Kamran Elahian discusses the current golden age of entrepreneurship and innovation in a global economy. He outlines his extensive experience founding and investing in technology companies. Elahian argues that innovation in content, software, microelectronics, and other fields continually increases value. However, innovation must consider human values to avoid potential downsides like weapons proliferation or loss of privacy. Overall, Elahian advocates for a global, multicultural, and meritocratic approach to innovation that benefits all stakeholders.

1. Global Innovation Economy:
Golden Age of Entrepreneurship
Kamran Elahian
Global Catalyst Venture Alliance
IDCEE Conference, Kiev
October 2013

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3. KamI ran
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4. Kamran Elahian
CAE Systems: Co-founder, CAD software, acquired by Tektronix for $75M
24 Years Hi-Tech
Entrepreneurship
Cirrus Logic: Co-founder, Fabless semiconductor, IPO at $150M; peak at $3.5B
NeoMagic: Co-founder, mobile multimedia IC, IPO at $300M; peak at $700M
Centillium: Co-founder, communication IC, IPO at $700M; peak at $4B
Global Profile
Financing/Operating Investment Entities in U.S., Japan, Germany, France, Taiwan, Singapore,
India, Israel, Armenia and China; Fluency in English and Persian, limited French and Japanese
Global Catalyst Partners: Chairman and Co-founder
14 Years Global Venture
Capital
Silicon Valley international, multistage, technology oriented venture capital firm. Invests in leading
edge technology companies in the U.S., China, Japan, India & Israel
Global Catalyst Foundation: Chairman and Co-founder – private foundation with mission to
improve peoples’ lives through effective application of IT.
17 Years nonProfit/Public Service
Relief International-Schools Online: Chairman Emeritus – humanitarian agency that provides
emergency relief, development assistance & program services to vulnerable communities
worldwide. Provided Computers and access to the Internet for 6400 Schools in 36 Countries.
UNGAID: Former Co-Chair - United Nations global forum that promotes the use of information
and communication technologies in developing countries.

5. IT Innovation Value
Content
Software
Micro-Electronic
Electro-Mechanical
Mechanical
Manual

6. Sewing - Manual

7. Sewing -Mechanical

8. Sewing - Electro -Mechanical

9. Sewing - MicroElectronics

10. Sewing - Software

11. Sewing - Content

12. The Internet of:
Everyone
Anytime
Everywhere

13. The Internet of:
Everyone
Anytime
Everywhere

14. The Internet of:
Everyone
Anytime
Everywhere
Everything

15. IT Innovation Value
Content
Software
Micro-Electronic
Electro-Mechanical
Mechanical
Manual
Incremental Innovation Value

16. Electro-Mechanical Incremental
Value

17. IT Innovation Value
Content
Software
Micro-Electronic
Electro-Mechanical
Mechanical
Manual
Timing Innovation Value

18. Great Technologies Ahead of Their Time
My Three Failed Companies:
Momenta (iPAD -20 Years)
Cahoots (Skype -5 Years)
Entopia (Meta Search -4 Years)

19. IT Innovation Value
Content
Software
Micro-Electronic
Electro-Mechanical
Mechanical
Manual
Geographic Innovation Value

20. Geographic Innovation
Diaspora In Silicon Valley
•
India(Juniper, Cavium), China (Yahoo,
YouTube) Israel(SanDisk, Checkpoint),
Iran (Ebay, Cirrus Logic),
Russia(Google, Evernote),...
Diaspora Of Silicon Valley Culture
•
Local and Virtual Incubators (Plug &
Play, 500 Startups, Unreasonable
Institute,...)

21. Digital-Divide ------------> Digital Unite
21st Century Education
Interaction, New Ideas
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Investment
Job Creation
Global Catalyst Foundation

22. Global Start-up Accelerators:
Diaspora of Silicon Valley Culture
22

23. Nano-Tech Innovation Value
(10-7 to 10-10 meters)
Fermi-Tech
10-15
Pico-Tech
10-12
Nano-Tech
10-9
Micro-Tech
10-6
Visible to Eye
>100 Microns

24. Nano-Tech
Altering:
Physical,
Electrical,
&Optical
Properties

25. Molecular Biology Innovation Value
(10-7 to 10-10 meters)
Fermi-Tech
10-15
Pico-Tech
10-12
Nano-Tech
10-9
Micro-Tech
10-6
Visible to Eye
>100 Microns

26. From Dolly to Super Humans

27. Dark Side of Innovation
Weapons of Mass Destruction
•
(Nuclear, Chemical, Cyber-Attacks)
Big Brother, Rise of the Demonic Robots
Mutant Monsters, Biological Germs
Global Financial Collapse (2008)
•
(High IRR Justifies Every Action)

28. Innovation Value
(IT, Nano-Tech or
Molecular Biology)
Global Human Values (SPI)

29. Speculation vs. Innovation

Speculation Capitalism:
• IRR Driven that ONLY Benefits Shareholders

Innovation Capitalism:
• IRR Driven that Benefits Shareholders, Employees,
Customers, Society and Environment (SPI)

30. Global Innovation Economy

Innovation (develop a product/service that benefits humanity)

Multicultural (Diaspora)

Global Approach

Acceptance of Failure

Meritocracy

Shared Ownership

Participatory Management

31. One Global Fund
USA
China
Japan
GCVA
$250M
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
India
Israel
MENA
Russia
Leveraging our Global and Local Networks