Legatum Center Annual Conference:
"Innovation in Global Growth Markets: Prosperity through Entrepreneurship"
On April 30, 2024, the Legatum Center hosted its annual conference at the MIT Samberg Conference Center, gathering influential leaders from across the globe. Attendees included policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who came together to explore and foster innovative solutions aimed at driving prosperity in global growth markets. This milestone event also celebrated 15 years of the Legatum Center's impact, highlighting its role in shaping the global entrepreneurship landscape.
2024 Innovation in Global Growth Markets Annual Conference Recap
The conference featured a dynamic agenda filled with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. His Excellency President Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, delivered an inspiring keynote on the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation. Additional notable speakers included MIT President Dr. Sally Kornbluth and John C. Head III (Interim) Dean Dr. Georgia Perakis, MIT Sloan School of Management. The sessions covered critical topics such as the integration of artificial intelligence in global markets, strategies for managing currency volatility, and rethinking venture capital models for emerging economies. These discussions underscored the importance of innovation in reshaping narratives and driving economic development in growth markets.
Learn more about our prior panelists and speakers below.
Prior Speakers
H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi
5th President of the Republic of Botswana
Dr. Sally Kornbluth
18th President of MIT
Dr. Georgia Perakis
John C Head III Dean (Interim), MIT Sloan School of Management
Dina H. Sherif
Executive Director, Legatum Center at MIT
Mark Stoleson
CEO and Partner, Legatum
Adam Sharkawy
Founder, Material Impact
The Innovation in Global Growth Markets conference fosters numerous networking opportunities, enabling attendees to engage in productive side meetings and collaborative discussions.
In-person and Virtual Attendees
The conference also fostered a strong sense of community and pride among the Legatum Center’s fellows, partners, and stakeholders, solidifying its position as a thought leader within MIT and the global development space.
By bringing together a diverse range of voices and perspectives, the conference successfully expanded the Center’s reach, increasing its visibility and reinforcing its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide. As the Legatum Center looks forward to building on this momentum, the event marked a significant step in its mission to drive sustainable development and prosperity through entrepreneurship and innovation.
Testimonials from Attendees
Ridzki Kramadibrata
Commissioner, Grab Indonesia
"From engaging in public panel discussions to sharing insights in the classroom and having meaningful one-on-one sessions with the Legatum Fellows, community, and Indonesian MIT students, it's been an enriching experience...I’m grateful and excited to be part of the commemorative events by the Legatum Center!"
Maria Fernanda de Velasco Septien
'16 Legatum Student Fellow
"The Legatum Center was instrumental in my journey, particularly after my MBA. Without the support and resources provided by the Center, continuing with Play Business would have been a much steeper challenge. For this, I am deeply grateful...I am eager to maintain and strengthen my connection with the Legatum community as I would love to give back in any way I can and help foster the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Chizitere "Chizi" Obioha
'24 Legatum Student Fellow
"I am immensely grateful to you all for an epic year and events of lasting memories and for gifting me the opportunity to build, learn, and grow alongside you. Thank you also to all our supporters, advisors, friends, and advocates, especially The Legatum Partners, who brought this dream to reality. The journey continues."
Bunmi Akinyemiju
Partner at GreenHouse Capital Africa
"I was incredibly impressed with The Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT...It's rare to find a US university that is deliberate and focused on Growth Markets (such as Africa) + Innovation as a pathway to Prosperity. So, we LOVE these guys already!"
Bolanle Austen-Peters
'23 Foundry Fellow
"It was indeed an honour and a privilege to be a part of this conference.
It was also such a blessing to see everyone again."
Tolu Ladele
Sloan MBA 2024
"I’m a 2nd year MBA here at MIT, Excited to be here at the Legatum Conference. MIT is a school of very entrepreneurial and innovative people. So I'm glad that the Legatum Center has hosted this conference to discuss ways to support Africa."
Anderson Pereira
'23 Legatum Student Fellow
"As a student fellow and founder at Kapitale in Brazil, I can confidently say that the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT played an instrumental role in our journey as founders and entrepreneurs. A heartfelt thank you to the Legatum Center for its invaluable support and "for events like this!
David Capodilupo
Assistant Dean for MIT Sloan Management's Global Programs
"I am the Assistant Dean of Global programs, The Legatum Center and Global Programs have had a close relationship, and we try and build bridges with each other, not just among ourselves, but among the institute. What Dina is doing, Fiona, and Phil, the whole team is just amazing. I’m proud to work at MIT and this part of our mission and our values to improve the world, and the entrepreneurial way to do this with the Legatum Fellows is something that is very unique."
Andrea Kates
Partner, SUMA Ventures, Author, From Stuck to Scale
"Deeply inspiring event.
Rich, important conversations.
Game-changing potential.
Amazing leaders"
