17 March 2022

Prince Daniel carries out an entrepreneurship visit to the United States

On Sunday 13 to Thursday 17 March, Prince Daniel visited Silicon Valley and the Seattle area together with a delegation consisting of young entrepreneurs and business leaders linked to Prince Daniel's Fellowship.

The delegation from Prince Daniel's Fellowship visited Stanford University.

The delegation from Prince Daniel's Fellowship visited Stanford University. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

The aim of the visit was to gain new perspectives on entrepreneurship, to build networks and to be inspired by one of the world's most vibrant business climates for innovative companies.

Talks and panel discussions on entrepreneurship

The trip began in Silicon Valley with a reception hosted by Sweden's Honorary Consul in San Francisco, Barbro Osher. The following day, a number of talks, panel discussions and visits to companies and educational institutions took place in the Silicon Valley area.

Prince Daniel speaks with Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of Sila Nanotechnologies.

Prince Daniel speaks with Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of Sila Nanotechnologies. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

One of the visited companies was Sila Nanotechnologies, which presented its work and its research to develop the batteries of the future.

The University of California San Francisco

The delegation also visited UCSF, where Chancellor Sam Hawgood – together with researchers, colleagues and students at the university – spoke about the importance of cooperation between research and industry for the region's spirit of innovation.

Panel discussion at the University of California San Francisco on experiences of cooperation between research and industry.

Panel discussion at the University of California San Francisco on experiences of cooperation between research and industry. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Nobel panel at the Exploratorium science museum

At the Exploratorium science museum, Sean Randolph from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute spoke about Silicon Valley's business climate. He was followed by Anne Wojcicki, founder and CEO of 23andMe, in a discussion led by Marcus Wallenberg.

The programme at Exploratorium concluded with a panel discussion on the role played by research in society, with Nobel Laureates Elizabeth Blackburn, Saul Perlmutter and Paul Milgrom.

Prince Daniel thanked Nobel Laureates Elizabeth Blackburn, Saul Perlmutter and Paul Milgrom, whose discussion on the role played by research in society was moderated by Moira Gunn.

Prince Daniel thanked Nobel Laureates Elizabeth Blackburn, Saul Perlmutter and Paul Milgrom, whose discussion on the role played by research in society was moderated by Moira Gunn. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Visit to Nasdaq San Francisco

At Nasdaq San Francisco, a number of Nordic entrepreneurs discussed success factors and experiences from Silicon Valley, with Minna Holopainen as moderator. Stina Ehrensvärd from Yubico, Jan Söderström from Ericsson, and Jimmy Abrahamsson from Grepit and Zpark took part in the discussion.

Morning meeting at Nasdaq San Francisco with Nordic voices on entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.

Morning meeting at Nasdaq San Francisco with Nordic voices on entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Salesforce

The delegation then visited Salesforce, where they learnt about the company's cloud services, its vision and its operations – both globally and in Sweden.

The delegation at Salesforce's office in central San Francisco.

The delegation at Salesforce's office in central San Francisco. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

NVIDIA

At NVIDIA's new head office in Santa Clara, the delegation met the company's co-founder and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang who gave an inspirational talk about the company's culture, vision, management philosophy and goals for the future.

Prince Daniel and NVIDIA's CEO Jen-Hsun Huang on their way to an inspirational talk at the company's head office in Santa Clara.

Prince Daniel and NVIDIA's CEO Jen-Hsun Huang on their way to an inspirational talk at the company's head office in Santa Clara. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Stanford University

During the visit to Stanford University, the university's President Marc Tessier-Lavigne gave an address. This was followed by presentations on Stanford Technology Ventures Program, the work to promote world-class academic quality, and the university's new department for climate and sustainability research.

Prince Daniel, Marcus Wallenberg and President of Stanford University Marc Tessier-Lavigne speak during the visit to the university.

Prince Daniel, Marcus Wallenberg and President of Stanford University Marc Tessier-Lavigne speak during the visit to the university. Photo: Gerard Lum/Stanford University.

Prince Daniel and the delegation from Prince Daniel's Fellowship at Stanford University.

Prince Daniel and the delegation from Prince Daniel's Fellowship at Stanford University. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Microsoft, Amazon and Boeing in Seattle

In Seattle, the delegation visited online retailer Amazon's logistics centre and head office.

This was followed by a visit to Microsoft's head office, where the delegation listened to talks on subjects such as the company's change work, global cyber security measures and sustainability strategies.

The final company visit in the Seattle area was to Boeing, where the delegation saw the company's manufacturing facility, its quality safety initiatives and its data-driven work to streamline the development of the next generation of aircraft.

Amazon's head office in Seattle, Washington.

Amazon's head office in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Prince Daniel and members of the delegation during a study visit to Amazon's logistics centre in Seattle.

Prince Daniel and members of the delegation during a study visit to Amazon's logistics centre in Seattle. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

The delegation from Prince Daniel's Fellowship during the visit to aircraft manufacturer Boeing in Seattle.

The delegation from Prince Daniel's Fellowship during the visit to aircraft manufacturer Boeing in Seattle. Photo: Daniel Urso/The Royal Court of Sweden

Reception at the National Nordic Museum

Sweden's Ambassador to the United States, Karin Olofsdotter, hosted a reception at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle.

In the presence of Governor of Washington State Jay Inslee, Seattle's city council and invited guests, Prince Daniel – on behalf of The King – presented the Order of the Polar Star to Eric Nelson for his many years of meritorious contributions to the creation of a new museum building for the National Nordic Museum.

Governor Jay Inslee, Eric Nelson and Prince Daniel during the presentation of the Order of the Polar Star at the National Nordic Museum.

Governor Jay Inslee, Eric Nelson and Prince Daniel during the presentation of the Order of the Polar Star at the National Nordic Museum. Photo: The National Nordic Museum

Eric Nelson was awarded Knight of the Royal Order of the Polar Star Class 1 by The King.

Prince Daniel gave a speech during the reception, in which he emphasised the historic links between Sweden and the Seattle area, and the importance of exchanges, openness and cooperation.

Prince Daniel gave a speech during the reception, in which he emphasised the historic links between Sweden and the Seattle area, and the importance of exchanges, openness and cooperation. Photo: The National Nordic Museum.

About Prince Daniel's Fellowship

The aim of Prince Daniel's Fellowship is to inspire young people to become entrepreneurs, and to support a number of companies through mentoring. The project is a long-term partnership between Prince Daniel and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. The project was launched in January 2013.

Prince Daniel's Fellowship has brought together a group of successful entrepreneurs and managers to form a council of experts who visit upper secondary schools, universities and university colleges in Sweden to inspire young people and to talk about their experiences as entrepreneurs.

About IVA

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) is an independent academy that promotes technical and economic sciences and the development of industry, for the benefit of society. IVA works in partnership with industry and universities to initiate and propose measures to strengthen Sweden's expertise and competitiveness.

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