BACKGROUND
Who are Xynteo?
Xynteo is a platform for galvanising leaders and catalysing ideas – and fusing them into new projects, for new growth.
What is The Exchange?
Faced by a world of urgent, complex challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to social inequality and exclusion, we created the Xynteo Exchange in 2017 to accelerate collaborative action that will reinvent growth.
Participants in Oslo experience a ‘future-fit town' made up of:
A town Square - a centerstage for world-class leaders to challenge us to think and do things differently
Studios - (optional) open innovation workshops that seed and progress commercial solutions to our most challenging problems
A Marketplace - a showcase of 50 solutions from bold entrepreneurs solving our biggest human problems and competing for The Impact Maker Award
What kind of problem areas does The Exchange focus on?
We had 6 themes in 2018 which were; designing responsible food systems for healthy people and a healthy planet, the grand challenges to growth in Europe, solving global challenges through public-private partnerships, connectivity for good, new governance for future-fit finance, and building a viable, sustainable, future-fit society. To keep updated on the 2019 themes, check this page on the website.
Each year, these themes are broken down into 4 or 5 problem statements in the studios and correspond with the Impact Challenges in the Marketplace. To stay up to date with our impact challenges, check out this page on the website.
Who is coming?
This is an annual gathering bringing together leaders and practitioners spanning every part of society - from business and the arts, to research and activists - together accelerating the critical impact we need.
What will I do?
In the square, you will listen to speakers that inspire action and participate in the debate. In the marketplace, you can explore 50 unconventional and bold solutions, which showcase how entrepreneurs are reinventing growth. You can listen to their stories, learn, meet and exchange.
In the studios, you will actively work on a commercial solution to a theme and problem statement. The Xynteo team will guide you through this process so no preparation is necessary.
What is the outcome of the Exchange?
The aim of the Exchange is to prove that we can reinvent growth by working together. With this, we encourage new kinds of leadership, solutions and connections. The solutions from the studios are worked on year around with partners and we follow our Impact Makers. Read this blog here to learn about an outcome from the Impact Maker Award 2018.
Is this just another conference?
No. Here, the emphasis is on action. We don’t have long panel discussions or do networking exercises. At the Xynteo Exchange, we inspire with short plenaries on unconventional topics and then spend most of our time in Studios or in the Marketplace.
This is different; this isn’t about listening.
All year round, our partners work on realising their solutions so they can come back to The Exchange year on year with their progress.
This is about action.
Who funds it?
Partners sponsor different parts of the Exchange in the Square, Studios and Marketplace. No single element is driven by one partner – it is collaborative.
Our 2018 partners included Yara, Nordea, Mastercard, Verizon, Aker BP, NAV, Oslo Kommune, the Office for Contemporary Art (OCA), the Munch Museum, Innovation Norway, FoLK.
And our 2019 partners are growing. New businesses include Scania and Shell; new arts and culture partners include Snøhetta architects, the Henie Onstad Art Centre, and the Oslo Filharmonien. And we have more business schools and universities as partners than ever before, including BI, UiO, NMBU and NTNU.
LOGISTICS
When and where will it happen?
The Square and Marketplace will take place at Skur13 on the morning of Wednesday, 9 October until Thursday, 10 October evening. The Studios will take place at different venues across Oslo.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. There is no fee for attending the Xynteo Exchange.
I am a student, can I attend?
Yes, you can. Xynteo wants more students to get involved. We have reserved a handful of spots for selected students to join our programme and innovation workshops. Apply now for your spot and work alongside top, global leaders to solve some of the largest problems we face today: https://xynteoexchange.typeform.com/to/NS2kXH
I don’t speak Norwegian, is that a problem?
No, the main language in English. You do not need to understand Norwegian.
Can I come to The Exchange if I have not been invited?
We want leaders and practitioners from all industries and sectors but you need an invitation. If you haven’t received an invitation but are interested in attending, please get in touch at exchange@xynteo.com.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, anyone can volunteer. Joining the Xynteo Exchange in Oslo as a volunteer you’ll be part of a community of like-minded people all striving to reinvent growth. We hope our volunteers will stay part of our tribe for years to come and act as ambassadors for our mission.
This is a great opportunity for you to build your skills and have some fantastic experience to add to your CV. Please contact Rollo Sparkes with your CV ros@xynteo.com.
How do I register?
Make sure you accept the link in your invitation email, and you will receive a separate registration email soon after or you will be taken directly to the registration page. If you can’t find your invitation or registration link, please email us at exchange@xynteo.com.
What do I need to know about travelling to Oslo?
If you invited to the Exchange and are coming from outside Europe, you need a visa. Our team can help you. Get in touch with the team at exchange@xynteo.com
And dress for cold weather.
Where can I stay?
Xynteo has arrangements with The Grand Hotel near the main venue and in the centre of the city. Transport will be arranged to and from the Grand Hotel during the Exchange. If you would like to make use of our preferential rates, please use Promo Code BXYN051019 when booking at www.grand.no.
Do I need a public transport ticket?
No, not for The Exchange. The main venue Skur13 is walking distance to The Grand Hotel. We provide transport for all activities during the event. But if you are going elsewhere, or exploring Oslo, yes. Buy a ticket for Zone 1 here at ruter.no/kjop-billett.
Is the event disability friendly?
Yes – please email exchange@xynteo.comwith any specific requirements.
PROGRAMME
Where is the speakers list?
Our primary supporters and speakers this year will be announced soon. We do not publish the full speakers list but you will find an overview of headline speakers on the programme page. Our programming team is working hard to design challenging, inspiring and meaningful debates.
Examples of last years’ speakers include Johnny Harris, Journalist Vox Media, David Suzuki, Geneticist and television host, Yanis Varoufakis. Former Greek Finance Minister, Aili Keskitalo, President of the Sami Parliament of Norway, and Rose McGowan, actress and activist. We even had our first robot speaker, Sophia Hanson from Hanson Robotics Ltd.
Can I get a list of participants?
Not a full one, no. But you can get a sneak-peak of our tribe on the website. You can also download the app (available in August) and connect with participants before you arrive in Oslo.
How do I join the Studios?
Everyone who is invited to the Exchange is invited to participate in the studios. It will either say in your invitation which studio you are invited to, or we will allocate you to one. You can request a preference/change by emailing exchange@xynteo.com.
Can I participate in the Marketplace?
The Marketplace/Impact Maker Award is open for submissions from impact entrepreneurs, solving our Impact Challenges. For more details check the FAQs on the same page.
What happens to the solutions from the studios?
The solutions are brought back into the Marketplace for everyone to see and explore. They are then taken on by our partners and worked on throughout the year. We work with our partners to support this and to bring proof points back to The Exchange year on year.
Who are the Xynteo Fifty Impact Makers?
These are a group of fifty bold entrepreneurs selected for their unconventional solutions. These fifty Impact Makers will have the opportunity to showcase their work to the Exchange audience. To read more, check out our Impact Maker Award page here.
What is the speakers’ corner?
The Speakers’ Corner is a centre stage, happening during the Marketplace, for new voices making a dent in our world. Here, you will listen to series human stories entitled “How I am solving X”. Last year, these included topics such as affordable healthcare in South Africa, use of Artificial Intelligence by criminals or internet access in India.”
If your question has not been addressed here, please feel free to contact exchange@xynteo.com for assistance.
Interested in being a partner?
If you are a business or organisation interested in becoming an Exchange partner, please get in touch with Chester Cunningham at cc@exchange.com.