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Yuri Cataldo is a trailblazing entrepreneur, captivating keynote speaker, best-selling author, and innovative tech strategist, renowned for his eclectic background and extensive education, holding an MBA from MIT and an MFA from Yale. Recognized as one of Indiana's 40 under-40 business leaders, Yuri's unique blend of artistic and technological expertise has set him apart in the industry.His unconventional journey began as a classically trained set and costume designer, with credentials from esteemed institutions such as Juilliard, Yale, and IU, earning credits across Broadway, Dance, Film, and Opera. Transitioning from the arts to entrepreneurship, Yuri founded IndigoH2O, the only multi-award-winning bottled alkaline water in the world, and co-authored the international bestseller on Bitcoin and Blockchain, "Be Left Behind."
Demonstrating his versatility, Yuri has successfully launched a 3D-Scan-To-Print sunglass company that raised $1M on Indiegogo, designed the Creative Entrepreneurship program at Emerson College, co-created cutting-edge web3 projects at MIT, and established an international open innovation program at Autodesk. As a research lead in Generative AI at Autodesk and the co-founder of Athenian Capital, an early-stage VC fund, Yuri continues to influence the tech landscape.
A mentor at prestigious institutions such as Yale Tsai City, MIT Sandbox, MassChallenge, and Fintech4Good, Yuri's guidance has significantly impacted startups worldwide. His ventures have garnered attention at high-profile events like the Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and MTV VMAs, as well as in 260+ publications (Forbes, CNN, PBS, Indy Star, Boston Globe).
As a sought-after speaker, Yuri has shared his insights on AI, Blockchain, PR/Media Relations, Creative Entrepreneurship, and Corporate Innovation at academic institutions, conferences, corporate gatherings, and with influential government officials around the globe. His exceptional achievements have been featured in renowned publications such as INC, Forbes, CNBC, Wired, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, Variety, BuzzFeed, the Boston Globe, and many more.
By inviting Yuri to speak at your event, you're securing a dynamic and inspiring thought leader who will leave a lasting impact on your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the insights and expertise of this multifaceted entrepreneur and innovator.
Speaking Topics include:
- The Role of Generative AI in Creative Industries: A New Frontier - Explore the cutting-edge applications of Generative AI in the creative sectors. Learn how this technology is reshaping industries such as design, music, film, and art by enabling unprecedented levels of creativity and personalization. Understand the ethical considerations and the balance between human creativity and AI-driven creation.
- The Business Applications of Blockchain: Unleashing New Potentials - Dive deep into the transformative power of blockchain technology in the business world. Explore real-world applications, from enhancing transparency and security to revolutionizing supply chain management and beyond. Discover how blockchain is not just for cryptocurrencies but a tool for fostering trust, efficiency, and innovation in various sectors.
- PR Powerhouse: Mastering the Art of Attention-Grabbing Publicity - Master the art of generating buzz and earning media attention in the digital age. This topic covers strategic public relations planning, crafting captivating press releases, and utilizing social media to amplify your message. Gain practical tips for turning your brand into a PR powerhouse.
Each of these topics is designed to provide actionable insights and strategies that attendees can apply directly to their businesses or creative endeavors. Whether discussing the technical intricacies of blockchain and Generative AI or the art of branding and publicity, Yuri Cataldo offers a wealth of knowledge and experience to inspire innovation and drive success.
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Speaker Videos
Video Clips
Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Blockchain (Panel)
Boston Blockchain Week (2021)
Why Diversity is the Mother of Innovation
Autodesk University (2020)
What Organizations are Saying About Yuri:
"That was an outstanding webinar. The content was insightful, easy to understand, and extremely useful. It took me from being clueless to understanding the basics of cryptocurrencies. Absolutely one of the best "sessions" I've heard in years. Thank you very much.... is it possible to get a copy of this presentation? I think one benefit is to study and learn from it so that I can build what I've learned to the next level?"
- Yale University
" Excellent storytelling by lively Yuri! I look forward to the rest of the series"
-Charred Accountants Worldwide
"Yuri is someone we always learn something from and in a positive way. We are excited to learn and don’t feel small for not knowing. "
-Autodesk Research
"Yuri just gave us a masterclass in how to present a complex idea in a way that is easily understood."
Wentworth Innovation + Entrepreneurship
"One of the top 5 speakers we've heard this year out of 120, and the most memorable."
- MassChallenge Israel
"Yuri provides clear and specific strategies on how to be a successful artist/entrepreneur, how to generate multiple streams of income, and how to develop a skill set designed to pursue opportunities in both theatre and business."
- Valparaiso University)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Upcoming
Digital Economist/World Bank
2025 (April)
Panel Moderator: Citizen Security and the Future of Rights
Qubic Labs - blockchain incubator
2025 (April)
Speaker: PR and pitching
New York Venture Summit
2025 (Sept)
Speaker: TBD
PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2020 - Current
Yale University
20204(Dec)
Guest Lecturer - Future of VC
Boston Blockchain Week
2024(Sept)
Speaker: AI, Blockchain, and Trust
The Juilliard School
2024 (July)
Speaker: Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Generative AI
Association for Financial Professionals New England
2024 (April)
Speaker: Blockchain and AI in Finance
Draper University - International
2024 (March)
Guest Lecturer - Entrepreneruship
MIT 100K
2023 (Dec)
Live Event Judge and Advisor
Blockchain In Construction
(Hong Kong Confernce)
2023 (Nov)
Keynote Speaker: Business Applications for Web3 in Construction
MIT Sloan/Imperial College of London
2023 (Oct)
Panel - Innovation Ecosystems
Suffolk University
2023 (Oct)
Guest Lecturer : Intro to Blockchain
Draper University International
2023 (Aug)
Guest Lecturer - Sales & Marketing for startups
Autodesk TechX
2023 (May)
Speaker: Corporations, Web3, and Designing with trust
Draper University International
2023 (March)
Guest Lecturer: Sales & Marketing
University of Oxford
2023 (March)
Speaker: Collaboration and blockchain education
Draper University International
2022 (Nov)
Guest Lecturer: Sales & Marketing - web 2 and web3
Blockchain in Education
2022 (Oct)
Speaker: MIT Bitcoin Club and the future of blockchain education
Charted Accountants Worldwide
2022 (Sept)
Keynote Speaker: web3 in 2022
Draper University/NEO
2022 (July)
Speaker: Sales and Marketing in web3
SCGTS
2022 (May)
Keynote Speaker: Web3 and Supply Chain management
MassChallenge - Israel
2022 (April)
Featured Speaker: How to tell your story, launch your brand, and land free PR.
STYBEL PEABODY/BOARD OPTIONS, INC. SEAT AT THE TABLE
2022 (Feb)
Case Study Lead for Board Training - “The CEO Wants to Pay Certain Vendors in Bitcoin."
Autodesk Research
2022 (April)
Speaker: web3 and the future of Manufacturing, Construction, and Media/Entertainment
Suffolk University
2022 (April)
Guest Lecture: Intro to Blockchain/Bitcoin
Yale University - International Alliance
2021-22
Keynote Speaker: Blockchain, Bitcoin, NFT's, DeFi, web3
Nov '21: Understanding Blockchain
Dec '21: NFT's
Jan '22: DeFi
March '22: web3 and The Future of Blockchain
MIT SLOAN
2021 (December)
Speaker: Understanding Bitcoin
Draper University/Algorand
2021 (December)
Speaker: Sales/Marketing for Blockchain startups
Draper University/Algorand
2021 (Oct)
Speaker: Sales/Marketing for Blockchain startups
Suffolk University
2021 (Oct)
Lecture: AI, Blockchain, and the Future of Fintech
2021 (Oct)
Speaker: What are Blockchain and Cryptocurrency and how will this technology change industries.
Draper University
2021 (Sept)
Speaker: Sales and Marketing for EdTech
Chartered Accountants Worldwide
2021 (Sept)
Featured Speaker for 2 nights: What is bitcoin/blockchain and what is the future of digital currencies.
MassChallenge - Mexico
2021 (Aug)
Individual startup coaching for 25 LatAm startups
Goethe Institute
2021 (July)
Speaker: Bitcoin, NFT's, and DAO for artists
Boston Blockchain Association
2021 (June)
Speaker: How to get involved in blockchain even if you're not a programmer
BILT Virtual 2021
2021 (June)
Speaker: Why Blockchain is the future of AEC
MassChallenge - Isreal
2021 (May)
Speaker: PR for Startups
Boston Blockchain Week
2021 (May)
Speaker: Speaker: How to get involved in blockchain even if you're not a programmer
Yale - School of Drama
2021 (May)
Speaker: How to create your own path to a rewarding career
Chainreaction - Boston
2021 - February + March
Speaker: Bitcoin 101 (Feb) and 102 (March)
Suffolk University
2021 (March)
Lecture: AI, Blockchain, and the Future of Fintech
Bryant University
2021 (Feb)
Speaker: Entrepreneurship and Funding Your Project (VC, Bootstrapping, ICO's/Crowdfunding
Draper University/Tezos
2021 (Feb)
Speaker: DeFi
Draper University
2021 (Feb)
Speaker: Marketing and Entrepreneurship
World Boston
2021 (Jan)
Speaker: Open Innovation
Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle - NYC
2021 (Jan)
Speaker: Open Innovation
Babson University/CES Boston
2020 (Dec)
Speaker: Open Innovation
Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle Boston.
2020 (Nov)
Speaker: Open Innovation and the future of work
Draper University
2020 (Oct)
Speaker: Business Strategy
Suffolk University
2020 (October)
Speaker: The Future of AI in Finance
Draper University
2020 (July)
Speaker: Marketing 101
Accelerate Yale
2020 (June)
Panelist - Transformative Technologies: How COVID-19 Forced Change in Technologies Old and New
AIBC Summit - ASIA DIGITAL
2020 (June)
Panel Speaker: Emerging Technolgy: Asia vs the US
Masschallenge - isreal
2020 (June)
Featured Speaker: PR/Marketing
Autodesk
2020 (May)
Speaker: Personal Branding
Yale University
2020 (Feb)
Entrepreneurship event - Build It and They Will Come.
Panelist - Finance
Innovation Leadership Panel
2020 (February)
Panelists speaking on corporate innovation to executives from Mitsubishi.
SEA Conference
2020 (Feb)
Featured Speaker
Tufts - Innovative Social Enterprises
2020 (Feb)
Guest Lecturer - Social Enterprises
PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2015-2019
Malta Ai AND Blockchain Summit
2019 (Nov)
Making widespread adoption a reality. How start-ups should design their business model to attract users and investors.
longy school of music
2019 (Oct)
Startup Coach
MIT
2019 (Oct)
Speaker: Future of Work
Accelerate, Wentworth Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center
2019 (Sept)
Featured Luminary Speaker
MassChallenge
2019
Judge and Mentor
135 Startup Battle, Boston
2019
Judge
Syracuse University - School of architecture
2019 (April)
Master Class lecture: Materiality: From Frocks to Fabrication
Syracuse University - School of architecture
2019 (April)
Speaker: Inside-out Innovation - The Future of the Design, Building, and Construction Industries
Tufts - Innovative Social Enterprises
2019 (March)
Speaker: Social enterprises and why startups fail.
MassChallenge
2018
Judge
PRSA Boston Social Media Summit
2018 (May)
Speaker: Cryptocurrency Marketing Strategies
Longy school of music
2018 (March)
Startup Judge
tufts - Innovative Social Enterprises
2018 (Feb)
Speaker and Substitute Professor
Bryant University
2018 (Feb)
Guest Lecturer - PR/Marketing strategies for launching an award-winning product
THINK TANK:
Future of our Cities: Converging Generations
2018 (Feb)
Participant
yale - Entrepreneurship initiative
2017 (Nov)
Speaker: How artist can connect the dots between art and entrepreneurship
Venture Café
2016 (April)
Lead Panel of 5 women on a discussion of Artistic Innovation and the struggles they face in the workplace.
SEA Conference
2015, 2016 (Feb)
panelist and speaker on the following subjects:
-Speaker – Shift Happens: What do you do when your plans fall apart
- Panelist: How to find and work with clients
-Panelist: Faculty Best Practices
-Round Table leader: How to make money in Independent Film
-Panelist: 1st steps in starting an artist business
-One-on-one mentoring leader
http://www.selfemploymentinthearts.com/
Art Entrepreneurship Educators Conference
2015 (Sept)
Speaker: How to use fear setting as a way to boost the productivity of your students.
Stanford University
2015
Speaker: Creative Entrepreneurship
Copyright 2023 Yuri Cataldo