YURI CATALDO

Yuri Cataldo, a dynamic entrepreneur and 40 Under 40 business leader, seamlessly merges an artist's heart with a technologist's mind. Currently serving as an AI Research Scientist at Autodesk Research and Founding Partner of Athenian Capital, Yuri brings together elite artistic training from The Juilliard School and Yale University with technical expertise from MIT.

As founder of IndigoH2O, the world's only multi-award-winning alkaline water, Yuri drove global distribution and secured features in 160+ publications. His ventures include launching a 3D-Scan-To Print sunglass company that raised $1M on Indiegogo, creating the pioneering Creative Entrepreneurship program at Emerson College, and co-developing web3 initiatives at MIT. A graduate of Indiana University, The Juilliard School, Yale University, and MIT, Yuri combines Broadway production credits with AI expertise.

As a mentor and judge for prestigious incubators including MIT Sandbox, Yale Tsai City, and MassChallenge, Yuri has guided hundreds of startups through his roles as advisor, mentor, and investor. His expertise in scaling ventures, securing funding, and building market presence makes him a sought-after strategic partner for emerging companies.

As a renowned keynote speaker and bestselling author, Yuri provides strategic guidance on go-to-market strategies, innovation, and emerging technologies to corporations, institutions, and startups worldwide. His track record includes features in Forbes, CNBC, Wired, Bloomberg, and Yahoo Finance, establishing him as a trusted voice at the intersection of creativity and technology.