Tech firm founded in Upper St. Clair presents Global Innovation Summit
Anyone who works in a technology-related field knows that the landscape tends to evolve at a dizzying pace.
Since its founding in Upper St. Clair eight years ago, Accion Labs Inc. has pursued the mission of staying on top of the evolution and, in turn, helping customers throughout the world incorporate the latest technologies into their business plans.

Amy Halter, left, and Jennifer Wells enjoy a few moments on Varca Beach, along the Arabian Sea.
Accion now boasts 14 locations internationally, including the company’s headquarters, in Collier Township. And today’s state of the art technology allows for effective communication among all of them, from the United States and Canada to England, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and India.
But there still is no substitute for face-to-face interaction, and each year, Accion brings its leaders, team members and current and prospective clients together for an opportunity to meet and greet.
And learn.
Accion’s sixth annual Global Innovation Summit, held recently in the Indian state of Goa, featured an impressive array of some three dozen experts’ presentations, demonstrations and innovation sessions. The intent was to provide business strategists with a comprehensive look at “what’s out there, what’s new and exciting, and what they can consider to use in their projects in the coming year,” according to operations manager and Upper St. Clair resident Jennifer Wells.
One speaker addressed the subject of ethical hacking, the practice of locating weakness or potential threats in a computer system with the intent of using the information to improve security. He demonstrated information posted on social media, such as birthdays, could serve as clues for passwords.

Pamela Norton-Shelpuk, founder of Borsetta, speaks about security technology.
“You start to run those types of permutations through the software. And next thing you know, you’re in,” said Amy Halter, Accion’s vice president of human resources and operations, after returning from India. “So, he was able to hack right into his wife’s email.”
Another presentation was by Pamela Norton-Shelpuk, who founded a company that addresses counterfeit and fraud in the luxury goods market by incorporating sophisticated security technologies such as blockchain, which is used widely with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
“A lot of companies don’t know exactly how they could benefit, and so she was able to articulate how they might be able to benefit,” Halter said.
Along with Accion team members, presenters included customers and those who are considering doing business with the company.

Goa is India’s smallest state by area and the fourth-smallest by population. The former Portuguese province has the highest gross domestic product per capita among Indian states.
“There were some prospects who were very interested in particular technologies that they were planning to implement,” account manager Prajakta Patankar said, “and they received a good understanding of how we work and how the teams have been working with particular clients.”
For current customers, the experience also was beneficial.
“They had some roadblocks in the processes that they are doing, and they needed some guidance,” said Preeti Lele, director of business development. “With our leadership being there, all available at one time, they were able to have a sharing of ideas.”
Kinesh Doshi, Accion’s chief executive officer, was on-hand to welcome the more than 300 people in attendance, including a large North American delegation.
“While it’s a lot of travel for the people coming from the U.S., they become really immersed and really connected with everyone in a way that they wouldn’t otherwise,” Halter said.
Many of those who attended the summit took the opportunity to visit Accion’s development centers in the Indian cities of Mumbai and Bangalore.

The summit featured plenty of culturally themed entertainment in addition to the informational sessions.
“I think that was the best part for them, to actually go and sit with the team and talk to them,” Patankar said. “They were actually debating on technologies and arguing on how to do things, and he said, ‘This was the most exciting thing for me. This team, I actually saw the kind of work they’ve done and how they challenge each other.'”
As for the site of the summit, its location in the town of Varca along the Arabian Sea gave visitors a chance to hit the beach in their admittedly short periods of down time.
“Everybody wants to share the culture with you, and I get excited about that,” Wells said. “The hospitality is amazing. They want you to be part of everything. They embrace you.”
She and others at Accion already are looking forward to 2020.
“Next year, we’re hoping to get more clients who want to come on board and see this,” she said. “We want them to take advantage. You are getting to meet with the team that’s going to be working on your project or could potentially be working, and it also gives you insight from other clients on how you can help them.”

An entertainer gets adventurous during the summit.