The University of Waterloo will host innovators from around the world who have revolutionized business through disruptive technology for its fifth annual Waterloo Innovation Summit on September 14 and 15. With this year's conference theme 'Hacking the Future', influential speakers from a wide range of sectors will focus on discussions in foward-thinking and interactive conversations.
One of the keynote speakers of this annual technology based event is JB Straubel, Chief Technical Officer of Tesla. At Tesla, Straubel responsibilities include new technology evaluation, along with overseeing the technical and engineering design of vehicles.
With a focus on clean, secure, and efficient energy, particularly regarding vehicle transportation, Straubel was named one of the top 35 innovators in the world under the age of 35 in the 2008 MIT Technology Review TR35. His interest in electric vehicles is longstanding, having converted a 1984 Porsche 944 to electric drive, and built a 24-volt electric bike prior to helping establish Tesla in 2003.