Circular Change Cup 2018: Sun, sailing and friendship!

The Circular Change Cup, our first ever circular sailing trip, organised together with the Business Sailing Experience Agency, is over and we are full of impressions and new inspiration.

Together with participants and speakers from the European Digital Industry Cup and the Global Open Innovation Cup, we gathered in Trogir on October 10th, where we were greeted by organiser Tom Gavazzi and CC’s own Ladeja Godina Košir, and had the pleasure to listen to the keynote speech by Harry van Dorenmalen, former Chairman of IBM Europe, who talked about new challenges for companies engaging in innovation. The night was closed by Rik Spann and his electric guitar, whose unique way of explaining innovation by connecting it to music improvisation delighted the crowd.

Dan Poljšak

After another round of engaging speeches in the morning, we set sails the next day and embarked on the first regatta to Palmižana. CC’s sailing team also included our friend and speaker Christiaan Kraaijenhagen from Innoboost and was captained by the multi-talented ship constructor, skipper and painter Dan Poljšak. Through excellent teamwork and sailing skills displayed by skipper Dan, our boat won the regatta and we were awarded the golden trophy!

Dan Poljšak

Friday night included Christijaan’s engaging speech on 10 steps to Circularity, which proved that lessons from circular transformation processes he and his team led have something to teach all of us. Before dinner started, Dan explained the motivation behind his 5-year project: building a wooden sailing boat called Cassiopea.

Christiaan Kraaijenhagen

Due to the innovative combination of topics and participants, we were able to combine insights from the digital sphere, such as A.I. and big data, business development approaches, such as open innovation, and circular economy. All of these are crucial to staying on the market in the 21st century, and secure a prosperous future for all. However, what we will remember most of all is the sunshine, the beautiful Adriatic coastlines and friendships that were strengthened along the way.

Photographs by Taja Košir Popovič.