In 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with three visionary entrepreneurs aiming to revolutionise the events and exhibition industry. This was uncharted territory for me—I had never worked so closely with true game changers before. A partnership ultimately led to an invitation to join them in Shenzhen, China, for the UNLEASH Innovation Lab—a transformative experience that opened my mind to new possibilities and remains one of the most inspiring chapters of my professional journey.
For those who haven’t heard of UNLEASH, it is a global initiative that brings together 1,000 young talents from around the world to develop innovative solutions addressing the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2019 Innovation Lab took place from November 6th to 13th in Shenzhen, a city renowned for its rapid transformation from a small fishing village to a sprawling metropolis of over 12 million people. This dynamic setting provided the perfect backdrop for fostering creativity and collaboration among participants.
The company and I were part of the next chapter—UNLEASH+, an exclusive six-month program designed for teams ready to scale their solutions into viable ventures. This opportunity provided mentorship, funding opportunities, and invaluable resources to help bring our innovations to life. It was truly inspiring to have conversations with individuals who had successfully built and managed multi-million-pound companies on a global scale.
The experience was eye-opening. As I navigated the 17 SDGs, I witnessed first-hand how innovative companies were developing solutions to help communities around the world. I met incredible entrepreneurs working on ground-breaking projects—from health hubs in Africa and disaster management systems in Mexico to invasive species control in Florida. It was a powerful reminder of how vast and fascinating the world truly is.
Our game-changing innovation was gaining momentum—until COVID struck three months later, bringing everything to a halt. While our project didn’t take off as planned, the lessons I learned, the people I met, and the inspiration I gained from this journey continue to shape my perspective and ambitions today.
That said, this fabulous idea is far from forgotten. Who knows? One day soon, I may just go back and reignite it or start a new adventure that will make a impact.