Pascal Finette

Location
Earth
Areas of Expertise
Distributed Ledger Technology
Innovation
Transformation

Expert Bio

Pascal Finette is a globally recognized entrepreneur, innovation strategist, and keynote speaker best known as Co-Founder of be radical, a boutique advisory firm helping organizations navigate exponential change and build resilience in the face of volatility. He serves as Singularity University's Chair for Entrepreneurship and Open Innovation, where he shapes the next generation of exponential leaders and forward-thinking organizations. Pascal is also a Venture Partner at BOLD Capital Partners, the $250M venture capital fund led by Peter Diamandis, where he supports bold founders building transformative technologies. His career spans some of the most influential organizations in the tech world, including leadership roles at Google.org, Mozilla, and eBay, as well as founding his own technology startups and launching a venture capital firm. A prolific thought leader and self-described "general upstart," Pascal is the driving force behind TheHeretic.org, a widely followed platform for entrepreneurs and change-makers. With a rare combination of operator experience, investment acumen, and a passion for meaningful change, Pascal Finette is one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of entrepreneurship, open innovation, and exponential technology.

Sessions

Decentralized Innovation. New Paradigms for an Exponential World.

In a world of accelerating change, where business models get disrupted daily, and your competition looks nothing like it used to, how do you not only stay relevant but leapfrog forward? The future of innovation today belongs to the crowd who can outperform and outcompete closed systems. You will learn from first-hand experience how to harness the power of decentralized ideas, resources, and skills; how to bridge untapped geographies and leverage innovation at the edges.

Digitization Decoded. Decipher the Secret Code Giving Companies Like Apple, Google or Uber Their Edge.

Revealing the underlying principles used by the leading tech companies to drive their digital strategy, you will learn the molecular structure of disruptive digitization and apply it to create new products, services, and business models which are ten times better, faster and cheaper.

Entrepreneurship Accelerated. Crack the Silicon Valley Code, Do More With Less and Reach Escape Velocity.

Silicon Valley has a well-earned reputation for being the world's most innovative startup ecosystem. Peel back the curtains and explore the secrets powering the leading tech companies. You will leave with an unprecedented practical insight into Silicon Valley's startup culture.

Foundations of Practical Futurism with Pascal Finette

In a tech-driven world and business environment of accelerating change and increasing complexity, the ability to see and think like a futurist offers a growing strategic advantage. But "embracing the future" in business has too often meant succumbing to endless hype cycles, techno babble & wishful thinking. We offer a practical alternative: a solutions-oriented grounding in futures-thinking that cuts through the hype and gives leaders the tools to identify emerging opportunities/threats and to understand the future as a dynamic space for experimentation and learning. We combine principles and practices from the worlds of strategic foresight, social entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and design to create a unique introduction to envisioning the future and learning how to seize it.

Rapid Prototyping (Workshop). Develop Products and Services 10x Better in 1/10th the Time.

This highly interactive and practical session will teach you the ins & outs of how Silicon Valley's most innovative companies create, build and test services & products in less time it takes most of us to convene a single meeting. You will leave armed with the tools of the trade.

The Future (of) Business

From the emergence of new technologies, their rapid decline in cost while their availability and accessibility increase, to the pace of change itself accelerating at an unprecedented rate, we face a massive opportunity to realize a different and positive future. At the same time long-established innovations methods, frameworks, and tools are quickly becoming obsolete.

From a shift in the foundations of our business models from scarcity to abundance to our classic 'product pyramids' crumbling, disruptive forces are changing the way products and services are conceptualized, and companies are being built. In this comprehensive and practical session, Pascal will share multiple new bodies of research which help you define, evolve and build for the future of business.

Learn how to create new business models for success based on his latest analysis on 'hourglass' markets, and how to prepare your organization for change using the 'Knowledge Adoption Curve.' Pascal will teach how to see the early warning signs of disruption and how to positively embrace them. Finally, and critically he will help prepare your people to adopt a future forward and future-ready mindset. This session is designed to ignite and equip you with the knowledge and tools to build the future of your business.

The Future (of) Business (Short Version)

From the emergence of new technologies, their rapid decline in cost whilst their availability and accessibility increases, to the pace of change itself accelerating at an unprecedented rate, we face a massive opportunity to realize a different and positive future. At the same time, long-established innovations methods, frameworks, and tools are quickly becoming obsolete. Learn how to create new business models for success based on his latest analysis on 'hourglass' markets, and how to prepare your organization for change using the 'Knowledge Adoption Curve.' Pascal will help prepare your people to adopt a future forward and future-ready mindset. This session is designed to ignite and equip you with the knowledge and tools to build the future of your business.

The Future (of) Organization(s). A Radical Toolbox for an Exponential Future.

While technologies are maturing exponentially, organizational structures and processes remain stubbornly linear. Yesterday's best-practices – like the Five-Year-Plan or Innovation Funnel – are not sufficient to navigate today's fast-paced, tech-driven world. Explore the groundbreaking new Seven-Layer model which describes and provides actionable insights into the makeup of the future organization. Learn why most companies fail in their digital transformation by only focussing on the upper layers of the model and how to truly transform your business into a future-forward organization.

Thriving in Exponential Times. Understanding how tomorrow will be different than today and why that matters more than you know.

The world is changing faster than ever and the future will be here before you know it. To survive, it's not enough to know it's coming. You have to be able to imagine it. You'll learn about exponential technologies, their impact on the world and how to capitalize on the change we're all experiencing by thinking beyond it. Because if you only set your sights on what's coming next, you're already too late.

Disrupt Disruption

Blockchain, DAOs, Corporate Innovation, Crowdsourcing

If disruption, like change itself, has become a constant, can anything accurately be described as disruptive? We call BS on the prevailing narrative and offer instead a contrarian view of the dynamics of disruption in this deep dive. Drawing on dozens of exclusive interviews with category-defining innovators as well as leaders of incumbent organizations that have weathered paradigm shifts in their industries, we provide a practical framework and battle-tested principles with immediate value for both successful (but vulnerable) incumbents and rising entrepreneurs.

This session draws a bright line between allowing the future of your business to be something that happens to you versus something that you take an active role in shaping to your advantage, and we invite you on the hard but essential journey to the other side.

Disruption, Dystopia and Decisions. From Exponential Disruption to Global Impact.

The world is changing faster than ever before, and disruptive change has become the new norm; while for the first time in human history, individuals/people/communities have the same innovation power as large companies and even nations. How will you thrive and capitalize on the change we're all experiencing? And how will the decisions you make affect us all?

Hourglass Economics. Is Your Business Ready?

Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Startup Formation

For the last 40 years in every industry around the globe, we have relied on "the product pyramid" to categorize economic activity, especially in consumer products. Now that pyramid is changing before our very eyes. The top the traditionally pointy tip of the pyramid is getting bigger. The bottom is stretching out. But the middle is disappearing, sending massive ripple effects through the global economy.

Over the last decade, we have identified and tracked this seismic shift. You will learn insights and strategies taken from our new book "The Hourglass Economy" to ensure your company adapts to exponential shifts in technology and markets to survive and thrive. Filled with case studies and actionable tools this session unfolds as the story of your business's relationship with the future.

Take-aways

- Determine what are the warning signs of disruption for my industry, and how can I make necessary strategic and tactical changes to turn threats into opportunity.

- Learn about future trends and how to adopt an exponential and abundance mindset to transform your business into a future-forward organization.

- This session is designed to ignite and equip you with the knowledge and tools to build the future of your business.

Seize Tomorrow: A Visionary's Toolkit for Crafting the Future

In this session, participants will equip themselves with the visionary's toolkit, learning how to embrace a solution-centric approach to future-thinking and innovation. This presentation focuses on crafting the future in a rapidly evolving technological and business landscape.

In today's era, change is the only constant, making it crucial for professionals to think like futurists. Often overwhelmed by techno-jargon and hype, there is an urgent need to shift towards a pragmatic approach that identifies opportunities and threats and views the future as an exhilarating playground for exploration. This session provides a vital gateway to understanding the intricacies of strategic foresight, social entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and design.

The session will be a mix of interactive discussions and case studies, guided by principles from various domains. Participants will be engaged through real-world examples and collaborative activities, inspiring them to not only anticipate the future but shape it. A deep-dive into methodologies will slice through confusion, offering tangible tactics for seizing tomorrow.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals eager to pioneer the integration of future-thinking in their strategies, this session will provide the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the complex world of tomorrow. Participants will leave inspired and armed with an unrivaled primer for projecting the future and grasping the tactics to seize it. Welcome to the new era of Practical Futurism.

Disrupt Disruption: How Do Decode the Future, Disrupt Your Industry, and Transform Your Business

Accelerating Change, Linear vs. Exponential , Change Management, Lifelong Learning

In this session, participants will embark on a journey with Pascal Finette to understand and master the true essence of disruption. Through insights from the bestselling book "Disrupt Disruption," attendees will learn to harness disruption and become catalysts in shaping their future.

Disruption is often seen as the new norm, yet its true meaning may be lost in overuse and misunderstanding. This session will debunk prevailing myths, offering a novel perspective on the disruption paradigm. The insights gained from exclusive interviews with industry pioneers and leaders provide a pragmatic roadmap for navigating change, making this understanding crucial for any organization or entrepreneur.

With a blend of expert insights, real-world principles, and interactive discussions, participants will explore disruption from a dissenting viewpoint. This demanding yet vital voyage will involve deep explorations of case studies, interviews with disruptors, and guidance from Pascal Finette himself. The session aims to equip participants to cross the chasm from being disrupted to becoming the disruptor.

Ideal for executives, leaders, and budding entrepreneurs facing the challenge of constant change in their industries, this session is a unique opportunity to learn how to stand strong amidst change. Whether an established organization on the cusp of vulnerability or an aspiring entrepreneur aiming to rise, participants will leave with the tools to shape their future and master the art of business transformation. Join this expedition to harness disruption and become a true disruptor in your field.

Decoding the Future: Navigating the AI Revolution

Future Forecasting, Strategic Narrative, Personal Development, Change Management, Corporate Innovation

In this session, participants will take a mesmerizing journey into the world of AI and large language models, exploring the exponential pace at which the future is unfolding. They will delve into GenAI and understand how language models are shaping the future landscape.

The session seeks to unravel the seismic shift occurring in AI, rooted in Wright's Law, reflecting on past technological disruptions to comprehend how we adapt to new realities. This understanding is vital as it helps dispel common misconceptions and uncovers both the thrilling potential and the current limitations of AI, including practical examples like its struggle with spelling "mayonnaise."

Through expert analysis, interactive discussions, and real-world insights, participants will be armed with strategies to thrive in the AI era. Emphasizing the affordability of rapid experimentation, the session will provide a rich understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations, bridging theory with practical applications. Attendees will not just understand the future; they will be equipped to shape it.

Perfect for technology enthusiasts, technology professionals, and business leaders interested in leveraging AI's growing potential, this session offers a deep exploration of the burgeoning field of AI. Participants will discover how to navigate and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of artificial intelligence. Come along to engage, learn, and position yourself at the forefront of this exciting technological revolution.

Embracing the Divide: Charting a Course in the Hourglass Economy

Disruption, Disruption, Digital Transformation, Change Management, Lifelong Learning

In this electrifying session, participants will join in unmasking the most radical metamorphosis within the marketplace — the shift from product pyramids to hourglass economics. As the familiar middle ground vanishes, this session aims to equip attendees with resilient strategies to not just adapt but innovate and lead in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

The transformation from product pyramids to hourglass economics is triggering an unprecedented effect across the global economy. Understanding this shift is vital for thriving in today's market. It's about more than mere survival; it's about flourishing amidst change and turning profound shifts in technology and markets into a competitive edge.

Through meticulous research, insightful analysis, and interactive explorations, participants will be guided to dissect the hourglass economics. They'll embark on a journey towards understanding and leveraging this great bifurcation. Expert insights and hands-on strategies will provide a roadmap to pivot and prosper amidst exponential shifts.

This session is tailored for business leaders, economists, strategists, and professionals who are keen to understand the underlying forces shaping the current marketplace. It offers a unique opportunity to grasp the insights and tools needed to navigate and lead in the era of hourglass economics. Join this stimulating exploration and arm yourself with the knowledge to transform challenges into opportunities in a shifting economic environment.

Fast Forward Innovation: the Art and Science of Doing 10x in 1/10th of the Time with 1/10th of the resources

In this transformational session, participants will journey to unlock the secret to achieving a decade's progress in a fraction of the time using Rapid Prototyping. This method empowers you to navigate from idea inception to validated insights quickly and efficiently, embodying the future where time is compressed, and ideas flourish at the speed of thought.

In an era where rapid iteration, authentic customer feedback, and hypothesis validation are paramount, understanding and utilizing Rapid Prototyping is crucial. It's a methodology that has fueled the meteoric rise of tech giants, and it's essential for any professional seeking to maintain cost-efficiency and time economy in innovation.

Through an engaging and interactive exploration, participants will decode the innovation formula adopted by leading companies like Alphabet/Google [X]. By dissecting real-world examples and hands-on exercises, attendees will uncover the art and science behind swiftly moving from conjectures to concrete insights frugally. The session serves as a practical guide, offering tools and insights needed for immediate application.

This session is ideal for innovators, entrepreneurs, product managers, and any professionals striving to elevate their innovation process. If you are looking to grasp the essence of Rapid Prototyping and want to leverage this methodology to optimize resources and accelerate progress, this interactive and enlightening session is your gateway to the future of innovation. Join us to transform ideas into reality at an unprecedented pace.

Steering into the Unknown: Mastering Uncertainty and Polarity Thinking

Economic Systems, Economics, Economic Climate, Change Management, Corporate Innovation, Personal Development, Economics

Embark on an enlightening journey into the intriguing realms of uncertainty and polarity thinking in leadership. This session is designed to equip leaders with the vital tools to navigate uncharted territories of the future, unlocking new perspectives, and unleashing limitless potential.

Today's leaders frequently face uncertainty, often leading to denial, avoidance, or paralysis. By leveraging neuroscience research and strategic foresight practice, this session aims to redefine leadership in the face of the unknown. It covers how to discriminate between different types of uncertainties and master the art of polarity thinking to strike a balance between contrasting elements such as short-term results vs. long-term visions.

Through a well-articulated blend of theoretical insights and practical strategies, participants will learn to use uncertainty as a canvas to envision future scenarios or a sandbox to inspire curiosity and learning. Simultaneously, they will explore polarity thinking to understand how to manage dichotomies rather than merely solve problems. Practical examples, interactive exercises, and engaging dialogues will enrich the learning experience.

This session is curated for leaders, strategists, managers, and anyone interested in breaking free from traditional constraints and embracing innovative leadership techniques. Whether you're an executive navigating complex business terrains or an emerging leader aspiring to shape the future, this engaging session offers a transformative exploration of leadership's new frontier.

Join us to redefine leadership's contours, grasp uncertainty's limitless potential, and master polarity thinking for continuous transformation. Navigate confidently into the unknown, transcending boundaries, and opening doors to innovative leadership possibilities.

Expert Bio

Sessions

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