Since the sale of Adidas, his grandfather's company, Horst Bente has been a private investor in a variety of fields in Europe, the US and Bahamas. He previously held executive positions at Jacobs Suchard (Germany), Bayer/Monsanto (US) and ISL Marketing (Switzerland). Third generation of Adi Dassler, Horst is now embarked on the journey of preserving his grandfather’s legacy through several initiatives including an investment platform to identify and fund the next great ideas in the world of sports and related fields, various Media formats including the development and production of a feature Hollywood TV series on the Adi Dassler family story, philanthropic actions combining athletics with academics, and launching a Multi Family Office (natural transition from the Dassler’s single family office format) providing financial and estate planning advice to a selected group of like-minded families and entrepreneurs around the globe. Horst holds an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and is fluent in English and German.

Jean-Baptiste Roy has spent the last 15+ years in Asia at the intersection of capital, brands, technology, and sport, building bridges between Asia and global markets. He is the Founding Partner of Asia Sports Tech (AST), which he launched in 2018 and grew into a leading platform for market entry, growth strategy, and financial advisory for rights holders, brands, and sportstech companies. Previously, Jean-Baptiste served as Director of PE/VC for a European family office in Asia and has worked as an investor, operator, and advisor with organizations including Fosun, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, LVMH, and leading PE/VC funds. Educated at SKEMA Business School and HKUST, he mentors at sports innovation hubs and academic institutions. A committed athlete (HYROX, cycling, tennis, scuba), he believes wellness is both a personal journey and a transformative business frontier.

The Founder & CEO of Gemini Sports, a Miami-based AI startup transforming how football clubs make decisions. We built Gemini as the first squad planning co-pilot designed specifically for global football—simple, powerful, and intuitive, like Spotify for your front office. After nearly a decade working in elite performance environments—including New Zealand Rugby, the Dutch Olympic Federation, Team USA, Florida State University, and Loughborough University—He saw firsthand how outdated and fragmented most squad planning operations were. Despite the scale and stakes of global football, club decision-makers were still relying on spreadsheets and siloed systems. Gemini was born out of that frustration. They secured investment from the owners of 27 global sports organizations, along with leading venture capital firms. The platform officially launched in early 2025 and is already in use by forward-thinking clubs across professional football. Originally from Boston and a former wrestler and lacrosse player, he's always been passionate about sport—and now about solving real problems inside it. His mission is to empower football clubs to focus less on managing data, and more on building winning squads.

Experienced Sporting Director with a background in psychology, data-informed decision making and building aligned high-performance environments at the elite level of the game. Experience shaped by 16 years delivering in high-pressure football environments. Led football strategy, recruitment and performance operations at senior level. Worked closely with boards, head coaches and multidisciplinary departments to create clarity, alignment and consistent processes that support sustained on- and off-field success. A modern approach that blends people, data and football insight — with a focus on culture, high-performance standards and continuous improvement under pressure. Focused on developing football environments that think clearly, learn quickly and adapt effectively — enabling better-informed decisions and sustainable performance as the game evolves.

Christoph Sonnen is a serial entrepreneur and venture capital expert. A former extreme sports athlete and big-wave surfer, he joined Red Bull in the 1990s, when the company was still in its early stages. After his decade-long stint, he founded several companies in the sports, entertainment, and technology sectors and successfully sold them. Christoph also structured various funds and innovation projects in the sports, health, and entertainment industries. Together with the Bente family, descendants of Adi Dassler (adidas), he co-founded the VC firm LEAD.VC, which invests globally in start-ups in the fields of sports, health, and technology.

Jamie is the British entrepreneur behind ONETOWATCH (1TW) and Professional Sports Group (PSG). Trained by Mark McCormack at IMG, Jamie has been involved in elite sports for over 30 years: as a leading sports agent in golf and the Olympics; as a strategic advisor to brands, rights holders, investors, real estate owners and governments; and as a commercial/media advisor to many clients in the sports industry. Today his focus is sports capital and investment, working with leading investors through his 1TW investment business. This includes the UAE’s first incubator / accelerator program for sports / entertainment called E1H, a partnership with the UAE’s leading sports and entertainment business, Ethara. Jamie’s network in the global sports, entertainment and investment industry has few peers. Based in the UAE since 2006, Jamie is a modern languages graduate of Edinburgh University and a keen sportsman.

Francis Casado is one of the founders of Mobile Media Content, who comercialises the 3D Digital Venue platform and is currently serving as Head of Business Development. Prior to founding MMC- 3D Digital Venue, that revolutionized Interactive Digital Venue Management for Sports and Entertainment Venue Industry, Francis made his career around the beneficial application of 3D Technology and Virtual Reality for various sectors, including Mobile apps, real state and pharma, amongst others. A true entrepreneur, skilled in the domains of visualizing and pursuing new innovative business opportunities, creating, coaching and leading teams; Francis has led Mobile Media Content from the front bringing in multiple accolades and awards in fields of innovation and growth from all around the world. Apart from the successes in his academic and professional field, Francis has been having a favorable run as an Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship with Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

brings 20+ years in global business development and sales across sport, leisure, entertainment and hospitality. At Fortress, he specializes in smart stadiums, fan engagement, loyalty, payments, monetization & access control solutions, leveraging AI, big data and cloud/mobile platforms to forge partnerships with sports clubs, leagues and federations GLOBALLY.

Alberto Cáceres, Global CEO of TRISON Group — Europe’s leading digital signage integrator — is an industrial engineer from Madrid Polytechnic University with postgraduate studies at IESE and INSEAD. He built an international executive career at Swedish firm Envac, becoming COO of Envac Spain until 2007, before moving to Clear Channel Outdoor as General Manager and CEO in Spain, also leading its Smartbike Centre of Excellence across nine countries. Passionate about innovation, Alberto has pioneered smart city development in sustainable transport, digital communication and environmental solutions, holding one patent, two utility models and one industrial model. A motorsports enthusiast, he completed the Paris–Samarkand–Moscow Raid (8,000 km) and a Formula One engineering course. In 2019, he was named among FORBES’ 100 Most Creative People in Business.

Federico Smanio is the CEO of Wylab, Italy’s first sports-tech incubator, and a former professional footballer. With over 25 years in professional sports and a decade advising startups, corporates, and institutions, he is an expert in innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. A university lecturer and frequent speaker at national and international events, he has served since 2022 as Program Director of WeSportUp, the sports and wellness accelerator promoted by Sport e Salute and CDP, the Italian National Innovation Fund.

Hicham Chahine is the Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NIP Group, the parent company of Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP), and currently serves as CEO of NIP’s Western operations. Since acquiring NIP in 2016, Hicham has transformed the organisation into a global esports and digital entertainment powerhouse. Prior to founding NIP Group, his experience spanned global finance and entrepreneurship: from May 2008 to June 2016, he was Managing Director of Hedge Funds (approximately $100 billion AUM) at Formue, the largest wealth management firm in the Nordics, and in February 2010, he founded and chaired Diglife AS, a private equity firm investing in lifestyle, gaming, and technology ventures. Hicham holds a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from BI Norwegian Business School and is recognised as the youngest founder to list a company on a US main list from the Middle East, Arab World, and Nordics, reflecting his landmark achievements in global business and digital entertainment.

Donald is a prominent figure in the gaming and esports industry for SEA. An accomplished former competitive gamer that achieved podium finishes with his team at the World Cyber Games and Dreamhack Sweden back in 2012. He is currently a certified coach supporting the Singapore Esports Association (SGEA) and has held numerous roles within the local and regional gaming communities. With over a decade of experience, Donald is widely recognized for his leadership, expertise, and contributions to the development of the esports scene.

Saqr Ereiqat is the Secretary General of the Dubai Digital Asset Association, where he leads efforts to build and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for digital assets and blockchain innovation. With over two decades of experience in technology, strategy, and ecosystem development, Saqr has been instrumental in shaping the region’s blockchain and fintech landscape. A visionary leader, he co-founded several pioneering initiatives including Crypto Oasis Ventures, Arte.community, The Green Block, and Riddermark, each focused on advancing Web3 adoption, sustainability, and digital transformation. Previously, during his 13 years at IBM, he delivered blockchain solutions for governments and enterprises across 23 countries, helping design Dubai’s government blockchain strategy and establishing Saudi Arabia’s National Health Lab for Emerging Technology. Saqr continues to mentor startups, advise global organizations, and advocate for responsible innovation across fintech, govtech, and sustainability-focused blockchain initiatives.

With over 20 years in live sports broadcasting and TV production, Ammar has led transformative projects across the Middle East and globally. From Leading the EPL, F1, and UEFA Qualifiers coverage at Endemol Sport/ADS, his career has been defined by innovation and impact. He built the UAE Pro League’s Broadcast & TV Production arm, pioneering the region’s first VR football broadcast and earning awards for technology and workflow excellence. At NEP Group, He expanded MENA operations and forged strategic partnerships. As Senior Broadcast Director at the Saudi Pro League, he elevated SPL’s global reach to 170+ countries and introduced new tech & standards and planning tools. Today, he advise federations, leagues, and media entities on broadcast strategy, production planning, and international distribution. Through conferences and mentorship, he continue shaping the future of sports media with a focus on innovation, excellence, and global connectivity.

Jes Buster Madsen is a neuroscientist who integrates neuroscience with professional football. He is currently Director of Football & Data Science at the Saudi Pro League, and previously worked as the Head of Research and Development at FC Copenhagen, where he focused on enhancing players' cognitive skills to their improve decision-making and performance on the field. His work and scientific articles focus on understanding the brain processes involved in football, such as attention, scanning, working memory, pattern recognition and anticipation.

Nikhil Nair, a distinguished leader at Tata Elxsi, brings extensive expertise in sports technology and media innovation, making him an ideal speaker for the LEVEL UP Sports Tech Expo 2025. With a robust background in driving digital transformation, Nikhil has collaborated with eight prominent media operators in the Middle East & Africa, delivering cutting-edge solutions in content delivery, OTT platforms, and AI-driven analytics. His pivotal role in transforming two leading sports organizations in the region has revolutionized fan engagement and operational efficiency through advanced UI/UX design and AI-powered features. Leveraging Tata Elxsi’s GameSense platform, Nikhil has spearheaded initiatives integrating AI, gamification, and real-time analytics to enhance sports fan experiences and monetization. His work exemplifies how technology reshapes sports, from immersive broadcasting to performance analytics, positioning him to share valuable insights on the future of sports tech at this premier global event.

André Antonelli is CEO and co-founder of Machina Sports, a developer-first AI platform for sports. He spent 15+ years leading innovation at Nestlé, Nespresso, and Gilead before founding Machina in San Francisco. A lifelong Corinthians supporter and jiu-jitsu enthusiast, André combines his passion for sports with technology to accelerate AI adoption across the industry.

Ryan is the former Global Head of Sports Tech for KPMG. In this role, they delivered game scheduling projects to the NBA and scaled The Sports Analytics World Series to 5 countries leveraging the global KPMG network in Amsterdam, London, Tokyo, India, and Melbourne. Ryan resigned from an 18 year big 4 management consulting career where he focused on customer experience for the Telecom, Media, and Entertainment sector to refocus and double down on the startup community and innovation. Upon founding SportsTech.ai Ryan signed his first clients MyKicks, Edisn.ai, and StanceBeam and today maintains a portfolio of 10+ startups which he advises. Ryan also delivers strategic consulting projects such as 3-year digital transformation for the Royal Belgian Football Association in conjunction with Cap gemini as well as a more recent Esports strategy project for a leading Saudi telecom provider in conjunction with Roland Berger. In addition to SpotsTech.ai Ryan is also a co-founder of the Sport Innovation Alliance; an alliance of 23 football clubs globally sharing a common innovation agenda. Ryan also lead the Global Virtual Accelerator for Hype Sports, an effort focused on bringing sports back during Covid-19 for 13 global leading partners including Golden State Warriors, PSG, LAFC, Miami Dolphins, NY Islanders and Toronto Blue Jays.

Daniel Hill is a former IFBB World Champion bodybuilder turned entrepreneur, innovating in the field of functional hydration. After studying pharmacy at Goethe University Frankfurt, Daniel pursued a career as a professional athlete, representing global nutraceutical brands. His interest in health & performance optimization led him to explore water technologies, culminating in the co-invention of a patented water treatment system (WO2020148157) that produces alkaline and hydrogen-enriched water to promote human health. Leveraging his expertise in the food supplement industry, Daniel co-founded Aquivio, a company revolutionizing hydration systems with smart, integrated solutions. Aquivio’s technology enables personalized, eco-friendly beverage options while supporting data monitoring and monetization.

Dr. Meshari Alwashmi is a digital health innovator and the CEO and Co-founder of Amplifai Health, a company transforming preventative care through AI-powered thermography. With a background in digital health research and clinical innovation, Dr. Alwashmi has pioneered the use of thermal imaging and AI to detect early signs of injury, inflammation, and complications—empowering proactive care in both clinical and sports settings. Under his leadership, Amplifai Health has evolved from preventing diabetic foot complications to supporting athlete performance and injury prevention through real-time physiological monitoring. He has represented Saudi Arabia on global stages, including Google’s Growth Academy and the Entrepreneurship World Cup, and is recognized for bridging deep tech with meaningful health impact. Dr. Alwashmi holds a doctorate in digital health and serves on various health innovation boards. His mission is to make advanced diagnostics accessible, non-invasive, and practical for every healthcare and sports organization worldwide.

Dr Joseph El Khoury is a Consultant Adult and Addiction Psychiatrist and a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK). He is the co-founder and medical director of the Valens Clinic, a leading Dubai based clinic established in 2023. He is the former founding head of the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at American Hospital Dubai. He has held faculty positions at several universities, including the American University of Beirut and the University of Sharjah. He is currently adjunct assistant professor of psychiatry at the United Arab Emirates University. Dr El-Khoury combines international clinical experience from the United Kingdom, Lebanon and the UAE with an extensive track record in teaching, research and mental health advocacy. He has co-authored more than 70 academic publications and has a special interest in conflict medicine, having obtained an MSc in War and Psychiatry from King’s College London in 2019. He is the immediate past president of the Lebanese Psychiatric Society and the financial officer of the Middle Eastern International division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr El-Khoury has been involved in setting up mental health services and has been consulted on national and regional projects by top consulting firms and organizations. His interest in sports psychiatry stems from his experience treating VIPs, high performers in various sectors and individuals confronted with extreme conditions. He is well known on the speaker circuit in the GCC and often delivers presentations at international forums.

Prof. Dr. med. Michael Liebrenz is Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Bern and a leading figure in sports psychiatry. He bridges clinical expertise, research, and innovation to strengthen mental health support across elite sport. He founded and directs the Mental Health Support Hub Swiss Cycling, offering confidential, expert-led care for professional athletes, and established SportsMindLab.ch, the Swiss Laboratory for Sports Psychiatry and Elite Recovery, to advance applied research and consultancy for federations and teams. Internationally, Prof. Liebrenz is a regular invited speaker at the UCI World Tour Seminar, the UCI Junior World Conference, and the Science & Cycling Congress. His work spans cycling, football, and Formula One, focusing on resilience, recovery, and sustainable performance. Featured by Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, and Swiss Television SRF, he promotes collaborations integrating psychiatry, technology, and sport; helping athletes and organisations thrive on and off the field.

The Founder of FIT, a holding with many business lines, mainly revolving around Fitness Therapy and aiming at creating healthy communities in Lebanon and abroad. Via its B2B arms, FIT CONSULT and FIT MANAGEMENT, he is also a Consultant in Sports and Gyms Management and his team have assisted, along the years, many corporate clients in Lebanon and Africa in building or enhancing their fitness offering; his clients are mainly corporate companies, e-platforms, gyms, schools, universities, health clubs, clinics, real estate companies, hotels and more. The upcoming B2B2C App is an all-new e-platform, first of its kind in Lebanon, and will change the way people access fitness and well-being. His first success story is Body Coach, a modern boutique gym and physical therapy clinic that he has founded in 2011 and that is still operating in Ashrafieh, Lebanon as a go-to clinic for expert care and fast relief. He believes that education is key and ongoing, this is why he strive to stay up-to-date with the latest knowledge and techniques in the world of Physical Therapy and Sports, by taking part in international seminars with ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), and earning certificates from the ISSA (International Science Sports Association), among others.

Mauro Saraiva is leading initiatives in football data and technology at the Qatar Stars League, focusing on integrating innovation to enhance league analytics, performance structures, and decision-making. In parallel, he works as a Sports Data & Technology Consultant, advising clubs, investors, and organizations on data management, structuring analysis and scouting departments, and implementing methodologies that optimize performance and drive sustainable growth. He also connects innovative sports technology companies with investors seeking to scale impact. An experienced lecturer and teacher, he delivers courses and talks to universities and companies worldwide on applying data and technology in sport. With over a decade in football management, he has contributed to major tourna/*ments, including FIFA World Cup 2022 and FIFA Arab Cup 2021, combining operational expertise with a forward-looking vision for innovation. His mission is to help football organizations and sports tech companies adopt and scale innovation, creating measurable impact on performance and management.

Mohammad Ali Abbaspour is the visionary founder and CEO of Sponix Tech, an award-winning sports technology startup that is transforming the way sports content is monetized and consumed globally. Under his leadership, Sponix has introduced groundbreaking technologies in virtual advertising and immersive replays, helping top-tier sports organizations, broadcasters, and sponsors deliver personalized fan experiences while driving significant new revenue streams. With a deep background in sports business, technology innovation, and global partnerships, Mohammad has positioned Sponix as a trusted partner across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Mohammad holds a Ph.D. in IT Management and is a former professional football player.

Deepen Parikh is a Partner at Courtside Ventures, a leading early-stage VC fund focused on sports, entertainment and lifestyle. They are backed by several professional sports team owners, global corporations and family offices. Since launching Courtside Ventures in 2016, they have invested in over 100+ companies globally. Though US-focused, Courtside has invested internationally in high-growth markets including India, UAE and Brazil. Select investments include The Athletic (acquired by New York Times), Beam (acquired by Microsoft), StockX, Veo, Jump and Fliff. Deepen also serves as an Independent Board Director at 24 Hour Fitness, one of the largest gym corporations in the US. Previously, Deepen was a Partner at Interplay Ventures and started his career as an Associate at UBS Financial Services. He resides in Dubai with his wife and three children.

Rafael Oliveira is the Sr. Director of International and Partnerships at Eight Sleep, the world’s first sleep fitness company. With over a decade of experience leading global marketing and expansion strategies, Rafael specializes in brand building, sports partnerships, and growth marketing. Before joining Eight Sleep, he spent 11 years at Red Bull, where he held multiple marketing roles across different markets, helping scale the brand’s global footprint while retaining local relevance. At Eight Sleep, Rafael now drives the company’s international growth and strategic alliances, combining data, creativity, and performance-driven storytelling to fuel the brand’s mission of optimizing human potential through better sleep.

Samir Ceric is a globally recognised entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, keynote speaker and visionary, working at the intersection of sports, technology and investment. A former elite athlete and football club chairman, his unique background gives him a practical understanding of sports dynamics and a passion for integrating cutting-edge technology. He has been a pioneering figure in the digitalisation of the sports industry, from enhancing fan engagement through blockchain and AI to driving sustainability with climate tech solutions. Ceric’s latest venture is a pioneering investment platform dedicated to acquiring and transforming sports teams in a unique and impact driven way and building new sports franchises globally. He is a chairman of a seventh-generation, values-driven family office embodying a deep commitment to trust, growth, and innovation.

Tareq Qaddumi, known to many as @KicksTQ on Instagram is a Kuwait based entrepreneur and artist whose journey bridges boardrooms and basketball courts, culture and commerce. As CEO of Spetco, he leads one of Kuwait’s pioneering oil and gas service companies, driving innovation and growth across the region’s energy sector. Beyond business, Tareq’s lifelong passion for sneakers, basketball, art, and storytelling led him to found OTB (Out the Box) - a creative agency built on culture-driven marketing and AOTA (All of the Above), a clothing brand that transforms creative expression into wearable identity. From working with global brands like Porsche, Ferrari, Nike, and Hermes to curating art-driven experiences such as Hoop Dreams, Tareq continues to champion creativity that connects communities. His work embodies a belief that culture is the most powerful form of communication - and that thinking outside of the box isn’t just a mantra, but a way of life.

Since 2015, Iris headed the office of GSIC powered by Microsoft, a collaborative initiative between public, private, and academic sectors aimed at fostering innovation in the sports industry. She has built a distinguished professional career focused on promoting entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises from a public-private perspective. She has worked across Latin America, Europe, and APAC, where she led the establishment of the GSIC office in Singapore, with a particular focus on cultural industries, the Spanish economy, and the sports and entertainment sectors.

Raoni Medina is a former England Futsal Captain and an internationally recognized player development and methodology expert. As founder of ModernPlay, he works with UEFA programs, federations, and academies worldwide to modernize youth football through a futsal-integrated approach. Raoni’s evidence-based methodology emphasizes cognitive development, technical mastery, and intelligent play, helping organizations build modern, adaptable player pathways that reflect the evolving demands of the global game.

Currently serving as the Sports Director for Other Sports at Al Ittihad Club (KSA) for the past 2 seasons, he previously spent 6 seasons at SL Benfica (Portugal) also as a Sports Director. He has worked in professional football in Portugal (Vitoria Setubal) and has published 8 books on leadership and sports management, while collaborating with universities for over 20 years. He is particularly interested in areas such as organizational culture and team management. Having worked in more than 10 countries in these fields, his goal is to build strong structures and organization at Al Ittihad to create a lasting legacy.

Steven Kilby is a visionary Co-Founder of SportsLive DMCC, a disruptive Web3 sports technology platform. He is pioneering the modernization of grassroots and federated sport using Blockchain and AI to create a secure, digital sports infrastructure. With nearly two decades as a technology and marketing leader across Europe and the Middle East, Steven’s expertise lies in building scalable strategies that drive growth for startups and global brands. As Managing Partner of Amplify, he delivered award-winning digital campaigns and platforms for clients including Google Chrome, Spotify, Intel, and Amazon. He also championed the use of emerging technology, launching one of the first AR campaigns in MENA. Steven is now fully focused on his mission at SportsLive: to ensure the financial sustainability and integrity of community sport by transforming how it is accessed, managed, and experienced globally. He is committed to scaling platforms that deliver measurable business outcomes and lasting social impact.

Rick Cost is an international leader in high performance sport, known for building integrated performance systems that empower teams and leaders to succeed. He has held senior roles with Olympique Lyonnais, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the Netherlands Olympic Committee, overseeing multidisciplinary departments across sports science, medicine, and analytics. His data-driven approach transforms complex information into actionable insights, bridging innovation with athlete development.

Sungjin began his career with the Korean National Police in 2005, specializing in cybercrime investigations and international cooperation. He participated in major cases including state network hacking incidents and the Sony Entertainment hack. From 2017 to 2022, he was seconded to INTERPOL's Cybercrime Directorate for five years. Since 2022, he has served as a founding member of the I-SOP project, focusing on international cooperation against digital piracy organizations, intelligence analysis, and capacity building for member countries. He is an amateur script writer who won competitions in 2022 and 2024. He enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and yoga after work.

Rohn is a serial entrepreneur with 17+ years of experience spanning startups, venture capital, and innovation. Starting his career as a management consultant at KPMG, he has since built and guided numerous ventures, including merchandising startup Alma Mater, which he successfully exited in 2017. He currently serves as Founder & Managing Director of SportsTechX, the leading market intelligence platform for sports innovation, and as Investment Director at Match Ventures, a prominent European SportsTech VC. Beyond these roles, Rohn is an active industry speaker, mentor to early-stage founders, and lecturer at leading Sports MBA programs.

Tomasz Kowalczyk is an innovation leader at the Polish Football Association, where he heads the PZPN Innovation Hub – the first dedicated sportstech program in Central and Eastern Europe. His work bridges global technology with the realities of football, building partnerships with startups, investors, and international federations to pilot solutions ranging from fan-engagement platforms to VAR infrastructure and immersive media. Before joining the world of football, Tomasz co-founded Rebels Valley, recognized by the Financial Times as one of the region’s leading innovation hubs, and designed large-scale open-innovation initiatives for major corporates including ORLEN, Citi, BNY Mellon, HSBC, and Procter & Gamble.

Sebastian leads strategic partnerships between Microsoft and Fortune 500 organizations. In addition, he is the President of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft, a non-profit organization that helps the sports industry leverage the latest technologies to become a digital and sustainable businesses. The GSIC focuses on reimagining fan experiences and supporting clubs, leagues, and federations in their digital transformation efforts. With 27 years at Microsoft, Sebastian has held numerous leadership and board roles across Latin America, Europe, and worldwide. Industrial Engineer and MBA in Buenos Aires, he has specialized in “digital marketing”, “the business of sports, media and entertainment”, and “product innovation” at Harvard Business School, as well as “business sustainability management” at the University of Cambridge. He participates in advisory boards and is a guest speaker at universities and industry conferences.

Zur is a seasoned expert in sports tech and media, with extensive experience in sports OTT, direct-to-consumer platforms, and fan engagement strategies. Having worked at Pixellot and the Israeli Sports Channel, he’s now focusing on developing immersive and innovative viewing experiences that transform the way audiences engage with sports content on the DAZN platform.

Sher is an award-winning fitness and wellness entrepreneur, best known as the Founder of The Shape Up Women’s Club - Dubai’s largest women-only fitness and lifestyle community with 900+ active members. With over 10+ years of experience across the UAE and UK, she has built three successful fitness businesses and empowered thousands of women worldwide through mindset, movement and community.

With over 30 years of experience in business development, strategy, consumer loyalty, and fan engagement, Rebecca Eliot has become one of the leading voices at the intersection of sport, technology, and innovation. Known for her strategic vision and operational expertise, she has worked with federations, clubs, teams and brands to redefine how the business of sport connects with its most valuable asset - the fan. As a Strategic Advisor to Blocksport, Rebecca is instrumental in expanding the company’s presence and partnerships across the Middle East and Africa, leading business development initiatives focused on digital fan engagement, sports technology, and data-driven commercial models. Now based in Abu Dhabi, Rebecca continues to drive innovation that aligns with the region’s fast-growing sport, media, and tourism sectors. Her mission remains deeply personal - with the introduction of Podium Pursuit, built on the Blocksport Platform, to solve one of sport’s toughest challenges: athlete funding in emerging markets like Africa and the Middle East and to empower the next generation of champions through technology, opportunity, and connection.

With over 20 years of experience in the international travel sector, he is a passionate and visionary leader who drives digital transformation and sustainable growth for businesses and customers. As the Strategic Destination Officer at FTI Touristik, one of the largest tour operators in Europe, he is responsible for developing and implementing innovative and competitive strategies for the Middle East and Africa markets, leveraging his extensive network and expertise in the region. He is also the Co-Founder of Blind Experiences, a unique and profitable business model that offers personalized and surprise travel experiences to customers who want to explore the world in a meaningful and responsible way. He has built an international team of skilled professionals who share his vision and values, and have adopted best-in-class digital processes and user experience to ensure the longevity and resilience of the business. He has been featured in high-profile publications such as Vogue Wedding, Forbes, and Lonely Planet for his entrepreneurial and creative spirit. He is also a proud winner of the European Commission EUvsVirus Hackathon and the Swiss lead VersusVirus Hackathon for his project Art Hub Live, which connects artists and audiences in a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramzi Farah is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Razor Capital, a venture firm built on the belief that bold ideas and resilient founders can emerge from anywhere. With roots in investment banking and private equity, Ramzi blends global experience with a deep commitment to building up local ecosystems. He sits on the boards of the AUB Innovation Park and several startups, offering support that goes beyond capital. Ramzi holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and the American University of Beirut, but credits some of his best thinking to early morning runs, long bike rides, and hikes through the mountains.

David Wurth is the Founder & CEO of PLYR Technologies, a sports technology company transforming global fan engagement through real-time and actionable player-driven alerts. Under his leadership, PLYR has developed a scalable platform—available both as a consumer app and a licensable API/SDK—that seamlessly connects fans to live sports, betting, and commerce with a single click. Positioned as the “Mobile RedZone for All Sports,” PLYR is pioneering a new category of fan engagement that drives measurable increases in viewership / tune-in, data, transactions, and loyalty. David is also the Founder of C-Suite Media, Inc., a leading business media brand highlighting top executives and innovators. With over two decades of entrepreneurial experience in media and technology, he is passionate about building platforms that merge storytelling, data, and user engagement at scale. At PLYR, his mission is simple: help leagues, teams, and partners worldwide unlock new revenue streams by putting players—and fans—at the center. David is based in Los Angeles with a wonderful family and remains philanthropic mostly around supporting underserved youth.

Dr Bailey has spent 25 years as an entrepreneur, executive and financier. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of Juvenescence Ltd a company focused on drugs to modify aging. He is on the board of directors of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals focused on neurology, ADC and degraders, Serina Therapeutics a biotech company with a platform LNP technology and Portage Biotech Inc. an oncology company. He's the cofounder and chairman of Chelsea Avondale an insurance company, and Culminant Reinsurance along with a position on the board of directors of Manx Financial a tier one bank in the UK and the Isle of Man. He is the former director and financier of Medivation, cofounder of Ascent Healthcare solutions and VirnetX an Internet security company. He is the owner of Northstar Sail GP racing team. Dr Bailey has spent 25 years as an entrepreneur, executive and financier. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of Juvenescence Ltd a company focused on drugs to modify aging. He is on the board of directors of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals focused on neurology, ADC and degraders, Serina Therapeutics a biotech company with a platform LNP technology and Portage Biotech Inc. an oncology company. He's the cofounder and chairman of Chelsea Avondale an insurance company, and Culminant Reinsurance along with a position on the board of directors of Manx Financial Group a tier one bank in the UK and the Isle of Man. He is the former director and financier of Medivation Inc. (MDVN: NASDAQ) and cofounder of Ascent Healthcare solutions, for VirnetX Inc. Internet security company. He is the owner of Northstar Sail GP racing team.

Ahmed Sam is the Founder and Head Coach of LFG Dubai, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing fitness communities and coaching platforms. Known for transforming everyday individuals into athletes, Ahmed specializes in building high-performance programs powered by sports-tech, community accountability, and data. His journey began with a personal passion for training, which he has grown into a thriving movement with over 800 curated community members, 100+ weekly run club attendees, and multiple large-scale FitSocial events attracting more than 550 participants. Under Ahmed’s leadership, LFG has partnered with global brand PUMA and trained over 66 athletes toward their first HYROX competition. His work has been featured in Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Sport Gulf Magazine, Campaign Middle East, TGFM, and Pulse95 Radio. Ahmed continues to inspire the region through coaching, content, and community experiences designed to help young people go from zero to breakthrough—both in fitness and in life.

Pietro A. is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in innovation, events, and creative entrepreneurship. He has built and led multiple ventures, achieving one successful exit, one international scale-up, and is now launching a new high-tech FemTech project. He is the Founder and CEO of Penguinpass Sport based in Italy, a SaaS platform that redefines VIP welcoming and hospitality through AI, IoT, and predictive data analytics.Under his leadership, Penguinpass has served as the official event management app for Casa Azzurri (FIGC) during the UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024, managed VIP access for the ICC T20 World Cup (2020–2023), and oversees guest experiences for Snaitech Racecourses in Milan and hospitality for Juventus FC. He is also the Founder of YUSH based in UAE, a HealthTech and FemTech startup merging neuroscience, smart materials, and Italian design to enhance women’s wellbeing, now expanding into sports recovery with NMES-based after-training technology.

Kenny Oktavius (Co-Founder & CEO of PointFit Technology) Kenny was born & raised in Indonesia and in 2015, moved to Hong Kong to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at HKUST and currently a HKSAR Doctorate Fellowship recipient in Advanced Materials. Driven by his passion in building an impactful product, he is bringing his research and co- founding PointFit Tech which has received prestigious recognitions like Forbes Asia Top 100 To Watch Listers 2022, CES Innovation Awards 2026 and backing from HKUST, ASICS, Top National Sports Teams and recently, he himself was listed of 2023 Forbes Asia 30U30 Honourees.

Peggy comes with a wealth of expertise and experience in the sports industry having worked in the public sector for more than 10 years. Her key focus areas are in sports management, events management, leadership & organization development, athlete management and use of sports technology for industry transformation. In her current role as Regional Lead (APAC) with Global Sports Innovation Centre (GSIC) powered by Microsoft, Peggy is primarily responsible for overseeing strategy, partnerships, stakeholder engagement and business development for APAC region. GSIC connects a global ecosystem of 1500+ sports entities and startups and with 15,000+ industry contacts from 70+ different countries, thereby building the bridges among the main 3 markets of EMEA, AMERICAS and APAC. GSIC has offices in Madrid, Valencia and Singapore.

Tapio Rosenius is a designer, entrepreneur, and pioneer in responsive lighting and real-time media architecture. With more than 25 years of experience working at the intersection of design, technology, and human behavior, he is the Founder and CEO of Skandal Technologies, creators of Poet Software, a control platform that brings intelligent, data-driven communication to stadiums and large venues. Tapio’s work explores how light, digital media, sensing, and AI can shape human experience in physical space. He has led groundbreaking projects across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States, collaborating with global brands and cultural institutions. His innovations in biomimetic lighting and ambient communication have earned international recognition, including the AV Awards “Control & Management Technology of the Year,” the Media Architecture Biennale Award, and more. A frequent lecturer and critic at leading design schools worldwide, Tapio continues to push the boundaries of how technology can create more intelligent, emotional, and responsive environments.

Andreas is a Fintech, Digital and Blockchain professional with over 27 years’ experience. Worked and consulted in several multinationals like Vodafone, Siemens and Saudi Telecom Company. Has been successfully running MWAN for the last 13 years with notable clients like UAE Telecoms Regulator, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Del Monte Arabia, Vodafone and STC to name a few and is also a UK FCA Regulated company with a cross border Mobile Payments solution called Magic Payments. Additionally, over the last 7 years has developed a Blockchain Enterprise Infrastructure Enabler solution on top of the decentralised Blockchain protocols delivering real Blockchain technology and solutions enabling NFT Marketplaces, Physical Commodities, Trade finance, Supply chain, Legal Contracts, Health Authorities, Metal Certification and Music Industry payments. He is a strong advocate gaining practical knowledge in the Blockchain space and is a respected speaker at several industry events and workshops on Fintech and Blockchain technology.

Toli Makris is a sports entrepreneur and co-founder of Urbanball, the global street-football brand he built alongside world champion Sean Garnier to elevate underground talent into a professional ecosystem. With a background rooted in combat sports, football, and large-scale event production, Toli has spent over a decade building sports IPs and turning grassroots communities into commercially scalable leagues. He is the founder of EX Sports, a Web3-driven fan-engagement and tokenized gaming company. Under his leadership, EX Sports has evolved from a niche idea into a multi-vertical platform spanning mobile gaming, athlete tokenization, prediction gaming, and global sport-tainment experiences. Toli’s focus has always been simple: merge real-world sports culture with digital ownership and scalable tech. Now based in the UAE, he operates across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Tokyo, and the US—developing global sports ecosystems that fuse physical venues, gaming, and blockchain into one unified model.

Sean Garnier is a two-time freestyle football world champion and one of the most influential creators in global street football, with over 25 million followers across platforms. As co-founder of Urbanball, Sean has played a central role in transforming street football culture into a structured, competitive, and globally-recognised IP. His work focuses on talent discovery, community building, and elevating undiscovered players into professional opportunities.

While Stephan Muller is half Dutch, half Indian, he has spent the last 20 years in Dubai, and calls it home. He grew up playing competitive sports, starting with tennis and football at a young age. He excelled at tennis and ended up playing Division 1 college tennis in the US followed by a few professional tournaments. His love for sport and marketing led him to work for one of the biggest brands in the world: Nike. He spent 6 years focused on all things marketing related: campaigns, activations, content, influencers, and the list goes on. After Nike, Stephan became the head of events at Porsche Middle East, an HQ for 27 countries in our region. More recently, Stephan started a marketing agency called Uncommon, focused on helping sport, health and wellness brands scale in the Middle East. Today, Stephan has become the Marketing Director for WHOOP, leading the charge in the region to help the brand grow and fulfill its full potential.

Laura Fontaine is a wellness leader and Regional Director of Longevity Wellness Hub across Dubai and Saudi Arabia. With a background in yoga, breathwork, hypnosis , and quantum analysis, she blends science and spirituality to help people age well and live better. Known for her precision, intuition, and transformative presence, Laura guides individuals and communities into deeper alignment of mind, body, and energy.

As the CEO of Cypex Group, he lead one of the leading companies in the sports, fitness, and wellness fields. With over 5 years of experience in this role, he has successfully implemented marketing strategies, analyzed trends and results, and established regional sales objectives. he has also developed annual sales quotas for regions and territories, projected expected sales volume and profit for existing and new products, and managed corporate sales teams. Prior to joining Cypex Group, he was the General Manager at Faris Group, a special contracting company focusing on sports facility construction and sports equipment supply and installation. He has a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from Yarmouk University and a SCMP certification from Lead Academy. He's passionate about creating innovative solutions for the sports industry and driving growth and revenue for his organization.

Saad Khan, Founder and CEO of GameCentric and Gamers Hub Media Events (GHME), is a visionary leader shaping the MENA gaming landscape. With over two decades of experience working with global brands like Intel, HP, Dell, Samsung, and Apple, he brings deep expertise in brand strategy, consumer engagement, and regional market growth. Formerly Head of Corporate and Retail at Redington Gulf for 13 years, Saad helped the company establish a strong foothold in the MENA region. Driven by innovation, he later founded GameCentric, an inclusive gaming platform uniting players across all skill levels and evolving into a Web3-powered ecosystem enhanced by blockchain and AI. His first venture, GHME, continues to deliver large-scale gaming festivals, tournaments, and content IPs, connecting brands, publishers, and gamers. An avid traveler and sports enthusiast, Saad holds an MBA from Cardiff Business School, UK.

Katie Overy began her UAE sports journey in 2008 with DUPLAYS, a community sports hub in Dubai. She soon moved into radio covering the Dubai Rugby Sevens and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for Dubai Eye 103.8. Since then, Katie has hosted major sporting events including the Dubai Run & Ride, the World Padel Tour Abu Dhabi Master, Mai Dubai City Half Marathon, and Nike’s We Run DXB. As a presenter on Dubai One TV, she has interviewed stars such as Carlos Sainz Jnr, Aryna Sabalenka, Luka Dončić and Adam Gilchrist, and most recently worked with the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix hosting Mika Häkkinen, Zak Brown, Bianca Bustamante and Wasim Akram. A keen padel player, lifelong Liverpool supporter, and passionate Formula 1 enthusiast, Katie brings her energy and love for sport into every role.

Zalfa Farah heads the Research and Conceptualisation Department at GMOLx, where she develops research-led event concepts for government clients across the UAE. With a background in Communication Science, she previously worked in Amsterdam on events and industry programmes, improving each edition through audience insight and strategic planning while helping shape the next wave of event professionals through conferences and courses. She approaches conversations with the same mix of clarity, curiosity, and straight-forward thinking that defines her work.

Dr Adam Thomas obtained a PhD in Human Genetics from Swansea University, graduating with first-class honours at undergraduate level before advancing into research in the field of Human Genetics. He has since worked within leading institutions across the UK and Europe, honing expertise in the genetic and molecular mechanisms that shape human health and performance. His research has been published in field-leading journals and presented at international conferences, alongside public platforms such as TEDx, where he has shared his vision for how genetics can be harnessed to improve lives. Recognised for both scientific rigour and innovative thinking, Dr Thomas has established himself at the forefront of applied circadian biology. Motivated by the opportunity to bridge cutting-edge genetics with real-world impact, he founded Genletics to pioneer precision circadian rhythm testing. Under his leadership, the company is redefining how performance and health can be optimised through science-led personalisation.

Shahrukh Sohail is a sports business consultant with extensive experience in commercial strategy, digital transformation, and ecosystem development across the Middle East, the UK, and South Asia. He has led strategic projects spanning federations, leagues, clubs, and high-performance environments, combining deep industry insight with a technology-driven approach. Shahrukh holds a Master’s in Sports Management from the University of East London and has delivered talks at leading international sports conferences as well as being published in multiple international publications. His work focuses on helping sports organisations scale sustainably, build modern commercial and digital capabilities, and unlock long-term value within rapidly evolving sports markets.

Hind Nezzaghy is a People Growth and Sports Innovation Leader whose career began in the corporate world, holding senior roles with flagship organisations including Unilever, HP, PwC, Barclays and Takeda. For more than a decade, she drove people development, organisational growth, and transformation programs across EMEA before transitioning into the sports sector driven by her passion for youth development and community impact. In sport, she has delivered major events such as the FIFA Club World Cup, UAE Pro League seasons, the Liwa Desert Festival, and the 700-school ADSC/ADEK Championship. At Al Jazira Sports and Cultural Club, she became one of the first Arabic women to lead business sports operations in the UAE, introducing modern sport-tech tools and collaborating with City Football Group to elevate the academy toward Manchester City’s professional model. Today she co-leads the MENA Champ League, a creator-led sportainment venture built in MENA, for MENA by MENA people. Hind holds a Master’s degree in Finance and is an alumna of the Women’s Sports Directorship Program.

Karen Mattar is a mind body coach who helps women transform their relationship with food, fitness, and discipline through a blend of mindset work, nervous system regulation, and structured habit change. She is the creator of the Neuro Body Rewire Method, a coaching approach designed to help women break emotional patterns, rebuild consistency, and achieve lasting physical transformation. Karen is known for her direct style and her ability to turn complex mindset and behavior principles into simple, practical steps that women can apply immediately. Her work focuses on self respect, structure, and identity shifts that create meaningful and sustainable change.

For almost 10 years, Vadim has been creating technology products - from CRM systems to fintech platforms - and working across European and Middle Eastern markets. Today, he leads the development of EasySports, a platform where technology makes sport more accessible.

Mark Guildea is a leading practitioner in wearable technology, behavioural data and population-level physical activity programmes across the UAE. As Managing Director of Interact, he oversees government-backed initiatives that use real-time movement data, accelerometry and evidence-based insights to improve wellbeing across schools, workplaces and community sport. He leads the region’s largest deployment of school-based wearable technology, capturing MVPA and engagement data for thousands of students and turning these insights into curriculum and environment changes that drive long-term health outcomes. Previously a national leader in Physical & Health Education with the UAE Ministry of Education, Mark’s career spans elite football coaching, health innovation and large-scale programme delivery. He now oversees the UAE’s first population-representative movement dataset for schools, giving policymakers and educators a unified, evidence-based understanding of how active children really are and where the biggest opportunities for improvement lie.

Former CMO at Bioniq and Head of Digital Marketing at OZON, Alexey specializes in data-driven growth and international marketing across Health, Sport and Tech. At EasySports, he leads ecosystem expansion and digital transformation initiatives for multisport participation.