Beyond Boundaries: Innovating In A Changing World

We’ve got another jam-packed Thursday Gathering in store this week!

At 5:00 PM in Havana, we dive into the high-stakes reality of biotech entrepreneurship with From Theory to Term Sheet: Building a Biotech Startup When the Market Says Don’t. Dustan Bonnin , valuation analyst, registered patent agent, and founder of Paretor Bio, will share a candid, behind-the-scenes look at launching deep tech when capital is tight and risk tolerance is low. Drawing on two decades of experience in valuation and IP strategy, Dustan will unpack the myths surrounding early-stage biotech, explore why narrative matters as much as numbers, and offer tactical ways to build lean without compromising value. It’s an unvarnished guide for founders, scientists, and operators determined to translate innovation into investability, even in an unforgiving market.

From 5:00 to 6:30 PM in Santo Domingo, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA), led by Vice Minister Mansour Almushaiti, will connect with Boston’s innovation community in a networking session that brings together Saudi policy leaders, sustainability innovators, and local entrepreneurs . Startups from Sedrah, Saudi Arabia’s flagship environmental innovation initiative, will pitch their solutions in fields ranging from water conservation and renewable energy to biodiversity, sustainable food systems, and the circular economy. Guests will have the opportunity to hear their stories, explore potential collaborations, and continue the conversation during informal networking afterward until 6:30 PM.

At 6:00 PM in Havana, we shift focus to one of the fastest growing markets on the planet with Africa’s Gig Economy: Digital Hustle, Local Wisdom & Global ROI . In Kinshasa, a bustling city of 17 million, market women and young entrepreneurs are already turning WhatsApp and mobile money into survival tools and thriving businesses. With youth, women, and urban workers making up the vast majority of Africa’s labor force, the continent is shaping the future of work in ways that blend digital innovation with deep community trust. This session takes you inside the strategies and scalable models that are transforming local hustle into global opportunity, starting with a bold pilot in Kinshasa.

Then at 6:30 PM in Santo Domingo, settle in for a fireside chat that bridges the worlds of iconic brands and emerging tech. From Nike to Web3: A Fireside Chat with Swan Sit on the Future of Brands invites you into the career journey of Swan Sit, former Global Head of Digital Marketing at Nike, Revlon, and Estée Lauder, now a leading voice in the creator economy with millions of followers. Moderated by Nick Anderson, this conversation will explore how Swan spots next-generation opportunities, adapts to rapid change, and builds influence across industries from consumer goods to AI and Web3. Expect straight talk, strategic takeaways, and a front row seat to one of the most insightful voices shaping the future of brands.