Day 1: Foresight, Storytelling, and Venture Capital
Editor’s note: The Innovation Odyssey Blog is produced by students in the Innovation Odyssey course, taught by Assistant Professor of Practice Stephen Brand. The course featured a trip to Silicon Valley in January 2025 where the students met with executives and leaders in the tech industry. Each blog will be about a specific day of the trip and the students’ experience. This post was written by the team of Conner Adrian ’26, Mariia Dudinova ’28, and Alexander Sica ’27.
Our day began with foresight workshops at the Institute for the Future, evolved into a deep dive into visual storytelling with Prezi, and concluded with global venture capital insights at DCM Ventures. Each experience offered a different lens on innovation, but together, they painted a picture of how foresight, storytelling, and collaboration drive meaningful change.
Institute for the Future
Our day started at the Institute for the Future, where we met with foresight experts Ben Hamamoto and Nathalie Lopez. They introduced us to tools for navigating uncertainty—signals and drivers. Signals, Ben explained, are subtle, early indicators of change. Drivers are the forces—social, technological, or economic—that propel those changes forward. One of the things the speakers mentioned really stuck with us: “To discover new opportunities, we must move away from the mindset of ‘It is never happening.’ ” That’s right—who would have thought there would be driverless cars cruising around San Francisco? But 10 years ago, the visionaries in Silicon Valley believed in it and pioneered the industry. It really sparked our interest in thinking beyond industry standards.
After the workshop, we started paying more attention to the signals around us. As remote work eliminates the need for office buildings, will there be a real estate job market for abandoned skyscrapers, turning them into the next big housing trend? If AI-generated influencers become more relatable than real humans, will “authenticity” become the new luxury brand? “Signals don’t need to be plausible,” Ben said, “they just need to spark curiosity.” That statement turned our assumptions about innovation upside down. The goal isn’t perfect predictions—it’s expanding the boundaries of imagination.
Through interactive activities, we explored these concepts firsthand:
- Signal Spotting: From autonomous vehicles to biomechanics for athletes, we brainstormed emerging trends across industries.
- Unexpected Futures: Combining signals, we imagined new possibilities—like virtual classrooms accessed via self-driving shuttles in rural areas. This exercise challenged us to think creatively about the intersections of technology and society.
- Mapping Consequences: Using tools like “if-then” diagrams, we examined the ripple effects of change. For example, reducing traffic congestion with autonomous vehicles might create more free time for individuals, altering urban planning and work-life balance.
Prezi
From the abstract world of foresight, we shifted gears to the art of storytelling with Prezi. Meeting Prezi CEO Jim Szafranski was a masterclass in how great design and narrative can transform communication.
Prezi’s signature zoomable canvas, Jim explained, is designed to mimic how our brains process information spatially. “Circles are intuitive,” he said, “they let people predict and retain ideas better than grids or slides.” Prezi’s design philosophy is rooted in making storytelling interactive, memorable, and immersive.
Prezi has impressed us with its ability to create a unique product with a global mission of driving human achievement through visual storytelling. We particularly appreciated their insight that creating a product is not difficult; finding market fit is the real challenge. This is how they carved out their niche in the highly competitive world of presentations—by focusing on high-stakes events where storytelling and unique visuals are essential for success.
This felt truly inspiring, knowing that we do not need to create the next Facebook or a product that appeals to everyone. Instead, success can come from building a niche product for an audience that truly loves it.
But, what truly set Prezi apart wasn’t just the tool—it was their approach to culture and growth:
- Culture as a Catalyst: Prezi prioritizes creativity and inclusivity. “Empower your team to take risks,” Jim said, “and you’ll create magic.”
- Moments That Matter: Prezi’s TEDx debut was a turning point, proving the power of capturing key moments to establish credibility and drive growth.
- Freemium Success: Prezi’s business model, which offers basic features for free, fosters viral adoption. Their strategy of leveraging templates and SEO ensures visibility and engagement.
What struck us most was Prezi’s belief in storytelling as a vehicle for empowerment. Whether it’s a teacher simplifying a complex topic or an entrepreneur pitching a bold idea, Prezi equips users to connect with their audiences on a deeper level. This session left us inspired to consider how storytelling could elevate our own entrepreneurial pursuits.
DCM Ventures
We ended the day at DCM Ventures, a firm that exemplifies the intersection of entrepreneurship and global vision. Meeting Babson alum Bahram Tavakoli ’22 added a personal touch to the experience. His warmth and openness made the complex world of venture capital feel approachable.
DCM’s global footprint stood out. While many Silicon Valley firms have pulled back from Asia, DCM has doubled down, maintaining offices in Tokyo and Beijing. This resonated with us, as some of us have studied in Tokyo and plan to study in Beijing in the fall. Bahram shared how cultural nuance and global networks are essential for fostering innovation.
He also broke down the VC process into five key steps:
- Sourcing Ideas: Finding promising startups through global networks.
- Selecting the Best: Narrowing down thousands of ideas to a select few.
- Winning Over Founders: Convincing entrepreneurs to choose DCM by offering more than just funding—mentorship, networks, and strategic value.
- Hands-Off Support: Allowing visionary founders the freedom to execute their ideas without interference.
- Harvesting Success: Realizing returns through IPOs or acquisitions.
On Day 1 of our insider’s tour, we listened to an eye-opening talk by Bahram Tavakoli, a Babson grad currently making waves at DCM Ventures. He spoke candidly about venture capital and shared some thoughtful insights on navigating the startup landscape.
One of the first ideas he challenged was the common misconception that “you MUST always be first to market.” Bahram suggested that by not being first, startups have the advantage of watching competitors tackle problems, learning from their mistakes, and then stepping in with a solution that avoids those pitfalls. Bahram noted that tuning into what’s working for others gives an edge to layer on improvements rather than feeling pressure to blaze an entirely new path. This gave us some hope as we pursue creating ventures in competitive spaces.
Bahram’s insights into networking were equally impactful. “Always ask for advice, not a job,” he said. This approach fosters genuine connections and opens doors to opportunities that might not be immediately apparent.
Reflections
Foresight, storytelling, and venture capital might seem unrelated, but together they form the backbone of innovation. Each session offered unique insights:
- Foresight taught us to embrace uncertainty and imagine futures beyond the obvious.
- Storytelling showed us the power of crafting narratives that inspire and connect.
- Venture capital highlighted the importance of relationships in turning bold ideas into reality.
A common thread ran through all three experiences: the value of curiosity. Whether it’s spotting signals, crafting a compelling story, or building a startup, curiosity is the fuel that drives innovation.
As the sun set on our first day, one thought lingered: “The future isn’t something we inherit—it’s something we create.” Each conversation and interaction reminded us of the responsibility we have as innovators to shape a future that’s not only bold but meaningful. This day set the tone for the rest of our Silicon Valley journey. It wasn’t just about learning from industry leaders—it was about transforming how we think, connect, and create. If today was any indication, the future is brimming with possibility and we are ready to embrace it.
Posted in New Tech Ventures Blog
