Shiraz Akmal

Shiraz Akmal is a seasoned entrepreneur, technology innovator, and entertainment industry expert with a strong background in building cutting-edge products and platforms.

As the CEO and Co-founder of SPACES, Shiraz Akmal brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at DreamWorks Animation leading business and product development for DreamLab, with a focus on VR, AR, LBE, mobile, and console games.

Shiraz has a track record of success, having directed popular video game titles like Disney/Pixar's The Incredibles, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, and Scooby-Doo!, as well as pioneering genre-defining products early in his career.

With a computer science background from UC San Diego, Shiraz Akmal has held key positions at notable organizations like THQ, where he served as Vice President of Operations-Product Development and played a pivotal role in establishing THQ China and founding Heavy Iron Studios.

In addition to his substantial industry experience, Shiraz is actively involved in the technology community, having served as a mentor at Boost VC and founded Playwala, a successful publishing network connecting people, games, and commerce.

Shiraz's diverse career spans roles such as President, Programmer, and Designer at various software companies, showcasing his versatility and expertise in technology, management, and entrepreneurship.