We often underestimate how much experience shapes our perception of progress. The quality of a country’s startup ecosystem, an accelerator program, a funding round, or even an event like the Progress Conference — all these elements play a crucial role in shaping how we experience progress. They are not just functional, they are environments that nurture talent, collaboration, and energy. The conference itself could have been held in a sterile, fluorescent-lit hall, but instead, it was a space that fostered energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. The atmosphere sparked ideas just as much as the keynotes did. There was something special about the vibe at the Progress Conference: a contagious sense of agency, a shared conviction that better futures don’t just happen — they’re built by people like us. It wasn’t just optimism (though it was there), and it wasn’t just intelligence (though that was abundant). It was a feeling that we all have a role in creating progress, and that feeling is what truly drives it forward.