At our inaugural Blend event in Barcelona, we were honoured to have Manon Dave, UK-based music producer, songwriter, and award-winning technologist, take the stage as our closing Keynote speaker. Sharing parts about his journey, philosophy on creativity, and an exciting new venture he’s launching with Idris Elba, here’s a deep dive into his message.

Celebrating creativity and connection

Manon began by extending gratitude to the event organisers and his fellow speakers for providing a platform where creativity drives innovation within the creative space and corporate industries. He expressed admiration for individuals like Trevor Andrews (GucciGhost) and Misan Harriman, whose work and humanity inspire him. With humour and humility, Manon invited the audience to reflect on the power of community and collaboration, urging them to celebrate each other’s contributions.

The philosophy of play

Manon’s journey, as he described it, is far from conventional. Despite his self-deprecating claim of being “average” at most things – music, coding, and other pursuits – he has embraced a philosophy rooted in curiosity and experimentation: “Permission to play.”

This mindset, shaped by his upbringing in a Gujarati family, revolves around the phrase “Ramta Ramta Siksha” (“Play, play, learn”). It’s a reminder to explore without fear of failure. For Manon, this approach has unlocked the freedom to innovate and engage in creative projects without the pressure of perfection.

Collaborating with icons

Manon shared anecdotes of working with renowned creatives, including will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. He credited his “permission to play” mindset for enabling him to contribute ideas, even in the presence of celebrated talents. This openness has led to enriching collaborations and personal growth.

One particularly illuminating story featured Idris Elba. Manon highlighted Idris’s playful yet disciplined approach to creativity, which mirrors his own philosophy. Idris’ ability to seamlessly transition between fields has inspired Manon to embrace a similarly exploratory mindset.

Form From Less: a new creative venture

As an exclusive revelation for Blend visitors, Manon announced the launch of a new creative technology studio with Idris Elba, called “Form From Less.” This studio aims to blend creativity and technology, serving as a hub for experimentation and collaboration. It’s a space where creators can “play, learn, and create” in the company of like-minded individuals.

Introducing Blend 2025: Play Forward

Manon also unveiled the theme for next year’s Blend event: “Play Forward.” This theme champions the idea of play as a catalyst for innovation and community building. He encouraged attendees to embrace playfulness as a tool for creativity, connection, solution finding and growth.

“Play Forward” invites us to leverage our experiences, passions, and innate creativity to be able to drive change and disrupt current industries through creative partnerships. How to leverage the creative talent to find new solutions for problems, whether that is business challenge, product development, new creative campaign or design thinking? Tap into the world of creativity and allow free space to find new ideas from unexpected places. For example, could an architect and fashion designer join your Chief Technology Officer to develop a new home gadget? 

Blend 2025 theme aims to celebrate and unlock the potential of the creative talent from different verticals, and discover new, playful possibilities to use for problem solving and product development in any setting. Blend is where businesses meet creatives while creatives are being inspired by other creatives.

Just like Manon’s message which he closed his speech with: creativity thrives when we give ourselves permission to explore, experiment, and play. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring creator, his words serve as a powerful reminder to embrace the joy of discovery and connection.

Join us at Blend 2025 to discover unlocked potential and opportunities through ingenious partnerships shifting the way we think and approach change.