After an intensive month in San Francisco, the dreamers have returned to present the final results of Imagine Silicon Valley 2016. The final event will take place in Barcelona (Thursday 15 September at 18:30 hrs at the Old Damm Distillery). The Banco Sabadell Foundation will also be in attendance to support and follow up on the process of the three dreamers who have had a chance to live this disruptive experience:

Mamadou Korka, just 22, from Guinea Conakry arrived in Barcelona six years ago in pursuit of a dream: to work in Google. “When I arrived at Google in Mountain View I was feeling all sorts of emotions, happiness, fear, envy… But I felt wonderful after I learned that Google has set up offices in Dakar (Senegal), that is a huge opportunity for me.”

Ángel González from Valencia, who recently graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, assured us that the Imagine Silicon Valley adventure “was a boost of excitement and willingness to be entrepreneurial and not set myself any limits”.

Daniel Díez from Oviedo is a young researcher and technological entrepreneur, who stated that “this grant has been like an adrenaline rush and has restored my passion for what I do, and clarified all professional doubts that I had before I went.”

We spoke to a few of them this week to ask them to give us more details about their technological adventure…

An experience like being in Silicon Valley during a whole month.. how has this affected you both personally and professionally?

Daniel Díez: “On a professional level, it has allowed me gain first-hand knowledge of the main technological ecosystem in the world and to gain a far broader overview of current opportunities, which is key to defining my career path. Without a doubt, the great human factor that gives value to Imagine has been a decisive factor to identify certain aspects where I need to improve, such as communication, and has given me the energy to be positive when I stand up and face my next challenges.”

Ángel González: “Having this experience just after finishing my degree has given me even more motivation to put in the effort to achieve my aims, so now I will try to work on my own projects.”

Mamadou Korka: “It has opened my eyes to a different word full of creativity and wonderful people. I have also felt truly capable of achieving any innovative project that I wish. I am more confident in myself.”

What were your favourite moments from Imagine Silicon Valley 2016?  

Daniel: “During the first days in Yosemite… we all had a chance to get to know each other very quickly and begin to give form to the challenges whilst being surrounded by incredible natural surroundings. It was amazing.”

Ángel: “I loved everything: the coworking space, networking events, getting to know such influential people and companies… meeting people with so much talent has given me extra motivation”.

Mamadou: “When I arrived at Google in Mountain View I was feeling all sorts of emotions, happiness, fear, envy… But I felt wonderful after I learned that Google has set up offices in Dakar (Senegal), that is a huge opportunity for me.”

Without a doubt, coming closer to your dreams has been an unforgettable experience…

Daniel: “I could not be more grateful to the Banco Sabadell Foundation and Imagine for giving me this opportunity, which has undoubtedly had a very positive effect on my overall vision and career path.”

Ángel: “I am extremely grateful to the Banco Sabadell Foundation and Florida Universitaria for giving me such a unique experience and opportunity.”

Mamadou: “Thanks to this Banco Sabadell Foundation grant I now not only dream of working in Google but also of forming part of those who help Africa to submerge themselves in the world of technical innovation.”

Do you think you could say that it is a grant that has helped to motivate you to continue fighting to achieve your goals?

Daniel: “Without a doubt, this grant has been like an adrenaline rush and has restored my passion for what I do, and clarified all professional doubts that I had before I went”

Ángel: “This experience has been a boost of excitement and willingness to be entrepreneurial and not set myself any limits”.

Mamadou: “For me it is about challenges, motivation, going beyond what I thought I could do.. but what is most important for me is that it has made me view myself in terms of what I am capable of doing.”

And from now on… what challenges have you set yourselves?

Daniel: “My next challenge involves the digital transformation of large traditional companies, which a particular focus on Blockchain, moving from my current position in Furai.co, my own consultancy, to a large bank of consultancy firm, which I think will be helped by the high demand for knowledge in this niche and the maturity of this technology.”

Ángel: “The truth is that I am considering many options. The priority for me is to finish my Senior Degree in Electrical, Industrial and Automatic Engineering. Then I want to focus on other personal projects while I continue to gain qualifications.”

Mamadou: “My next challenge will be to finish my senior degree in Website Applications Development and do Imagine in Africa.”
As a sneak peek, you can see Mamadou’s presentation in Silicon Valley here: