September 25, 2024
Day 1
Networking Breakfast: Focus on the LG NOVA Commercial Acceleration Program
Description:
Kick off your InnoFest experience with our exclusive Networking Breakfast, a unique opportunity to connect with the innovative LG NOVA team.
Engage in meaningful conversations, share ideas, and forge new connections that could shape your startup journey. Don't miss this chance to start the day energized and inspired, setting the stage for a productive and impactful day.
During this networking breakfast, we're featuring speakers from our Commercial Acceleration Program. Come learn, ask questions, hear about how you can apply to be a part of the LG NOVA Commercial Acceleration Program.
Speakers:
Coalition for Innovation Meet & Greet (Invite Only)
Open to all current Coalition for Innovation members, this meet & greet is an opportunity to hear from LG NOVA’s EVP, Sokwoo Rhee, on the importance of this initiative and meet fellow Coalition members in person.
Interested in the Coalition? Learn more HERE.
Speakers:
Startup Launchpad: Pitch Perfect
Session Takeaways:
- Startups will share their pitch and receive feedback from venture capitalists.
- Polish the skills needed to deliver the perfect pitch live.
- Refine the five key areas of a startup pitch.
Description:
Come ready to share your 4-minute pitch, and hear directly from investors and VCs. Aspiring entrepreneurs and startups will polish their pitching skills and hone in on delivering a captivating, undeniable pitch to investors and VCs. Led by a seasoned expert in startup coaching and investors, attendees will gain invaluable insights into crafting a compelling narrative that communicates their vision. Participants will refine their delivery, body language, and presentation skills through practical exercises and hands-on workshopping. Whether you're seeking funding or aiming to win over stakeholders, this session will equip you with the tools to present your startup's story effectively and unlock new growth opportunities.
Sign up now here to secure your spot. Spots are limited.
Speakers:
Angeline Tan, BLOCK71 Silicon Valley by NUS Enterprise
Emerging AI Technologies: What's Next?
Session Takeaways:
- Understanding the Powerhouse Technologies: Attendees will gain a deep understanding of emerging AI technologies such as vector databases, semantic search, RAG, knowledge graphs, and AI agents, and their potential to revolutionize industries.
- Practical Applications for Startups: The session will provide actionable and expert insights on how startups can leverage these technologies for production applications.
- Future Trends and Opportunities: Participants will be equipped with knowledge about the future direction of AI, enabling them to identify potential business opportunities and make informed strategic decisions.
Description:
In this session, dive into the future of AI focused on emerging technologies like vector databases and search, multi-tenancy in vector search, knowledge graphs, RAG, and AI agents. Led by top AI researchers, scientists, and heads of AI labs, this session will provide deep insights into the latest advancements and their potential impact on startup tech companies. Learn where these technologies are headed and how they can be leveraged for innovation and growth. Join us to stay ahead of the curve and drive your startup’s success in the AI landscape.
Speakers:
Tashfeen Suleman, Federation AI Inc.
Opening Keynotes - A Look Into LG
Description:
As a global leader, LG corporate mission is to innovate for a better life by creating smart life solutions that improve people’s lives and the planet’s future. Come to this session to hear about the work LG does from a selection of its businesses to inspire, innovate, and lead in the transformation of businesses.
During this session, Sokwoo Rhee, EVP of Innovation for LG Electronics and Head of LG NOVA, LG Electronics North America Innovation Center, will share exciting updates on LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future program - and where it plans to head next in its evolution. Dr. Rhee will also cover LG Electronics’ bold new direction to become a smart home solutions company and what that means for innovators.
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Guest presenter, Howard Kim, President of LG Chem America and Business Service Group will join Sokwoo Rhee on stage during this session on LG.
LG Chem has a strong history in biology and science as the largest Korean chemical company. A subsidiary of LG Corporate and sister company to LG Electronics, LG Chem focuses on the development of advanced materials, petrochemicals and life sciences. Joining the LG NOVA team at InnoFest, and a co-sponsor of the Startup Pitch Competition, LG Chem will share its vision for “Connecting Science to Life” for a better future, leading with science for sustainability. Mr. Kim will use this opportunity to share more about innovations at LG Chem, and how it wants to work with innovators to explore new ideas for a better future.
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In this talk, Honglak Lee, Chief Scientist of Artificial Intelligence and Executive Vice President at LG AI Research, will share LG AI's journey towards developing intelligent agents that can perform complex, real-world tasks. He will begin by highlighting the recent release of EXAONE 3.0, a large language model (LLM) that achieves competitive performance in English and superior performance in Korean compared to global top open models. Building on this foundation, we introduce ChatEXAONE, an enterprise AI agent designed to boost work efficiency and deliver expert-level insights through advanced features like image understanding, speech recognition, coding assistance, and data analysis. In the second part of the talk, we will present innovative approaches to enhance LLM-based agents, including enhancing planning with structures, developing multimodal LLMs that incorporate visual context, and using context-aware guidelines for efficient task execution.
Speakers:
Innovation Showcase: Exhibits & Demos
Description:
With a focus on innovative solutions for people and the planet, these companies have been selected by LG NOVA, as a part of its Mission for the Future initiative, to showcase their unique solutions in HealthTech, CleanTech and AI for Humanity. Come visit, experience demos, and hear their story on their vision of tomorrow.
Visit the exhibitor’s page to learn more about the companies. And set up time to meet with them at InnoFest.
Think Tank: Building with LG
Description:
Bold ideas - Big collaboration. LG is looking for innovative partners to join forces to build real-world solutions for a better life for people and the planet, and to help us move towards the future faster. Alongside LG’s innovation programs, LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future Initiative sets the agenda for open collaboration with startups, tech giants, corporate entities, investors and entrepreneurs to join LG to build towards a better future together. Join this session to hear from leaders from across LG businesses share what is important to them and how they view the market. Participate in an open discussion with business leaders at LG on new ideas and areas for exploration and collaboration with LG.
This session is facilitated by KOKORO.
Speakers:
Investor Demo Day
Description:
Join us for an exciting Investor Demo Day, starting with an investor panel discussion on The Future of Venture Capital and Start-up presentation from LG NOVA's Mission for the Future Companies - covering HealthTech, CleanTech, AI and so much more.
Investor Demo Day- Part 1: The Future of Venture Capital - Panel Discussion
Session Takeaways:
- Diverse perspectives highlight VC industry's evolving landscape
- Hybrid capital and PPPs driving economic change
Description:
Explore the dynamic landscape of venture capital and its profound impact on economic change at both national and global levels. This session will delve into the future of the VC model, examining how innovative approaches such as hybrid capital, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and venture studios are shaping the industry. Highlighting the success and forward-thinking strategies and partnerships of LG NOVA.
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking session that brings together a diverse group of leaders to discuss the future of venture capital and its role in driving economic transformation.
Speakers:
Investor Demo Day - Part 2: Mission For the Future Company Presentations
Description:
At LG NOVA’s Investor Demo Day, you'll discover groundbreaking solutions from startups in our Grand Challenge and Commercial Acceleration Program (CAP), all focused on CleanTech, HealthTech, and AI. This is your opportunity to connect with visionary entrepreneurs and explore promising investment opportunities that are poised to make a real impact. Join us and be among the select few driving the future of these critical industries.
Speakers:
8LabAI
Arbit
BattGenie
Care Cam
Climative
Clika
DeepBrain AI
ElectricFish
Hera Fertility
InovoCares
The Meta Pause
The Zone
Revolutionizing Frontline Training: Bridging the Skills Gap
Session Takeaways:
- Understanding the Frontline Training Challenge: Gain insights into the critical issues facing frontline training, including high turnover, outdated materials, and inefficiencies.
- Innovative Solutions: Learn about emerging technologies and strategies to modernize frontline training, such as {AI, augmented reality, and mobile learning}.
- Collaboration for Impact: Discover how partnerships between industry, government, and technology providers can drive positive change in frontline workforce development
- Measuring ROI: Explore metrics and key performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of frontline training programs and demonstrate their impact on business outcomes.
Description:
The frontline workforce is the backbone of many industries, yet they often face challenges with accessing consistent, effective training. High turnover rates, reliance on outdated materials, and manual processes contribute to exorbitant training costs. This session will explore innovative solutions to transform frontline training. Learn how industry leaders, government agencies, and technology providers are collaborating to develop and implement cutting-edge training programs that enhance employee performance, boost retention, and drive business growth. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in frontline training.
Mentors:
Grace Gong, Smart Venture Media
Andrea Kates, SUMA Ventures
Shilpa Prasad, LG NOVA
Startup Launchpad: Mentoring Sessions
Description:
Mentoring Sessions create an opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs to meet with industry experts who have a collection of experiences and wisdom to share.
Mentors:
Winston Choe, Director of Innovation Business Development
Mike Vladimir, Lead Product Manager for Innovation
Server Agirman
Daisy Sarne, IBM
Stephanie Hockenberry, Ohio County Development Authority
LG Chem Meet & Greet (Invite Only)
Description:
For invited attendees from the Life Sciences and CleanTech track, LG Chem is hosting a special session to have open dialogue for innovation and collaboration. You will have the opportunity to meet directly with LG Chem's US Business Development team to discuss emerging technologies and market trends.
Life Sciences:
- AI-driven drug discovery
- Oncology
- Cell/gene therapy
- Metabolic diseases
- Organ-on-a-chip
CleanTech:
- Battery technologies (next-gen materials, innovative process)
- Technologies for carbon reduction (circular or bio-based materials, renewable energy, carbon capture/utilization, etc.)
From Hype to Reality: AI's Impact on Patient Care
Description:
Discover how AI's potential is being realized in healthcare through specific use cases that enhance patient care and efficiency. This session will address the current gaps hindering AI deployment in traditional healthcare organizations as well as how leading digital health startups are incorporating AI into their offerings. Join a hosted panel of featured experts and progressive providers, including representatives from leading medical institutions and CEOs of digital health startups, as they share insights and challenges in accelerating AI adoption in clinical settings.
This session is facilitated by KOKORO.
Speakers:
Luqman Lawl, Mayo Clinic Platform
Divya Chhabra, Dosis
Gbemi Oguynomi, LG NOVA
Ranjan Sinha, Digbi Health
Investor Tour 2 of 2 (Invite Only)
Description:
Designed especially for investors and VCs, we're hosting a walk-through of the companies selected to be a part of the LG NOVA Mission for the Future Initiative. These companies are a showcase of great ideas and technologies that are future-positive. During the tour, you'll get to hear from founders and executives on their vision and what makes their companies stand out as the next big thing.
September 26, 2024
Day 2
Networking Breakfast: Focus on the LG NOVA Commercial Acceleration Program
Description:
Kick off your InnoFest experience with our exclusive Networking Breakfast, a unique opportunity to connect with the innovative LG NOVA team.
Engage in meaningful conversations, share ideas, and forge new connections that could shape your startup journey. Don't miss this chance to start the day energized and inspired, setting the stage for a productive and impactful day.
During this networking breakfast, we're featuring speakers from our Commercial Acceleration Program. Come learn, ask questions, hear about how you can apply to be a part of the LG NOVA Commercial Acceleration Program.
Speakers:
Investor Tour (Invite Only)
Designed especially for investors and VCs, we're hosting a walk-through of the companies selected to be a part of the LG NOVA Mission for the Future Initiative. These companies are a showcase of great ideas and technologies that are future-positive. During the tour, you'll get to hear from founders and executives on their vision and what makes their companies stand out as the next big thing.
Welcome - Day 2
We're excited to kick-off Day 2 with a brief welcome message from our host, Lori Schwartz. There's a lot planned for the second day, starting with our special keynote speaker - Norman Winarsky. Following his talk are so many exciting sessions ranging from our Public-Private-Partnership and our Corporate Incubator Panels to our exciting Startup Pitch Competition and HealthTech, CleanTech and AI sessions.
Speakers:
KEYNOTE: If You Really Want to Change the World with Norman Winarsky, Siri Co-Founder
Description:
If you’ve ever said “Hey Siri”, you’ve already experienced the impact that Norman Winarksy has created in the world. As one of the co-founders of Siri, Inc., Norman literally put AI in your pocket, changing how we interact with our devices in ways we didn’t even know we needed.
But Norman’s story doesn’t stop at Siri. As the former President of SRI Ventures, he’s been the driving force behind more than 70 successful startups, spanning everything from artificial intelligence to healthcare. That’s right—70! He’s like the startup world’s Midas, except instead of gold, he’s turning ideas into revolutionary companies that make the world a better place.
In his keynote, "If You Really Want to Change the World: A Blueprint for Building Successful, Breakthrough Ventures," Norman’s not just going to tell you how to start a company—he’s going to show you how to create something that could reshape the future. His talk is packed with insights from his incredible journey, sprinkled with the kind of practical advice that only someone who’s been in the trenches can provide.
Anyone looking to take their startup idea from the drawing board to world-changing success needs to attend this session. So whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned innovator, buckle up—because Norman’s going to show you how to change the world, one breakthrough venture at a time!
Speakers:
Innovation Showcase: Exhibits & Demos
With a focus on innovative solutions for people and planet, these companies have been selected by LG NOVA, as a part of its Mission for the Future initiative, to showcase their unique solutions in HealthTech, CleanTech and AI for Humanity. Come visit, experience demos and hear their story on their vision of tomorrow.
Unleashing Innovation: The Power of Collaboration Among Governments, Universities, Corporations, and Professional Sports Teams
Description:
Imagine the limitless potential when governments, universities, corporations, and professional sports teams join forces to ignite innovation and unlock capital. This panel will inspire you with stories of how these diverse sectors are coming together to build ecosystems that fuel groundbreaking technologies, create jobs, and drive economic growth. By combining the visionary research of universities, the resources and networks of corporations, the influence and community reach of sports teams, and the policy support of governments, these partnerships can accelerate innovation in ways that none of these entities could achieve alone. From sports teams driving technological advancements in health and sustainability to universities partnering with corporate investors to scale startups, the possibilities are endless. We’ll explore real-world examples of collaboration that have resulted in new innovations, sustainable economic models, and thriving startup ecosystems. You’ll also learn how these partnerships can unlock access to capital, driving growth through venture funding, public-private partnerships, and corporate investment. Join us to discover how cross-sector collaboration is the key to unlocking innovation and capital, and walk away inspired to build the next great innovation ecosystem in your community. Are you ready to fuel the next generation of groundbreaking technology and economic growth? This high-impact panel will explore how to build thriving innovation ecosystems by bringing together the power of corporations, governments, universities, capital providers, and professional sports teams. These ecosystems are not just born; they are strategically crafted through action-oriented collaboration and smart capital deployment.
Speakers:
Mitch Carmichael, WV Department of Economic Development
Nicole Valentine, Milken Institute
Annette Finsterbusch, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Jason Griffiths, Los Angeles Rams
Jami Schwartz, Black Fire Capital/Scarlet Capital
Coalition for Innovation - Informational Session
Description:
Are you passionate about driving positive outcomes in HealthTech, CleanTech, or AI? Do you want to continue to connect and collaborate with fellow innovators even after InnoFest ends? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you should join us for this informational session so we can share details about the Coalition for Innovation because Together, We Can Build a Better Future!
Speakers:
Energizing Tomorrow: Efficiency, Safety, and Innovation in Cleantech
Session Takeaways:
- A clearer understanding of the challenges and growing opportunities in cleantech
- The role AI and emerging technology can play in solving the energy challenges of the future, and for today
- Shared considerations for developing cleantech solutions as the market grows.
Description:
The energy industry is facing a real challenge in meeting the load growth needs, particularly as the tech industry continues to develop AI and AI datacenters on top of the changes in climate that is creating inconsistencies in supplies and demands everywhere. Come to this session to contribute your voice to the discussion on developing technology solutions that will help us reach a better balance between energy supply and demand for the future.
We’ll be facilitating a conversation around:
The state of the energy landscape - a gathering of data insights on the growing energy needs, the ability for the market to create energy, and the disconnect between those that energy assets and those that do not.
Opportunities and challenges in technology development to bridge the gap. Emerging technology and AI solutions for enabling and accelerating clean energy transition and decarbonization
Corporate tech, startup and government’s role in working together to solve for a better future in clean energy
Speakers:
Kristie Deiuliis, Black & Veatch
Scaling AI: Navigating the Implementation Journey
Session Takeaways:
- Data is key: Understand the importance of high-quality, representative data for training and evaluating AI models.
- Model selection and optimization: Learn about the factors to consider when choosing the right AI model and techniques for a given problem.
- Deployment challenges and solutions: Explore the practicalities of deploying AI models in production environments, including scalability, reliability, and security.
- Continuous learning and improvement: Discuss the importance of ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and retraining of AI models to ensure their effectiveness over time.
Description:
This session will delve into the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning AI concepts from theoretical models to real-world, production environments. We'll explore the practical aspects of implementing AI solutions, including data preparation, model selection, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. Attendees will gain insights into the common pitfalls and best practices for successful AI implementation, enabling them to apply AI effectively to their projects.
Speakers:
Health Equity: Innovative Digital Care Models for All
Description:
Discover how innovative digital care models are revolutionizing health equity by enhancing care access for underserved communities. This session will explore tailored approaches for specific groups, including rural populations, women’s health, people of color, veterans, elder care, and individuals with disabilities. Join us to learn from experts and pioneers who are leading the way in creating inclusive, accessible healthcare solutions that bridge gaps and promote better health outcomes for all.
Speakers:
Shalen De Silva, Slayer Consulting
Megan Gray, Moment AI
Empowering Innovation: Growing with Corporate Innovation Models
Session Takeaways:
- Learn about corporate co-innovation models - what they offer and the unique approaches that they take.
- Hear about how each corporate innovation group collaborates with startups as well as what they look for in those companies.
- Explore both sides of the coin - the benefits and challenges of corporate innovation models.
Description:
Explore how corporate innovation models provide startups with resources, mentorship, and market access, accelerating their journey from ideation to market integration. Learn first-hand how these incubators guide startups through challenges, offer invaluable networking opportunities, and ensure sustainable scaling. Gain practical insights into forging fruitful collaborations between established corporations and agile startups. Elevate your startup by learning through the expert guidance of corporate incubators.
Mentors:
Katie Fox, ClearImpact Ventures
Josh Di Frances, LG NOVA
Elizabeth Scallon, HP
Zafer Sahinoglu, Mitsubishi Electric US Inc.
Daisy Sarne, IBM
Startup Pitch Competition
Description:
We've chosen ten innovative, fresh-thinking startups to share their story on stage at our Annual Startup Pitch Competition. At this event, each startup will have 5 minutes to impress our panel of executive judges to win the top prize of $15,000 - and the honor of 1st place at LG NOVA's Annual Pitching Competition. Previous winners have also gone on to explore business collaboration with LG NOVA and LG Electronics.
With this year's event, co-sponsored by LG Chem, they will be presenting an "Innovation for Impact" award, with a prize money of $10,000 to the one company that stands out as a true difference maker in our future.
Judges:
Sokwoo Rhee, EVP at LG Electronics & Head of LG NOVA
Sharmila Mulligan, Strategic Advisor, Investor & Board Member
Howard Kim, LG Chem America
Asya Bradly, Super Angel Investor & LP
Lori H. Schwartz, StoryTech
Bridging the Gap in Behavioral Health with Technology
Description:
Bold ideas - Big collaboration. LG is looking for innovative partners to join forces to build real-world solutions for a better life for people and the planet, and to help us move towards the future faster. Alongside LG’s innovation programs, LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future Initiative sets the agenda for open collaboration with startups, tech giants, corporate entities, investors and entrepreneurs to join LG to build towards a better future together. Join this session to hear from leaders from across LG businesses share what is important to them and how they view the market. Participate in an open discussion with business leaders at LG on new ideas and areas for exploration and collaboration with LG.
Speakers:
Atul Singh, LG NOVA
Ganesh Rao, LG NOVA
Managing Energy at the Edge: The Grid in 2035
Description:
Ten years from now, our power grid will have evolved from what we know today. Join industry experts as they envision the energy landscape of 2035. Explore the technological advancements, policy shifts, and market dynamics shaping the future grid. Discover how to navigate this new era of energy management and optimize operations at the edge.
For more insights, check out the NREL study on 100% clean electricity by 2035 and the vision for a modernized U.S. grid.
Speakers:
Haresh Kamath, EPRI
Christopher Villareal, Plugged In Strategies
Farzin Shadpour, Silicon Foundry
Limor Schafman, LG NOVA
Investor Tour 2 of 2 (Invite Only)
Description:
Designed especially for investors and VCs, we're hosting a walk-through of the companies selected to be a part of the LG NOVA Mission for the Future Initiative. These companies are a showcase of great ideas and technologies that are future-positive. During the tour, you'll get to hear from founders and executives on their vision and what makes their companies stand out as the next big thing.
FIRESIDE CHAT: From Zero to $500 Million: How to Scale a Cleantech Startup
Description:
Learn from industry titans who've conquered the cleantech landscape. Join successful founders as they share their blueprints for building energy startups from the ground up to valuations exceeding $500M. Hear about the strategies, pitfalls, and triumphs that fueled their exponential growth.
Speakers:
Ramkumar Krishnan, LG NOVA
Khaled Hassounah, Ample Inc.
Brian Thompson, Bridge to Renewables
Martin Hermann
Sarah Busch
Innovation Recap - Day 2
Description:
After two days of exhilarating discussions, inspiring presentations, and networking opportunities, we announced the winners of this year's 2024 Pitch Competition and the closing reception promises to close out InnoFest 2024 in style.
Speakers:
Lori H. Schwartz, StoryTech
Sokwoo Rhee, EVP LG Electronics
