Akram Benmbarek, a technology executive and inventor, has an impressive background in building and leading innovative businesses from ideation to mass adoption in both Silicon Valley and the MEA region. He has launched one of the world's first influence marketing startups and pioneered Lidar solutions for smart cities and smart spaces applications, taking it globally. He is a co-founder of Elbotola.com, the MENA leader in sports news and sports engagement, and YouCan, one of Africa's future unicorns with massive social impact potential. Benmbarek holds an MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and a master's degree in economics from San Jose State University. He's worked in various roles, including VP of Industrial Markets & Strategic Initiatives at AEye, Inc., Senior Director of Business Development at Quanergy, and President & CEO at Social IQ. He is a former Senior Vice President of the Private Equity Group at Advanced Equities and Vice President of Investments at UBS. He was also a co-founder of TechWadi.org and a Financial Associate at Merrill Lynch. Benmbarek is passionate about building and leading innovative businesses, and his expertise lies in technology, product development, strategy, and investing.