The next big idea could come from anywhere. Are we paying attention?

From Jamaica’s global cultural influence to emerging African enterprises and international technology networks, Future Forum’s global ambassadors made the case for looking beyond familiar innovation hubs.

Where should we look for the ideas shaping tomorrow? Not only to the world’s largest economies or most established technology centres, argued the contributors to Future Forum’s Global Glimpses session.

Led by Matt Scheckner, the conversation brought together perspectives from international marketing, technology networks, entrepreneurship and countries that have more to offer than their size might suggest.

Looking beyond your own borders

Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society, urged leaders to develop their ‘peripheral vision’. In an environment dominated by dashboards, devices and immediate pressures, it’s easy to miss useful ideas emerging elsewhere.

She made the case for sharing positive examples of businesses and communities adapting successfully, so others can learn from them rather than repeatedly starting from scratch.

Russ Shaw CBE, Founder of Global Tech Advocates, described the network’s expansion from London into dozens of communities worldwide. Those connections create opportunities to learn from different technology ecosystems, from Turkey to rapidly developing networks in Central Asia.

Small nations, global potential

Conrad Mathison, Future Forum’s Global Ambassador for Jamaica, highlighted the country’s extraordinary international influence in music, sport and culture, while also pointing to the infrastructure and investment constraints facing smaller nations.

He argued that cultural success can create opportunities for businesses, manufacturing and new products – provided talented people can connect with partners, markets and resources.

Dr Tumelo Chaka added a perspective on Africa’s changing role. Rather than being treated primarily as a market for products created elsewhere, African communities should be active participants in creating the next generation of businesses and services.

Building opportunities together

Fathima Beckmann discussed work connecting AI, social enterprise and skills development. She pointed to opportunities for entrepreneurs to turn ideas into early products more quickly and for successful approaches to be adapted in other communities.

The discussion also considered how social enterprise can build more sustainable models and why global collaboration matters for inclusive growth.

Across their different perspectives, the contributors shared a challenge: stop assuming that innovation travels in one direction, from large established centres outwards.

Ideas, talent and ambition are already distributed across the world. The more important question is whether we are building the relationships needed to recognise and support them.