Michael has been a scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur all his life. He is the founder of five technology ventures including big data pioneer, Splunk, which was acquired by Cisco Systems in 2024 for $28.8B USD. He is a citizen of the world and a purpose-driven leader. In 2013, Michael launched Yope to empower the next generation of innovators to create high-impact ventures. To date, Yope has graduated more than 600 founders and helped launch 140 new ventures tackling some of the world’s most challenging problems. He is the inventor of several important global patents, sits on the boards of numerous technology companies, and is a member of Rise Europe and the World Economic Forum.

Andy earned a BSc in Computer Science from the Technical University of Munich and studied information systems at Stanford University. He is the founder of KONUX, an AI company revolutionizing sustainable transportation for millions of people by optimizing railway infrastructure. After building KONUX, he embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery, embracing spirituality and exploring a deeper meaning of life beyond business success. Now, as a conscious entrepreneur, he dedicates his energy to conscious leadership, social projects, and sustainable investments that enhance global well-being and sustainability.

Johnny Bowman is a seasoned leader dedicated to driving impact through entrepreneurship and community-building. As Program Director at Yope, he accelerates startups founded by recent graduates, empowering them to build transformative companies. Previously, as COO at Upward Farms, Johnny helped scale the company to create vertical farming solutions. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor's in Sociology from Harvard University.