MEET OUR MENTORS
General Mentors
Katarina Pavlovic
Business advisor – Kanaka Consulting
Dr Katarina Pavlovic is an experienced consultant, academic, and mentor with over 20 years of expertise spanning industry, academia, and business development. She bridges diverse fields, from AI to biotechnology, supporting startups globally and fostering innovation. As an Associate Professor, she believes in continuous learning and power of collaboration, empowering teams to adopt growth mindset and business sustainability aspects.
My areas of expertise Strategy, idea validation, business model development, pitch preparation, access to finance
What is your superpower?
My superpower is connecting diverse industries, people and ideas into actionable strategies. With visionary thinking and empathetic mentoring, I empower individuals and teams to achieve their potential. Bridging academia, business, and innovation, I thrive on creating impactful, real-world solutions
My Favorite Quote“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevel
Pedro Gensini
Project Manager at Helsinki Incubator – University of Helsinki
I am a project manager and entrepreneurship expert with knowledge and skills in business development, product/service development, monitoring & evaluation, agile project management, and social entrepreneurship. I have great expertise in liaising with private, public, and non-profit organizations to achieve positive impact and common goals. I have over a decade of experience in dynamic cross-cultural work environments. Finally, I can conduct business in English and Spanish.
My areas of expertise include ideation, problem formulation, business model, M&E and impact assessment, client/user identification, project management, agile methodologies, storytelling and pitching, networking strategies, and product/service development.
What is your superpower?
My superpower consists of being able to influence the mood of the people around me positively and spreading a good attitude, joy, positivity, and a can-do attitude to people.
My Favorite Quote The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you – Neil deGrasse Tyso
María Cano
Impact Entrepreneurship specialist – Canussa Lab
After 18 years of experience in senior management positions in several countries within the Automotive, IT, and Electronics Industries, I felt I wanted to create a project with a positive impact that could add value to society. In 2017, I made the sustainable brand Canussa. In 2023, I launched Canussa Lab to transform waste into designer products. On top of being an entrepreneur, I love supporting other entrepreneurs.
My areas of expertise include Impact Entrepreneurship, Circular Economy, Sustainable Fashion, and International Trade Marketing.
What is your superpower?
I share my experience and knowledge with other entrepreneurs who want to find solutions that contribute to a better world.
My Favorite Quote buy less, choose well, make it last
Salvatore Bruno
Imaginative Motivator – Praesta
Speech is the primary technology of leadership. This is what I observed after more than twenty years of international experience in leading digital companies.
Knowing how to find the right word to clarify decisions, set a collective direction, and motivate teams at every level of hierarchy is central to the art of governance.
Listening and exchanging are tools that I use to support leaders, helping them to put their actions into perspective and mobilise the energy of their teams
My areas of expertise Executive Coaching, cross-Cultural Intelligence, Digital Marketing and Communication
What is your superpower?
Active presence and power listening
My Favorite Quote Everything seems impossible untill is done. Nelson Mandela
Carmen Aviles
Business growth mentor – Madrid Polytechnical University TreeNnova
Senior Lecturer at the University. Business Organization.
ETSI of Montes, Forestry and the Natural Environment. Polytechnic University of Madrid.
#UDOE Coordinator
Co-founder @treennova
My areas of expertise forest bioeconomy, impact innovation, sustainable entrepreneuship, Spin-off creation
What is your superpower?
Intraentrepreneur in public university promoting innovation and forest Bioeconomy entrepreneurs
My Favorite Quote Stop and think, then act
Patrick Perrodo
CEO Creactivitum
General manager at Creactivitum, we help to improve startups and projects around the world.
Vice President Aempymes connecting businesses to help them grow.
My areas of expertise Expertise in sustainability and advanced technologies
What is your superpower?
Understanding the best ways to improve projects
My Favorite Quote The highest achievement is to inspire others
Paolo Franceschini
Business growth mentor . Idea-re
I am a senior consultant with over 20 years expertise in innovation and technology transfer projects, supporting SMEs, Large enterprises, Startup and Government organisations.I supported startups and even European projects as mentor under several programs: Digital Magics, Talent Garden, Lean Startup Summit Ambassador, DISRUPTORS.ai, Blue invest coach, EASME, Skydeck, Horizon Results Booster, EWEMA. I have an excellent command on lean startup techniques and public grants writing. |
My areas of expertise Business modeling, market analysis, business design, grant writing
What is your superpower?
Support startups in characterising business projects
My Favorite Quote Ad astera per aspera
Stephanie Checo
Growth Manager – Fundación Acavall
Visionary leader with the determination to challenge the status quo and drive lasting social impact by fostering communities. Skilled in identifying innovation opportunities and designing solutions that promote collaboration, inclusion, and diversity in business models. Experienced across nonprofits, startups, accelerators, government, and corporations, integrating the best of these worlds to advance impact-driven entrepreneurship and foster positive transformation.
My areas of expertise Impact Driven Entrenprenurship, Digital Marketing and Communication
What is your superpower?
Connecting people and weaving initiatives together to amplify impact.
My Favorite Quote “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – Proverbio africano
Miguel Arato
Business innovation specialist . Eurofins
Strategic disruptive innovation and sustainable business models. Over the past 12 years, my focus has been collaborating with European and international SMEs as well as startups to create B2B and B2C solutions. My academic formation include a doctoral degree (specialization on sustainable business modes) from Ghent University (BE), an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management – Arizona State University, B.Sc Industrial Engineering, and different professional certificates.
My areas of expertise Sustainable Business models, Corporate Strategy, Business innovation and development, Environmental and Sustainable Governance, Market Research, Project Management, SMEs, and Innovation & Valorisation.
What is your superpower?
People with great ideas; and finding relevant resources to create solutions for a sustainable future.
My Favorite Quote We are entrusted with the beautiful capacity to materialize ideas into actions..
Mohamed Abdelmomen
Technical Investment Advisor – ArtuCapital
Enthustiastic Tech Investor with experience in investment, engineering, and management. Having experience in various industries with wide technical knowledge, with experience in helping various businesses in growing in the right way.
My areas of expertise Technical Due Diligence, Technical Team Management, Technical Investment Advisory.
What is your superpower?
Technical Investment Advisory, Technical Consulting, Engineering Management, and Project Management
My Favorite Quote Life is onerous incessant skirmish, so endure till the optimum felicity.
Vehap Kola
CEO & Founder Startuppism
I am an experienced startup mentor, guiding teams across Turkey, Albania, and Italy. With expertise in edutech, healthtech, mobility, marketing, fintech, and labortech, he empowers entrepreneurs to refine strategies, scale innovations, and tackle grand challenges. As a scholar in management and organization studies, he blends academic insight with hands-on mentorship, fostering impactful ventures and sustainable growth in diverse markets.
My areas of expertise Strategic Planning, Business Modelling, Value Proposition Canvassing
What is your superpower?
My ability to immerse in challenges and see the world through the eyes of entrepreneurs..
My Favorite Quote
Nadia Kharbouche Espinosa
International Senior Consultant – Strategy and Risk Advisory
I am a dynamic and results-driven project & relationship manager with over 25 years of expertise in risk management and intelligence, business development, and strategic advisory. I have proven ability to foster relationships with internal and external, private and public stakeholders across Continental Europe, Latin America and North Africa, promoting sustainable portfolios and identifying cross-selling opportunities.
My areas of expertise Business Management. Soft skills: confidence, public speaking, networking, etc.
What is your superpower?
Polyglot: Spanish, French, Italian, English, Arabic.
My Favorite Quote
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.
Especialist Mentors
Evelio Jimeno Ruiz
Public Financing Consultant- Partner at InnCome
Evelio Jimeno Ruiz is an Expert in R&D funding programs such as Horizon Europe and the Spanish Next Generation.
Evelio graduated in Industrial Engineering in 2006 with a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Project Management and has studied part of his studies in Ireland. He then worked as an engineer before moving into sales and consulting. In 2016, he founded EJ Innovation, a consultancy firm that helps startups and deep tech companies secure funding from European and Spanish grants.
My areas of expertise include Public Funding, Startups, Strategy, Business Models, Horizon Europe, and the European Innovation Council.
What is your superpower?
Raise public funds for Deep Tech Startups in Europe and Spain.
My Favorite Quote “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”
Juanjo Amate
Circular Tranformation Agent – Sostenibilidad a Medida
Environmental Sciences degree from the University of Almería and more than 25 years of professional experience, as well as a Degree in Sociology from the UNED. I work developing
out sustainability strategies for many companies, differents local government entities and also for
organizations dedicated to international development cooperation.
I lead my own company since 2012, Sostenibilidad a Medida, a BCorp specializing in the development of strategies and initiatives for sustainability
My areas of expertise Circular Economy, Sustainable Economy, Climate Change
What is your superpower?
Passionate about sustainability and committed to contributing to the transition towards circular and sustainable models
My Favorite Quote
Begüm Önal
Founder & Consultant at B-NL Academy & Consultancy
Dr. Begüm Önal is a Food Engineer with a doctoral degree at Università degli Studi di Salerno, Italy. Founder Consultant of B-NL Academy & Consultancy. She has +9 years experiences in project management with experiences in the fields of food science and technology, sustainable business management.
My areas of expertise Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Circular Economy Business Models, Agri-Food Quality, Safety, Authenticity and Legality Management, Sustainable Production and Consumption, ESG and Sustainability, Green Transition in Rural Areas, From farm-to-fork solutions and climate change solutions, pitch improvement and development, storytelling and communication skills
What is your superpower?
Maintaining my composition when faced with difficulties, under pressure. As a very detail-oriented and perfectionist, I prefer to look at the big picture first, I Giving up for my goals and projects is not for me. If that way does not work, I try to find and create other paths.
My Favorite Quote
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” – NELSON MANDELA
Peik Stenlund
Serial Entrepreneur . Circular Carbon
I am a passionate impact entrepreneur. Im a trained lawyer and business professional. I have founded 5 startups primarily in the agribusiness, climate tech and renewable energy industries. I find it meaningful to empower others to create new interesting business ideas that can deliver a contribution to a fair society. Most of all I fascinated about circular econonimcal business ideas that provides synergies to many stakeholders.
My areas of expertise Cleantech, circular economy, business model innovation, growth finance
What is your superpower?
My super power is that I have compassion and Í care about equal opportunity and a fair society. I have a passion for impactful ideas and sharing ideas with other likeminded people increases our joint superpowers. I love to work in teams and bring the best out of my team mates.
My Favorite Quote Less is More
Leonardo Casado
Intellectual Property Consultant and Innovation Specialist
Leonardo Casado counts on more than 11 years of experience in innovation management and technology transfer. He is expert in exploitation of results and coinventor of 2 patents. He was evaluator for the European Commission and nowadays, he is IP Consultant at ClarkeModet. He supports companies, research centres and universities in the protection of their intangible assets during each step of the whole innovation cycle process: From the idea to the market.
My areas of expertise Protection and exploitation of intangible assets during each step of the whole innovation cycle process: From the idea to the market.
What is your superpower? I am passionate about making the most of collaborations in open innovation environments.
My Favorite Quote A day without laughter is a day lost (Charles Chaplin)
Adrian Palancar
Partnership and Strategic Alliances Iberia
4 years of professional experience in the R&D&I sector, carrying out project planning and collaborating with clusters and associations with the aim of improving the competitiveness of all consortium partners. With experience in different financial departments of companies such as Abbott or Renfe. Business Administration and Management at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and expert in Digital Business.
My areas of expertise R&D, Tax Leasing
What is your superpower?
I am passionate about connecting with people, serving, listening, supporting, and empathizing from any area of life.
My Favorite Quote Actitú
Andriana Mata
CEO of Agile Impacts.
I am a Production Engineer and MBA with over 15 years of experience in sustainability and projects for corporations, companies, and NGOs. Passionate about solving global challenges, I’ve trained in Product Management, Data Analytics, Software Development, and Impact. As a co-founder of software companies, I’ve developed tools to measure impact accessibly, earning recognition as a High-Impact Entrepreneur by the IDB and a Cartier Women Initiative Fellow in 2020.
My areas of expertise Impact Assessment.
What is your superpower?
I help founders of socially or environmentally driven companies turn their impact into a sustainable source of income and attract investors without expensive measurements or losing focus on their business.
My Favorite Quote “What the heart truly desires, the mind ends up showing it” Mario Alonso Puig
Fernando Rios
People Entrenpreneur
Industrial Engineer with an MBA, a postgraduate degree in “Personal Branding” from Ramon Llull University (Barcelona, Spain), and certifications in “Taking Marketing Digital” from Harvard Business School, “Personal Branding Plan” by Soy Mi Marca (Spain), and “Gamification” from the University of Pennsylvania (USA). Professor of Entrepreneurship and coordinator of the incubator at UNIMET, co-founder of Proyecto Apasionados, Director of the Caracas chapter of Startup Grind
My areas of expertise Personal Branding, Pitch, entrepreneurship
What is your superpower?
I help people find their value proposition, make the personal purpose entrepreneurship fit and help them communicate it clearly and emotional.
My Favorite Quote “Life is not what one lived, but what one remembers and how one remembers it in order to recount it.” Gabriel García Márquez