United States

Andrii Nikulin

Founder/ Lead engineer and Engineering Consultant, SMART-MECHTECH and Le&Co

Andrii Nikulin is the founder and lead engineer of SMART-MECHTECH LLC, a U.S.-based firm providing automation and AI-driven technologies to manufacturers nationwide.

His company specializes in engineering audits, modernizing mechanical systems, and integrating smart technologies to improve efficiency and cut costs. Previously, Andrii was Chief Mechanical Engineer at LE&CO Sausage Factory in the Czech Republic, where he automated a major production complex with robotics, quality control, and predictive maintenance—boosting capacity, reducing costs, and enabling EU expansion.

With over 11 years of experience, he has led cross-functional teams and projects across multiple countries with consistent success. A Senior Member of IEEE and Member of IET (UK), he also serves as an awards juror and publishes research on intelligent control systems, hybrid AI models, and industrial energy optimization.

United States

Vasily Petrenko

CEO & Co-Founder, Another World VR Corporation

Vasily Petrenko is the CEO and co-founder of Another World VR Corp, a global leader in free-roam virtual reality experiences for location-based entertainment centers worldwide.

With a background in Cytology and Genetics from Novosibirsk State University, Vasily transitioned early into tech and entertainment, co-founding ventures that combine science, innovation, and storytelling. His journey began in 2014 with Time Quest Lab, supporting escape rooms, theme parks, and interactive exhibitions. As CFO, he managed forecasting, marketing, and growth, and at Another World, he has led expansion, rebranding, and capital raising while redefining how users engage with technology in physical spaces.

His expertise in strategy, investment, sales, and product–market fit, particularly within emerging tech sectors, gives him a sharp perspective for evaluating startups shaping the future.

United States

Mahesh Vankayala

Principle Software Engineer, Oracle America Inc

Mahesh Vankayala is a seasoned software engineer with nearly a decade of experience in developing robust web applications and cloud technologies. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to innovative problem-solving and delivering high-quality solutions across diverse sectors, including healthcare, finance, and retail.

Mahesh has held pivotal positions such as Principal Software Engineer at Oracle and Principal Software Consultant at Ascension Hospitals and Optum Services. In these roles, he has led code reviews, developed proofs of concept, and resolved complex technical roadblocks, ensuring the seamless delivery of scalable and reliable software solutions. His expertise lies in deploying and managing services on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and designing API specifications that drive performance and efficiency.

United States

Irina Golmgrein

Founder & CEO and Vice President, ExpertizeMe International LLC & IMPACT Capital Global

Irina Golmgrein is the Chief Executive Officer of ExpertizeMe International LLC, and the Vice President to IMPACT Capital Global.

She is a media manager with over 18 years of experience, an expert in vertical video content, and the founder of eight companies. A regular international speaker and author since 2009, she wrote Million Views: How to Increase the Reach of Short Videos, named among the top 50 business books by Book24. Formerly Product Director at 1MI media holding, she specialized in media cybersecurity, digitalization, and analytics, and also initiated a legislative proposal on AI-generated works.

She is also a member of the Presidium of the “Exclusive Closed Business Club” (USA), Co-chair of the AI cluster within the RAEC association, and head of its AI working group. She has also served as an expert at the “Digital Breakthrough” hackathon, a jury member for international awards, and an executive producer of major projects. In 2022, she was named among the Top 30 digital experts.