Riyadh: Peter Diamandis—founder and chairman of XPRIZE Foundation—revealed his big plans for India and Indian CEOs while speaking exclusively to Times Network on the sidelines of the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh.
Diamandis shared his commitment to visiting India at least once or twice a year as he seeks to increase the country’s participation in his program, Abundance360, an elite annual gathering of entrepreneurs and CEOs dedicated to tackling the world’s grand challenges through exponential technology and innovation.
His aim, he explained, is to “grow Indian participation significantly,” fostering a community of visionary leaders equipped with the right mindset to drive India’s economic and technological transformation. “I’m excited about the companies emerging from India,” Diamandis said, highlighting his passion for instilling a mindset of abundance, curiosity, and future-focused innovation among Indian leaders.
Read More: Why Peter Diamandis Advised Best Friend Elon Musk Against Starting Rocket Company SpaceX | FII8 EXCLUSIVE
Notably, Abundance360 is Singularity University's highest-level program run by Peter Diamandis. This year-round leadership program is designed for founders, executives, and investors who are ready to create meaningful impact and leave a legacy.
"At its core, Abundance360 is a year-round program for entrepreneurs, investors, and executives who want to create positive change. It offers them a unique opportunity to unlock their potential and access the latest technologies, tools, and connections needed to succeed in today's world. In addition to the Summit, Workshops, and Masterminds, members benefit from the support of a close-knit community of like-minded individuals who share the goal of creating a better future for humanity," the website says.
Peter Diamandis Remembers Ratan Tata
Diamandis, a serial entrepreneur and renowned futurist known for founding over 25 companies, remembered Ratan Tata and shared that he and Tata would meet at least twice a year for over a decade. He recalled Tata’s deep curiosity about space exploration and innovative technology, saying Tata’s passion was as inspiring as his business acumen and philanthropic vision.
India was the first country outside the US to have XPRIZE competitions designed specifically for domestic challenges and Peter Diamandis had said that the choice of India was influenced by the presence of Ratan Tata and Indian American entrepreneurs Naveen Jain and Paresh Ghelani among XPRIZE’s trustees; all of them were keen to ignite an entrepreneurial ecosystem here.
Read More: From Zero-Gravity Flight To Billion-Dollar Ideas: Peter Diamandis Remembers Ratan Tata | FII8 Exclusive
Notably, Ratan Tata was a trustee of XPRIZE and a major benefactor of XPRIZE India. Diamandis called Tata a visionary industrialist who helped lift many people out of poverty. In July, he shared a picture with Ratan Tata with the caption, "Meeting with the great men of India, Ratan Tata and Chandra (Chairman of Tata Group). Proud to call them friends!"
Times Network At FII8
Times Network was the only Indian media presence at the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), held from October 29-31 in Riyadh under the theme “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.” The conference sparked impactful discussions on how investment can drive a prosperous and sustainable future, urging participants to rethink what’s possible for humanity.
Times Network engaged in insightful discussions with industry bigwigs, including XPRIZE Founder Peter Diamandis, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, FII CEO Richard Attias, Yoho World Founder Ahmad Hushsham among others. The conference was held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
Read More: Saudi Arabia Is Looking ‘Very Much So At India’, Says FII CEO Richard Attias
As a dynamic gathering of global visionaries, FII8 united entrepreneurs, government officials, industry leaders, and experts from finance, AI, sustainability, energy, geoeconomics, space, and more. This year’s theme, “Infinite Horizons,” encouraged attendees to look beyond traditional boundaries and explore investment strategies that can bridge today’s challenges with tomorrow’s opportunities.
Throughout the three-day event, leaders from around the world exchanged insights on initiatives aimed at addressing urgent global issues, with topics like artificial intelligence and climate change taking center stage. The conference highlighted how visionary investments and innovation can help tackle pressing challenges and create a better future for all.