11 TEDx Speakers Reach the Main Stage at TED2026

Getting on the TED stage is a dream for many thinkers and innovators. For 11 speakers this week, that dream became reality.

TED2026's "All of Us" conference in Vancouver just featured a special session showcasing speakers discovered through TEDx-hosted Idea Search events worldwide. These aren't celebrity speakers or established thought leaders. They're everyday people with extraordinary ideas who earned their spot through local competitions.

The lineup spanned five continents. Joshua Johnson and Tim Cernak represented Chicago, while Jessica Irwin brought her perspective from Sydney. Sukriti traveled from Mumbai, and Fiori Zafeiropoulou Fronimopoulou made the journey from Athens.

Li Hongyi came from Singapore, Gabriella Di Laccio from London, and Vincent Egoro from Lagos. Joaquin Navajas represented Buenos Aires, and Nelly Attar shared insights from Amman, Jordan. Comedian and musician Reggie Watts also joined the session.

The Idea Search program gives TEDx organizers worldwide the power to identify fresh voices in their communities. Winners don't just get recognition at local events. They advance to TED's flagship conference, where previous speakers have included everyone from Bill Gates to Brené Brown.

The Ripple Effect

This approach to speaker selection changes who gets heard on one of the world's most influential platforms. Instead of relying solely on existing networks or fame, TED is actively searching neighborhoods from Nigeria to India for the next breakthrough idea.

The format also models something rare in today's media landscape: genuine global representation. When a platform amplifies voices from Amman alongside those from Chicago, it sends a clear message that innovation doesn't have geographic boundaries.

For the 11 speakers, the Vancouver stage represents validation that their ideas matter beyond their hometowns. For viewers watching the livestream, it's a reminder that the person with the next world-changing idea might be their neighbor, not a Silicon Valley executive.

Every great idea starts somewhere, and this year, 11 of them started in living rooms, community centers, and local venues around the world.