Riyadh: Peter Diamandis, the visionary founder and chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, recently spoke to Times Network at the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reflecting on his memories of Ratan Tata, the Indian business icon who passed away on October 9 at the age of 86, Diamandis described Tata as a dear friend and a true space enthusiast.
Diamandis, a serial entrepreneur and renowned futurist known for founding over 25 companies, 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.
“For me, Ratan was a gentle giant, such a brave man who has wanted to uplift the world and India. We used to meet at least twice a year for over a decade and he was a huge fan of space, I flew him on Zero-energy airplane and that was a lot of fan. We used to brainstorm XPRIZE and he spoke about XPRIZE and the fact that in early days we had small prizes and now we are a hundred million dollar prizes and he was congratulatory. Innovation, breakthroughs like has has done is what can uplift India and Indian markets,” he said while speaking exclusively to Times Network on the sidelines of FII8 conference in Riyadh.
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!”
Peter Diamandis Shares Plans For India
Peter Diamandis, while speaking to Times Network, also shared his plans for India and said he would visit the country at least once or twice a year.
“I will go back at least once a year or twice a year because I think India is a vibrant nation and I have a lot of fans there who read my books and I have a programme called Abundance360. I have about 30-40 CEOs from India who come to LA every March and try to grow the amount of Indian participation because having a lot of CEOs allows me to influence. One thing I teach is that mindset is really important – crating a curiosity mindset, an abundance mindset.. India is about to become a $3 trillion economy so I am excited about the companies that are founded there and started there,” he said.
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.
Read More: Saudi Arabia Is Looking ‘Very Much So At India’, Says FII CEO Richard Attias
Times Network At FII8
Times Network was the only Indian media house at the FII 8th Edition conference, held on October 29-31 under the captivating theme ‘Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow’. FII8 ignited discussions on how investment can serve as a catalyst for a prosperous and sustainable future, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for humanity.
It proved to be a melting pot of innovative ideas, bringing together global leaders , entrepreneurs, political leaders , media and decision-makers in finance, AI, sustainability, energy , geoeconomics, space and beyond. By focusing on the theme of ‘Infinite Horizons,’ this year’s conference challenged attendees to think beyond conventional limits and explore investment opportunities that can bridge current challenges with future possibilities.
During the three-day conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, world leaders and decision-makers convened to share insights into initiatives that address critical challenges and improve the lives of citizens with topics like artificial intelligence, climate change dominating the discussions.
