innovation, PopTech fosters deep, world-changing collaborations between members of our network. We do so through efforts like our Social Innovation Fellows program – which trains and mentors next-generation social entrepreneurs working in development, health, energy, education, water, and related fields, and through PopTech Labs – which bring together focused groups of thought leaders and key stakeholders to explore critical areas of future innovation.

In addition, PopTech coordinates Accelerator Initiatives, multidisciplinary collaborations that bring together corporate partners, thought leaders, and innovators to create breakthrough new approaches to some of the world’s toughest challenges. Members of the PopTech network have collaborated on dozens of new innovations with world-changing potential, in areas ranging from mobile healthcare, carbon credits and off-grid solar.

A One-Of-A-Kind Network
PopTech brings together a unique network of emerging leaders, innovators and change agents from science, technology, corporate leadership, social entrepreneurship, design, the arts and humanities, media, and many other fields. The common thread: a shared commitment among participants to shape a more positive future

Our Renowned Annual Conference
Held every October, in the beautiful seaside village of Camden, Maine, USA, the PopTech Conference brings together 700 influential participants for one of the world’s best thought leadership events: a shared exploration of the issues, trends and technologies that will shape the future of our businesses, economy, society and world. Each PopTech conference offers unparalleled networking, jaw-dropping demos of breakthrough technologies, amazing artistic performances, and an incredible array of new ideas presented in an intimate and informal setting.

According to Time Magazine’s Hero of the Planet, Geoffry Ballard, PopTech is “the single best conference about new ideas I have ever attended.” A Global 50 CMO and EVP calls it “amazing and profound.  PopTech changed my company and my life.” Others simply refer to PopTech as “Davos for cool people.”

Saul Griffith

Powerful Storytelling
Because storytelling is an essential tool for accelerating change, PopTech has developed a deep media production expertise. We distribute hundreds of co-sponsored digital PopCast presentations and live event feeds to millions of viewers around the world in twelve languages (and growing). We document our many initiatives to share our innovations and inspire others to follow. And we develop original content for partners for the Web, television and other media channels that showcase world-changing people, projects and ideas.

Collaborative music practice with Imogen Heap

World-Class Press and Partners
PopTech enjoys extensive press coverage and active collaboration with leading global companies and institutions. Each year, PopTech generates dozens of major stories in the world press about our initiatives and partners. The New York Times calls PopTech “enduring, not-to-miss… drawing big names who reach for big ideas,” and BusinessWeek says PopTech “has a good chance of living up to its lofty goal of changing the world.”

PopTech works closely with select partners whose initiatives align with PopTech programming, designing for each a unique partnership program that centers on a topic of strategic relevance and demonstrates commitment to innovation. Recent PopTech partners include GE, Yahoo, Lexus, eBay, Microsoft, National Geographic, Nike, Nokia, ThomsonReuters, American Express, Target, HP, Steelcase, frog design, the United Nations, the SURDNA Foundation and Timbuk2, among many others.