Linqto AI Innovation Conference

Igor Jablokov

Founder & CEO, Pryon

Igor Jablokov is the Founder and CEO of Pryon, an AI company pioneering augmented intelligence solutions for enterprise applications. Named an “Industry Luminary” by Speech Technology Magazine, Igor's innovative approach to AI has earned him global recognition. Before Pryon, he founded Yap, the world’s first high-accuracy, fully automated cloud platform for voice recognition. Yap’s success led to its acquisition by Amazon, where its technology became the foundation for Alexa, Echo, and Fire TV. Previously, as a Program Director at IBM, Igor led the team that developed the precursor to Watson and the world’s first multimodal web browser, setting new standards in AI-powered solutions.

Robin O’Connell

CEO, Enterprise at Uphold Inc.

Robin O’Connell is a seasoned fintech leader with over two decades of experience in cryptocurrency, payments, and digital transformation. As CEO, Enterprise at Uphold Inc., Robin drives innovative B2B solutions that empower ecosystems like Brave, IMVU, and Mythical Games, solidifying Uphold’s role as a global platform for secure, instant financial services. He previously held leadership roles at Worldpay and Better Finance, holds an MBA from Northwestern University, and frequently shares insights on blockchain and payments at industry conferences.

Lorenzo Thione

Managing Partner, Gaingels

Lorenzo Thione is a pioneer in AI, technology, and social advocacy. As Managing Director at Gaingels, he leads investments in AI and deep-tech while championing diversity in venture capital. A co-founder of Powerset, acquired by Microsoft and integral to Bing, Lorenzo is also a Tony Award-winning producer and sought-after speaker on AI and storytelling. His work bridges technology and representation, shaping a more inclusive future.

Tim Draper

Founder & Managing Partner, Draper Associates

Tim Draper is the founder of Draper Associates and a venture capital legend behind companies like Tesla, Skype, and SpaceX. Known for his advocacy in Bitcoin and blockchain, Tim pioneered viral marketing and launched Draper University to inspire entrepreneurship. With a Stanford and Harvard education, he’s a global thought leader and author of How to Be The Startup Hero.

DAI

Digital Asset Investor

Renowned as "The Digital Asset Investor" (DAI), this visionary combines expertise in real estate, entrepreneurship, and digital finance. Since 2018, DAI has become a leading voice in the digital asset space, amassing over 200,000 YouTube subscribers, 85 million video views, and 400,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). With a Finance degree from Auburn University, an MBA from CSU, and prior experience as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, DAI bridges traditional and digital finance. He has contributed to the success of billion-dollar crypto companies and appeared in Rigged From The Start: Exposing The SEC's War On Crypto, highlighting his influence in the industry.

Arjun Bhatia

Technology, Media, and Communications

Arjun Bhatia, partner, co-group head of the technology, media, and communications sector, specializes in covering software-as-a-service companies. Arjun has been with William Blair since 2017. Before joining William Blair, he was an analyst in the fixed-income group at Magnetar Capital, a multi-strategy asset manager in the Chicago area. Before Magnetar, Arjun was a senior associate at KPMG working with companies in the technology, media, and telecommunications sector. Arjun holds a B.B.A. from Emory University.

Shawn Flynn

Principal, Global Capital Markets

Shawn Flynn is a Principal at Global Capital Markets, specializing in M&A and growth capital for middle-market companies. As host of The Silicon Valley Podcast, he highlights global tech trends and innovation. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, Shawn leverages his international expertise to connect Silicon Valley with global markets, with a focus on AI’s impact on investment strategies.

Javier Avalos

Co-Founder & CEO, Caplight

Javier Avalos is the Co-Founder and CEO of Caplight, a platform transforming private market investments with data-driven solutions. With experience at Forge and Deutsche Bank, he excels in capital markets and fintech innovation. Based in the Bay Area, Javier empowers investors with tools to navigate pre-IPO opportunities and the evolving financial landscape.

Will Graves

Chief Investment Officer & Founder, Boardman Bay Capital Management

Will Graves is the founder of Boardman Bay Capital Management, a hedge fund specializing in TMT sectors. With decades of experience in portfolio management and venture capital, Will has driven growth at firms like Stark Investments and Sun Microsystems. A Naval Academy and Wharton graduate, he’s also an Olympic sailor and a trusted leader in public and private markets.

Jonathan Bloom

Investment Analyst, Global Technology

Jonathan Bloom is a seasoned investment analyst specializing in Technology, Media, and Telecommunications. At Boardman Bay Capital Management, he identifies high-potential opportunities in global technology markets. With prior roles at Highbridge Capital and BofA Securities, Jonathan brings two decades of expertise to delivering actionable investment insights.

David S. Rose

Founder & CEO, USREM

David S. Rose, described by Forbes as "New York's Archangel," is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and thought leader in technology and finance. He is the Founder and CEO of US Real Estate Market, Founder and Executive Chairman of Gust, and Chairman of Thinkable AI and Bookitngo. A pioneer in angel investing, David has funded over 120 early-stage companies with successful exits to giants like Facebook, Google, and Amazon. He is the author of Angel Investing and The Startup Checklist, a keynote speaker, and a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions like Yale and Harvard. With a career spanning startups, real estate, and government, David holds degrees from Yale and Columbia and has been recognized as a visionary in the future of business and technology.

Bradley Kimes

Business Owner at Investment Perspectives & Co-Owner at Cryptonaires Film Productions

Bradley Kimes is a digital asset advocate, content creator, and co-owner of Cryptonaires Film Productions. Since 2017, he has been the host of "Investment Perspectives," a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Through his work in media and film, Bradley is deeply committed to educating and engaging with the blockchain community, emphasizing the revolutionary potential of digital assets. Based in the Greater Philadelphia area, Bradley brings passion and insight to the evolving landscape of crypto and decentralized finance.

Gaurav Tewari

Managing Partner, Omega Venture Partners

Gaurav Tewari is the Managing Partner at Omega Venture Partners, specializing in high-growth software companies leveraging AI, machine learning, and automation. With over 15 years of experience at top-tier venture capital funds and blue-chip tech firms, he has driven investments in category-defining companies that have achieved successful IPOs and M&As. Gaurav holds an MBA from Wharton and a B.S./M.S. in Computer Science from MIT. He is also an inventor with 9 U.S. patents and frequently speaks at industry events.

Kurt Busch

CEO, Syntiant Corp.

Kurt Busch is the CEO of Syntiant Corp., a leader in low-power edge AI solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Kurt has held leadership roles at Lantronix and Mindspeed Technologies, focusing on innovation in semiconductors and enterprise systems. He fosters a culture of exceptionalism at Syntiant, delivering cloud-level performance to edge devices. Kurt is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of innovators through volunteering and mentoring.

John Zic

Founding Partner, EQUIAM

John Zic is a Founding Partner at EQUIAM, where he leads data-driven investment strategies in private markets. With extensive experience in capital raising and portfolio management, John has built EQUIAM’s reputation as a pioneer in systematic VC investing. Prior to EQUIAM, he helped Forge facilitate over $500 million in private equity secondary transactions. John holds a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and is based in San Francisco.

Michael Harries

Partner, The Robotics Hub

Michael Harries is a Partner at The Robotics Hub, investing in AI and robotics startups addressing global challenges. With over 25 years of experience in emerging technologies, Michael has been instrumental in scaling AI startups, including Agility Robotics and Seismic. He founded the Citrix Startup Accelerator and has served as CTO for several AI ventures. Michael holds a Ph.D. in AI from the University of New South Wales and is passionate about advancing technologies shaping work, healthcare, and society.

Ilias Miraoui

Vice President of Artificial Intelligence, Linqto

Ilias Miraoui, Vice President of AI at Linqto, has a diverse background in investment banking and tech innovation. He transitioned from advising large investment-grade companies in capital markets to pioneering AI/ML solutions for customer service at Simplr, an Asurion company. An early adopter of large language models (LLMs), Ilias has guided companies in developing and deploying LLM-based solutions at scale. His expertise bridges cutting-edge technology and practical business applications, making him a sought-after leader in AI innovation.

Joseph Krilanovich

Chief Design Officer, Linqto

Joseph Krilanovich, Chief Design Officer at Linqto, brings over 20 years of experience in brand development, user experience, and design leadership. Formerly Head of Design Systems at eBay, Joseph unified the company’s visual language across product, brand, and marketing. He is known for transforming complex challenges into intuitive, user-centered design solutions and has successfully scaled design teams in both startups and established companies. Joseph is dedicated to creating lasting and impactful design at Linqto.

Bill Sarris

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Linqto

Bill Sarris is the visionary behind Linqto, the first fintech investment platform, and an expert in streaming and collaborative technologies. His career includes developing enterprise software for industry leaders like Microsoft and Intuit, with accolades like the Forrester Groundswell Award. At the Linqto AI Innovation Conference, Bill will explore AI's transformative potential in private markets.

Joe Endoso

President, Linqto Inc.

With over 40 years of experience in investment banking, fintech, and global markets, Joe Endoso has held pivotal roles at Linqto, driving revenue and market expansion. Formerly CFO of OTCXN and founder of RedBridge Group, Joe's expertise in blockchain and cross-border transactions is unmatched. He holds an Executive MBA from Wharton and a B.A. in Economics & Mathematics from George Washington University.

Dermot Mee

Chief Revenue Officer, Linqto

Dermot Mee is a growth leader with a background in biochemistry and operational management. Former COO of Singularity University, he specializes in scaling businesses and fostering innovation. At Linqto, Dermot focuses on expanding global private equity investments. He holds degrees in Biochemistry from NUI Galway and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Karim Nurani

Chief Strategy Officer, Linqto

Karim Nurani is a dynamic entrepreneur, seasoned investor, and the Chief Strategy Officer at Linqto, a leading platform revolutionizing access to private market investments. With over 30 years of experience in new business development, strategy, and business transformation, Karim has been instrumental in shaping the success of more than 100 startups across industries, including Fintech, IoT, GreenTech, CannaTech, and DigitalTech.