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As a former engineer, Nicholas Haystings recognizes the importance of a STEM based education for young generations. His organization, Square Root Academy, aims to provide underserved students in the Sacramento area these opportunities. At no cost, scholars participate in a collaborative and creative environment that emphasizes innovation and academic excellence. Scholars can participate in workshops to learn industry skills including 3D modeling and printing, coding, and electronic circuit design and creation. Afterward, they can utilize open lab hours to build their own creations. For Nicholas, 5G means better connectivity and greater opportunity for his scholars to experience the technologies of tomorrow. Currently, a group of students are developing a garden system that is aiming to grow food using 70-90% less water. With 5G connectivity, scholars will be able to monitor in real time how the plants are growing and their PH levels. Check out the latest video from Faces of… Read More

At Outlier Ventures in Chicago, Rumi Morales is focused on the creation of a new digital economy and knows that new and transformative businesses need 5G to succeed. Rumi, who is a Partner at Outlier and Head of Venture, expanded on this at our recent event in Chicago, “5G in the Windy City.” We caught up with her before the event to talk about the impact she expects 5G to have on everything from the Internet of Things to artificial intelligence. Here’s some of what she had to say: “I cannot imagine, for example, many of the things that we’re talking about – whether it’s around bitcoin or whether it’s around AI – for those promises to become real without 5G. It touches so many parts of our future economy. 5G equals opportunity. 5G equals future economic growth. A lot can be missed if we don’t start investing in 5G… Read More

Here’s this week’s rundown of our favorite pieces of 5G news and stories about emerging and innovative technologies. To follow the series, check back here every week and look out for #5Gin5 posts from @Facesof5G. DC5G – Partnerships among public and private stakeholders will be critical to the successful and timely rollout of 5G. That was one of the topics that was discussed at DC5G earlier this week. Faces of 5G was featured during the opening panel. Read more about the conference here and check out coverage here and here. The Power of Everything – Nokia’s Jai Thattil wrote for Inc. that “traditional network services have been determined by the limits of the technology. With 5G, those technical limitations are no longer a barrier, making it possible to do pretty much anything.” And by pretty much anything he means, enhanced analytics, more immersive experiences, smarter stadiums – the list goes… Read More

Britney Robbins’ goal is to change the narrative for underserved and historically marginalized entrepreneurs. Before starting The Gray Matter Experience, she had been working in various venture capital firms and tech incubators in Chicago but was often the only woman of color. As she told Blavity, “For me it was really strange that in my day-to-day work I’m working with all of these minority students to expose them to entrepreneurship and to encourage them to enter these spaces … But, even when I’m in these spaces, I’m not seeing many people that look like me.” Britney launched The Gray Matter Experience in 2016. Her organization offers a 12 week program for high school students to learn how to create, launch, and run start-ups that positively impact their communities, especially the South and West sides of Chicago. Participants hear from local business leaders and have the opportunity to gain access to… Read More

Imagine going to the hospital for an emergency and not being able to communicate with the doctor because of a language barrier. Metaphrasis, a comprehensive language company based in Chicago, Illinois that believes everyone has a right to be heard, is there to help. Through its communication platform, Metaphrasis provides live interpreters and translators so language barriers can be bridged in healthcare, legal, education, and many other settings. Its staff is equipped to interpret over 35 languages and translate over 100. They can also assist patients with disabilities. Especially in these emergency moments, a strong and reliable connection is critical to allow patients and doctors to properly communicate. As noted by Metaphrasis CEO Edwin Rivera, “5G is going to bring the speed and connectivity that we are in dire need of.” With 5G connectivity, patients and doctors will be better positioned to communicate – allowing them to focus on the… Read More