Our world (and the technology that fuels it) has radically changed in the last decade. And a number of the most impressive technological and scientific breakthroughs of the last few years have had immense contributions from our community. It isn’t hyperbole to say that the special and talented people we’ve come to know through our work have done everything from revolutionize the observation of our Earth through satellite imagery to radically expand and accelerate the drug discovery process.
Throughout the last decade, we’ve brought this community of technologists and scientists together for Curiosity Camp — a regenerative and inspiring unconference unlike any other. This year marked our 10th Curiosity Camp. There’s so much to share about this year’s conference (and why you should nominate yourself or a friend to attend), and the best way to do it is through the eyes of our campers. Our Campers are what make each unconference so special.
We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to reflect and contribute to this piece. Your insights have helped us bring a little bit of Camp to the digital screen.
“The weekend was a continual euphoria of kismet; I kept meeting people who I felt like I already knew or that I had already heard about for years, and suddenly, they were in front of me. It was splendid and in a beautiful place to boot! The connections led to a newfound joy in entrepreneurship and possibility and dreams that stretch out literally into the trillions of years,” — Chris Mason, Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine.
The magic that is Camp
Each year, we invite visionaries from around the world to an idyllic Bay Area campsite for activity-filled unconference sessions. An unconference is an event with no preset schedule, no panels or fireside chats, and no ego. Attendees propose an unconference speaking session they want to explore, and those who join the session propel the conversation. We encourage all our guests to come armed with provocative questions, challenging viewpoints, and an eagerness to solve many of the big problems facing us today.
“The people who attend camp are all stellar in their fields, and it's a treat to be able to drop in with experts across so many domains in such a fantastic setting. The 'unconference' format is also a brilliant way to let the group self-organize into a spectrum of talks. I enjoyed going outside my comfort zone into topics I wanted to learn about (the situation in Europe with the backdrop of the war in Ukraine or the election implications for India). From global politics to supply chain management to brain interfaces, it was quite a smorgasbord!” — Linda Avey, co-founder of 23andMe.
Most importantly, our campers don’t know who is who before they arrive. Bios are shared after Camp. You never know who you might strike up a debate with in an unconference session or roast a marshmallow with by a fire pit.
“I honestly didn't know what to expect, but in retrospect, that was probably the whole point. The camp is a nonstop thread of spontaneous moments and entwined conversations that are impossible to predict. The speed was outstanding. Imagine really smart people having conversations over a fiber connection instead of the usual dial-up. My favorite moments were escaping from hostage tape with a Green Beret, talking about entanglement with a founder I deeply respect, playing strategy games with national defense leaders, and exchanging ideas about medical devices.” — Dave Deriso, Founder, Bluue Co.
Bolstered by the opportunity to explore without pomp and circumstance (and the fact that we honor Chatham House Rules), our campers share with honesty and exchange knowledge openly.
“I immersed myself with humble thought leaders in a setting that encouraged open and free discourse. I most enjoyed the cross-pollination of ideas and concepts, such as how cutting-edge technology and approaches to climate change and agriculture can be applied to healthcare. I found my community! I encountered remarkable talent in diverse fields. The venue and setting facilitated a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and obtain a glimpse of what the future may hold — and deeply engage with the leaders who are shaping it. I’ve continued to have lively discussions with several attendees and hope the connections I made at Camp evolve into lasting friendships.” — Charles Bruce, Chief Innovation Officer, Mayo Clinic in Florida.
This year’s Camp was exceptional
We welcomed friends old and new and felt an incredible passion for the work being done in the world. Here are a few of our favorite sessions, which left us feeling energized and inspired.
We couldn’t have asked for a better 10th anniversary of Camp. The people, conversations, sessions, music, food, activities, and setting were the best we've ever had.
"I wanted for nothing. It was perfect from my perspective! The inclusive nature of the event is truly special; everyone felt invited as a peer participant. That ensured excellent participation and a real diversity of perspectives. I took really important lessons learned with me from the Camp, in quite broad, diverse areas of knowledge and know-how" — Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, member of the board at Starbucks, Merlin Entertainments, and the LEGO Group, and Innovation Endeavors Partner and Executive Advisor.
We left Camp feeling inspired and more optimistic than ever about where humanity is headed. Most importantly, we renewed our sense of belonging with a community grounded in creativity, respect, and vulnerability. We’re already gearing up for our next Curiosity Camp, and we look forward to connecting with friends, new and old, very soon.
"Camp creates an amazing space and time. It's had an incredibly positive impact on my life through very different periods — from the intense growth of a startup, through a successful acquisition, to decompression after leaving a large corporation and transitioning into parenthood. Something I'm truly grateful for." — Lee Redden, co-founder, Blue River Technology.
Click here to nominate yourself or someone else to attend our next Curiosity Camp.
