KFF23: Back to the Future(Fest)
At the end of May, Katapult hosted Katapult Future Fest. Against the backdrop of Oslo’s waterfront, KFF offers an opportunity to challenge, collaborate and change. With sessions ranging from AI to gender equity to smart cities, it is a chance to take a step back and assess some of biggest trends that lie on our collective horizon.
KFF is more than a top-tier program of panels, discussions and debates, it is fundamentally about people. Few events have the ability to assemble such a diverse group of change-makers, impact investors, activists and startups (including several Katapult portfolio companies), all gathered with the aim of making the world a better place. Here are some of the highlights from KFF23, selected by the Katapult VC team:
Rising to the Challenge of Ocean Impact
Held alongside the shoreline of Oslo fjord, it is hard to escape the presence of the Ocean. At this year’s KFF, the Katapult Ocean team brought together a broad coalition of Ocean experts, investors and companies to take a peek into the future of Ocean innovation. Tackling issues ranging from microplastic pollution, coral loss and alternative proteins, we explored the conditions necessary to create a world where a thriving ocean and economic development exist in harmony.
A special thanks to our portfolio companies who attended: Matter., Full Circle Biotechnology, ARC Marine, Hooked Foods and not least Evoy who offered KFF attendees test rides on their 100% Electric-powered boat.
Tech made in Africa
Africa lies at a crossroads. While climate change leaves several African countries in a position of increased vulnerability, a booming-entrepreneurial sector driven by young and tech-savvy founders offer a source of hope, great potential and inspiration.
With attendees including Katapult Africa Portfolio Companies, Legendary Foods and Complete Farmer, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and the NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation), KFF23 explored how we can better mobilise the African impact ecosystem.
With an emphasis on food- and agri-tech, impact in Africa holds the potential to both ensure food security and empower those helping to feed the world.
Building Smart Cities
By 2050, an estimated 68% of the global population will live in cities. With this transition our cities must become greener, cleaner and smarter. KFF23 invited attendees to imagine the cities of the future. This leap of the imagination was facilitated with the help of some of the foremost climate experts, Katapult portfolio companies and the Katapult Climate team.
From circular farming helping to feed urban populations to AI generating the new materials required to build city infrastructure, the foundations of our smart cities are already under construction.
(Un)leashing the power of AI
From utopian enabler to path to our own demise: the future role of AI featured prominently at this year’s KFF. In the midst of an AI revolution, it could not be more important to challenge and advocate for how AI can be used for the better of humanity. Assembling some of the foremost visionaries in the field, KFF23 offered an amazing forum to discuss both AI’s innovative and disruptive power.
In addition to hearing from the wider-community, this year’s Future Fest was a fantastic opportunity to showcase how Katapult’s AI and Data Analytics team is harnessing AI to optimise dealfow, investment and impact reporting.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and a special shout-out to the Katapult Future Fest team for a KFF to remember! We’re already looking forward to KFF24!
Want to stay up to date on the latest Katapult news? Sign-up for our newsletter.
