Our Speakers
In Order of Acceptance
Brian Mac Mahon
Venture Capitalist
Miami
Brian is the founder (CEO) and Managing Partner of Expert DOJO, which was ranked 7th in global venture activity in 2022, boasting over 260 startup investments. Expert DOJO not only offers a growth
accelerator and a later-stage fund, investing millions annually but also stands out with its unique emphasis
on startup growth.
Sheeba Ameer
Social Activist
Solace Global
Sheeba Ameer is the founder of Solace, a pioneering support system for children with long-term illnesses. Her journey began with the seven-year battle to care for her daughter diagnosed with leukemia—a deeply personal experience that led her to build what she wished existed: a community of care.
Jeffrey
Goldberg
Film Director
New York
Hailing from New York and with a decade stint in Paris, France and now 12 years in India, Jeff’s work as a filmmaker has witnessed his films and screenplays garner official selections and awards at some of the finest film festivals in the world. Jeff continues to write, direct and act for the stage as well.
Mohammed
Shams Aalam
Para Swimmer
India
Mohammed Shams Aalam Sheikh is currently ranked number 1 by the World Para Swimming (WPS) in men's 100 m butterfly (S5 category) and men's 50 m breaststroke (SB4 category) as on 2 February 2024. On 10 November 2024, he set a world record for longest open water swimming.
Shintaro Tanaka
Japanese Hotelier
Ogawa
Shintaro, introduces Keralites to some authentic flavours of Japan, notably its handcrafted Udon noodles. This is not Shintaro’s first rodeo. He used to run two cafes back in his village of Ogawa. His journey from organic farming to café ownership in India was inspired by a profound admiration for the country, sparked by the film Gandhi by Richard Attenborough. In 2007, at the age of 20, Shintaro fulfilled his long-held dream of visiting India.
Nihal Sarin
Chess Grandmaster
India
Nihal is an Indian chess grandmaster and chess prodigy. In 2018, he passed the Elo rating of 2600 at 14 years old, which at the time made him the third youngest player in history to do so. As a junior player, Nihal was the World Under-10 champion in 2014 and placed second in the 2015 World Under-12 championship.
Sudarsan Tamang
Youth Icon
Sikkim
Dr Tamang is the founder of Project Life, promoting healthy living and community support—most notably during the 2023 Teesta flash floods. He is a nanotechnology scientist from Darjeeling, combines science, social impact, and the arts.
Women Entrepreneur
Aswathy Hot Chips
Elavarasi Jayakanth
From humble beginnings as the daughter of street vendor, she faced numerous hardships, including financial struggles and business setbacks. Despite dropping out of school early, she fought against the odds to continue her education and later ventured into the family trade.
Ashin P Krishna
Tech Innovator
IFBIC
Inspired by a moment in the bathroom and fuelled by a lifelong passion for innovation, Kozhikode’s Ashin P Krishna (23 year old) is transforming coconut farming with his smartest and fastest coconut harvesting robot. His journey from curious schoolboy to tech entrepreneur is a story of grit, regret, reinvention, and a drive to make a tangible social impact.
Entrepreneur
Africa
Adeola Adedewe
Adeola, a first-gen African immigrant and proud Pan-African, blends social impact with entrepreneurship. With a strong background in finance and accounting, he was part of the core finance team at a leading US shared office space Unicorn company, helping raise $1B and launch 100+ properties.
