A serial entrepreneur, Praveen has been involved with and influential in the founding of five successful startups, most notably serving as CEO of Pipal Systems and president of ChargePoint. He is currently an MIT Connection Science Fellow.

Praveen has held senior R&D executive positions at Riverstone Networks, Lucent Technologies, and SGI. He is a seasoned technology and operating executive whose teams have developed industry-recognized, market-leading technologies and solutions in telecom, clean-tech and high-performance computer industries. Examples of projects directly impacted by his teams include using supercomputers to generate black hole simulations and violent weather forecasts, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure, and DSL broadband access.

He is named co-inventor on 10 patents and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University.

Praveen is passionate about partnering with other inspirational entrepreneurs to inspire and support their work, especially in the fields of AI and blockchain technologies, in a concentrated effort to transform and impact many industries. He also serves as an active board member and advisor to 7 startups and 2 universities.

Mike Stephens is a leading information technology law partner in the Vancouver office of Fasken (formerly Fasken Martineau LLP). A recognized leader in the British Columbia technology ecosystem, Mike represents companies in all stages of their development, with a particular focus on early-stage entrepreneurs, start-ups, and emerging growth companies.

An experienced M&A and securities lawyer, Mike counsels emerging growth companies from their foundation all the way to IPO or an exit event. Mike also advises founders, executives, and company boards on corporate issues, business strategy, fundraising and board governance, and strategic transactions.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a partner and Vancouver office Lead of the Venture Technology/Emerging Growth Companies group of an international law firm.

Thomas Linder has broad experience in advising Swiss and foreign companies in international tax matters. He is particularly specialized in leading inter-disciplinary projects in the context of acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and migrations and has in-depth knowledge of cross-border transactions and tax accounting. At present, he mainly provides assistance to companies in the technology sector, with a focus on blockchain technology and international projects.

Thomas maintains a strong personal national and international network of consultants, enterprises and administrations which, in combination with his comprehensive technical skills, allows him to develop creative, tailor-made, efficient tax-structuring solutions. He regularly publishes and lectures on current tax topics and has the co-authored several textbooks.

In addition to being a member of the Tax Chapter of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, Thomas participates in working groups with regard to the current Swiss Corporate Tax Reform III and, in this context, actively postulates the introduction of R&D incentives in Switzerland.