InspiredMinds is a team of tech strategists, researchers, scientists and academics brought together with a congruent goal of uniting emerging tech that improves and benefits the world that we live in. (Although we all quite fancy Mars as a destination).

We have a proven track record of providing high-growth and disruptive markets with technological strategic direction. We bring together the stakeholders in emerging markets and provide the platforms for debate between investors, startups and talent, and support the formation of policy, frameworks and unilateral goals when dealing with exponential sectors.

Our team are impressive and span a wealth of knowledge. Our board of influencers are stellar.

We don’t believe in following the herd. We believe in taking the lead and staying there.

Commercially astute and operational CFO with the ability to establish robust relationships across the business and lead a finance team to growth.

Kate is challenging where necessary with extensive experience in business review and reporting, running day to day accounting, financial control, process and management. Hands on experience across various media sectors, hospitality and the recruitment industry in both PLC, Private Equity and private owned environments as well as of working with UK, European and Global entities.

Involvement working on business integration and business launch projects.

15 years’ experience of producing high quality events of all sizes with a strong background in topic generation, validation research, production, copy writing and overall campaign management. Most recently managed a portfolio of large scale procurement conferences, launching events as well as executing growth plans. Have experience of working in a number of sectors including: Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Marketing, Data Strategy, Legal, Procurement, IT, Fashion, Renewable Energy, IP and Oil & Gas within the geographical regions of Europe, Middle East, Asia and the US.

Chris Broad has participated in the meteoric rise of technology giant Apple in three decades of captivating work since studying electronics in Southampton. He has risen to Director of Sales Contracting at Apple in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) over a career that has combined a technological background with international business training to promote some of the most famous products of all time.

He urges staff and students to immerse themselves in the business world as they channel their talents, and is looking forward to having some fun supporting new high-tech ventures as a Future Worlds mentor.

Chris grew up in Wokingham, Berkshire, and was drawn to what he judged as the best electronic engineering department in the country when he approached his studies at the University of Southampton. He gained industrial experience with the Racal technology firm before starting his career path in an engineering training scheme at Mars Electronics.

“A big changing point in my career was the realisation I didn’t want to just be an engineer at a lab bench,” he says. “I wanted to take engineering into the wider industrial context.”

Amir Banifatemi is a thought leader, entrepreneur, and investor. He currently leads the global AI XPRIZE while managing two venture funds in US and Europe. He has more than 25 years of experience in development and growth of emerging and transformative technologies and focuses on working with growth-oriented companies on products and initiatives that could trigger significant breakthrough with strong economic and societal impact.

Mr. Banifatemi began his career at the European Space Agency and then held executive positions at Airbus, AP-HP and the European Commission division for information society and media. He contributed to the formation of more than 10 startups with emphasis on Predictive Technologies, IoT, and Healthcare. Mr. Banifatemi is a guest lecturer and an adjunct MBA professor at UC Berkeley, Chapman University, Claremont McKenna College, UC Irvine, and HEC Paris.

He holds Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Technology of Compiègne and an MBA from HEC Paris.

Phil can rightly claim to be a hot-shot lawyer, having been a member of a team that won the national clay pigeon shooting championships

Phil’s main practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, acting for private equity and venture capital backed businesses, acting for management teams on private equity transactions, working with entrepreneurs and start-ups and companies looking scale up. His work ranges from seed and growth capital fundraisings through to IPO or exit.

He has extensive experience of acting for Management teams in PE or VC backed businesses with MBOs, MBIs and supporting their growth through acquisition in a wide range of sectors.

He has also developed an active practice acting for AIM listed clients in relation to IPOs, placings and reverse takeovers.

Paul Thandi is the CEO of the NEC Group, one of the World’s top venue management companies

In addition to operating world class venues the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Resorts World Arena (formerly the Genting Arena) and the Vox Conference Centre (situated within Resorts World Birmingham) in Solihull, the Group also operates the International Convention Centre (ICC) and Arena Birmingham (formerly the Barclaycard Arena) in Birmingham city centre. It also manages a range of support services – a national ticketing agency, The Ticket Factory; hospitality brand, Amplify; and award winning caterer, Amadeus.