San Francisco, California – September 26, 2026 – The Global Innovation Showcase, a centerpiece of #SFTechWeek, will gather founders, investors, veterans, government officials and technology pioneers at the historic War Memorial Veterans Building.
Event Overview
Hosted by The Future of Tech (TFOT) and the Silicon Valley PropTech Association, the showcase will spotlight emerging work in deep tech, dual‑use technology, digital assets, intelligent systems, defense innovation, smart cities and cross‑border expansion. Organizers describe the event as more than a trade show; it is designed to foster the conversations and connections that move innovation from concept to real‑world impact.
Key Program Highlights
Opening Keynote – Building What Comes Next
The keynote will set the tone for an afternoon focused on the forces shaping the next generation of global innovation, emphasizing the shift from talking about future ideas to meeting the people actually building them.
Panel Discussions
A series of expert conversations will explore where capital is flowing, how technology scales globally, and the role of decentralized digital assets. Notable sessions include:
- Global VCs & The Next Wave of Innovation – Featuring Jordan Wahbeh (SV Venture Group), Evelyn Y.K. Lee (Vine Ventures), Kerry Chin (Booz Allen Ventures) and Preethy Padmanabhan (Cisco IIoT).
- The Affordability Stack – What Scales Globally, What Doesn’t – With Karsten Popp (iLima Digital Foundry), Joe Tolzmann (RocketPlan Technologies), Rusmin Lawin (Real Estate Indonesia Developers Association) and Alina Aeby (Silicon Valley PropTech Association).
- Web3 & The Next Digital Economy – Kenneth Hurley (Genius Ventures), Carrie “Ms. NFTy” Lyn (Stand With Crypto), Matt Snow (1inch) and Brett Bunnell (Cole‑Frieman & Mallon LLP) will discuss decentralized technologies and new business models.
- Dual Tech & Defense Innovation – Merc Martinelli (American Legion Post 315), Manveer Sandhu (Bow Capital), Jaz Banga (Airspace Defense) and Melissa Oh (TGY Advisors) will examine the intersection of commercial tech and national security.
- Scaling Artificial Intelligence Across Markets – A deep dive into moving smart tech from breakthrough to widespread adoption.
Exhibitors and Experiences
Exhibitors include the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and OpenBeam, offering hands‑on looks at emerging technologies and global market opportunities. The event also features an exclusive Tesla Experience, where attendees can sign up for a test drive and an overnight stay to experience intelligent mobility firsthand.
Networking and Community
Following the main program, a Happy Hour beginning at 5:00 p.m. will provide informal networking with alcoholic and non‑alcoholic drinks and curated bites. This setting encourages founders, investors and technology leaders to continue conversations beyond the conference floor.
Why It Matters for San Francisco
By hosting a gathering that blends cutting‑edge tech with veteran and government participation, San Francisco reinforces its role as a hub for innovation that respects both entrepreneurial spirit and the contributions of those who have served the nation. The event aligns with local interests in job creation, investment inflow and the advancement of technologies that can benefit the broader community.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
