Speaker of the day: André Borschberg — Creativity and Innovation

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Naturally, after his round-the-world balloon flight, Bertrand Piccard dreamed of an even greater feat and wanted to chart a new path by proving that energy can be produced differently and that the sun can truly enable us to move differently. But shifting paradigms requires access to new technologies and, above all, the implementation of these new solutions. Turning a dream into reality requires tangible solutions and genius. A feasibility study was conducted at EPFL in 2003, and André Borschberg was tasked with taking on the challenge…

André Borschberg was born on December 13, 1952, in Zurich, Switzerland. He graduated from EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) in thermodynamic mechanics and holds a degree in management science from MIT. He is an engineer, a pilot (in the Swiss Air Force), and an entrepreneur (with several startups to his credit). He is undeniably a man of challenges. Passionate about the idea and the project, he committed to building the solar aircraft that would allow him and Bertrand to circumnavigate the globe. Nothing could discourage him, even when the aviation industry stated that building an airplane the size of a jumbo jet with the weight of a car was impossible.

Through collaboration and hard work, the two men formed a close friendship. The dedication and genius of the mechanical engineer enabled the realization of a revolutionary project: flying powered solely by the sun's energy.

Solar Impulse became a reality one day in July 2010, and the aircraft, a modern-day pioneer, flew for over 26 hours with André at the controls without landing, even through the night… Icarus was finally avenged.

The Solar Impulse adventure is well known: the first international flight in 2011 (connecting Switzerland to Belgium), the Pacific crossing in 2015 from Japan to Hawaii, and more. The story is recounted in “Objectif Soleil” and established him as the holder of several world records, including the longest solo flight without refueling in any aircraft at over 117 hours.

Today, André Borschberg continues to push boundaries, working on new projects with his company H55. Using the electric propulsion developed for Solar Impulse, he aims to transform the aviation industry to make it cleaner and quieter. Being able to take off vertically like a drone and fly like an airplane without noise or pollution is no longer science fiction.
Furthermore, the Solar Impulse pilot has plenty of drive and energy to share. He is eager to share his experience and impart the values gained during this magnificent adventure.Languages spoken by the speaker:
• German
• English
• French

André Borschberg delivers keynote speeches at events worldwide. UnoMe offers you the opportunity to feature André Borschberg at your next conference. Alongside the entire Solar Impulse team and Bertrand Piccard, he built a legendary achievement and brings tremendous insight to his audience. He inspires audiences with the strength to move forward, the courage to overcome failure, and the tools to successfully accomplish projects.

Here are some of the keynotes he regularly delivers: ‘Making the Impossible, Possible’; ‘The Pivot Point from Explorer to Leader’; ‘From Vision to Reality’; and ‘Turning Obstacles into Opportunities’.

Solar Impulse marks a true turning point in modern engineering history. The transportation of tomorrow owes a great deal to visionaries like André Borschberg. Discover the history of this project.

Keynotes with André Borschberg in Dubai and Abu Dhabi