Testimonial by Emilio Mendez, University Professor in Condensed Material Physics in the State University of New York and Director of the Interface Phenomenon of this University, “Príncipe de Asturias” Prize

“From the beginning I felt that the Bankinter Foundation of Innovation was somehow different from similar organizations I have interacted with through the years. Since then my initial impression has been confirmed and I now realize how different the Bankinter Foundation of Innovation is from the rest.

First, it is its focus on innovation, which is the driver of material’s progress. By emphasizing the generation and development of new ideas, whether in technology or in business, the Foundation is fulfilling an essential function in Spanish’ society and serving as a catalyst for wealth creation.

Besides, the Foundation practices what it preaches, being a model of business innovation and usage of modern technologies, from the way it conducts its affairs to how it communicates with the public at large and disseminates information and educational material. Dynamic, unburocratic, and progressive are the adjectives that best characterize the Foundation’s operations.

In addition, the Future Trends Forum created by the Foundation is a unique tool to address topics of the utmost current interest and to draw from experts in the field conclusions of great significance not only to the business world but to society in general. Examples of past topics are China, Nanotechnology, Energy, and Web 2.0. I have had the privilege and the pleasure of participating in that last one, and I can attest of how different it was from any other international forum I have attended: educative, engaging, hands-on, and very enjoyable. In comparison with other forums, which seem to last forever, the FTF went too quickly and one only wished it had lasted longer.

Based on my experience, I can say that a Future Trends Forum is like a mini Davos World Economic Forum – perhaps with less glamour but with much more substance.”