One month to go: Are you ready for IASP Sophia Antipolis?

The countdown is on! 

In just a few weeks, the global IASP community will come together on the French Riviera for four days of ideas, conversations, new connections and experiences at the 43rd IASP World Conference, taking place from 27 to 30 October in Cannes and hosted by Sophia Antipolis Technology Park.

With this year’s theme, “Tech for humanity: Shaping values for a human-centric future”, the programme will look at how innovation ecosystems can help ensure that technology continues to serve people, communities and society, from inception to deployment.

But there is much more to the conference than what happens on stage. Here are some of the moments you will not want to miss.

100+ speakers. More than 55 countries. One global conversation.

The programme brings together 100+ speakers and moderators from more than 30 countries, representing science and technology parks, innovation districts, companies, universities, public institutions and other organisations working at the forefront of innovation ecosystems.

Across five plenaries and sixteen breakout sessions and eight Focus Talks, the programme will explore some of the questions currently shaping our industry, from tech diplomacy and responsible innovation to clean technology, resilient ecosystems, governance and the changing role of innovation spaces.

And with different formats throughout the programme, there will be plenty of opportunities not just to listen, but to exchange experiences and take ideas back home.

Explore the full programme 

Two keynotes to set the tone

The conference will feature two keynote speakers bringing very different perspectives to the conversation around technology, innovation and society.

Juan J. Alonso, Professor at Stanford University and founder of Luminary.ai, will open the programme with a keynote exploring the future of technology and the choices shaping increasingly human-centred approaches to innovation.

Our closing keynote, Stéphane La Branche, will bring the conference to a close with “Energy is personal AND collective!”, a keynote address that will explore the relationship between individual behaviour, collective action and the wider transition towards more sustainable models of energy use.

Two voices, two perspectives and plenty to think about as we consider what “Tech for Humanity” really means in practice.

From the conference room to the French Riviera

The conversations do not stop when the sessions end.

The social programme will take delegates to some of the most distinctive settings around Sophia Antipolis and Antibes, creating plenty of opportunities to meet colleagues, reconnect with old friends and continue conversations beyond the programme.

The Welcome Reception at the brand-new ALPHA Building on 27 October will open the conference in the heart of Sophia Antipolis.

On 28 October, delegates will head to the Azur Arena for an informal dinner with the Antibes Sharks, including a live basketball demonstration, cheerleading and a special appearance by Sharky. Yes, Sharky is officially part of the programme!

And on 29 October, the Gala Dinner will take us to the Bastion Saint-Jaume at Port Vauban in Antibes, overlooking the harbour and Mediterranean.

Discover the social programme

Discover the ecosystem behind the conference

If you are coming all the way to Sophia Antipolis, you should see more than the conference venue.

The technical tours offer a chance to step into the ecosystem behind one of Europe’s pioneering technology parks and discover the organisations, places and ideas shaping its innovation landscape.

And for those who want to explore beyond innovation ecosystems, the cultural programme offers a choice of experiences across the Côte d’Azur, from Cannes and Antibes to Grasse, Nice and the surrounding Provençal landscape.

Explore the technical and cultural tours.

Start before the conference starts

For new members of management teams, people working on the development of a science park, innovation district or area of innovation, and colleagues looking to reinforce their knowledge and exchange experiences with peers from other innovation ecosystems, the Pre-Conference Training Seminar on 27 October offers a full day of practical learning with experienced professionals from the IASP network.

Experts from Brazil, Canada, China, Estonia, Germany, Türkiye, and IASP management will cover the fundamentals of innovation space management, including strategic models, business incubation, services, marketing and communication, university relationships and governance.

It is also a chance to begin building connections with fellow participants before the main conference gets underway.

Read more about our Training Seminar lineup of speakers.

More to see. More to do. More to discover.

From conversations about the future of technology to practical experiences from innovation ecosystems around the world; from the Palais des Festivals in Cannes to Sophia Antipolis and Antibes; from plenaries and Focus Talks to basketball, cultural discoveries and conversations over dinner, IASP Sophia Antipolis is designed to be experienced beyond the programme on paper.

If you have been thinking about joining us, now is the time. Click here to secure your spot by October 20.

The countdown has begun. See you in Cannes!