FTE®CAPITAL MARKETS
SPRING 2025 SUMMIT
''Where Visionaries and Capital Collide''
2-4 April 2025 I Lake Zurich - DF7Z - Zollikon Hills, Zurich
Join us for the FTE® Capital Markets Spring 2025 Summit where high-velocity serial
entrepreneurs who are scaling globally showcase their platforms and momentum.
FTE®CAPITAL MARKETS
SPRING 2025 SUMMIT
''Where Visionaries and Capital Collide''
2-4 April 2025 I Lake Zurich - DF7Z - Zollikon Hills, Zurich
Join us for the FTE® Capital Markets Spring 2025 Summit where high-velocity serial entrepreneurs who are scaling globally showcase their platforms and momentum.
The FTE® Capital Markets Spring Summit brings together leading Family Offices, HNWI's, SWFs, Pension Funds, and Corporate Investors to meet Builders of the Future in the new Ecosystems of Health, Space, Art, Energy, Defence, Litigation Finance, Bitcoin, Commodities, Logistics and Mobility.
The FTE® Capital Markets Spring Summit brings together leading Family Offices, HNWI's, SWFs, Pension Funds, and Corporate Investors to meet Builders of the Future in the new Ecosystems of Health, Space, Art, Energy, Defence, Litigation Finance, Bitcoin, Commodities, Logistics and Mobility.
What to Expect
More than just a gathering – it’s a launchpad for future partnerships, investments, and innovations.
The FTE® Spring 2025 Summit is designed to be more than just a gathering – it’s a launchpad for future partnerships, investments, and innovations. At this event, entrepreneurs will have the chance to pitch their business ideas to a curated group of investors, while investors will gain access to groundbreaking companies that align with their portfolio goals.
What to Expect
More than just a gathering – it’s a launchpad for future partnerships, investments, and innovations.
The FTE® Spring 2025 Summit is designed to be more than just a gathering – it’s a launchpad for future partnerships, investments, and innovations. At this event, entrepreneurs will have the chance to pitch their business ideas to a curated group of investors, while investors will gain access to groundbreaking companies that align with their portfolio goals.
1000+
Companies Showcased
€1bn+
Funding Secured for Companies
14+ Years
Building a powerful community since 2010
1000+
Companies Showcased
€1bn+
Funding Secured for Companies
14+ Years
Building a powerful community
since 2010
With a focus on sustainable business practices, tech-driven ventures, and disruptive innovations, this summit will be a key event for those looking to be at the forefront of the
NEXT BIG THING.
Exclusive Networking:
Meet and engage with fellow investors and entrepreneurs who are ready to shape the future.
Pitch Sessions:
Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to potential investors.
Keynote Speakers:
Hear from thought leaders and industry experts who will share insights on market trends and investment strategies.
With a focus on sustainable business practices, tech-driven ventures, and disruptive innovations, this summit will be a key event for those looking to be at the forefront of the
NEXT BIG THING.
Exclusive Networking:
Meet and engage with fellow investors and entrepreneurs who are ready to shape the future.
Pitch Sessions:
Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to potential investors.
Keynote Speakers:
Hear from thought leaders and industry experts who will share insights on market trends and investment strategies.
Who's Speaking?
A Dynamic Blend of Investors and Entrepreneurs:
Shaping the Future at FTE® Spring Summit 2025
At the FTE® Spring Summit 2025, we’re not just bringing together the best investors and industry experts – we’re also providing a platform for entrepreneurs seeking funding to present their innovative ideas. Our lineup of speakers will include both seasoned investors and entrepreneurs actively looking for capital to take their businesses to the next level.
This unique blend of speakers ensures that attendees will have access to a diverse range of perspectives, from experienced investors sharing their strategies and insights, to entrepreneurs presenting their game-changing startups.
Sam Sharma is an Executive AI Consultant and Business Strategist with over 20 years of experience helping organisations integrate AI-driven solutions to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive growth.
With a background as a former Vice President of Technology in tier-1 banks across 19 countries, Sam specialises in bridging the gap between business strategy and AI adoption, ensuring companies stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.
Whether working with fast-growing companies or established enterprises looking to modernise their approach, Sam delivers tailored AI solutions that simplify complexity and unlock measurable results.
www.elevateaitech.com
Tony Hasek has been in the information technology space for over 30 years. He founded a sole proprietorship systems integration company that he grew from zero to over $20m in revenues with up to 50 employees. The company started off in generalist IT sales, but moved into network design and implementation, complex polygraph and print solutions, custom software and internet development and digital signage solutions. After a successful trade sale of that company, Tony worked as the European Head of one of the first true, publicly traded, commercial blockchain companies - applying blockchain and secure ledger technologies to physical assets. While mainly a commercial role, pitching financial institutions on the benefits of precious metals as settlement mechanisms, Tony became intimately familiar with blockchain and cryptography and their benefits and security risks. Since 2018 Tony has devoted himself to inventing, developing and commercialising Goldilock.
Stephen Kines is a commercial lawyer with over 35 years of experience. After studying at Canada’s Royal Military College and studied law both in Canada and the United States. Stephen is more than a commercial lawyer, he is a company builder, having established leading law firms across Europe such as Linklaters (2800 attorneys 30 countries) and Bird & Bird (1400 lawyers in 29 offices worldwide). Stephen has a wealth of experience in transactional, commercial, employment and corporate governance law, as well as hands-on management of large teams and multi-billion-dollar projects. A stickler for detail, Stephen ensures that goals are set and timelines are met, all the while keeping the commercial interests of both clients and company at the forefront. Stephen has also held a C-level roles in defence and security related software/AI start-up dedicated to detecting, monitoring, and exposing trends in disinformation, hate-speech, state-sponsored targeted psychological and influence operations. Stephen is responsible for keeping Goldilock’s professionals on track and steering us towards our milestones and goals. He is also a Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner.
Whether working with fast-growing companies or established enterprises looking to modernise their approach, Sam delivers tailored AI solutions that simplify complexity and unlock measurable results.
www.goldilock.com
Adrian Cannon brings over 35 years’ experience and expertise in the financial services, payments and clearing sectors. Adrian provides clients with a deep strategic understanding of the ever-changing payment space as well as a clear grasp of the technical and regulatory challenges. This combination of skills provides organisations with decisive consultancy as they seek to grow in both highly competitive, established markets and regions where opportunities are just emerging.
Formerly a director of market leading companies including Elavon Merchant Services, Edgar Dunn & Company and Faster Payments Scheme Limited, Adrian has been a key player in national and company level change programmes in the payment industry including the UK NFC Steering Board and has provided expertise and counsel to EMV migration programmes in Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Adrian is Non-Executive Chairman of Planet Merchant Services Limited and Planet Merchant Services SaS.
Damian Christian is a proven entrepreneur, having successfully founded and scaled two high-growth ventures in PropTech and InsurTech.
He is also the founder of the Zero 1 Startup Studio and of the Rule30 Quant Fund, where he spearheads cutting-edge AI and machine learning research.
Damian holds a Master's graduate in Electronic Engineering with deep expertise in mathematics, data science, and AI/ML research.
Anna Bretschneider is responsible for building the firm’s presence in Switzerland, focusing on long-term sustainable investor relationships and heading the Zurich office, which she opened in September 2019. She is an Executive Director for Baillie Gifford Investment Management (Europe) Limited.
Anna has extensive experience working with institutional investors across the DACH region with a primary focus on Switzerland. She previously worked as Head of Distribution Switzerland at Macquarie Investment Management and spent 14 years at MFS Investment Management, where she held a number of positions including Managing Director Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg.
Anna holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Gdansk and an MBA from FOM University of Applied Sciences, Munich. With a robust skill set that includes Mutual Funds, Asset Management, Equities, Alternative Investments, Asset Allocation and more.
Dieter Moeller is an experienced entrepreneur and business strategist specialising
in the development of data-driven and customer value focused business models
.
Currently, he serves as CEO of Kinship investment Holding GmbH,° which functions
as his family investment arm. His focus is on the development of prefabricated modular housing units combined with decentralised off grid solar energy solutions.
Dieter has a significant retail background and is an expert in data-driven customer relationship models for highly competitive outlet-based retail businesses.
Dieter holds a Master of Economics degree from Berlin's Technical University and
a Master of Business Administration of James Cook University, Queensland
Australia.
Mahyar Makhzani is a visionary leader and impact-driven investor dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable development across Africa. With over three decades of experience in luxury, finance, and investment, he has transitioned his expertise into empowering African startups.
After earning his MBA from Rutgers University, USA, in 1980, Mahyar held leadership roles at Habsburg, Mouawad, Bulgari SA, and Enigma SA. In 2007, he co-founded AMMA Group and Codiam Fund, later managing Sciens Coloured Diamond Fund.
In 2020, he co-founded the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), an ecosystem that identifies, funds, and nurtures African innovations aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through GIIG, he has driven funding and mentorship efforts via the African Startup Awards, GIIG Africa Fund, and GIIG Africa Foundation.
Most recently, Mahyar spearheaded Project Lily, (Library for Imagination and Literacy in Youth) launching Ethiopia’s first public library built from Kubik’s recycled materials. His mission remains focused on elevating Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable impact.
Paul Pieterse invested the past 25 years in start-up business, operating in the workforce services and workforce technology space.
He is a seasoned innovator with a proven track record of developing groundbreaking solutions for highly regulated sectors, notably pioneering systems that have saved the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds.
Driven by a vision of empowering human potential, Paul founded ProduQtive Capital to leverage AI and collaborative strategies, ensuring a future where technology augments, rather than replaces, human capabilities.
He is committed to addressing global workforce challenges, including economic migration, through strategic skills development and collaboration.
Nalinava Sengupta, PhD, is a dynamic scientist, innovator, and co-founder of iNANOD AS, an ambitious micro-pharma company revolutionising cancer treatment through targeted and faster drug delivery to solid malignant tumours. With a career spanning cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial leadership, Nalinava is driven by a singular mission: drastically improving the injected dose percentage statistics for solid tumours, offering hope and better outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.
Nalinava’s scientific journey began with a PhD in Organometallic Chemistry from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), where he specialised in homogeneous catalysis. His doctoral work explored the intersection of chemistry and biology, laying the foundation for his future endeavours in developing life-saving therapies. His passion for innovation and translational research led him to prestigious postdoctoral tenures at renowned institutions. At the University of Cologne, he worked on developing potential cancer medicines, harnessing his expertise in organometallic chemistry to design novel potential therapeutic agents. At SINTEF, he delved into C-H bond activation, a groundbreaking area of research with wide-ranging applications in synthetic chemistry. His postdoctoral work at the University of Oslo focused on deriving the characteristics of the Seaborgium, one of the heaviest elements in the periodic table, showcasing his versatility and depth in scientific exploration.
In a powerful collaboration blending chemistry and biology, Nalinava co-founded iNANOD AS alongside his wife, a molecular biologist, and her supervisor. Together, they envisioned a future where nanotechnology, in combination with biotechnology, could transform cancer treatment. iNANOD AS operates on a lean model, strongly supported by a group of experienced advisors, and is dedicated to improving the precision and efficiency of drug delivery to solid tumours. By leveraging market-pull mechanisms of innovation, the company aims to address one of the most pressing challenges in oncology: ensuring that a higher percentage of injected doses reach tumour sites, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy while minimising side effects.
Under Nalinava’s leadership, iNANOD AS has emerged as a trailblazer in the micro-pharma space, combining cutting-edge nanotechnology with a patient-centric approach. His ability to bridge chemistry, biology, and business disciplines has driven the company’s success.
Beyond his professional achievements, Nalinava is a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and science education. He mentors aspiring scientists and entrepreneurs, inspiring them to push the boundaries of innovation. In his time, he enjoys exploring the intersection of science, technology, and philosophy and is an avid reader and lifelong learner. Through iNANOD AS, he continues to lead the charge in developing transformative therapies that promise a brighter future for cancer patients around the globe.
Allen Farrington is a prominent writer and investor in the Bitcoin ecosystem. He is the coauthor of Bitcoin Is Venice, Bitcoin Magazine’s first ever published book, gave a keynote speech at Bitcoin Miami 2021, and is a regular speaker at industry events.
Having worked at Baillie Gifford as an investment manager on a ~$60bn AUM global equities strategy, he started Axiom in 2022 to focus on early-stage Bitcoin companies, which is currently raising its second venture fund.
James Bates is an accomplished CEO, entrepreneur, and board member who has created and led high-growth execution for several technology companies.
Presently, James is CEO and Founder of AdviNOW Medical, the world’s first
Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality driven automated medical visit
platform. James conceptualized the idea, wrote the fundamental patents, raised $23 million in capital, recruited the team, and launched the company.
James is the general partner in a Fintech Hedge fund (optionagent.ai) that uses artificial intelligence to deliver market leading returns. James also is managing partner of A Big Capital, LLC and invests in technology startups, real estate and FinTech.
Previously, James was an officer at Freescale (NXP) responsible for the $1 billion revenues in self driving vehicle technologies. Earlier in his career, James founded the Asia Pacific region for Silicon Labs where he was responsible for driving growth that eclipsed $500M in just 3 short years.
James serves on multiple boards. Among them is Positioning Universal, a leader in machine vision fleet management systems that uses AI to track and manage delivery providers.
James also serves on the board for Arizona State Universities College of Nursing and Health Innovation and the AZBIO organization that promotes bioscience in Arizona.
James earned his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, from Brigham Young University. He is fluent in Japanese, lived in Tokyo for twelve years, holds nine patents, and has written in the Proceedings of the International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, and other technical leading conferences and publications. He resides in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and enjoys family, sports, and particularly hiking.
Paresh Kiri is a seasoned financial markets expert and entrepreneur, with a career spanning trading, investment, and wealth management. He founded both a stockbroking firm and a hedge fund, successfully navigating the financial world before stepping away in 2003 to pursue a deeper understanding of humanity and consciousness.
During a five-year sabbatical dedicated to inner exploration, Paresh embraced the practice of Sahaj Yoga meditation—a transformative discipline that continues to inform his approach to life and business. Upon returning to the industry, he co-authored a book with Alpesh B. Patel OBE and later built a successful construction business prior to the 2020 lockdown.
Today, Paresh combines his financial acumen with a holistic, mindful perspective—empowering individuals to take control of their pensions and long-term wealth. A natural connector, he brings people, insights, and opportunities together, helping others find clarity in both their financial and personal journeys.
Guillermo Söhnlein is an entrepreneur, explorer, investor, and philanthropist focused on technology, space, oceans, and sustainability. Starting in Silicon Valley in 1998, he has helped launch over a dozen for-profit ventures and nonprofit organizations, including Space Angels Network in 2006, OceanGate in 2009, and the Humans2Venus Foundation in 2020. He currently serves as co-founder, fractional executive, and/or board director of several ventures, as well as advisor to two seed-stage venture capital funds.
Guillermo is a former officer in the United States Marine Corps and was admitted to The Explorers Club in 2012. He earned his AB in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and his JD from the University of California San Francisco College of Law. He currently resides in Barcelona, Spain.
SPACE BRIDGE PARTNERS
Founded in 2022, San Francisco-based Space Bridge Partners manages a growing global network of private funding partners specifically to support space missions for exploration, science, and education. Our team of space, finance, and marketing experts advises philanthropic donors, brand sponsors, and media producers and also facilitates partnerships with mission organizers from universities, nonprofits, and civil space agencies. For more information, please visit www.spacebridgepartners.com.
GAIA VENTURE STUDIOS
Founded in 2024, Boston-based Gaia Venture Studios is a space-focused venture studio creating and fostering a portfolio of companies solving some of Earth's greatest challenges while building foundational technologies for space exploration. Our team of entrepreneurs, technologists, and space experts follows a proven disciplined approach to incubate new ventures, recruit entrepreneurial co-founders/CEOs, and secure seed funding. For more information, please visit www.gaiaventurestudios.com.
Chris Beament joined Nutshell Asset Management in 2024, bringing nearly two decades of experience in asset management, with a focus on founder-led boutiques. He began his career in 2006 at Legal & General Investment Management, gaining exposure to both active and passive strategies. He later transitioned into the hedge fund space, including a role at Winton Capital, before moving to an independent firm in 2012, where he advised on UK small-cap, global equity, and alternative strategies.
Chris has a proven track record of helping boutique asset managers scale by enhancing their market positioning, refining investment propositions, and fostering strategic partnerships. His expertise lies in identifying growth opportunities, optimizing commercial strategies, and positioning firms for long-term success.
Gjermund Tomasgard is the visionary founder and CEO of VirtualHouse AS, a company committed to transforming the construction industry through simulation and digital innovation. Holding a Master of Science degree in Engineering Cybernetics, he brings deep expertise in advanced physics, control theory, and simulation.
He brings a solid background in industrial software testing from the offshore and maritime sectors, combined with deep focus on energy systems in buildings. This unique combination of experience revealed critical inefficiencies in technical building systems, driving his mission to improve system integration and performance.
As CEO of VirtualHouse, he has led the development of a cutting-edge simulation tool that optimizes HVAC and technical systems before construction begins — significantly reducing errors and improving efficiency. His technology is already transforming large-scale projects such as Campus Ullevål, Oslo’s NOK 1 billion research and innovation hub, backed by Skanska.
With domain expertise spanning automation, HVAC, and energy systems, Gjermund continues to push the boundaries of digitalization in construction — making buildings better, more efficient, and more sustainable.
DI Michael Aufreiter leads Inmox with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, specializing in aviation transmissions and materials science from TU Wien. His six years of experience developing advanced sensorics and automation systems are crucial to Inmox's innovative wear particle analysis. Additionally, his five years as a project leader in medical device development demonstrate his ability to manage complex projects and integrate cutting-edge technology into practical solutions. Michael's combined expertise ensures Inmox's sensor system is both robust and seamlessly integrated, providing rapid, reliable data for gearbox monitoring. His background in sensorics is key to the Machine learning supported sensorics that Inmox uses.
DI Dr. Daniel Kagerbauer, Inmox's CTO, brings deep expertise in physics, with a focus on low-temperature physics and superconductivity from TU Wien. His five years of consulting in magnetism and magnetic field detection provide the critical scientific understanding behind Inmox's advanced sensor technology. His four years leading international science projects in superconductivity demonstrate his ability to push technological boundaries. Daniel's specialized knowledge in magnetic properties and detection enables Inmox to achieve precise, non-invasive wear particle analysis, independent of lubricant flow rate and applicable to complex assemblies. His physics background is key to the technology that allows Inmox to monitor complex assemblies and low ratio gears.
https://inmox.com
Ingvald Straume, Inventor, CTO, tech. development, 52, MSc, is a renewable energy expert specializing in wave energy. Both an inventor and technology developer, he has worked in wave energy since 2002.
As Director of R&D at Straumekraft, he led the deployment of Wave Energy Converter Prototypes I and II. Previously, as CTO at Purenco Wave Power, he advanced technological initiatives AND has driven several cutting-edge wave energy projects.
Stefan Tobler is an experienced entrepreneur, former advertising agency owner, and hotelier who has co-founded and shaped numerous innovative startups over the past two decades.
With more than 15 years of expertise in marketing, branding, and sales, he has developed a deep understanding of brand building, strategic positioning, and business development. His unique background allows him to bridge creative vision with operational excellence, consistently setting new standards in the industries he enters.
Stefan brings hands-on leadership, strong strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset to every project – with a clear focus on innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.
Who's Speaking?
A Dynamic Blend of Investors and Entrepreneurs:
Shaping the Future at FTE® Spring Summit 2025
At the FTE® Spring Summit 2025, we’re not just bringing together the best investors and industry experts – we’re also providing a platform for entrepreneurs seeking funding to present their innovative ideas. Our lineup of speakers will include both seasoned investors and entrepreneurs actively looking for capital to take their businesses to the next level.
This unique blend of speakers ensures that attendees will have access to a diverse range of perspectives, from experienced investors sharing their strategies and insights, to entrepreneurs presenting their game-changing startups.
Sam Sharma is an Executive AI Consultant and Business Strategist with over 20 years of experience helping organisations integrate AI-driven solutions to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive growth.
With a background as a former Vice President of Technology in tier-1 banks across 19 countries, Sam specialises in bridging the gap between business strategy and AI adoption, ensuring companies stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.
Whether working with fast-growing companies or established enterprises looking to modernise their approach, Sam delivers tailored AI solutions that simplify complexity and unlock measurable results.
www.elevateaitech.com
Tony Hasek has been in the information technology space for over 30 years. He founded a sole proprietorship systems integration company that he grew from zero to over $20m in revenues with up to 50 employees. The company started off in generalist IT sales, but moved into network design and implementation, complex polygraph and print solutions, custom software and internet development and digital signage solutions. After a successful trade sale of that company, Tony worked as the European Head of one of the first true, publicly traded, commercial blockchain companies - applying blockchain and secure ledger technologies to physical assets. While mainly a commercial role, pitching financial institutions on the benefits of precious metals as settlement mechanisms, Tony became intimately familiar with blockchain and cryptography and their benefits and security risks. Since 2018 Tony has devoted himself to inventing, developing and commercialising Goldilock.
Stephen Kines is a commercial lawyer with over 35 years of experience. After studying at Canada’s Royal Military College and studied law both in Canada and the United States. Stephen is more than a commercial lawyer, he is a company builder, having established leading law firms across Europe such as Linklaters (2800 attorneys 30 countries) and Bird & Bird (1400 lawyers in 29 offices worldwide). Stephen has a wealth of experience in transactional, commercial, employment and corporate governance law, as well as hands-on management of large teams and multi-billion-dollar projects. A stickler for detail, Stephen ensures that goals are set and timelines are met, all the while keeping the commercial interests of both clients and company at the forefront. Stephen has also held a C-level roles in defence and security related software/AI start-up dedicated to detecting, monitoring, and exposing trends in disinformation, hate-speech, state-sponsored targeted psychological and influence operations. Stephen is responsible for keeping Goldilock’s professionals on track and steering us towards our milestones and goals. He is also a Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner.
Whether working with fast-growing companies or established enterprises looking to modernise their approach, Sam delivers tailored AI solutions that simplify complexity and unlock measurable results.
www.goldilock.com
Adrian Cannon brings over 35 years’ experience and expertise in the financial services, payments and clearing sectors. Adrian provides clients with a deep strategic understanding of the ever-changing payment space as well as a clear grasp of the technical and regulatory challenges. This combination of skills provides organisations with decisive consultancy as they seek to grow in both highly competitive, established markets and regions where opportunities are just emerging.
Formerly a director of market leading companies including Elavon Merchant Services, Edgar Dunn & Company and Faster Payments Scheme Limited, Adrian has been a key player in national and company level change programmes in the payment industry including the UK NFC Steering Board and has provided expertise and counsel to EMV migration programmes in Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Adrian is Non-Executive Chairman of Planet Merchant Services Limited and Planet Merchant Services SaS.
Damian Christian is a proven entrepreneur, having successfully founded and scaled two high-growth ventures in PropTech and InsurTech.
He is also the founder of the Zero 1 Startup Studio and of the Rule30 Quant Fund, where he spearheads cutting-edge AI and machine learning research.
Damian holds a Master's graduate in Electronic Engineering with deep expertise in mathematics, data science, and AI/ML research.
Anna Bretschneider is responsible for building the firm’s presence in Switzerland, focusing on long-term sustainable investor relationships and heading the Zurich office, which she opened in September 2019. She is an Executive Director for Baillie Gifford Investment Management (Europe) Limited.
Anna has extensive experience working with institutional investors across the DACH region with a primary focus on Switzerland. She previously worked as Head of Distribution Switzerland at Macquarie Investment Management and spent 14 years at MFS Investment Management, where she held a number of positions including Managing Director Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg.
Anna holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Gdansk and an MBA from FOM University of Applied Sciences, Munich. With a robust skill set that includes Mutual Funds, Asset Management, Equities, Alternative Investments, Asset Allocation and more.
Dieter Moeller is an experienced entrepreneur and business strategist specialising
in the development of data-driven and customer value focused business models
.
Currently, he serves as CEO of Kinship investment Holding GmbH,° which functions
as his family investment arm. His focus is on the development of prefabricated modular housing units combined with decentralized off grid solar energy solutions.
Dieter has a significant retail background and is an expert in data-driven customer relationship models for highly competitive outlet-based retail businesses.
Dieter holds a Master of Economics degree from Berlin's Technical University and
a Master of Business Administration of James Cook University, Queensland
Australia.
Mahyar Makhzani is a visionary leader and impact-driven investor dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable development across Africa. With over three decades of experience in luxury, finance, and investment, he has transitioned his expertise into empowering African startups.
After earning his MBA from Rutgers University, USA, in 1980, Mahyar held leadership roles at Habsburg, Mouawad, Bulgari SA, and Enigma SA. In 2007, he co-founded AMMA Group and Codiam Fund, later managing Sciens Coloured Diamond Fund.
In 2020, he co-founded the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), an ecosystem that identifies, funds, and nurtures African innovations aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through GIIG, he has driven funding and mentorship efforts via the African Startup Awards, GIIG Africa Fund, and GIIG Africa Foundation.
Most recently, Mahyar spearheaded Project Lily, (Library for Imagination and Literacy in Youth) launching Ethiopia’s first public library built from Kubik’s recycled materials. His mission remains focused on elevating Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable impact.
Paul Pieterse invested the past 25 years in start-up business, operating in the workforce services and workforce technology space.
He is a seasoned innovator with a proven track record of developing groundbreaking solutions for highly regulated sectors, notably pioneering systems that have saved the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds.
Driven by a vision of empowering human potential, Paul founded ProduQtive Capital to leverage AI and collaborative strategies, ensuring a future where technology augments, rather than replaces, human capabilities.
He is committed to addressing global workforce challenges, including economic migration, through strategic skills development and collaboration.
www.produqtive.com
Nalinava Sengupta, PhD, is a dynamic scientist, innovator, and co-founder of iNANOD AS, an ambitious micro-pharma company revolutionizing cancer treatment through targeted and faster drug delivery to solid malignant tumours. With a career spanning cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial leadership, Nalinava is driven by a singular mission: drastically improving the injected dose percentage statistics for solid tumours, offering hope and better outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.
Nalinava’s scientific journey began with a PhD in Organometallic Chemistry from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), where he specialized in homogeneous catalysis. His doctoral work explored the intersection of chemistry and biology, laying the foundation for his future endeavours in developing life-saving therapies. His passion for innovation and translational research led him to prestigious postdoctoral tenures at renowned institutions. At the University of Cologne, he worked on developing potential cancer medicines, harnessing his expertise in organometallic chemistry to design novel potential therapeutic agents. At SINTEF, he delved into C-H bond activation, a groundbreaking area of research with wide-ranging applications in synthetic chemistry. His postdoctoral work at the University of Oslo focused on deriving the characteristics of the Seaborgium, one of the heaviest elements in the periodic table, showcasing his versatility and depth in scientific exploration.
In a powerful collaboration blending chemistry and biology, Nalinava co-founded iNANOD AS alongside his wife, a molecular biologist, and her supervisor. Together, they envisioned a future where nanotechnology, in combination with biotechnology, could transform cancer treatment. iNANOD AS operates on a lean model, strongly supported by a group of experienced advisors, and is dedicated to improving the precision and efficiency of drug delivery to solid tumours. By leveraging market-pull mechanisms of innovation, the company aims to address one of the most pressing challenges in oncology: ensuring that a higher percentage of injected doses reach tumour sites, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Under Nalinava’s leadership, iNANOD AS has emerged as a trailblazer in the micro-pharma space, combining cutting-edge nanotechnology with a patient-centric approach. His ability to bridge chemistry, biology, and business disciplines has driven the company’s success.
Beyond his professional achievements, Nalinava is a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and science education. He mentors aspiring scientists and entrepreneurs, inspiring them to push the boundaries of innovation. In his time, he enjoys exploring the intersection of science, technology, and philosophy and is an avid reader and lifelong learner. Through iNANOD AS, he continues to lead the charge in developing transformative therapies that promise a brighter future for cancer patients around the globe.
www.inanod.com
James Bates is an accomplished CEO, entrepreneur, and board member who has created and led high-growth execution for several technology companies.
Presently, James is CEO and Founder of AdviNOW Medical, the world’s first Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality driven automated medical visit
platform. James conceptualized the idea, wrote the fundamental patents, raised $23 million in capital, recruited the team, and launched the company.
James is the general partner in a Fintech Hedge fund (optionagent.ai) that uses artificial intelligence to deliver market leading returns. James also is managing partner of A Big Capital, LLC and invests in technology startups, real estate and FinTech.
Previously, James was an officer at Freescale (NXP) responsible for the $1 billion revenues in self driving vehicle technologies. Earlier in his career, James founded the Asia Pacific region for Silicon Labs where he was responsible for driving growth that eclipsed $500M in just 3 short years.
James serves on multiple boards. Among them is Positioning Universal, a leader in machine vision fleet management systems that uses AI to track and manage delivery providers.
James also serves on the board for Arizona State Universities College of Nursing and Health Innovation and the AZBIO organization that promotes bioscience in Arizona.
James earned his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, from Brigham Young University. He is fluent in Japanese, lived in Tokyo for twelve years, holds nine patents, and has written in the Proceedings of the International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, and other technical leading conferences and publications. He resides in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and enjoys family, sports, and particularly hiking.
Paresh Kiri is a seasoned financial markets expert and entrepreneur, with a career spanning trading, investment, and wealth management. He founded both a stockbroking firm and a hedge fund, successfully navigating the financial world before stepping away in 2003 to pursue a deeper understanding of humanity and consciousness.
During a five-year sabbatical dedicated to inner exploration, Paresh embraced the practice of Sahaj Yoga meditation—a transformative discipline that continues to inform his approach to life and business. Upon returning to the industry, he co-authored a book with Alpesh B. Patel OBE and later built a successful construction business prior to the 2020 lockdown.
Today, Paresh combines his financial acumen with a holistic, mindful perspective—empowering individuals to take control of their pensions and long-term wealth. A natural connector, he brings people, insights, and opportunities together, helping others find clarity in both their financial and personal journeys.
www.tradermind.com
Guillermo Söhnlein is an entrepreneur, explorer, investor, and philanthropist focused on technology, space, oceans, and sustainability. Starting in Silicon Valley in 1998, he has helped launch over a dozen for-profit ventures and nonprofit organizations, including Space Angels Network in 2006, OceanGate in 2009, and the Humans2Venus Foundation in 2020. He currently serves as co-founder, fractional executive, and/or board director of several ventures, as well as advisor to two seed-stage venture capital funds.
Guillermo is a former officer in the United States Marine Corps and was admitted to The Explorers Club in 2012. He earned his AB in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and his JD from the University of California San Francisco College of Law. He currently resides in Barcelona, Spain.
SPACE BRIDGE PARTNERS
Founded in 2022, San Francisco-based Space Bridge Partners manages a growing global network of private funding partners specifically to support space missions for exploration, science, and education. Our team of space, finance, and marketing experts advises philanthropic donors, brand sponsors, and media producers and also facilitates partnerships with mission organizers from universities, nonprofits, and civil space agencies. For more information, please visit www.spacebridgepartners.com.
GAIA VENTURE STUDIOS
Founded in 2024, Boston-based Gaia Venture Studios is a space-focused venture studio creating and fostering a portfolio of companies solving some of Earth's greatest challenges while building foundational technologies for space exploration. Our team of entrepreneurs, technologists, and space experts follows a proven disciplined approach to incubate new ventures, recruit entrepreneurial co-founders/CEOs, and secure seed funding. For more information, please visit www.gaiaventurestudios.com.
Chris Beament joined Nutshell Asset Management in 2024, bringing nearly two decades of experience in asset management, with a focus on founder-led boutiques. He began his career in 2006 at Legal & General Investment Management, gaining exposure to both active and passive strategies. He later transitioned into the hedge fund space, including a role at Winton Capital, before moving to an independent firm in 2012, where he advised on UK small-cap, global equity, and alternative strategies.
Chris has a proven track record of helping boutique asset managers scale by enhancing their market positioning, refining investment propositions, and fostering strategic partnerships. His expertise lies in identifying growth opportunities, optimizing commercial strategies, and positioning firms for long-term success.
www.nutshellam.com
Gjermund Tomasgard is the visionary founder and CEO of VirtualHouse AS, a company committed to transforming the construction industry through simulation and digital innovation. Holding a Master of Science degree in Engineering Cybernetics, he brings deep expertise in advanced physics, control theory, and simulation.
He brings a solid background in industrial software testing from the offshore and maritime sectors, combined with deep focus on energy systems in buildings. This unique combination of experience revealed critical inefficiencies in technical building systems, driving his mission to improve system integration and performance.
As CEO of VirtualHouse, he has led the development of a cutting-edge simulation tool that optimizes HVAC and technical systems before construction begins — significantly reducing errors and improving efficiency. His technology is already transforming large-scale projects such as Campus Ullevål, Oslo’s NOK 1 billion research and innovation hub, backed by Skanska.
With domain expertise spanning automation, HVAC, and energy systems, Gjermund continues to push the boundaries of digitalization in construction — making buildings better, more efficient, and more sustainable.
https://virtualhouse.no
DI Michael Aufreiter leads Inmox with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, specializing in aviation transmissions and materials science from TU Wien. His six years of experience developing advanced sensorics and automation systems are crucial to Inmox's innovative wear particle analysis. Additionally, his five years as a project leader in medical device development demonstrate his ability to manage complex projects and integrate cutting-edge technology into practical solutions. Michael's combined expertise ensures Inmox's sensor system is both robust and seamlessly integrated, providing rapid, reliable data for gearbox monitoring. His background in sensorics is key to the Machine learning supported sensorics that Inmox uses.
DI Dr. Daniel Kagerbauer, Inmox's CTO, brings deep expertise in physics, with a focus on low-temperature physics and superconductivity from TU Wien. His five years of consulting in magnetism and magnetic field detection provide the critical scientific understanding behind Inmox's advanced sensor technology. His four years leading international science projects in superconductivity demonstrate his ability to push technological boundaries. Daniel's specialized knowledge in magnetic properties and detection enables Inmox to achieve precise, non-invasive wear particle analysis, independent of lubricant flow rate and applicable to complex assemblies. His physics background is key to the technology that allows Inmox to monitor complex assemblies and low ratio gears.
Ingvald Straume, Inventor, CTO, tech. development, 52, MSc, is a renewable energy expert specializing in wave energy. Both an inventor and technology developer, he has worked in wave energy since 2002.
As Director of R&D at Straumekraft, he led the deployment of Wave Energy Converter Prototypes I and II. Previously, as CTO at Purenco Wave Power, he advanced technological initiatives AND has driven several cutting-edge wave energy projects.
www.hydrakraft.com
Stefan Tobler is an experienced entrepreneur, former advertising agency owner, and hotelier who has co-founded and shaped numerous innovative startups over the past two decades.
With more than 15 years of expertise in marketing, branding, and sales, he has developed a deep understanding of brand building, strategic positioning, and business development. His unique background allows him to bridge creative vision with operational excellence, consistently setting new standards in the industries he enters.
Stefan brings hands-on leadership, strong strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset to every project – with a clear focus on innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.
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