SUMMARY
10th Anniversary
The New Next

12-13 June, 2019
EXPO XXI, Warsaw

key note speaker

"The whole world admires you, we need you much more than ever before. Thanks to a sense of political and social solidarity, Polish GDP has tripled since liberation from the Soviet Union's influence. The Polish economy ranks sixth in the EU. Many countries would like to follow the same route and be like Poland. You can be the leader of Europe and take it to a completely different place”

Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States

Almost 1500 unique guests representing global business, national and local authorities, sector stakeholders and partners were present at this year’s edition of ABSL Summit. Media gathered in Warsaw to be part of the 10th edition of ABSL Summit “The New Next” included representatives from leading newspapers and magazines such as Forbes, Business Insider, Puls Biznesu, Rzeczpospolita, TVP, TVN, TOK FM.

This year’s agenda featured plenary sessions, break out streams, insightful presentations and case studies, Oxford style debate. Speakers and panelists were discussing global trends and pointed out to the most important challenges for business in a fast-changing world.

Through workshop sessions with local and global leaders, presentations, insightful reports and expert analyzes, panelists defined future growth opportunities and challenges associated with building a competitive economy and an attractive business environment for new investments in Central Europe and in Poland. Lots of discussions and inspirations included agile talents, technology influencing sector in a positive way and development of the cities’ competitiveness.

And last but not least – keynote speaker – incredible speech and interview with Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, with his more than inspiring thoughts on Polish economic development and future growth.

Summit Facts

2 days

of knowledge sharing and networking

1460

business leaders, experts and representatives of central and local government

50

panel discussions, inspiring case studies and insightful presentations

Top media

outlets including TOK FM, Rzeczpospolita, Puls Biznesu, Forbes, Business Insider

Global trends

new ideas, game changing technologies and the future of business

118 speakers

44% of all speakers were woman

ABSL Start-Up Challenge

Final of the fourth edition of ABSL Start‑Up Challenge

101 start-ups applications

18 ABSL Start-Up Challenge finalists

The fourth edition of the ABSL Start-Up Challenge was held this year. It was unique in terms of the number of participating start-ups - there were 18 of entries from abroad among all 101 participants. This year's edition attracted young talents from Finland and the USA.

Young entrepreneurs presented their solutions in selected categories, such as FINTECH, HR TECH, ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION, and SALES & MARKETING TECH.

Each vertical picked out its winner, who then got the opportunity to present themselves at the ASBL Summit, with the special guest and main speaker, the 42nd President of the United States Bill Clinton.

The winner of the ABSL Start-Up Challenge 2019 was Symmetrical.ai. Polish-British fintech, finalist of the HR Tech vertical. Their project is based on providing financial benefits for employees.

The main prize for Symmetrical.ai is an invitation to participate in the Polish Tech Day event taking place in London. In addition, the start-up receives six months of support from ABSL and from Rebels Valley in establishing business relationships with ABSL members.