Support Focused on New Approaches to Technological Innovation, Sustainable Development

Nokia has joined Singularity Univeristy as a Corporate Founder. The collaboration will leverage Nokia’s commitment to global communications innovation and sustainability by supporting Singularity University’s programs, and Ten to the Ninth Plus (10^9+) Team Projects focused on solving key global issues. Nokia joins Google, Autodesk, ePlanet Ventures, and the Kauffman Foundation as Corporate Founders of Singularity University.

Nokia is the world’s largest mobile phone maker, and is globally recognized for its thought-leadership and mobile technology innovation. In addition, Nokia has also consistently demonstrated its global leadership in sustainability and environmental issues. In 2010 alone, Nokia was named the “most sustainable technology company” by Dow Jones Indexes, the leading “greener electronics” company by Greenpeace, and announced as among the “top five most sustainable” companies in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“Nokia has a long history of open innovation – working with local universities and research organizations to further innovation and solving global communication issues for mobile consumers. We look forward to working closely with Singularity University and its students,” said John Shen, laboratory director, Nokia Research Center, Palo Alto.

The collaboration with Nokia supports the development of SU programs, led by world-renowned faculty, to help students understand and leverage the impact of exponential technologies. The annual Graduate Studies Program is a 10-week graduate-level interdisciplinary curriculum designed to facilitate understanding, collaboration and innovation across a broad range of carefully chosen scientific and technological disciplines whose developments are accelerating exponentially. The keystone of the program, the Ten to the Ninth Plus (10^9+) Team Projects, challenge students to develop services, products, and organizations that have the ability to positively affect the lives of one billion people within 10 years.

SU also offers both four-day and seven-day Exponential Technologies Executive Programs for executives, investors and entrepreneurs on a quarterly basis. These programs focus on preparing executives for the disruptive business opportunities and challenges resulting from exponential technologies. The next program is scheduled for December 9-12, 2010, and a limited number of seats are still available.

“Nokia is a visionary telecommunications company, and a leading force in enabling global citizens to connect and communicate in ways never before possible,” said Neil Jacobstein, President of Singularity University. “Nokia is an ideal collaborator with a global perspective, entrepreneurial spirit, and an interdisciplinary approach to innovation. We are honored that Nokia has joined us as Corporate Founder, and we look forward to leveraging their vision and technological innovation for our programs and team projects.”