Celebrating Innovation at the Wazoku & TII Open Innovation Event

By Schønning Eysturoy

Posted on

This November, Wazoku and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) co-hosted a transformative Open Innovation Event in the TII HQ in Abu Dhabi, uniting thought leaders, innovators, and industry professionals to explore the power of open innovation in driving meaningful change.

A Day of Inspiration and Connection

The event featured inspiring presentations. Jinan Warrayat from TII and Basmah Al Zeyoudi from EDGE shared compelling insights into their open innovation programs, offering a glimpse into how they harness collective intelligence to tackle complex challenges withing Advanced Materials, AI and Digital Science, Autonomous Robots, Directed Energy, Proposulsion and Space, Quantum, Biotech, Cryptography, Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Secure Systems.

Jaspar Roos added a unique flavour to the day with his thought-provoking session on the link between humour and innovation, showcasing how creative thinking often emerges from unexpected places.

During Wazoku’s presentation, Schonning Eysturoy explored the power of innovation ecosystems, highlighting real-world success stories and illustrating how organisations can leverage open innovation to unlock transformative potential. Schonning also emphasized how the UAE has positioned itself as a global powerhouse for innovation, driven by bold vision and strategic investments.

Engaging Panel Discussions

The day ended with a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Jaspar Roos. Schonning Eysturoy joined Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, Thomas Launey, and Basmah Al Zeyoudi to explore the challenges and opportunities in scaling open innovation. The session provided attendees with actionable insights and sparked an engaging exchange of ideas among panelists and participants alike.

Thank You for Joining Us

A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of the Wazoku & TII Open Innovation Event. Your passion, insights, and energy are what make these conversations so impactful.

With the success of this event, we’re excited to announce a follow-up session in February 2025! Details will be shared soon, and we look forward to continuing the conversation on the future of innovation.

By Schønning Eysturoy

With over 10 years of experience working with some of the world’s largest companies, I’m passionate about connecting industry partners, startups, and academia to drive innovation. As Senior Director of Innovation Ecosystem at Wazoku, I lead strategic initiatives to position us as the world’s leading innovation ecosystem. I’m responsible for Wazoku's partner program and driving new market expansion into regions such as LATAM, the Nordics, China, and the GCC —all with the goal of changing the world one idea at a time.