This year during the Mobile World Congress, there are some really interesting side events taking place exploring further the technical and business opportunities that the convergence of the mobile phone with other areas is bringing. While the mobile and web convergence is already going mainstream, there are still  a lot of unexplored opportunities to discover. Think connecting the device to your home media, the practical use in eHealth, connected cars and the many possibilities to explore in the fast growing emerging markets.

My buddy, Mike Butcher with TechCrunch UK and Ireland will be hosting a TechCrunch Talk event in Barcelona on Thursday 19^th of February, 3pm-6.30pm on the Mobile 2.0 topic followed by drinks and networking. Venue in Barcelona will be announced somewhere next week.

The Barcelona TechCrunch Talk is aimed at bringing together the mobile 2.0 startup and VC community to debate the next phase of the mobile startup world. It will feature two quick-fire panel discussions with the hottest entrepreneurs and investors selected for their leading views on the market, and with topics focused around the following themes:

• What will be the trends over the coming year?
• What are VC’s looking for?
• Can the power of the operators really be disrupted?
• What value can be created in the mobile world in difficult times?

Tickets to the event are a nominal €25 per person – but only available to start-ups, VC’s and media. Tickets are available on www.amiando.com/tcmobile. Don’t wait last minute too sign up, there’s limited seats available.

Editorial enquiries about being on the speaker panels can be directed to Mike Butcher, European Editor, TechCrunch contactable at http://uk.techcrunch.com/about.

I’m definitely going to participate – not having to organise it myself for once and start exploring new ideas in our preparals for the next Mobile 2.0 Europe event scheduled before summer.