Born digital and raised global, 64 elite MBA students from around the world are coming together at Boston University between 27th-29th March '08 to blueprint the future of mobile multimedia.
More than simply early adopters, these “digital natives” (whose average age is 26) have been at the forefront of every new digital development since the inception of email. They’ve survived web 1.0, pioneered web 2.0, and now they’re poised to mobilize the whole enterprise. These participants are truly the next generation of users, who come from places that comprise the fastest growing mobile technology markets in the world.
Ericsson, the official sponsor for the event, will put forth a real market challenge to the teams. Boston University, the official host, will provide six-by-six conference rooms, wireless access, timekeepers, and electrolytes. The judging panel comprised of Ericsson executives, IT entrepreneurs, and scholars will hand out prizes totaling $47,500.
The event embodies Ericsson’s mission “communications for all,” and to think of it as a global effort is almost quaint. Students represent 16 prestigious business schools and 20+ countries, but don’t make assumptions. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is sending an Italian, a German, an American, and a Chinese (the only other Chinese in the competition will be coming by way of Mexico City). Kellogg School of Management is deploying a Turk, a Korean, an Iranian, and an Indian. The Indian Institute of Management is sending an all-Indian team—though they'll be outnumbered by Indian nationals coming from Boston, Sweden, Texas, North Carolina, and Illinois. The Stockholm School of Economics will include a Lithuanian, an Italian, an Indian, and an American, but no Swedes.
Stay tuned to this blog for in-depth real-time coverage of the event, fun facts about the teams, their schools, and their business plans, as well as a peek into the exciting future of mobile multimedia technology.
