Home - StartSmart CEE | Icebreaker

Home - StartSmart CEE | Icebreaker

Members

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I have built a distinguished career at the forefront of technology, consistently leveraging emerging technologies to create substantial advantages for companies. My experience includes founding companies, leading development teams, and setting and executing strategic visions. I have held pivotal roles such as Head of Strategy, CTO, Head of Product, Head of Innovation, and Head of Commercial and Sales. As an advisor to Fortune 500 company boards, I have analyzed businesses and crafted strategic and product roadmaps that capitalize on market positions and drive growth through the adoption of innovative technologies. I have successfully led and supported a range of projects, from prototyping and testing new software applications to securing funding and scaling solutions. My work includes the commercialization of projects and spinoffs from prestigious research institutions such as the European Space Agency, DARPA, and Stanford Research Institute. I have advised the boards of some of the biggest companies in the world in Software, Fintech and Automotive industries. My cross sector experience and access has created an invaluable network where I have amazing access and the ability to cross pollinate ideas and tech innovation. In addition to my professional endeavors, I have mentored, advised, and judged numerous high-potential startups and scale-ups through programs like those at MIT, sharing my insights and connections to facilitate their growth. I am passionate about driving innovation and transforming businesses for the digital age.

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A storyteller, go-getter, and globetrotter. In love with innovation, marketing, ice cream, and a good chat over a warm cup of coffee. He has combined his multidisciplinary computer science, marketing, and behavioral science education for over a decade to ideate, launch, and scale innovative ideas. Full bio https://piraiee.com/ He started well-known initiatives such as MIT Enterprise Forum CEE, mAccelerator, mBank's CVC, PwC Startup Collider, PwC's 1st startup accelerator, and ideation of PwC CEE, connecting 27 local chapters of PwC. He acted as a senior manager in different sectors. CEO of ITKeyMedia, Poland's first English media company promoting startups globally - in partnership with Nasdaq GlobeNewswire. CMO of deeptrue, Swiss Consumer Insights platform, Country Manager of thirty3, a Swiss digital product development company. Over a decade of experience as a Blockchain advisor. Director of Startup Grind, the world's largest startup community. Director of Techstars Startup Digest, the biggest community of startup curators. Ambassador at Cambridge Innovation Center. Advisor at Consilience Group, the first decentralized startup market network. Ambassador at Global Startup Awards, the largest independent startup ecosystem competition. Guest lecturer at universities worldwide on topics such as entrepreneurship and many more. Mentor at Singularity University, TechStars, Founder Institue, MIT Enterprise Forum, Get in the Ring, Seedstars, and many more. MC and public speaker at world-known conferences and events across three continents.

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Product | CS | AI "Road to Harvard" Laureate

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🔹 Business Developer | Project & Program Manager | Ecosystem Builder | Startup Coach 📍 Berlin | 🌍 Central & Eastern Europe | 💡 Deep Tech | 🧩 Circular Economy | 🧬 Digital Health I am an impact-driven professional with over a decade of experience in building innovation ecosystems, managing complex startup programs, and scaling ventures across Europe. With a strong academic foundation in Political Science and Business Management (HU Berlin & Wroclaw University), I operate at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and policy. As Program Manager at the Berliner Hochschule für Technik, I design and lead strategic startup initiatives, support deep tech and health ventures, and foster partnerships across academia, government, and industry. Previously, as Head of International Projects at SIBB e.V., I developed cross-border programs between Berlin, Poland, and the wider CEE region, building networks that continue to thrive. Fluent in six languages and active as a startup mentor across Europe, I’m passionate about scaling innovation through collaboration, funding, and ecosystem thinking. I am deeply committed to sustainable development, advocating for innovation and technology as essential tools to protect natural ecosystems, support education, and promote inclusive growth.

Joan Buch Prades

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CEO & Founder at Decoditive | Neuromarketing | AI | UC Berkeley