With the beautiful Chicago skyline as a backdrop, DIA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) brought together a powerhouse group of industry leaders, investors, and portfolio companies on February 19, 2025. Held at the Marriott Marquis, the event was an engaging forum for innovation, strategy, and future-forward thinking, reflecting DIA’s mission to accelerate growth and transformation in dental innovation.

Kicking Off with Impact

The day opened with a challenge: leave with three actionable ideas that could drive innovation in the months ahead.

With this mindset, attendees dove into a full slate of discussions and presentations designed to push boundaries and rethink possibilities for the future of the dental industry.  
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ThePower of Creativity with Kaiser Yang

Kaiser Yang, a renowned innovation strategist, delivered a keynote that was equal parts thought-provoking and energizing. He explored how organizations can foster a culture of creativity, citing examples of unconventional problem-solving and forward-thinking breakthroughs.

Yang’s insights underscored the power of:

●     Oppositional Thinking: Viewing constraints as opportunities and flipping conventional wisdom on its head

●     Challenging the Status Quo:Borrowing ideas from unexpected places, much like the innovative Wonkavator concept applied in building design

●     Starting Before You’re Ready:Emphasizing experimentation over perfection, drawing from the meteoric rise of companies like FIGS

●     Resilience as a Superpower:Highlighting the journeys of disruptors who overcame failures to reshape industries

Attendees left the session armed with tangible frameworks for infusing creativity in their own ventures.
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DIA’s Vision for the Future

DIA Co-Founder and Managing Partner Doug Brown followed with a deep dive into DIA’s 2024 impact. His presentation underscored DIA’s unique ability to bridge the gap between investors and transformative dental startups, offering a clear roadmap for the future.

 
Mark Friedman then took the stage to introduce a stellar lineup of speakers, including Ophir Tanz, CEO of DIA-funded Pearl, who captivated the audience with a vision of AI-powered dentistry. Tanz painted a compelling picture of the future, where AI seamlessly integrates into dental practices, optimizing workflows and improving patient outcomes.

Industry Leaders Take the Stage

The event concluded with an engaging panel discussion featuring Bill Neumann, Chuck Cohen, Dr. Katie Lee, Aurelio Sahagun (STG), and Brian Colao, moderated by DIA's Mark Friedman. Panelists tackled pressingindustry topics, from emerging technology to the evolving role of dental marketplaces and the shifting dynamics of dental group operations. Their insights reinforced the importance of adaptability and strategic foresight in an ever-changing landscape.

 
A Look Ahead‍

As the AGM wrapped up, attendees gathered fora final networking session, energized by the discussions and new connections made throughout the day. DIA’s commitment to fostering innovation has never been stronger. With 2025 already shaping up to be a landmark year, this AGM set the stage for what’s next: bold ideas, groundbreaking advancements, and a continued drive to elevate the future of dentistry.

Stay tuned for more updates as we put these ideas into action and continue to champion the next generation of dental innovation. Join along and Carpe DIA!