Theme: Raise your idea to the next power

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Student Center Theater
350 Ferst Drive
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia, 30332
United States

Danish Kurani

Danish is an architect who designs environments to advance the quality of human life. With a mindset focused on optimizing learning, no matter the location or intention, his projects have empowered individuals and communities in the US, Australia, and Brazil.

Jeff Heck

Jeff is the self proclaimed “Boss Guy and Chancellor” of Monday Night Brewing, an Atlanta-based craft brewery. He believes our lofty ambitions often fail to connect our particular gifts, skills, resources and experiences with the needs and opportunities right in front of us.

Kamal Grant

Kamal is a pioneer of the artisanal doughnut and is the CEO and founder of Sublime Doughnuts in Atlanta, GA. His drive to serve his customers something beyond the ordinary has led to the development of several (bakers’) dozens of unique culinary creations. Into these creations, he incorporates elements from world cuisines from his travels in the US Navy, and his training from the Culinary Institute of America.

Kurdeen Karim

Soleen and Kurdeen are ambitious, design-oriented activists working to bridge the gap between necessity and dignity. Their personal experience as refugees amidst war has led them to analyze humanitarian aid from a different perspective. By co-founding the nonprofit organization Design4Refugees, Corp, they have been working to build dignified, innovative spaces for refugees. They will dissect the implications of applying design solutions to long term problems caused by modern conflicts, especially in refugee settings.

Lois Reitzes

Lois is a WABE radio broadcaster and wholeheartedly believes in the power of radio as a medium and the ways in which we can impact one and another through shared passion for the arts. She will share the wisdom and experience of her 36 year-long career with the WABE Atlanta Radio station.

Mihir Parshionikar

Mihir is a computer science student here at Georgia Tech and was one of our student speakers featured in the TECHx: A Student Speaker Series earlier this year. He will discuss the idea of music complexity by comparing classical music and pop music in their structure and melody. He will take a look at how those interactions affect our perception of harmony.

Soleen Karim

Soleen and Kurdeen are ambitious, design-oriented activists working to bridge the gap between necessity and dignity. Their personal experience as refugees amidst war has led them to analyze humanitarian aid from a different perspective. By co-founding the nonprofit organization Design4Refugees, Corp, they have been working to build dignified, innovative spaces for refugees. They will dissect the implications of applying design solutions to long term problems caused by modern conflicts, especially in refugee settings.

Ulrika Lindström

Ulrika hails from Stockholm, Sweden, where she crafted her powerful voice through many years of choir school and classical training. She will discuss her experience navigating entrepreneurship within the music industry. Through her journey, she has learned the importance of dedication and focus in building powerful relationships, thereby empowering her personal brand and the future of her career.

Zhong Lin Wang

Dr. Z.L. Wang is the Hightower Chair in Materials Science and Engineering, and a Regent’s Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His innovations in nanogenerators is paving a path toward a future where energy could be harvested personally and locally. This technology has important implications in powering robotics, health sensors, human-machine interfaces.