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‘Call for Wellness Innovations’ Contest and Tech Innovation Pavilion to Launch at Global Wellness Summit in Palm Beach, FL
Prize for innovative wellness technologies will be judged by leaders from global companies, including Facebook and Six Senses; First-ever Tech Innovation Pavilion will showcase both wellness technology startups and established companies that have executed a ‘virtual pivot’ in response to the pandemic
Miami, FL – September 8, 2020 – The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy, today announced that a “Call for Wellness Innovations” contest, as well as a dedicated Tech Innovation Pavilion, will be unveiled at the 2020 conference being held November 8–11 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL.
The contest, which opens today, calls on all companies worldwide within the wellness technology space to submit their innovative idea. And unlike any other competition, it will be judged by a heavy-hitter group of international CEOs, business leaders and VCs in the wellness space. The winner will then present their concept to delegates at the Summit, culminating in the awarding of the first “Global Wellness Summit Prize.”
Each day of the Summit, the Tech Innovation Pavilion will prominently showcase companies that have been recently devoting their energy and resources to innovate products and services in the wellness arena—whether seed-stage start-ups or established companies. The new contest and Tech Pavilion are all part of a conference that will place an unprecedented focus on tech innovations that are shaking up the wellness market, featuring keynotes from leaders and investors across this booming space. All of this programming is being realized in partnership with Welltech1, a wellness fund and innovation hub in Tel Aviv, Israel, who is the first Marquis Sponsor of the Pavilion.
Learn more about the contest and its global judges here.
“COVID-19 has turbocharged the migration of wellness solutions online and consumer adoption of all kinds of digital wellness, and analysts agree that health and wellness technologies—whether in mental wellness or digital fitness—have now emerged as the hottest investment category,” said Nancy Davis, GWS chief creative officer and executive director. “With this historic rush of creativity and investment, the 2020 Summit is putting a stake in the ground in this fascinating space, and we want to give global exposure to the companies, products and services that are reimagining wellness through technology. It’s an important moment for the GWS and the industry.”
More about the contest and its high-profile judges:
Contest applications will first be screened by Welltech1’s advisory board and founders (which just ran a very successful wellness start-up competition). Semifinalists will then present to the judging panel made up of international executives and VCs on virtual Demo Days (October 15 and 22). The winner will be flown to the conference in Palm Beach to present in front of delegates from around the world on the main stage and be the subject of global media promotion. On Tuesday, November 10, the first “Global Wellness Summit Prize” will be presented on stage at the conference.
The judges:
Amir Alroy, co-founder, Welltech1, the first Israeli wellness innovation fund and hub specializing in wellness technologies.
Anna Bjurstam, wellness pioneer at Six Senses, is responsible for all wellness innovation and development at the brand’s 46 resorts and spas across 21 countries.
Craig Cogut, founder, chairman and CEO of Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P., Green Climate Fund accredited private equity fund manager focused on sectors influenced by global resource scarcity, combating climate change and rising demands for human health and wellness.
Ivo Facianof, managing partner at MindSpring Capital and founder of Velis, a leading global online marketing and advertising solution.
Ofir Frank, CTO of Maccabi Tel Aviv BC, a world-leading sports club, who is responsible for building technological products and services that meet the team’s needs.
Galit Horovitz is co-founder at Welltech1 and has extensive experience in business development and international M&A.
Ian James, founder and CEO of The Ideation Lab, LLC, and incubator and accelerator of hemp CBD and cannabinoid products for consumer and retail markets. James has raised roughly $100 million in capitalization for diverse operations since 2014.
Victor Koo is chairman at Heyi Holdings and co-founder of Tianren Culture, a next-generation social platform that supports social enterprises. Former president of Chinese Internet company, Sohu.com and co-founder of video website, Youku.
Stephen Letourneau, chief brand officer, Green Light Acquisitions and Cannuka, who spearheaded the largest CBD consumer packaged goods launch in history.
Dr. BK Modi, founder and chairman, Smart Group, Singapore; chairman of Indian business conglomerate, Spice Global; who started the mobile revolution in India and was the first manufacturer of photocopiers, floppy drives and FAX machines in that nation.
Hadas Spektor, head of the Lifestyle and Wellness vertical at Facebook Israel, Facebook’s business arm, who is dedicated to supporting growth for Israel’s wellness start-up ecosystem.
Laurie Racine, seasoned entrepreneur and president of Racine Strategy, an advisory focused on the intersection of social responsibility, learning, media and technology.
Paul Scialla, founder and CEO or Delos, a company merging the world’s largest asset class—real estate—with the world’s fastest-growing industry—wellness.
Josh Todd is chief marketing officer for Mindbody, the leading technology platform for the fitness, wellness and beauty industries, which serves tens of thousands of wellness businesses and tens of millions of consumers worldwide. He focuses on the company’s global marketing, branding and advertising strategies.
“In these challenging times, technology is playing a far more powerful role in enabling and improving wellness for the greater population. It’s our privilege to co-sponsor the first-ever ‘Call for Wellness Innovations’ contest and Tech Innovation Pavilion at the GWS. Our goal is to attract the very best ideas in the wellness tech arena, and we’re thrilled that leading CEOs and VCs are joining us in the selection process,” said Amir Alroy, co-founder, Welltech1. “We ran a similar contest earlier this year for wellness start-ups, and we had an overwhelming response from all over the world. I look forward to bringing the spirit of the Start-Up Nation, Israel, to the Summit.”
To learn more about the GWS or to register, click here.
To learn more about sponsoring the GWS or the Tech Pavilion, contact Michelle Gamble: [email protected]
About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, Summits have taken place in the US, Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico, Austria, Italy and Singapore. The 14th annual Summit will take place at The Breakers Palm Beach, FL, from November 8–11, 2020. The 2021 GWS will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 15–18.
