Manuela Montagna - LIONS DEN 2024

Announcing the Second Lion of the Lions Den 2024, Manuela Montagna from CKH IOD

Lions don’t concern themselves with the opinions of sheep…

As part of The Innovators 2024, ROCCO introduces within the Genesis event an innovation showcase session where companies can present ideas /products or solutions. An important part of this is the Lion’s Den.

Lion’s Den

A Vendor/MNO pitches an innovative idea / product / solution which could help the Roaming, Messaging, Interconnect and Fraud & Security industry to generate revenues or save costs, become more efficient or offer more quality solutions to end subscribers. They will present to a panel of Lions who give live feedback to them in-front of the Genesis audience.

Manuela Montagna

Manuela is a seasoned telecom professional with over 30 years of experience in Telecoms, boasting a remarkable 13-year tenure in International Roaming. Her journey in telecommunications began during the inception of 2G technology, and her passion for understanding and mastering evolving technologies has been a constant driving force throughout her career.

Her expertise spans from working with core network and service vendors to pivotal roles within mobile operators. Manuela played a vital role in the successful launch of the 3G Hutchison network in Italy back in 2003, showcasing her adeptness in navigating complex technological transitions.

Her foray into international roaming commenced during her time at H3G Italy, where she oversaw the launch and ensured the quality of services met stringent standards. Transitioning to the Hutchison Group, Manuela’s role as Quality of Service (QoS) manager highlighted her ability to leverage QoS as a value-added service during roaming negotiations, further cementing her reputation as a strategic leader in the field.

In 2023, Manuela’s commitment to advancing industry standards led her to engage with the GSMA, where she assumed the role of chair for working groups on “QoS Measurement 5G Guidelines” and “Mission Critical Service in Roaming – Implementation proposal,” underscoring her dedication to driving innovation and excellence in telecommunications.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her recognition in the prestigious ROCCO 100 list as one of the “Top 10 Most Influential People in Roaming and Interconnect 2022.” Moreover, her innovative approach to QoS measurement solutions earned her accolades at The MNO Innovators as part of ROCCO Genesis Event 2021, where her solution secured the third place.

Beyond her professional achievements, Manuela’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence is further exemplified by her role as a judge at the “Antonio Meucci Global Telco Awards 2023,” where she undoubtedly brings her wealth of experience and discerning eye for groundbreaking solutions to the forefront.

As a Lion, Manuela embodies the core values of courage, integrity, and innovation. Her belief in the symbiotic relationship between knowledge, honesty, pragmatism, and humility underscores her approach to problem-solving. Manuela’s directness, coupled with her penchant for solutions that challenge conventions and embrace innovation, distinguishes her as a leader who thrives on pushing boundaries and finding the optimal balance between technical prowess and market demands. In her view, the ultimate challenge lies in self-belief, honesty, humility, and unwavering confidence in driving meaningful change and recognition.

How Lion’s Den works

  • Companies/ Individuals pitch their idea to the Lions, showing with a maximum of 7 slides the full solution, its name, cost, use, time to market, etc
  • The Lions will listen with an open mind to each idea which is being pitched to them.
  • The Lions will ask direct questions, and debate among themselves the pros and cons of the idea and whether they like the idea.
  • They will give honest feedback/constructive criticism stating why they approve or disapprove of the business idea/solution and provide a final opinion.
  • Lions are intimidating, and not always nice, you don’t know how they will react, but they will ultimately provide good advice

The Lions (all people from MNOs) will rate their innovations, and the audience at Genesis will also have a chance to rate the idea. Both ratings will configure the final ranking of The Innovators 2024 Report.

Find out more about The Innovators here.