Innovation by Necessity

A Design and Entrepreneurship Retreat to Cuba
March 29 – April 5, 2020

(5 or 8 day trip)

Take 5 days this spring to explore Cuban entrepreneurship and design culture. Walk away with inspiration and a few new friends.

Curious? Springboard Cuba, the travel agent, will answer your questions and help you better understand the logistics of the trip.

Information Session

Date: Sunday, December 15

Time: 5:00pm PST

Location: Zoom/virtual

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Immerse yourself into the Cuban experience

Cubans experience an eclectic isolation that forces innovation even as social change is constrained from top down. Gain insight into how politics, and a county’s relationship with its neighbors, have created a unique social system in Cuba.

Discover Malecon 663, a concept store, boutique hotel and restaurant with a creative menu and a rooftop space with stunning panoramic views and live music.
Chat with restaurateurs, historians and community activists to learn how history and reality collide.
We’ll explore the revitalized neighborhood of San Isidro, then chat with the people responsible. Now Havana’s Art District, social initiatives, workshops, galleries and concerts revitalized San Isidro.

Meet your counterparts

Have intimate conversations with business owners to understand the micro affect of geopolitics. Work alongside entrepreneurs and designers to enhance cross cultural understanding and share best practices that you can put to use when you get home.

Discover the trick to thriving when designing in scarcity

In a country that seems immune to external forces, learn how Cubans are creating some of the most innovative experiences in design, architecture, and fashion. We’ll have the chance to experience how day to day scarcity impacts the choices a business makes.

Tour Lab 26, a designers’ collective and the home of “Espacios” project combining architecture, design and art, run by renowned Cuban architect Vilma Bartolomé.
Meet Oniel Diaz to learn how he’s been able to build multiple businesses and help increase foreign investment in Cuba.
We’ll meet entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, and take a cocktail and cooking class to see formal and informal economies up close.

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Heads up! This is a working itinerary. We’re working closely with our Cuban hosts to create an experience you won’t forget. We’re expecting to add and potentially remove or move activities and discussions as we get closer to the date.