Photo: National Geographic
Our mission is to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and social innovation for scientists, technologists and engineers in the Middle East and beyond.
We envision a world in which the only barrier to an innovator's success is the quality of his or her ideas. We want to give every scientist, technologist and engineer the opportunity to discover and fulfill their potential, for themselves and for their societies, making new markets, making new companies, and making a difference in the world around them.
Imagination and Ingenuity
Without a proper outlet for imagination and without the hope that it will make a difference, possibilities diminish. Imagination is one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s limitless and forward looking. Innovative ideas can’t happen without it. But imagination alone is not enough. Imagination needs ingenuity to realize its full potential. i2 seeks to empower young innovators with both, creating access to new opportunities through inspiration, education and the tools to apply them.
About Dr. Hayat Sindi, Founder of i2
Dr. Sindi was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and is one of the world’s leading biotechnologists. As a child she was inspired by great scientists who changed the world like Einstein, Marie Curie and Ibn Al-Haitham.
She left Saudi Arabia in her teens and worked against the odds to become the first female from the Gulf to earn a PhD in biotechnology, studying at King’s College London, Cambridge, MIT and Harvard. Dr. Sindi is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, and a co-founder of Diagnostics For All, which offers cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic tools enabling the treatment of the 60% of people living beyond the reach of medical infrastructures. She has been a PopTech fellow in both Science and Social Innovation, advancing her longstanding goal to more closely link science and social impact. Dr. Sindi was announced by National Geographic as National Geographic Emerging Explorer.
Her dream is that i2 will make stories like hers less exceptional and more possible for every young innovator.
Follow Dr. Sindi:
Photo: National Geographic
Young people are our most important resource. Strong societies depend on them and the future depends on them. While Saudi Arabian youth have abundant access to education, they do not have enough access to the opportunities to apply it.
The numbers speak for themselves…
i2 is trying to connect the dots by putting the right resources against the right issues so that every young innovator has the opportunity to live their potential and contribute to their society.
Learn about our program for innovation…
Sources:
1–3. arabnews.com 17 February 2011
4. gulfnews.com 10 November 2011
Photo: National Geographic
To bring about it’s vision the i2 institute is developing a range of programming intended to foster greater connection between and opportunity for the next generation of innovators. Our programming will be designed to function as an ecosystem that connects science to social need and people to possibility.
Fellowship Programs
To identify, inspire and elevate fresh talent in the fields of science, technology and engineering.
Training
To equip students to apply their knowledge in the world with education in entrepreneurship, social innovation and communication.
A Peer Community
To facilitate social and networking events that bring young people together in new and supportive ways.
Annual Conferences
To bring together an international community of innovators, highlighting young talent, new ideas and amazing inventions.
A Mentor Network
To connect young innovators with world class mentors in key infrastructural roles to help get great ideas off the ground. Mentors will give their time, expertise and advice.
Financial Investment
To provide project financing to select fellows’ work as funding and sponsorship become available.
Photo: National Geographic
The i2 institute launched at the PopTech conference in Camden, Maine in October 2011 and things are developing by the day. There are lots of ways to get involved with i2. From joining the conversation to investing in our vision, everyone matters.
Innovators
If you’re a young innovator who wants to make the most of your mind and improve your world, then be sure to sign up for our e-mail list and follow us on twitter and Facebook to learn more about i2 as it evolves. You’ll be the first to know how to apply for a fellowship once we post the application process.
Partners
If you’re a scientist, engineer, technologist, educator, entrepreneur or someone else with a skill set that could change a young person’s life, then contact us at involvement@i2institute.org about opportunities to partner with i2. From programmatic development to training programs and workshops, we’re open minded and eager to hear your ideas.
Investors
If you believe in i2’s mission and vision and want to help make them real in the world, we’d love to have your support. The next Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein is among us and waiting for a chance. To find out more about the institute and how you can invest, please contact us at invest@i2institute.org.
Join the conversation
We want to start a conversation with you about the future—your personal future and our collective future. We can’t personally reply to every message, but we can give you a platform to share and discuss your ideas. We will post our questions and your answers on the site and hope to evolve the conversation over time. We promise to listen.
Our partners
With additional thanks to Doremus
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