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#192 🔥 Behind the Curtain: Submissions, Speakers, Surprises + SAP

#192 🔥 Behind the Curtain: Submissions, Speakers, Surprises + SAP

SAP is DUp25 sponsor, Speaker-Shortlist: behind-the-scenes, and more

DesignUp Conf
June 09, 2025

🚀 In this issue

Meet SAP our Obsidian Partner
Look Behind the Scenes + Update: Speaker Submission
Speaker announcements have started (here’s our first reveal)
Things are heatingUp at DesignUp

🔥 Things Are Heating Up at DesignUp 2025

🎟️ Super Early Bird and Early Bird? Gone.
Both tiers sold out — and two-thirds of Premium Passes were snapped up… before we even announced any speakers!

⏱️ Just-in-Time Conference Passes are now live.
We’re seeing companies pick up passes for their design + product teams, in batches of 5, 15, even 40+ see 25.designup.io
👉 If you’re looking to book 15+ passes, write to us at [email protected] we’ve got something tailored for you.
🧭 Speakers? They’re here. And they’re 🔥.
We’ve begun announcing the first set of speakers with deep perspectives across design, product, AI, storytelling, and systems thinking.
Watch our Instagram and LinkedIn — we’ll be profiling them over the coming weeks… And here’s our first:

🎤 Announcing our keynote speakers…

#designup2025 | DesignUp Conference

Here we go—time to unveil our first #DesignUp2025 speaker. And we’re starting strong! Fonz Morris, EMBA has designed for scale and impact, for some of the biggest names in tech. At Coursera, he helped grow the platform into a global learning powerhouse. At Netflix, he reimagined discovery and UX — shaping how millions decide what to watch. An entrepreneur and three-time founder, Fonz now leads Build Boldly, invests through Glynn Capital, mentors with BLCK VC, and teaches design through his popular Growth Design course. He’s also been named one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative Designers — and for good reason. From product to strategy to education, Fonz is shaping the future of design. Which is why we're thrilled to have him at DesignUp 2025. Catch him live this November!

#designup2025 #designup #designup2025 #designupcommunity… | DesignUp Conference

Big news! SAP joins #DesignUp2025 as an Obsidian Sponsor! 🖤 We're thrilled to welcome SAP into the DesignUp family once again—this time as our very first Obsidian-level partner. Last year the #DesignUp stage welcomed SAP's Executive Vice President and Chief Design Officer Arin Bhowmick as a speaker and panelist. This year he returns with more insights, perspectives and content that, as Arin puts it aptly, "tickles the brain, soul and intellect" Why sponsorship tiers? Why now? Because we're making it easier for organizations of all sizes—from indie studios, emerging universities, and bold startups to global giants—to be part of the DesignUp journey. Our sponsorship tiers (Copper → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Obsidian) reflect more than just visibility—they echo our 2025 theme: The Design Currency. The higher you go, the more visible your brand, and the more support you bring to help us keep this community-led event thriving. We’re excited and grateful for the support and trust of long-time partners like SAP 💛 Want to explore partnering with DesignUp? Shoot us a DM and we'll take it from there! #DesignUp2025 #DesignUpCommunity #TheDesignCurrency #DesignConference #DesignLeadership #SAP #Sponsorship

🗂️ Speaker Submissions: A Peek Behind the Curtain

Here’s where we are with all the talk, workshop, and masterclass proposals:

📬 352 Submissions. 306 Speakers.

We received nearly 360 proposals, with a few withdrawals — landing at 352 active submissions from 306 unique voices.

And this year marks our most globally diverse set ever — from Senegal to Colombia, Nigeria to the Philippines, Nepal to Norway, plus the regulars: India, US, UK, Singapore, Australia, and Canada.

🧠 802 Evaluations. 11 Active Reviewers.

We had 11 active evaluators (from a larger panel of 16), reviewing across disciplines and lenses — from teachers to practitioners, tech to non-tech, Designers and a few brilliant non-Designers.

Each submission had 2–3 evaluators. On average, 72.9 reviews per evaluator — with one person hitting 99 reviews!

🤝 Beyond the Numbers: Conversations, Not Just Scores

Apart from individual reviews, we regrouped — by theme, by potential — to compare notes and ensure a fair, thoughtful process.

The result? A longlist that’s deep, wide, and resonant with this year’s theme: The Design Currency (which also explains our visual style).

🛠️ What’s Next?

Over the next 3 weeks:

A core team of 16 will shortlist from the longlist.
We’ll be meeting many speakers before final selection — to refine, shape, and co-create with them.
Finalists will emerge, session formats will evolve, and the 2025 experience will begin to take form.

🧭 What We’re Seeing:

Reading 350+ submissions offers a meta-view of the design/product world — what’s rising, what’s worrying us as a collective practice, what’s inspiring us. And yes, AI is everywhere — but so are ideas of equity, resilience, systems change, and storytelling.

😊 See you…

Stay sharp, stay curious — and keep your eyes on the unfolding DesignUp 2025 journey.

Hope to see you IRL in November (it’s just 5 months away)!

Jay & Team DesignUp