Disrupt #14: What’s hot (or not) in 2014?

By Karamjit Singh January 16, 2014

DNA-TeAM’s kickoff for 2014 to focus on consumer and enterprise trends
Panellist from Frost joined by entrepreneur Bikesh Lakhmichand

Disrupt #14: What’s hot (or not) in 2014? WE are kicking off our DNA-TeAM Disrupt series in 2014 with a look at What’s hot (or not) in 2014? with a look at what is hot in both the consumer and enterprise space, both from a technology and customer angle, and what technologies may falter.

Disrupt is a monthly panel discussion and networking event organised by Digital News Asia (DNA) and the Technopreneurs Association of Malaysia (TeAM).

Coincidentally, our first Disrupt for 2013 was also on a ‘hot’ topic: Mobilise your business model, which essentially discussed what was going to be hot in mobile. But we want the discussion to be broader this year, and also to encourage entrepreneurs to think about the enterprise space as they rethink their business models or approach new markets.

For instance, Hitachi Data Systems expects big data to go beyond proof-of-concept and into greater actual deployment. Garner expects mobility to land a paradigm-shifting impact on enterprises. There will be explosive data growth on mobile, driven by trends such as social media and the ‘Internet of Everything’ (IoT). Security and privacy will be ever-present concerns.

On the consumer front, Ericsson expects IoT to figure largely as well, as would biometrics as passwords become passé. Smartphones and app will have greater potential to make a social impact as well.

Besides looking at technology trends, we are hoping the Disrupt discussion will highlight particular niches that look interesting this year and are ripe for innovative solutions.

Disrupt #14: What’s hot (or not) in 2014? To help trigger some of the talking points, we are pleased to introduce Bikesh Lakhmichand, founder of iTrain Sdn Bhd and 1337 Ventures Sdn Bhd, as the panellist who will highlight the more interesting consumer trends he expects to see this year. He is also one of the leaders in the startup ecosystem in Malaysia.

Bikesh will be joined on the panel by Pranabesh Nath (pic), head of enterprise communications of the ICT Practice at Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific.

With more than eight years in consulting and research, Pranabesh is a regular speaker at industry events in the region. He provides client counsel and advice on market penetration and expansion strategies, as well as growth opportunities.

His core research areas include unified communications, mobility, visual collaboration solutions, social media and cloud services, and their applications in enterprises.

The first DNA-TeAM Disrupt of this year will be held at 5.30pm on Jan 22 (Wednesday) at Plug ‘n’ Play Technology Garden, 7^th Floor, South Tower, Gardens, Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur. Admission is free. To make your reservation, click on the link below: