Senior Advisor

managing partner of the Monthly Barometer and Summit of Minds

Mr. Thierry Malleret

Thierry is the managing partner of the Monthly Barometer – a succinct predictive analysis provided to private investors, global CEOs and some of today’s most influential opinion and decision-makers. He and his partners also invest in adjacent businesses and run the Summit of Minds. He was until 2011 a senior partner at IJ (Informed Judgement) Partners, an investment boutique for ultra-high-net-worth individuals based in Geneva, and prior to that managing partner at Rainbow Insight, an advisory boutique which he founded, providing tailor-made intelligence to investors. Previously, Thierry founded and headed the Global Risk Network at the World Economic Forum, a network that brings together top opinion and policymakers, CEOs and academics to look at how global issues will affect business and society in the short and long term. For a number of years in succession, Thierry conceived and put in place the programme for Davos and spoke at global, industry and regional events. His other professional experience includes: investment banking (as a Chief Economist and Strategist of a major Russian investment bank and as an Economist at the EBRD in London), think tanks and academia (both in New York and Oxford) and government (with a three-year spell in the Prime Minister’s office in Paris). Thierry has written several business and academic books, and has published four novels (two of which under a pen-name). In addition, he is a public speaker with some of the world’s leading agencies. He also sits on several advisory boards.
He was educated at the Sorbonne and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris and at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He holds two MAs (in Economics and History) and a PhD in Economics.

Leader at Udemy’s Business in Japan

Mr. Alan Malcolm

Born in New Zealand, Alan has lived and worked in Asia for more than 25 years.
Alan has led businesses across Asia in the Education, HR, SAAS and media sectors. He has been responsible for orchestrating a number of large scale partnerships and development projects Across ASEAN, Japan, Korea and Australasia.
For much of the past decade, Alan held the role of Head of Asia for global Education business Pearson, acted as Chief Commercial Officer at Nikkei FT Learning and an Executive Advisor at the Nikkei.
Alan now leads Strategic Partnerships for New Ventures at Udemy.
Through his broad experience and active commitment to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, Alan has a strong passion for developing globally mobile talent and is devoted to helping people to improve their lives through access to better learning and collaborative opportunities.

Chair of the GPhC

Dr. Nigel Clarke

Nigel Clarke is the Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). He started the role in March 2014 after he was appointed by the Privy Council.
Mr Clarke served on the General Osteopathic Council from when it was set up in 1996 until 2008, and he was chair from 2001 to 2007. He was also a member of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (now the Professional Standards Authority) from 2003 to 2008. This is the oversight body for the nine health professions regulators, including the GPhC.
In 2007 he chaired the Independent Inquiry into a Future Professional Body for Pharmacy and then the Transitional Committee, which created the prospectus for the reformed Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
Mr Clarke is senior partner of Learned Lion Partners; chairs the Boards of medical research business Oxford BioElectronics and diagnostics business Attomarker Ltd; and serves on the Advocacy Committee of the European Society of Cardiology.

CEO, Avas Digitech International Pvt Ltd., Global director (IFIA startups department ) nior advisor (Chair of the GPhC)

Mr. Anand Kannan

Mr. Anand Kannan has over 25+ years of marketing & Business development experience in varied sectors ranging from Media, Engineering, Education & Innovation management
Academically, he holds a PG in Marketing from IIM-C &PG in International trade & Packaging Design from NID.
Currently, he is the CEO of Avas Digitech a company which own & runs one of the few innovation platforms which work from ideation to commercialization. The Platform is called Sparkinov. He is the National President of International Federation of Inventors Association –ABIPIR Latin America’s India chapter. As head of the Indian Chapter, Anand has
worked with various start-ups, innovators, universities & has sent almost 600 start ups to various IFIA sponsored innovation events.
Has conducted multiple seminars in India, Bhutan,Nepal.
Working closely with start-ups to assist in commercialization of innovation, funding opportunities.
Set up 5 subchapters as on date in India.
With Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT)-USA, he is one of the Board Members, where they work with children’s innovation, creativity in 50 + countries.
He is also conversant in multiple languages.the Transitional Committee, which created the prospectus for the reformed Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
Mr Clarke is senior partner of Learned Lion Partners; chairs the Boards of medical research business Oxford BioElectronics and diagnostics business Attomarker Ltd; and serves on the AdvocacyMr. Anand Kannan has over 25+ years of marketing & Business development experience in varied sectors ranging from Media, Engineering, Education & Innovation management
Academically, he holds a PG in Marketing from IIM-C &PG in International trade & Packaging Design from NID.
Currently, he is the CEO of Avas Digitech a company which own & runs one of the few innovation platforms which work from ideation to commercialization. The Platform is called Sparkinov. He is the National President of International Federation of Inventors Association –ABIPIR Latin America’s India chapter. As head of the Indian Chapter, Anand has
worked with various start-ups, innovators, universities & has sent almost 600 start ups to various IFIA sponsored innovation events.
Has conducted multiple seminars in India, Bhutan,Nepal.
Working closely with start-ups to assist in commercialization of innovation, funding opportunities.
Set up 5 subchapters as on date in India.
With Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT)-USA, he is one of the Board Members, where they work with children’s innovation, creativity in 50 + countries.
He is also conversant in multiple languages.

Managing Director of The Accelerator with Michael Conniff, Executive Board Member of Foreign Press Correspondents Association/Club USA

Mr. Michael Conniff

Mr. Michael Conniff graduated from Harvard with honors in History and won a summer fellowship at the Harvard Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
He was the first Harvard writing instructor to use word processing as a teaching tool and is considered a pioneer in the online world.
He is co- founder of the Isaacson School for New Media in Aspen—selected Faculty of the Year by students—and founded the Digital Story Lab at Colorado Mountain College.
He was also the first person hired full-time in new media at NBC. In addition, he is host of The Accelerator podcast; a Mentor at NewChip Accelerator in Austin, Texas;
an Advisor at Holt Accelerator in Montreal, Canada; a Business Development Partner for Listing Partners Limited in Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
a Strategic Leadership Advisor at the Pace University Lubin School of Business; in New York; a Board Member of the Foreign Press Correspondents Association;
and the Editor-at-Large at SKI TV.
And his novel, BOOK OF O’KELLS: MOTHER NATURE, reached the Amazon Top Ten list for Historical Fiction.
The author of more than a dozen published short stories, he was selected as a Sokolov Scholar in Fiction at the Breadloaf Writers Conference.

Co founder & CEO, Think Net Inc.,Skyline Technology USA LLC, Thunderbirds.Me Inc.

Mr. Mark Hu

Mr. Mark Hu is long time Wall Street veteran, XR & AI specialist, Web 3.0 & MetaVerse evangelist and system for solution architect with very strong Fin Tech background that focus on world human equality, race equality & health equality with ESG focus.
In 2000, Mr. Hu founded Think Net Inc. which serves Wall street financial clients for 20+ years, developed various software-solution development & consulting firm for top tier Wall Street investment banks and US government agencies.
In 2013, Mr. Hu founded Smart Financial Technology LLC as smart cloud-based big data analytics firm and was successfully acquired by a Hedge Fund in 2015. Since Nov 2016, Mr. Hu founded Skyline Technology USA LLC which customized XR & AI driven systems and solutions development group company. And Skyline Technology USA LLC is strong collaboration with Princeton Innovation Joint Lab of Princeton University. In 2021, Mr. Hu founded Thunderbirds.Me Inc. which expertises XR & AI, NLP driven MetaVerse, MultiVerse Web 3.0 ready platform.
Mr.Hu has many professional certifications & proficient in many programming languages, specializing in platform architecting and development as well as big data and cloud based analytics and algorithms optimization. Besides Mr.Hu is highly skilled at developing stock, futures, and foreign currency trading systems. Mr. Hu is professional architect with operational approaches and system characteristics of major Wall Street investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and UBS and involved in the efforts of these major investment banks to adopt artificial intelligence, machine learning and related critical business workflow optimizations.

CEO of Inery, Forbes Business Council Contributor, National Small Business Association Council Member

Mr. Keary Dana Hayes II

Danny Hayes II is the CEO of Inery, where he leads the company’s strategic expansion in decentralized data management, aiming to revolutionize global markets through innovative, secure solutions. Inery is a cutting-edge player in the data management industry, focusing on decentralized databases with secure, AI-driven solutions. With over 25 years in structured finance, digital infrastructure, and sustainable project development, Danny brings extensive expertise to his role. Danny’s expertise bridges technology, finance, and sustainability.
Previously, Danny was the CEO and Co-Founder of TerraScale, a company known for its sustainable infrastructure projects, where he pioneered initiatives that merged technology and environmental responsibility, securing significant contracts, including a U.S. Air Force RFP and a partnership with a top cybersecurity firm. His extensive knowledge of ESG principles has guided governments, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals across North America, Europe, and Asia. Danny is a Member of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council, where he actively advocates for policies supporting small business resilience, digital transformation, and data security. He is also a Contributor to the Forbes Business Council, where he discusses sustainability, finance, and infrastructure. Danny previously served as an Advisory Board Member of the University of California, Riverside (Design Think Program).

Startup Advisor, Entrepreneur, Operator turned Seed Investor

Mr. Kannan Hariharan

Mr. Kannan is an entrepreneur, operator turned seed investor with 20+ years of experience in corporate and start-up across formation, validation, and growth stages. In India, Kannan built a payment infrastructure company from scratch that raised $22.4m in growth capital from ICICI Ventures and has recently filed for an IPO. He currently advises start-ups and growth companies for venture growth, capital raise, cross-border expansion, and enabling strategic connections between India, Australia, and New Zealand. Also, he was part of an India based early-stage angel investment syndicate that has invested in 9 early-stage companies, one of which was successfully exited, two planned for series A funding, and one was due to file for an IPO in 2022. As an investor and operator of a UK fintech company, he worked with them to build a successful business by forming strategic partnership with global financial institutions across three markets, Australia, New Zealand, and India. Presently, he is involved in setting up a micro-VC fund to invest in SaaS companies connecting India and Australia. Kannan is driven by a desire to build a more equitable and efficient financial services ecosystem, especially at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) by leveraging technology. In addition to his passion for fintech and Defi, he is very keen on health and education.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from University of Calicut, India and earned his MBA from Narsee Monjee Insitute of Management Studies (NMIMS), India. Besides work, Kannan is a professional badminton player who won silver in a world masters doubles event held in Auckland in 2018. He enjoys running, reading, and listening to J Krishnamurti’s talks. He lives with his wife and daughter in Sydney.

Voted Top 100 most influential person in social media

Mr. Alvin Foo

Voted Top 100 most influential person in social media. Previously Google China’s Head of Mobile; IPG Reprise China’s Managing Director; Omnicom Media Group China’s Head of Mobility & Innovation; Advisors for SXSW, China Accelerator & Sparklabs Korea. Well-sought after speaker in blockchain community.

Founder & CEO, Safely2Prosperity / Former Principal Deputy Commissioner & COO, US FDA

Mr. John Norris

Mr. John Norris, JD, MBA, is a globally recognized visionary, thought leader, and craftsman in health policy, law, and management.
He is best known for inventing strategies and products for better methods and means for Life Sciences, Healthcare, and HC IT/AI/ML product development, risk management, regulatory compliance, and crisis management.
He did his early work as COO of the US FDA and as a faculty member at Harvard. He is now a risk management entrepreneur.
Above all, Norris has decades of highly recognized success in very advanced risk management and exceedingly complex problem-solving.
A US President and his Secretary of HHS asked him to co-lead the last major internal reform of the US FDA and the US responses to the Tylenol and Chernobyl crisis.
His Team’s FDA reforms enhanced the FDA’s productivity, timeliness, and ability to significantly cut new-product review times and other costs borne by regulated companies (and the patients they serve).
His FDA, Tylenol, and Chernobyl efforts saved countless lives and dollars.
Also, Norris has facilitated raising billions of dollars to support essential Life Sciences, Healthcare, and Healthcare IT/AI/ML innovations by companies, organizations, and government agencies—in the US and worldwide.
John’s primary skills involve thoughtfully, insightfully, and intuitively listening, validating, analyzing, negotiating, and applying facts and concepts in problematic deal-making, growth-creating, risk-management, or crisis-management settings. Included here is leading the work of others related to envisioning, conceptualizing, negotiating, editing, executing, and enforcing (1) product, branding, or strategic innovations, (2) action plans, (3) marketing/PR plans, (4) fundraising plans, (5) budgets, (6) employment, customer, distributor, manufacturer, warehouser, and funding contracts, (7) enterprise policies, and (8) litigation or regulatory-non-compliance settlement deals.
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Director, Leader Corporate Services / Manager, Startup China Club in Hong Kong / Author of : Hong Kong Company Secretary Checklist and Hong Kong Company Secretary’s Practice Manual

Ms. Belinda Wong

Ms. Belinda Wong has more than 30 years of experience in providing company secretarial services to local and multinational corporations (private / public / listed / guarantee corporations). She had previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, DLA Piper and King and Wood before setting up her own company, Leader Corporate Services Limited, in 2011.
Belinda provides volunteer services in helping people registered charities and also a mentor of the United College Mentorship Program.  On top of these, she is a member of the SME Committee and Taxation Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong.
Belinda is a Fellow Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors and of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute, Associate Member of the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, CFA Society Hong Kong and Hong Kong Investor Relations Association. She is a holder of a Master Degree in Business Administration (University of Strathclyde, UK) and a Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences (Chinese University of Hong Kong).

Simons Chair in Computational and Applied Mathematics and Earth Science, Rice Univerisity, USA

Dr. Maarten de Hoop

Born in the Netherlands, Maarten has worked in the USA since 1995.
From 1992 to 1995, he was Programme Leader and Senior Research Scientist at Schlumberger Cambridge Research.
He joined the Colorado School of Mines in 1995 where he was the Co-Leader of the Center for Wave Phenomena.
In 2005, he moved to Purdue University as a Professor of Mathematics and of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and became the Director of the Center for Computational and Applied Mathematics.
He joined Rice University in 2015 and is currently the Simons Chair in Computational and Applied Mathematics and Earth science. He served as a member of the Committee on Science Policy of the American Mathematical Society and, since 2018, as a member of the steering committee for the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences Global Partnership, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia.
Maarten is the founder and director of the Geo-Mathematical Imaging Group with a current research focus on the energy transition and sustainability.
Maarten’s research ranges from the analysis of real-world inverse problems and nonlinear physics to deep learning.
Advance through interdisciplinarity has been recognized as central in his work. Over the past decade he has been making significant contributions to the foundations / mathematics of deep learning, scientific machine learning and new approaches to data-driven discovery and forecasting related to natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, and to planetary missions including to Mars and Jupiter.
He has published more than 190 journal articles, including articles in Science, Nature Communications and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Maarten and his laboratory collaborate with academic institutions around the world.

Professor of many universities, psychotherapist, MBA, DBA. Nobel Prize nominee in 2021

ddr. Milan Krajnc

ddr. Milan Krajnc is a professor of personality psychology at the University of Jakarta and a visiting professor of psychology at the University of Barcelona, with over 15 years of private practise in the field of psychotherapy. For more than 20 years, he has been resolving various crisis situations in businesses, families, and government organisations where the underlying cause is the human factor.
He is the author of 400 books on relationships and leadership. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in 2021.

BSc, MBA, Managing Partner, Sosna + Co / Advisory Committee Member, DCAT (Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association)

Ms. Erica Sosnowski

Erica is a motivated executive with multi-cultural business acumen developed through extensive international business experience throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas regions. Known as the “Matchmaker of the Life Sciences Industry”, Erica leverages her network to simplify and execute deals. Previous clients include pharmaceutical, biotech, consumer, and manufacturing organizations, as well as private equity and venture capital groups. She is the Managing Partner at Sosna + Co, the business development partner for the life sciences industry. Over the last 5 years, she has led Sosna + Co to close more than $250M in deals, working as an extension of their clients’ executive teams. Sosna + Co’s network comprises more than 80,000 senior executives in the life sciences industry. Erica has consulted with diverse industry startups through to the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Prior to founding Sosna + Co, Erica worked in business development for global pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers executing deals and growing sales. She sits on the Women’s Committee for DCAT (Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association) established in 1890. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and an Executive MBA.

Vice President of Investments for a royal private office and the founding director of Education Partnerships UK Ltd (EPUK)

Ms. Saeeda Ahmed

As a business partner in the Carbon Offset Credit Sector, she is working on sustainable urban development, healthcare solutions, and the implementation of international climate change reforms, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Saeeda is a thought leader and socio-economic entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in solution-oriented projects that create value for the economy, society, and industry. She is passionate about fostering sustainable social and economic change. She has received design awards for her labor market programs related to solving industrial, economic, and social needs. She has achieved much through her extensive network and her ability to solve problems.
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Founding president of Chartered Software Development Association, Founding partner of GO Ventures Startup Studio

Mr. Chenyi Ang

Chenyi Ang is an internationally recognized technopreneur, pioneering developments with AI, AR and Blockchain applications in the innovation of various industries including Fintech, health wellness and F&B.
He has been awarded the Top 50 Healthcare Companies by Smart Health Dubai in 2018, and was invited as an honourable speaker for the International Medicine Digital Forum by Russia Digital Economy Development Fund in 2019. He was also featured as Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 within the Artificial Intelligence field by APAC Entrepreneur and awarded with the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award 2021 at the Africa Tech Festival.
Apart from his entrepreneurial acumen, he is a supporter of ESG innovations to solve the world’s growing social-economic problems. He envisions to promote technology adoption and digitalisation growth to more businesses in the IR 4.0 era and is currently playing a role as venture builder to transform the Venture model. He is currently the Technology and Business Advisor for various companies including a software development company and legal tech firm.

Chairman/CEO of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Pvt.Ltd

Dr Ravi A Fernando

Dr Ravi A Fernando is an Alumni of the University of Cambridge having completed a Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership in 2014. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration Degree from the European Business School in 2016 .He completed the Advanced Management Program at the INSEAD Business School (France) and is an Executive in Residence since 2010. He has an MBA from the University of Colombo. In April 2020, he created the ‘21st Century Board Leadership Model-MasterClass’© for the Institute of Directors of Luxembourg which is currently run in Luxembourg, Ireland and Sri Lanka.
He is the Chairman/CEO of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Pvt.Ltd, which operates in Luxembourg, Ireland, United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. His career with Multinationals spanned 1981-2007 with Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, Smithkline Beecham International covering Africa, Middle East and Asia. He was the first CEO of the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology 2008-2011 and Operations Director of the Malaysia Blue Ocean Strategy Institute 2011-2016. He was the first UN Global Compact Focal point 2007 and set up the UNGC Sri Lanka Network
He serves on the Boards of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, Aitken Spence Plantations Ltd, UN Global Compact , Habitat for Humanity, LOLC Holdings, Ceylon Graphene Technologies Ltd, Ceylon Asset Management and Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Pvt.Ltd. In 2007 he won “Global Strategy Leadership award”, presented to him by Professor Renee Mauborgne of INSEAD at the World Strategy summit.

Chairman of Tsangs Group

Mr.Patrick Tsang

Patrick Tsang is the Chairman of Tsangs Group, an innovation-focused global family office from Hong Kong that bridges East and West. Tsangs Group has direct investments across the world, ranging from financial services to entertainment and AI to space tech.As a seasoned investor, Patrick has worked on numerous IPO and M&A transactions. He is a qualified solicitor in England, Wales and Hong Kong.Patrick is active in various charity and business associations. He is a Fellow of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award World Fellowship, and also was awarded the China Economic Person of the Year during the China Economic Forum in 2014.He is also the host of “Anything is Possible,” a video podcast series that aspires to share positive and uplifting stories of leaders and winners with the younger generation.

Founder charter president of ASEAN CEO CLUB, Secretary general of Federation of Asian African Trade Development and Investments

Dato Thiwakaran Muagan

Datuk Thiwakaran is a Business, Investment and Project ManagementConsultant with more than ten years of business experience. He has an extensivebackground in structuring, planning and managing cross-functional businessoperations, projects and various kinds of tech start-ups. He is an analytical anda conceptual thinker who effectively partners with the highest-level decision-makersand C-Level Executives to assess opportunities, facilitate strategic decisions, anddrive successful implementations.
Dato’ Thiwakaran’s ability to assess complex situations and identify appropriatesolutions underscore his ability to gain meaningful insight and follow upwith a thorough analysis. He is exceptionally skilled at group facilitation andenjoys forging consensus among people with diverging ideas andopinions.
Dato’ Thiwakaran has managed a broad array of projects in industries ranging fromRenewable Energy, Aviation, Mining, Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Financial Servicesand Health Care, to Education and Philanthropy. Projects include:
Advisory and Strategizing Projects
Project management and implementation for large and cross-functional projects
Business process and technical remediation for compliance efforts
Post-mergers and acquisitions business restructuring and systems integration
Technology and System replacement and upgrades
Organizational planning
Facilitating start-ups
Introducing and infusing new technology or concept into a project
Dato’ Thiwakaran has co-owned & co-managed Kunooz Group. since 2015, alongWith founder Sheikh Rashid Al Shabibi. Before joining Destina 1 International Groupof Companies in 2013, he worked as Director of International BusinessDevelopment. Moreover, he also sits on the board of various companies as theboard of directors and board of advisors. The companies in which he is involved areas follows: –
HiiLSE Global Sdn Bhd• GEIOS Energy & Technology•
LogicLadder Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Shoppymore Global Sdn Bhd
Green Crescent Waste Treatment Consultants Sdn Bhd
uSky Transport
He founded the ASEAN CEO CLUB, a platform that brings together ASEAN countryCEOs and Non-ASEAN Countries CEOs. He served as the Secretary General of theFederation of Asian African Trade Development and Investments, GlobalAmbassador and Head of ASEAN Affairs of the Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club.He was appointed as the Honourable Malaysian Global Business Council member.He is also on the board director of Hope For Mankind Foundation, which operates inthe ASEAN region.
He holds an MBA degree from the Open University of Malaysia,School of Business between 2016 and 2018.

CEO, Spela LLC and CTO, COBLIO Corporation

Mr. Takeaki Watanabe

Mr.Watanabe has been working as a web engineer, AI engineer,BlockChain engineer.
He was a development leader of an image analysis AI engine used in a CTC (TSE Prime listed) company, and he was a project manager in a crypto asset exchange licensed by Japan’s Financial Services Agency.
He is currently the Technology and Business Advisor for various companies including a software development company.
He is committed to making UNIPLAT more convenient by utilizing a variety of technologies.

Co-Founder at Sijihive

Mr. Yutaka Kitade

Yutaka started to work for Dentsu, the largest advertising agency in Asia in 1992. Based in Tokyo, he worked as media planner, account executives and Strategy planning department. Yutaka was involved in various international alliances and M&A activities. In, 2006 Yutaka moved to Trans-Cosmos, the largest BPO operator in Asia. He served as the head of Asian Region Business Development Unit. He opened businesses in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Yutaka established Global Initiative in Tokyo in 2009. Since then he has served for many Japanese and international firms for their cross-border business developments. He is also a regular advisor and consultant for many startups in Japan and in Asia. Yutaka holds BA from Waseda University (Japan) and EMBA from INSEAD (France, Singapore)

CEO, Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships (IFERS)

Mr. Newton Lee

Prof. Newton Lee is the founding president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships based in Los Angeles, California, a former Disney and Bell Labs engineer, and a 2021 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy.
Serving as an FBI Ambassador, Lee expounds on social media, campus safety, student mental health, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism as portrayed in the highly acclaimed Total Information Awareness book series published by Springer Nature.
Among his 200+ publications, the Total Information Awareness trilogy books have garnered rave reviews from Newsweek and The Daily Beast, ACM Computing Reviews, AdWeek, and Choice Magazine, among others. Veteran Staff Sergeant Andrew Price of the United States Air Force (USAF) remarked, “I am inspired by the prospect of world peace. I’d fully recommend following the author’s steps, reaching beyond our borders, making friends outside our norm, and helping to foster world peace and a better tomorrow.”
He has co-developed over 100 online games at The Walt Disney Company, and 12 bestselling & award- winning interactive titles including The Lion King Animated Storybook & Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree that were featured in the Billboard Magazine.
He has executive produced dance-pop songs that have played on American Idol and charted on U.S. Billboard, U.K. Music Week, and U.S. iTunes HOT 100 (Electronic). His latest albums are “Google It (Soundtrack)” and “I Am Not I” for which DJ Robert Scott called “a marvelous pop/dance affair of the highest order!”
He has been honored with a Michigan Leading Edge Technologies Award, two community development awards from the California Junior Chamber of Commerce, and four volunteer project leadership awards from The Walt Disney Company.

Chairman at ASEAN OBOR Research Academy, Founding President of Asia Pacific Entrepreneur Associate Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Ritchie Yong Jian Niang

Lieutenant Colonel Ritchie Yong serves in the civil defence force under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (JPM). in response to the threat of Malaysia Emergency.
In 2018, he founded the Asia-Pacific Entrepreneur Associate Chamber of Commerce (APEACC), to promote economic development and cooperation among entrepreneurs, local governments, and countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The APEACC has been recognized by governments and international organizations for its contributions, including being granted special consultative status with the United Nations.
Ritchie’s extensive knowledge and experience in the politics, economy, and culture of the ASEAN region have been instrumental in his success. He has leveraged this expertise to establish the ASEAN Belt and Road Research Academy, the first economic think tank in the region focused on China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
With his dedication to serving his country and his accomplishments in entrepreneurship and diplomacy. He continues to make contributions to the development and promotion of economic cooperation and sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region.

Founding partner of Teja Ventures, the first gender lens VC fund for emerging Asia, Pioneering Thought Leader for gender and technology in Asia

Ms. Virginia Tan

Virginia Tan is the founding partner of Teja Ventures, the first gender lens VC fund for emerging Asia. As a pioneering thought leader for gender and technology in Asia, she founded She Loves Tech, the world’s largest startup competition for women and technology. Virginia Tan is also the founder and former president of Lean In China, one of China’s leading nonprofit platforms for women with over 100,000 members across more than 25 cities and 100 universities in China, which supports the goals and aspirations of Chinese women.
Virginia’s background is in law and finance, having worked in Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America for 2 magic circle firms Clifford Chance and Allen and Overy. She specialised in emerging market investments and has covered more than USD 30 billion of transactions in the course of her career. She moved to Beijing in 2013 to work on strategic investments related to the “One Belt One Road” initiative.
In 2020, Virginia was selected by the Rockefeller Foundation as one of 8 Next Generation Leaders for its Beijing25+ Summit in 2020 and made Singapore’s 100 Women in Tech inaugural list. She was named by Fast Company as one of 100 most innovative people in business in China and by Prestige as one of Singapore’s 40 under 40 in 2019, and as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum in 2014. Forbes as hailed her as “removing barriers to global womens empowerment and Fast Company has named her “the Hua Mulan of the business world”. Her work has been featured by leading media such as Forbes, Bloomberg, Financial Times, BBC, China Daily, CCTV, Straits Times, VICE etc. She has spo- ken at some of the world’s largest corporations and leading institutions such as Alibaba, Baidu, Bloomberg, Dell, Disney, DSM, General Electric, Google, P&G, HP, Medtronic, Peking University, Ts- inghua University, Columbia University, UNICEF, UN Women, World Economic Forum, Milken Insti- tute, etc.
List of press releases by Virginia Tan

Founder And Chairman of KVENN, (Icelandic Women Inventors and Innovators Network)

Ms. Elinora Inga Sigurdardottir

ELINORA INGA SIGURDARDOTTIR, Founder And Chairman of KVENN, (Icelandic Women Inventors and Innovators Network) Elinora Inga Sigurdardottir was presented with the GlobalWIIN Founders Award in 2008 for her dedication and commitment to the empowerment and advancement of women inventors in Iceland. She is a business owner and and inventor with a mission to mentor and coach inventors and innovators. She was elected as Chairman of The Icelandic Inventors Association in 1998, the first woman in Europe to be in that position. Ninety percent of the members were men, so in 2007 she organized KVENN (Icelandic Women Inventors and Innovators Network), to reach out to more inventive women and to get them the respect and recognition they deserve from society. Apart from the capacity building services she provides within Iceland, Elinora provides lectures about innovation, networking and is a recognisable voice for the importance of role models throughout the world. She extends this to also planning exhibitions and conferences for inventors, in cooperation with both men and women.
Elinora is the president of EUWIIN, the European department of GlobalWIIN, the Global women inventors and innovators network, and is one of the exco in this global network. www.globalwiin.com
Elinora is also one of the exco in IFIA and was elected as a vice president for the association 2023 www.ifia.com first woman to be in this position.

Chair of Global Innovation & Business Research Center (GIBReC) at Human Resources Development & Employment Organization (HuReDee), Doctor of Engineering and Sommelier

Dr. Yukihisa NAMIKI

Yukihisa NAMIKI (MIKI), Ph.D. (ENGR), Prof. is an international expert in value economics engineering, which analyzes processes and mechanisms of a value and the monetization and scientifically reconstructs the value and the monetization, and wellness economics to enhance human quality of life. He is appointed with professorship at multiple colleges and multiple board directors/chief officers.
He has been responsible for investigation of impact innovation, practical application of technology, development of business and strategy, investment allocation, structuring finance at US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), UK Department of Trade and Investment (UKTI), UK Department of International Trade (DIT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST: Central Research Institute of Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).
He is engaged for over 20 years in global investment and trading among Japan, US, Europe and Asia, practical application of basic technology, commercialization of new businesses, and a wide range of management from startups to large companies.

Professor The Academy of Applied Technical Studies Belgrade, CEO, Founder & Owner of Live.Love.Create Green Design Studio

Mr. Zeljko Zdravkovic

Željko Zdravković is designer, plant expert, creative artist and educator from Belgrade. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and led many international conferences and lectures in the field of industrial, 3d design and new media in Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Algeria, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia, as well as several international architectural competitions.
Željko participated in the work of the jury at domestic and foreign exhibitions, competitions and events. He bases his professional and research work on the use of modern digital technologies and new media in industrial, graphic and sustainable design and public spaces and more recently in Recycled Art. He has extensive business experience in cooperation with many city institutions, museums, institutes, business companies and universities in Serbia and abroad (TOB, Mihajlo Pupin Institute, Municipality of New Belgrade, Belgrade City Museum, Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, RTKL London, IFIA International Federation of Inventors’ Associations, University of Ain Temouchent – Algeria, Politecnica de Valencia – Spain, International Hellenic University – Thessaloniki, Greece).
Also he has successfully collaborated with Google on an extremely media- driven project of online digitalisation of Belgrade’s cultural and historical and cultural heritage. He is an educator at The Academy of Applied Technical Studies Belgrade (Belgrade Polytechnic), more then one decade. Member of ULUPUDS (Association of Applied Artists and Designers of Serbia), and an active member of the Association of Inventors and Authors of Technical Improvements Belgrade. He has received numerous awards, recognition’s and certificates in the field of design and new media, especially in the innovation category in Kuwait, Russia, Greece, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia.

CEO,ACIC GIET UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Mr.Sunil M Ponneth

A technology and Business enthusiast and ardent believer of community engagement and have evangelized the concept of open innovation and collaboration in the Enterprise & startup ecosystem. He is currently part of many such Global Startup communities and working with international clients in strategic management, Partnerships and cross border collaborations.
Professional Industry and Entrepreneurial Experience of more than 20+ years in the field of Strategic Industry Partnerships, Startup/Corporate Partnerships, Stakeholder Management (of Startup, Incubator, Accelerators, & Funding Agencies).
Experience in Organizing Joint programs for Corporate & Startups like: Demo Day, Startup Pitch Event and Speed Dating. He was instrumental in signing Partnership MOU with Various Government to support Government Startups Initiatives like Karnataka, Telangana/AP, Rajasthan, and Kerala.
Worked extensively in Corporate Startup Engagement program and Hosted 1 to 1 Meeting between Startups and Corporations with large corporations like Hitachi, Bosch, UST Global, Viacom, GE, Tech Mahindra, Tata Motor Corp, Society Generale etc.
Hosted first International event in Partnership with Helsinki Business Hub on Innovations and Startups Helped startups from India to access Finland market with Helsinki Business Hub Support. Worked closely with Country ‘s Global Startup Eco-system from various countries namely US, Europe Israel, Asia and Latam to help startups for Market Access. Launched successfully first time ‘Startup Visa Program’ in India with Collaboration from Province Prince Edward Island Canada. Successfully lead the startup Delegation to with Prince Edward Island in Canada. Ideated, Conceptualize and organized 7 days Global Startup Visa Program Webinar Knowledge series from Countries like Portugal, Spain, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Helped Company to plan & host delegations as well as creating cross border business collaborations between corporations and Global Startups

Chief Operating Officer of BLOCKSPORT AG, Mayfair Investment Club’s Chairman of the Board ,Active Sport Capital’s Chairman of the Board

Mr.Samir Ceric

Samir Ceric is a C-level executive in a number of tech and financial institutions, former senior executive in finance, telecom and aviation industries; former Chairman of football club; investor and serial entrepreneur with 20+ years’ experience in Asia, Western Europe and the Balkans region; mentor, philanthropist, board member, public speaker (including London Business School TEDx), alumni member of George Soros Foundation, The Open Society, guest lecturer and mental health campaigner focused on blockchain technology and innovation in the fields of sport, finance, investment and creative industry; aiming to create more transparency and openings in these industries for high level investments; involved with a number of by-invitation only investment clubs including Mayfair Investment Club co-founded by Ceric. Ceric holds Masters in Mathematics obtained at University of Bologna, Italy, and University of Sussex, UK, is currently a PhD candidate (in blockchain), speaks 4 languages and is a former elite athlete, having won the England National
Championships in handball. Ceric is married to a renowned fashion designer and has 3 children.
Results-proven, growth-oriented and globally accomplished leader with repeated success in multiple industries and markets, expanding international footprint, building shareholder value, driving vision and achieving critical strategic goals. Successful M&A and restructuring track record.
Ceric appeared live on ITV, BBC, NBC News, N1 (regional CNN), Al Jazeera, FACE TV, FTV, BH Radio as well as in articles in The Times, The Financial Times, The New York Times, Reuters, Time Out London, the Guardian, The Sunday Times, Vogue Italia, Vogue UK, Madame Figaro. He’s been labelled as one of the ‘UK’s Most Powerful People in Art & Fashion’ by the Times Magazine and ‘London’s Top Tastemaker’ by Time Out London. Ceric regularly attends business and investment conferences in Europe and Asia as a panellist and moderator.

CEO of SDG GLOBAL GROUP

Mr. Simon Littlewood

Investing in sustainable businesses and technologies since the 1980s, from concepts and startups, to stock market listed companies, globally & across a wide range of industry sectors. Pioneer and recognized expert in the sustainability sector and in Developing Markets and the finance sector.
Co-founded, grown, financed, listed and sold numerous businesses across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
Currently CEO of a single-family office investing globally, and on the board and board advisor to various listed and private businesses and funds.
Previously with HSBC, PwC, BDO, several specialist funds and investment banks. UK qualified Chartered Accountant (CPA equivalent), BA & Masters in Law, Oxford University.

Founder of Venture Capital World Summit

Mr. Elio Assuncao

With over 20+ years experience in Technology Analysis and Artificial Intelligence. Passionate about Innovation with an Open Mind to What is Next, and a reputation for knowledge, and where others look for inspiration and ideas. Pioneer in creating its own vast online international network of key global players, which has enabled the vision to the Venture Capital World Summit as encouraged and supported by many people.
With a background in analysing, designing, deploying technology. Combined with strong project management, business-focus, and resource management delineations in contexts of market awareness and service expectations. An effective self-managed team worker, combined with technical, and supervisory skills.
Now running the Venture Capital World Summit, World Series Seasons of Investment Conferences. Helping Connect the World, Educate, Facilitate unique opportunities, and reward the investment with the entrepreneurial community.

Founder of CarbonXchange.co and Co-Founder of greentechtrade.co, M.Phil. Management, MBA, B.E.

Mr. Romex K Jha

A human being for a wise economy. Passionate on Conscious business.Believer of Earth Citizenship. A life-long student of school called “Life”.
Mr. Romex K Jha is Founder of CarbonXchange.co, a company based in Nepal for capturing and utilization of CO2 for individual and SME use. It envisions personal capturer for each home and office. He is also Co-founder of GreentechTrade.co, based in US. Greentechtrade is a secure and transparent B2B marketplace that connects green tech companies with buyers looking for environmentally friendly products, services, and solutions. Greentech Marketplace is focused into 4 categories: Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency , Sustainable Transportation, Green Innovation Promotion, and trusted supply chain of Technology Metals for the green world.
He founded Rintex Technology in Dubai, UAE ,a MarketTech company for the promotion of blockchain. He also served as CEO of Zillion Bit International to head the global team of blockchain professional to promote decentralized finance , incubating start-ups, and mentoring founders. He Involved in Blockchain space since 2017 in various roles unleashing its power of decentralization and trust building infrastructure.
During Covid-19 period, he also founded Amanob, a B2B consulting company working on business health to support the SME and co-founded ProteKit, a mask designing and contracting company to design and source mask for multiple purpose.
As an ICT veteran, he worked for more than a decade helping telecom operators , building diverse team, educating, and partnering with various stakeholders for a connected society.
He has M.Phil. in Management from UCAM, Spain, MBA Marketing from India in 2020 and Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Information from China. He is a multi-lingual professional having worked in APAC, Europe, Africa, and Middle East.
He is fascinated by DAO and always exploring ways for organizing resources effectively for a sustainable and regenerative world.
He is an open, optimistic and believe in living in permanent beta stage and hope to impact through his word and work empowering societies to become more resilient, cohesive, and collaborative.

CEO, GlobalWIIN   (GLOBAL WOMEN INVENTORS & INNOVATORS NETWORK)

Dr Bola Olabisi FRSA

Bola Olabisi wears a number of hats. With a professional background in law, personal and community development. Bola specializes in compliance law and adding her voice to gender diversity and sustainable development issues. It is of little wonder that Bola has expanded her expertise to building the capacity of women with remarkable ideas. Bola founded and set up GWIIN in 1998 (now known as GlobalWIIN), in the United Kingdom mainly to research, develop & encourage the growth and emergence of women entrepreneurship and women in the workplace bearing in mind the untapped talents that most inventors and innovators bring to the table. Over the years, her experience and skills have extended to cultural competency and authentic leadership skills, corporate management, strategic communications, culture change, project management, sustainable development and stakeholder engagement.

Director of IFIA in LATAM and CEO of Conecta International Business Consultancy

Mr. Marcelo Vivacqua

Veterinary Doctor, Scientist and Academic Professor PhD in Biotechnology, inventor awarded at 13 international fairs, specialist in innovation management, mentor and startup consultant, founder and president of the Brazil International Innovative Inventors, Scientists and Entrepreneurs Association (ABIPIR) and member of the Executive Committee, Director in Latin America and creator of the Startup Global Relations Program of the International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA)

Director, Division of MRO Business

Mr. Takeshi Adachi

Mr.Adachi was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1962. Director, Division of MRO Business, since 2019 Employed at Mirai Iryo Research Center Co., Ltd., responsible for promoting database research using the Tokushukai Medical Database as one of Japanese largest affiliated companies of the Tokushukai Group. After graduating from university, he has consistently been involved in clinical development of drug and clinical trial support projects in the medical field. After joining Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. in 1987, he was involved in the pharmaceutical clinical development department, and was responsible for biostatistical analysis and clinical data management, mainly in the oncology area. In 1995, he joined EPS Co., Ltd., which was in its early stage CRO, and the following year he assumed the position of board member and representative of other subsidiaries. He contributed to the expansion of the company’s listing on the JASDAQ market. In 2004, he started his own company and established Wan Station Co., Ltd. Acting as a bridge between Japan and China, he actively promoted the advance of Japanese companies into the People’s Republic of China in the fields of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. Over the next 20 years, he made about 300 times business trips to China, and the connections he built are still being used today. In 2009, he participated in a joint venture with a core company (Beijing Union Medical Science and Technology Development Corporation, as called UMP) under the management of Peking Union Medical College / Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the highest medical school in the People’s Republic of China. assumed the post of chief. (Currently Director General Manager) To date, he is developing a project to support the expansion of Japanese medical companies into the People’s Republic of China. Below, academy history Since 2019, Director of the Professional Committee of Post-marketing Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, World Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Since 2017, Executive Director of the Professional Committee of Clinical Research Data Monitoring, World Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine In addition, he belonged to the following research institutes for the purpose of promoting various researches related to technical guidance on clinical trials and new technology development. ・Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Medical Epidemiology Lecture Very diligent lecturer(2000-2003) ・Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Yokohama City University (2015-2017) ・Yamanashi University Graduate School, Department of Medical Engineering, Clinical Research Institute, Visiting Associate Professor (2012-2016)

Chairman & Founder at EST Group, Forbes Council Member

Dr. Sindhu Bhaskar

“Dr. Sindhu Bhaskar is the Chairman and Founder of EST Group of Companies and its flagship entity, EST Global Inc., is an enterprise based in the Boston Cambridge MIT ecosystem, incorporated, and operating from Cambridge Innovation Center. Dr. Sindhu, an official Forbes Council Member, has worked his career to global leadership in transforming the financial ecosystem through digital evolution, fintech revolution, and financial inclusion. His platform has 4 verticals: Neo banking digital wallets- BranchX, NEOB, African Payment Gateway: Healthcare – EST Healthcare, Agritech- EST Agrx and finally the Edtech- EST FAB & ICG. He is also working towards Integrated Space Economy for Sustainability and is connected to Space Foundation USA, Artemis Moon Mission and Star Ventures USA.
EST Group is firmly set towards the goal of Socio-economic impact to create Financial, Health, Food and Educational inclusion with the latest technology. This vision is possible through unleashing the potential of emerging technology, understanding countries’ problems, investing in alliances, and partners to complement the global ecosystem of Impact and Inclusion. With an initial beginning in India EST is expanding in Africa and Latin America as well.
Dr. Sindhu is associated with several critical enterprises either as a JV partner or as Advisor. He is also a visiting faculty at several global institutions. He is also part of several books as solo writer, contributor, or part of the editorial team. He is part of several global organizations in various capacities like WBAF, Government Blockchain Association, World Economic Forum, IEEE, and others.”
EST SINDHU LATEST MEDIA PROFILE LATEST 2023

Health Economist and Health Policy Analyst, Scientific Advisory Committee Member of the European Health Management Association, Program Director of the PGDip/MSc in Applied Health Economics at the University of South Wales in collaboration with Learna Ltd Diploma/MSc

Rui Dang,
Ph.D., FRSA

“Rui Dang, Ph.D., FRSA, is primarily a professor and researcher specializing in health economics, health policy analysis, and health technology assessment. His teaching and research experience spans various countries, including Central Asia, Turkey, Poland, North Macedonia, Brazil, Germany, and the United States. He serves on the editorial boards of three prestigious peer-reviewed scientific journals and is part of the scientific advisory committee of the Brussels-based European Health Management Association. Additionally, he works as an external expert for the European Commission and is a member of their knowledge for policy platform’s research community. His focus within the European Commission’s academic stakeholder network is on healthcare system transition, health technology regulation, evidence-based public policy-making, and technology transfer.
As an elected overseas fellow, he contributes to the RSA-Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. He is also a member of the Chatham House-Royal Institute of International Affairs, the World Economic Forum, and the OECD Policy Forum. He is committed to supporting business, social, and technological innovations through knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
Rui holds a Ph.D. degree from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, and master degree from Uppsala University in Sweden.”

Head for Business, Heart for Good | Emerging Tech for Innovation & Growth | Founder- Impactoverse, CoFounder – Think Ocean | Blockchain/Web3 Real World Value | Sustainability Advisor | Doing Things Differently-for Impact

Ms.Noleen Mariappen

Impact entrepreneur & advisor, passionate about business, entrepreneurship and learning with purpose. Aims to bridge the digital divide, for greater inclusion, access and positive impact for people and planet. An advocate of conscious capitalism, tech for good and purpose-driven multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Consultant:
Strategy, Operations, Sustainability & Impact
Blockchain-based solutions
Tech for Good
Speaker:
Inclusion
Tech & Sustainability
Impactful Profit
Founder: Impactoverse – An impact engagement ecosystem, increasing inclusion & access, allowing for agencies, brands and influencers to align with causes, build community, improve earnings and impact outcomes. Bridging the gap from Web2 to Web3. MVP launched and in beta testing mode.
Impactoverse also offers done-for-you blockchain services, specifically for impact focused projects. We support with set up, growth strategies, and development.
Co-founder: Think Ocean – working to end the plastic pollution crisis, save the oceans and develop circular economies. Honored to be a part of the European Commission Horizon Mission, in a bid as one of 22 organisations globally charged with the responsibility of restoring our Oceans and Water by 2030. Our technology will prevent up to 92% of plastic pollution in rivers from reaching the oceans, stopping the problem at source, thereafter developing circular economy initiatives.
Founder: Saffa Global – Sustainability advisory helping businesses make sustainable attainable and maintainable
Co-founder: MedInfo Files – South Africa based, information portal offering digital record keeping and track records with a focus on supporting those who are under-served, allowing for improved healthcare and access to treatment
Founder: Dynami Power – focused on green energy and infrastructure, working alongside Optimal Tech to scale solutions and end energy poverty.
Other engagements:
Government Blockchain Association – Sustainability Working Group
Digital Mind State – Strategy & Partnerships
AUNUA (Supporting Youth on their mission for good, facilitating action toward SDGs) – Non-executive Director
Hult Prize ($1 million prize for student led businesses that solve SDG challenges) – Judge and Expert Pool Mentor
Africa Projects (Working with key stakeholders to improve sustainable trade in and across Africa) – Partner Consultant
World Innovation Alliance – Strategic Partner
IntelliAqua (Technology for Sustainable Fish Farming)- VP of Impact
Global Women For Good (Transformation Through Collaborative Action, supported by 14 First and Former First Ladies) – Global Director
Beverly Hills Choppers & Black Gardenia (Perfumes) – Equity Partner

Visiting Professor at Information Management Innovation Professional University

Mr. Hidehito Amemiya

He worked for Japan Nihon Godo Finance Corporation (now JAFCO Group Inc.) in 1995 and was involved in venture investment for about 6 years. In 2001, he achieved the establishment and profitability of a new business at Asukanet, leading to its IPO. In 2012, he contributed to the development and expansion of web services at Members Co., Ltd., and experienced transitioning from the Nagoya Centerx market to the First Section of the stock exchange. Since June 2017, he has been involved with Innovation Engine Inc., supporting startup growth. He is also a visiting professor at the Information Management Innovation Professional University. He graduated from Meiji University Faculty of Law and was born in 1971.

Assistant Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship in the Boucher Department 、Founder and Chief Scientist at UConn School of Business’ Daigle Labs

Dr. Ryan Coles

Ryan Coles is an Assistant Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship in the Boucher Department as well as the Founder and Chief Scientist at UConn School of Business’ Daigle Labs. Research from Ryan’s lab explores issues related to entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and environmentally sustainable new firm growth.
Ryan’s lab has active studies across a variety of national contexts including: the U.S., Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Ghana, China, Nepal, Iraq, Palestine, Ukraine, and the Kingdom of Jordan. Ryan’s research has been noted for its theoretical innovations and methodological rigor. Ryan and his colleagues created and introduced Unified Institutionalism, a framework combining the Institutional Logics Perspective and the Institutional Pillars schematic, a feat that acclaimed sociologist Howard Aldrich called “a theoretical tour de force!” Ryan’s work has also lead to a rethinking of how economic inequality impacts entrepreneurship and his lab is responsible for conducting the largest randomized control trials in the field of Organizational Theory. Ryan’s scholarship has frequently received “Best Paper” awards by the Academy of Management, the global academy for business professors.
Ryan’s quest to understand the social foundations of entrepreneurship has led him to Tahrir Square during the Arab Spring, Latin American communities with a history of drug cartel violence, remote villages in the Himalayas, the Amazon rainforest, and warzones in Eastern Europe. As an organizational sociologist interested in understanding how humans organize, Ryan’s fieldwork with entrepreneurs is not limited how organizations are created in the formal economy. Dr. Coles has also sat down and interviewed entrepreneurs creating and managing organizations in the informal and illicit economies. This range of experience allows Ryan to bring unmatched organizational understanding to executives, founders, and policymakers.
Outside of academia, Ryan is an active member of start-ups in the A.I., fintech, bioplastics, and agriculture sectors. He also serves on the advisory board of Old Silver Venture Capital, known for its early investment in Moderna. Ryan speaks Spanish and Arabic, is an avid wrestler, and an advocate for equality, environmental sustainability, and scientific exploration.

Co founder at LimeHK, Startup Mentor at JETRO Global Accelerator Hub

Mr. Michael Yip

In the dynamic realm of technology and entrepreneurship, Michael shines as an individual embodying strategic foresight and entrepreneurial vitality. His career is a vivid narration of continuous learning and the passionate pursuit of transforming visionary ideas into notable milestones in the tech industry.
The Visionary Entrepreneur:
Michael’s ventures are a testimony to his profound ability to fuse innovation with strategic business insight. A major proponent in nurturing startups across the APAC region, notably through co-founding the LimeHK Accelerator, Michael does not just stop there. His current pursuit, Wada Food Tech, illustrates his flair in intertwining innovation with substantial business acumen, making remarkable strides in the food tech sector locally and within the burgeoning Japanese market.
Strategic Angel Investor:
The trails of Michael’s investment sagacity are significant, denoted by calculated engagements in initiatives such as Uplift Labs. By steering the subsequent wave of innovation in 3D analysis and motion capture technology, he has strategically positioned himself at the forefront of pioneering transitions in enhancing health and performance via smartphone technology.
Global Synergy Facilitator:
Michael embraces the role of a global connector, enabling collaborations through his ties at the JETRO Global Acceleration Hub, and contributing significantly as a tech industry advisor to the “Select USA” initiative by the US government. His association with the Canadian Technology Accelerator through Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service in Hong Kong further intensifies his dominant stance in fortifying global entrepreneurship.
Mentorship and Community Building
Beyond business, Michael emerges as a significant pillar within the tech community. His participation in international forums and university seminars aids the growth and innovation of emerging talents. His advisory roles across startups, especially in domains like Deep Tech and AI, illustrate his dedication to reducing disparities and fostering a future rich with innovative progressions.

Former CXO at Sony, Qualcomm, Ericsson and Castrol. Ph.D in Experimental Organizational Psychology

Prof. Rishi Kapal

Rishi is a Stanford LEAD alumnus, author of multiple books, and former CXO of Fortune 500s including Sony Mobile India. He coaches professionals and students for strategic transformational outcomes in their career development. Rishi has already helped hundreds of professionals to have better strategic management competencies while continuing to teach new age subjects in universities. He also advises edtech startups for developing innovations led futuristic solutions and has setup three greenfield startups innovation centers in the last decade. Rishi is pursuing a Ph.D in Experiential Organizational Psychology and runs an initiative for 2000+ students every year for developing their emotional wellness and effective communication acumen.

Ambassador at The Integrity Film Finance Fund (US) and Kiffik Biomedical (US)

Mr. Lachezar Zanev

•Ambassador at The Integrity Film Finance Fund (US)
•Ambassador at Kiffik Biomedical (US)
•Ambassador at GiGO Clean Technology Inc. (US)
•Ambassador at VCengine (US)
•Co-Founder at Venture Starters (Investor & Founder Community, US)
•Ambassador at Family Office Club (-2023)
•Ambassador at TiE SoCAL Angels (-2023)
•Chief Marketing Officer at StartupBrite.com
(2021-2023)

Visionary Social Activist, Director at SUNWay Research and Innovation Center

HH Datu Pradeep Sapkota

HH Datu Pradeep Sapkota is not only serial entrepreneur but also a visionary social activist & tech Pioneer from Napal to the world
・Director at SUNWay Research and Innovation Center
・Founder & President at Change Nepalese Mission NGO
・Honorary Cultural Ambassador to Nepal at The Royal House of Baloi
・Country Director at One World citizens
・Honorary Advisor at Diplomatic Mission Peace and Prosperity
・Earth Ambassador for Youth in Nepal at World Leaders Forum Dubai
・Global Youth Ambassador at A World At School
・Ambassador for Nepal at A.N.G.E.L (All Nations Generating Equal Loves) Foundation
・Global Goodwill Ambassador at GGA
・Country Representative at Worldview Mission Organization
・Earth Keeper at Earth Council Embassy Trust
・Mentor (Youth Leader) at A Better Community 4 All
・Country Co-ordinator at Earth Charter International Secretariat
・Country Director at African Views Organization
HIs recent article :
https://global.inc/magazine/f/datu-pradeep-sapkota-visionary-social-activist-tech-pioneer

Top Change Management Voice 2024 | Women in Tech@ Top 100 Speakers 2023 & Women in Tech
Highest Impact Business Award 2022 (France) I LACBAN Founding Member, Board Member & Angel Investor | WBAF Country Chair & Senator

Ms. Isabel Velarde

“Ms. Isabel Velarde has over 20 years of professional experience in steering both local and international ventures at the intersection of technology, business, and innovation, engaged with the Global Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the United States (2016), Argentina (2019), Brazil (2020), Portugal (2021), Panama (2022), and France (2022).
Currently serving as Founder & CEO of Innovation Hub Consulting®, recognized as ‘Top IT Provider in Peru for 2023’ by Clutch.co, selected for the Peruvian Pavilion at the SXSW 2020 Trade Show in Texas, invited by HubSpot to INBOUND16 for Inbound Marketing in Boston, MA, and invited by the Inter-American Development Bank – IDB for the Made in the Americas Global Digital Services Summit 2019 in Argentina, showcasing leadership in the tech industry.
In 2024, Ms. Velarde took on the role of Senior Advisor of the Uniplat Advisory Board (Unify Platform AG.), Switzerland, contributing her extensive experience and insights to further advance the platform’s vision.
Ms. Velarde is a Founding Member, Board Member, and Angel Investor for the Latin America and Caribbean Trade Association for Business Angels – LACBAN, Mexico (2023).
An esteemed Senator at the World Business Angels Investment Forum – WBAF, Turkey (2021), she is also an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).
As a distinguished member of the Global Science, Technology, and Innovation Committee (STI Committee, 2021), she serves as the Country Chair for the World Business Angel Investors Week 22/23 cohort. In addition, Ms. Velarde is the Founder of the Women in Tech® Peru Chapter (2020) and the Regional Director for Women in Tech® in Latin America (2020 – 2023), where she was honored with the ‘Highest Impact Business Award’ at the 2022 Global Summit in France and named among the ‘Women in Tech® 100 Top Speakers 2023’.
Ms. Velarde is a distinguished member of the inaugural Mission Impact Changemaker (1st Cohort), one of only 50 selected globally in 2022 (United States).
She is a current Committee Member of the ‘Leaders for Gender Equity’ initiative at IPAE; an Esteemed Mentor at UTEC Ventures—a startup accelerator of the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) dedicated to high-growth projects, SMEs, scale-ups, and startups led by women—and an Advisor to the Entrepreneurship Careers at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC).
Ms. Velarde is a former Committee Member of the National Digital Talent Strategy Committee under the Ministry of Government and Digital Transformation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru (2022); a former Consultant for the esteemed United Nations LAC Program 2020/2022 (Panama); a former Consultant & Mentor in Digital Technology for Women in STEM Entrepreneurship, a program developed by the Inter-American Development Bank (2019 – 2021); and an established Career Member at Women Techmakers, Google’s global program dedicated to helping women thrive in tech (2019 – 2021, United States).”

Founding Partner of Corsus Inc, Executive Board Member of a few APAC Countries at Foreign Economic Relationships Board in Türkiye

Dr. M. Fatih YÜCEL

M. Fatih Yücel is the Turkish businessman with impact investment partnerships on diversified industries in Türkiye, Malaysia, Australia and United Kingdom.
Academically, He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Yıldız Technical Universty, Türkiye and earned his MBA in Sustainable Investment Management from Universita Degli Studi di Ferrara, Italy. After his coming back to Türkiye, having completed second MBA in Innovation and Technology Management. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration Degree on Inward FDI and Outward FDI from the Yıldız Technical Universty. He has academic studies on behavioral finance and management sciences.
Professionally, He has worked with private equity and impact investing funds in emerging markets for many years. Before the M&A career, He served on the Darty, Avea, Microsoft, Demand Solution, Maestro from 2010 until 2014. He was also an investment director of single family office which has investments on the global from 2014 to 2020. From 2020 until present, He serves as a board member of various ESG companies in Türkiye and Malaysia and as a board advisor to aviation engine companies in Türkiye.
In 2023, he established Corsus Technology and Management Services Inc as private digital ecosystem enabler on focus to collaborate with ASEAN Tech Companies and ESG companies to work on Corporate Sustainability with his partners. Corsus is working on growth of ESG Tech Companies. As some examples of our investment methodology,
Accelerating for ideas and start-ups
Providing M&A Services for Start-ups for Scale-ups
Value modelling for integrated reporting on behalf ESG companies
Evaluating ESG scores to access international financial resources
Socially, He is an executive board member of Malaysia and Australia Business Council at Foreign Economic Relationships Board of Ministry of Trade of Republic of Türkiye. He is a stakeholder of foundations in Türkiye and Malaysia. He is also an advisory board member of Kastamonu University and Technoparks to contribute to local development.
On the global, he is founding member of Integrated Reporting Türkiye, official member of Asean Ceo Club, Asia Ceo Community, Bank Waqf International. He lives in Istanbul.

CEO at Circrew Co. Ltd. Mentor αt Startup comprehensive support base management project in Tokyo government, Japan

Mr. Yuichi Kanamaru

After graduating from university, he gained experience in sales at a major BtoB office equipment manufacturer, and then joined a marketing company that was a venture at the time. While serving as a sales manager and a director in charge of customer marketing work, he contributed to his company listing on the TSE Mothers and the TSE First Section (Current TSE Prime). After establishing a holding company and transitioning to group management, he launched multiple new businesses in the advertising, medical, data, and EC fields, and then joined the management of a subsidiary at the same time. While involved in the management of multiple operating companies, he has served as COO and then CEO of a digital marketing company, one of the main operating companies, and also serves as an executive officer in the digital marketing area of ​​the holding company, which is the parent company. After retiring from his position at previous listed company group at the end of December 2023, he has established Circle Co., Ltd. in January 2024 and became its representative director. And He provides a wide range of support from startups to new businesses of major companies.
His current public position:
https://nexstokyo.jp/member/mentor/detail/kanamaru_y
His special area :
・Sales (more than 20 years)
Sales strategy/tactics, organization building, market development, customer development/nurturing
・Marketing (more than 15 years)
Product/service development, marketing, promotion (omni channels), research
・General management (more than 10 years)
Business planning, business management, new business development

Founder & CEO, New Win Global | Blockchain & Emerging Tech Leader, Lawyer, Speaker

Mr. Jimmy Nguyen

“Jimmy Nguyen is a globally-recognized blockchain & emerging technology leader, lawyer & speaker. He believes we can empower all to WIN – by combining innovation & inspiration, hi-tech & heart. Through his firm New Win Global, Jimmy partners with enterprises, governments, start-up ventures and investors on diverse industry projects that embrace this approach to a better world. His current projects span Metaverse, stablecoins, invoice financing powered by blockchain & AI, distributed computing infrastructure, and media for the digital economy.
Jimmy is a leading voice for making blockchain useful as data infrastructure (not just for cryptocurrency trading), and also advances Metaverse, Web3, IoT, FinTech, AI and other technologies. Across the world, he has advanced education on the need for blockchain scaling, utility, and legal compliance – speaking to government, business and technical leaders in North America, Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. In addition to work in the world’s leading markets, Jimmy contributes time to support developing countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan and his birth country Vietnam. He is also a renowned speaker and media commentator.
Current business initiatives include:
Chairman of InvoiceMate, a Dubai-based company provides an invoice-financing marketplace for SMEs powered by blockchain invoice verification and AI/machine learning-enabled risk scoring.
Chairman of Change Digital Commerce, a U.S. company operating a new stablecoin issuance platform, launching with a US Dollar denominated token (CGUSD). Change™ digital tokens are designed to be actually used for daily payments – down to tiny micro-amounts – to change digital commerce in Web 3 and to change the world.
Co-Founder & Head of Corporate Strategy, Zettium AG – a Switzerland company that builds and hyperscales A.I. and blockchain. It is developing a proprietary Zetta Swarm™ platform to power the world’s most efficient distributed computing infrastructure, and to massively scale AI to be more universally accessible and affordable for all. Zettium also provides development consulting to help integrate blockchain and other emerging technologies in both existing enterprise systems and new products.
Executive Board member of Seventy7 Ventures – UK-based agency and venture platform that supports digitsation of creative industries (entertainment, media, arts and sports) using the emerging tech fields of blockchain, Web3 and Metaverse.
Partner in MetaCENTR – a bold new venture to build “Metaverse ecosystem complexes” across 5 global regions over 5 years. The multi-use complexes will be anchored by immersive theaters/performance spaces with technology to enable “phygital” (physical + digital) experiences for audience members. They will also house immersive and volumetric production studios, educational centre, and potentially start-up hub.
Previously, Jimmy led formation of the Switzerland-based BSV Blockchain Association (Bitcoin Association for BSV) and served as its global Founding President for 4 years. BSV is one of several competing chains of Bitcoin and emerged from a November 2018 hard fork; using the original Bitcoin protocol, it massively scales to efficiently handle high transaction volume and greater data capacity at fast speed for low transaction fees – capabilities needed to deliver applications at enterprise level.
Jimmy also served as CEO of nChain Group, a worldwide leader in research and development of blockchain technologies (with one of the industry’s largest patent portfolios).
Jimmy was consistently ranked in Visitory.com’s previous CryptoLeaders list of top 100 “Crypto & Bitcoin Influencers” in the world. In January 2020, he was recognized as one of the “Most Influential Individuals in Blockchain” by TurgenSec, an information security research company. In October 2022, he received a BSV Blockchain Global Visionary Award.
Before entering the blockchain industry full time, Jimmy had a 21-year career as an intellectual property, digital media & technology lawyer, and was a partner at three major U.S. law firms – including Davis Wright Tremaine LLP and Foley & Lardner LLP. He was also a Certified Information Privacy Professional/U.S. Jimmy served as Chair of the California Bar’s Intellectual Property Section. In 2008, Lawdragon named Jimmy (at only age 36) one of the “500 Leading Lawyers in America” and described him as a “dynamo talent.” He has also been recognized by the Century City Bar Association as “Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year” (2011), and by the Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel with its Industry Leader Award (2017).
Jimmy graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles at the age of 19 (B.A., Communication Studies, specialization in Mass Communication, magna cum laude, 1992) and graduated law school at age 22 from the University of Southern California Law Center (Juris Doctor, 1995).”

Covid-19 Global Senior Medical Director of Pfizer

Carlos Guzmán Quilo

“Born in Guatemala, Carlos has lived and worked in Spain for more than 27 years. Degree in Medicine, with a PhD in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, master’s in public health; Senior management Program at IE Business School. With more than 21 years of successful experience at pharmaceutical Industry, leading medical affairs teams in big multinational pharma companies and promoting high performance culture. Among other management positions, Carlos use to be a member of the steering committee in Vaccines Joint venture company in Spain.
Carlos is a professional with strong business orientation and market knowledge with solid experience in team management and development, having strong communication and negotiation skills with strategic mindset focused on execution. Inspirational, Flexible, and self-motivated with higher levels of credibility.
He is a strong believer that breakthrough science, knowledge and technology developed need to be fairly communicated, in an ethical and compliant manner, among Health care professionals, health authorities and be integrated in health care settings, making them accessible for the population to prevent and preserve their health conditions and extend life spam with quality.
Carlos have liked to contribute to achieve the strategic goals of the companies he is linked with, by supporting or leading medical affairs organizations, improving, and innovating in scientific communication and awareness to make companies to aspire to become leader in the different therapeutic areas of interest at national and international level.
He found a great benefit in implementing wellness measures in his own life, including running and playing in a senior’s volleyball team. For more information about Carlos and his work, check out his professional X site (former Twitter): Carlos Guzman Quilo (@GuzmanQCarlos) / X (twitter.com) or Linkedin site: Carlos Guzman | LinkedIn

Founder of Al Khalifa Business School

Prof. Sir Manuel Freire-Garabal y Núñez HOKC, LLB, MBA, Dr. h.c. mult., FRAS, FRSA, FRAI, MRSAI

Prof. Sir Manuel Freire-Garabal y Núñez HOKC, LLB, MBA, Dr. h.c. mult., FRAS, FRSA, FRAI, MRSAI is a qualified jurist and journalist who holds an MBA and has completed over 300 courses and specializations from IVY league and Elite Business Schools.
He is a professor, collaborator, and advisor to a number of universities throughout the world. He has been working in the field of health development for numerous years alongside Dr. Reza Radmand (Research Collaborator from Harvard Medical School). The research involved several collaborative clinical studies at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Sleep Medicine, focusing on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a common disorder caused by repeated obstruction of the back of the throat during sleep.
He has given speeches and participated in World Economic Forum events, and he has written twelve books and over seventy professional and scientific publications. He is a fellow and member of numerous Royal societies in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as Spanish and American academies. He is also the Rector of ASEAN University International, and via various charitable activities, he coordinates a non-profit educational project reaching over 1 million students worldwide.
He was invited to contribute to several media blogs and platforms at Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, MSNBC, Microsoft, Le Figaro, and Le Monde.He writes for The Economic Times, The Times of India (Opinion: Disruption in Higher Education), and Entrepreneur.com (Member of the Entrepreneur Leadership Network).
He is the Special Envoy to the General Direction of Madagascar Presidential Projects and serves as an official advisor to a number of African countries, top United Nations officials, and Royal Families throughout the world. He has also received two Doctor Honoris Causa degrees in diplomacy and one in law. He also counsels government and private companies, as well as UHNWIs and Family Offices. He also works with several security forces.
He was named “Humanitarian Person of the Year” and “Personality of the Year” by the International Tourism Magazine Dstinos Peru, and he has been featured and interviewed in media outlets such as Forbes, Yahoo, Cosmo, CNBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox News. He appeared as “The Titan of Online Learning” on Mediaset and “The Leader of Online Education” on Forbes.
He has received numerous knighthoods and high civil distinctions from religious and governmental entities. Among his most notable honors in the United States, he was appointed with the Arkansas Traveler by formal State appointment from Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of State John Thurston. The Arkansas Traveler is an honorary title bestowed on famous individuals who serve as official goodwill ambassadors for Arkansas’s US state through their acts. President Donald Trump, President Ronald Reagan, Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, and Steve Forbes are among the prominent honorees.
He was named a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and one of the most well-known honorary colonelcies conferred by United States governors. Others who have received the honor of Kentucky Colonel include US Presidents George Bush, Jimmy Carter, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Ronald Reagan.
He was also awarded the Medal of the Congress of Peru by the Foreign and Tourism Commission. Congressman Alexander Lozano Inostroza delivered the recognition. According to the plaque, the award was “conferred in the framework of Peru’s bicentennial of independence as a merit to his permanent work of cooperation with the peoples of Peru and his unconditional support to spread our cultural and tourist wealth.”
He also earned civic honors from cities such as Machu Picchu (from Mayor Darwin Baca Leon), Medley (from Mayor Roberto Martell), and North Miami Beach (from Mayor Anthony DePhillippo). He was also awarded Honorary Citizenship and the Keys to the Region of Vakinankaratra and the City of Antsirabe. He was also honored by the Lions International Club and other organizations with consultative status at the United Nations for his humanitarian services to education and social welfare.
He received the Grand Cross of Ruby Ars Longa. Among the most outstanding winners of the first-class degree are Fidel Alejandro Castro Rus (President of the Republic of Cuba), Sheikh Hamada ibn Isa Al Khalifa (King of Bahrain), Mikhail Gorbachev (President of the USSR), Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov (President of Tajikistan), Ahmed Al Jarwan (Former president of the Arab Parliament and member of Federal National Council of UAE). As well as second and third-class personalities of art and culture such as the American actors Alek Baldwin and Owen Wilson, or the Dutch actor Rutger Hauer.
He has beeen appointed as an Ambassador for Peace by the Universal Peace Federation. The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. UPF supports and promotes the work of the United Nations and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. UPF is partner of International Organisations such as the African Union, CENSAD or the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.
He is licenced for use, and he has received the appointment of distinguished person and official ambassador of the brand “OLLANTAYTAMBO LIVING INKA CITY” by the Ollantaytambo Municipality Government of Peru by the Mayor Paull Ferenk Palma Herrera from the District Municipality of Ollantaytambo.

Co-Founder FSV Capital | TEDx Speaker Blockchain Thought Leader & Advisory

Mr. Kamlesh Nagware

Mr. Kamlesh Nagware is a TEDx speaker and co-founder FSV Capital. He is among the top 30 influencers of blockchain in India and a founding member of the India Blockchain Forum. He is Hyperledger India Co-Chair and a member of the Hyperledger Technical Steering Committee (TSC2021-22). Also, blockchain mentor at APIARY Blockchain COE, which is STPI & MEITY (Govt. of India), and advisor to Web3, tokenization, and CBDC start-ups globally.

Chief Growth Officer at BlockOn Ventures, Board Member at FinTech and Blockchain Association, Startup Mentor at University of Tampa

Mr. Sumit Kumar Gupta

Sumit Kumar Gupta is a seasoned executive and visionary leader, currently serving as the Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at BlockOn Ventures, a dynamic force in the world of innovation and building a fastest blockchain (NuChain). With over 20+ years of invaluable experience, Sumit is recognized for his remarkable contributions across a diverse range of industries, driving innovation, and fostering success for entrepreneurs worldwide.
Sumit’s career journey reflects a remarkable tapestry of leadership roles at prestigious organizations such as Asva Labs (Web 3 Launchpad), Asva Ventures (VC Firm), TransUnion CIBIL, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, Nomura, Lehman Brothers, and CCIL. These experiences have honed his strategic acumen and product expertise, making him a sought-after advisor and mentor in the startup ecosystem.
Sumit Kumar Gupta’s passion lies in mentoring and advising startups, where he imparts his invaluable wisdom and a unique consulting mindset. His ability to uncover hidden problems and recommend user-centric solutions is a testament to his innovative approach. His vast network of global connections further enhances his ability to empower budding entrepreneurs.
Sumit holds an MBA in Finance from Welingkar, a PGD in Innovation and Design Thinking from Emeritus (MIT, Tuck, and Columbia Business School), and leadership certifications from Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts. He is a certified Product Management Professional, Securities Market Expert, Blockchain evangelist, and a trailblazer in cultivating strength for extraordinary achievements.
Sumit Kumar Gupta’s unwavering commitment to innovation, coupled with his extensive experience and diverse skill set, continues to inspire and drive positive change in the world of technology and entrepreneurship.

Chairman at Mauritius Blockchain Foundation, Chairman at Commercial Development Bank, Advisory Board at Energy Africa Conference, Chief of Business development at Al Khalifa Business School

Mr. Sheikh M. Ahmed El Haiba

Sheikh M. Ahmed El Haiba is a distinguished leader with an extensive track record of performance in the financial industry, banking frameworks, and regulatory environments. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Mauritius Blockchain Foundation, a consortium composed of technologists, investors, former bankers, lawyers, and FinTech professionals from around the globe. The foundation is dedicated to constructing a comprehensive blockchain financial ecosystem, aiming to help governments and industries adapt to rapidly evolving technologies.
In addition to his role at the Mauritius Blockchain Foundation, Sheikh El Haiba has held various positions within the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. His experience spans multiple industries, including financial institutions and oil and gas companies, where he has consistently demonstrated his leadership and expertise.
Beyond his professional endeavors, He is deeply committed to humanitarian causes. He is a fervent advocate for improving and increasing the quality of education in developing countries and supports numerous programs aimed at providing access to water and electricity for underserved communities in rural Africa.
He is also an active member of several financial firms dedicated to investing in social impact programs, encompassing both government and private enterprise initiatives. His dedication to social impact and technological advancement underscores his role as a forward-thinking leader in today’s dynamic global landscape.

the Chief Data Officer of Artificial Intelligence & Analytics at Lockheed Martin, Professor at IE Business School

Mr. Jose Z Rodriguez

As an experienced professional with over 15 years of expertise in data analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Jose has an impressive track record of serving as the Chief Data Officer of Artificial Intelligence & Analytics Director in top companies like Lockheed Martin, P3, and TATA.
His proficiency in Robotics, Quantum computing, Blockchain, AR/VR, Data Governance, and Analytics has enabled him to apply Artificial Intelligence in critical industrial areas such as space, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, security, banking, and hospitality. Jose also has a proven ability to scale cross-functional teams and introduced groundbreaking technology into the market, which has helped organizations stay ahead of the curve.
He is also a dynamic public speaker and a distinguished Professor at IE Business School, one of the world’s leading academic institutions in global rankings. As a lecturer in several programs in data and artificial intelligence, a key contributor to the International “Master of Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, Data Strategy, and Governance Certification.” With his extensive experience and expertise, he can help organizations drive innovation, optimize operations and achieve their business goals.

Steering Committee Member at 2022 Female Angel, Ambassador of Women in Games, Senior Senator to UAE at WBAF(World Business Angels Investment Forum), Luminary Thinker of RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier

Ms. Lucy Chow

Lucy is known as one of the “OG” investors in the UAE. She is focused on the innovation space, both in terms of supporting founders and as an investor. Lucy has garnered a strong reputation as someone who has helped build the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the UAE. Her recently published book, “Changing The Game”, highlights the importance of digital technologies (in sectors such as gaming) and its relevance to the future of work. Lucy is an advocate and capacity builder focused on digital transformation as it applies to businesses, as well as the education sector. Her role as Advisor, 2022FemaleAngels and Representative, World Business Angels Investment Forum is both on increasing funding for entrepreneurs, as well as to achieve gender equity in the investment ecosystem in MENA. Lucy is a Linkedin TopVoice and one of CEO Middle East’s Influential Women in the Arab World. She has been recognized by Arabian Business as one of 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders. She is Top 100 Women of the Future and HSBC Middle East featured her as one of 75 outstanding individuals, who have contributed to the UAE’s rise.
Lucy sits on the Board of Trustees for The American School of Dubai, as well as the Solidarity Circle, UNHCR. She has been a contributing author for Life on the Move, an anthology of stories about expat life and The Possibilities Project: A Young Person’s Guide to Career Success. She is pleased to be an Ambassador for Women In Games (WIGJ), Advisory Board member, HER Sports Summit and a Strategic Advisor #2022FemaleAngels. She has degrees from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Northwestern University and HK University of Science &Technology, the University of British Columbia and Capilano University.

Azerbaijani economist who served as the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Mr. Fikrat Huseyn oglu Yusifov

Fikrat Huseyn oglu Yusifov is an Azerbaijani economist who served as the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Fikrat Yusifov was born on August 20, 1957 in Sharur, Nakhchivan. He graduated with honorary diploma in economics from Azerbaijan State Institute of National Economy (now Azerbaijan State Economic University) named after Dadash Bunyadzade in 1978. He worked as an economist, chief of budget department in the Ministry of Finance.
While working in the ministry, he continued his education in the part-time post-graduate department. In 1987 he successfully defended his candidate’s thesis on “Improvement of local budgets’ income markets in modern conditions” in Moscow and received the Candidate of Economic Sciences degree. After the dissertation defense, he started teaching at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics and headed the research laboratory of the institute.
In 2001, he defended his doctoral thesis at St. Petersburg University of Finance and Economics, Russia. From 2004 to 2013, he was a professor at the Finance Department of St. Petersburg State University of Finance and Economics, Russia. From 2018 to 2020, he taught as a professor at Azerbaijan State University of Economics. He is the author of more than sixty scientific works and textbooks.
Until October 1992, he worked as the deputy dean of the “Finance and Economics” faculty of the institute. In October 1992, he was appointed as the First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and from 1994 to July 1999, he worked as the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In the first years of Azerbaijan’s independence, Fikrat Yusifov was closely involved in the creation of the country’s budget, banking, tax, and treasury systems and directly led some of them. In 1994, he directly led reforms related to the elimination of hyperinflation, which raged in Azerbaijan and reached 1800% annually, and by the end of 1995, he managed to reduce it to 10%. The results achieved in the reforms carried out in Azerbaijan under his leadership were highly appreciated by the leadership of the International Monetary Fund. Also in 1994, he closely participated in the development of the “Contract of the Century” on the exploitation of oil fields in the Caspian Sea basin and the contracts on the construction of the “Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan” oil pipeline and contributed to this work.
From the end of 2014 until today, Fikrat Yusifov, as the chairman of the non-governmental organization “Economics” International Economic Research Public Union, has published more than 7,000 research articles and statements in the Azerbaijani press, and his dozens of proposals have been reflected in various decisions taken by the Azerbaijani government.
He nominated his candidacy in the 2024 presidential elections and was registered as a presidential candidate by the Central Election Commission.

professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland

Dr.Sveinbjorn Gizurarson

Dr. Sveinbjorn Gizurarson graduated with MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) in 1986 and completed his PhD from the same university in 1990. After being PostDoc at National Institute of Health of Japan (国立衛生研究所) he moved to Reykjavik (Iceland) and started working at the University of Iceland.
His role as a teacher is to inspire and empower each student, and help them to develop critical thinking skills and to take independent decisions. This may be done by presenting theories and equipping them with tools that allow them to think critically before solving the tasks or taking appropriate actions.
Research requires patience. Since 1986 He has been involved in various areas of intranasal drug and vaccine delivery as well as olfactory delivery of drugs, bypassing the blood-brain-barrier. I have been focusing on nasal physiology, immunology and toxicology and how these affects the delivery of small molecular drugs, peptides, proteins and vaccines.
In 2019, the first outcome of his research was launched in the USA, Nayzilam, an intranasal product to terminate seizures. I have also been focusing on maternal health and fetal medicine, such as preeclampsia and postpartum haemorrhage. In 2014, Capretto was born, a company focusing on combatting pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and paracites, using naturally occurring lipids found in human breast milk. The first products, Caprilix Dermal Health, are expected to be launced in 2025.
More recently, he has been focusing on neglected tropical diseases, focusing on pediatric dosage forms to treat children under the age of 5 years. That work is carried out in collaboration with Malawi. He enjoys working with Malawians on establishing Rephaiah, a pharmaceutical manufacturing entity, in Thyolo, in a science part proximity to Malawi University of Science and Technology, just outside Blantyre, that will manufacture life-saving and life-enhancing drugs for children under the age of 5 years.

CEO, Pillertrillaren AB, Sweden,
CEO, ABIX Life AB,
Sweden
Business development and alternate Board Member, Capretto

Dr Bo-Ragnar Tolf

Dr Tolf received a Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. In 1972, and PhD in Organic Pharmaceutical Sciences from the same university in 1981. His thesis work was a joined effort between the Nobel Laureate Professor Hugo Theorell and his team at the Karolinska Institutet and the team at Uppsala University led by Professor Richard Dahlbom. Dr Tolf was then a Research Associate at SRI International in Menlo Park, USA, 1981 – 1983, and a Postdoc and Research Associate in the Chemistry Department with Professor Carl Djerassi at Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA, 1983 – 1985. He was subsequently recruited to Pharmacia AB in Uppsala Sweden where he was Manager of Pharmaceutical R&D at Pharmacia Ophthalmics AB 1985 – 1988, engaged, inter alia in hyaluronan research, the use of prostaglandin analogs in treatment of glaucoma and biocompatible intraocular lenses. Pharmacia later launched latanoprost/Xalatan as the first glaucoma drug based on a new mechanism of action. Dr Tolf was then recruited to Kabi, later Kabi Pharmacia Therapeutics in Stockholm as Head of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Urology/Gynecologt 1989 – 1991. Kabi Pharmacia launched tolterodine/Detrusitol a few years later for treatment of incontinence. Latanoprost and tolterodine are excellent examples of innovative drugs discovered and developed by small interdisciplinary teams undisturbed by too many administrative tasks. After a few years as Director of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Astra Arcus in Sweden 1991 – 1994, he was appointed Vice President of CNS Preclinical R&D at Astra until 1999. Dr Tolf was then Director of the Research Support Office and Deputy Head of CNS&Pain Discovery R&D at AstraZeneca R&D Södertälje until 2000. At that time, he left big pharma and was recruited as Vice President Chemistry by a small American biotech company, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. in San Diego 2001 – 2009. At the same time he was Managing Director of the subsidiaries ACADIA Pharmaceuticals A/S 2001 – 2009, in Denmark, and ACADIA Pharmaceuticals AB 2005 – 2010 in Sweden. The research at ACADIA generated the first and only drug, pimavanserine/Nuplazid, approved by FDA for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated by Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis. In 2010 Dr Tolf founded a consultancy company ABIX Life AB and a subsidiary, Pillertrillaren AB in 2011, the latter which carried out the acquisition of a pharmacy company. At the same time Dr Tolf was recruited by Karolinska Institutet to lead the development of the Innovation Office. The main mission of the innovation office is to assist in putting knowledge to use in the best interest of society. The Innovation Office catalyzed the translation of research discoveries into innovations by applying the Innovation Growth Factor IGF – Inspiration and Information, Guidance and Facilitation. After retiring from the Karolinska Institutet 2017 and selling the pharmacy company in 2018, Dr Tolf has focused on ABIX Life AB’s investments in listed and unlisted companies, one of which is Capretto ehf where he is also a co-founder. Dr Tolf has been on the Board of several small biotech companies.