The 2023, very first edition of Ibiza Tech Forum covered a wide range of topics centered around technology, innovation, and their impact on various industries, such as AI, FoodTech, Blockchain and entertainment industry.

The event provided a platform for thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to share insights, discuss trends, and explore the future of technology and innovation.

The first Ibiza Tech Forum, organised by Taryn Andersen, Alejandra Prieto and Jesse Krieg Mora, was a unique and intimate event that brought together a selected group of over 100 investors, tech leaders, and innovators in the idyllic setting of Ibiza. The forum was designed to foster connections and inspire investment in startups, with a focus on creating a community among the attendees.

Peter Kovacs, co-founder of IseeQ recruitment agency, was one of the speakers at the event. He shared his insights on the evolution of acceleration programs and their importance in the tech industry. “The topic of the panel discussion I was part of was about acceleration programs. We discussed how they developed over the years, why they are important, the mistakes they make, and how they have been evolving over time” as he explained.
The forum was characterised by its informal and intimate atmosphere. The organisers prioritized quality over quantity, ensuring that each attendee was well taken care of. This approach facilitated meaningful conversations and connections among the attendees. “They really took good care of the speakers they invited. We were taken out every day to long lunches, lasting four hours. This gave us a chance to connect with each other in a good environment” Peter shared.

Networking was a key aspect of the event, with several team activities and outdoor coffee breaks providing ample opportunities for attendees to connect and share ideas. The event was also marked by a spirit of generosity and community, with attendees contributing their resources for the benefit of the group. “One of the attendees had a boat. When the organisers needed more boats for an activity, he just stood up and contributed his ship to the happiness of the community” as Peter recounted.

The attendees were a diverse group of individuals, ranging from investors to tech leaders who had previous success stories. Despite their varied backgrounds, they shared a common openness and interest in each other’s work. “Everyone was very open and interested in what the other people do. They really opened up and shared everything. No one was hiding things or being suspicious about others. Everyone was really communicative and talkative, and that was the essence“.

One of the key takeaways from the event was the value of small-scale, well-curated events for effective networking. The intimate setting allowed deeper relationships to be built, as attendees had the chance to engage in multiple and longer conversations with each other. “I think such an event is much more effective for networking because you have more chances to build deeper relationships with people. You can simply spend more time with people“.
The event was also marked by its flexibility and spontaneity, with plans and ideas often emerging just a day before. This “Southern European” approach, as Peter described it, added a unique charm to the event and provided a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. “Everything was pretty much flexible. Ideas and plans, for instance for the boat ride on Saturday, practically came up just a day before“.

The conversations at the forum were not just about professional topics but also touched upon personal aspects. Kovacs shared “Each of the conversations was interesting because mostly these discussions were not necessarily about what we are selling or what we are building or what we are working on, but more like connecting on a human level. For example we talked about how to better organise our days in life to be more efficient and healthy and things like that.”

Another memorable encounter was with a tech entrepreneur who is implementing QR codes in shopping. “Another attende I met is building a very simple solution on implementing QR codes in shopping. He now has a team of 200 people and they raised, I don’t know, how many millions of investments. That guy has been building the whole thing from Ibiza, and he’s the only guy from here, all the others in the team are from all around the world working remotely.”
Overall, the 2023 Ibiza Tech Forum was a successful event that provided a platform for meaningful connections and insightful discussions. It showcased the power of community and the potential of tech innovation in a relaxed and beautiful setting. As Peter concluded, “I’m already invited to the next one in 2024 so I’m more than happy to help introduce nice people to other nice people there.”