Panel: Ads, Brands, and Games

We explored the dynamic intersection of advertising, brand activations, and the evolving landscape of these traditional commercial levers in the next-generation format of video games. As gaming continues to outpace traditional media in engagement, brands are leveraging innovative in-game advertising, sponsorships, and immersive collaborations to reach diverse audiences – via programmatic in-game ads, branded metaverse experiences, and the rise of esports partnerships as powerful marketing channels.

Moderated by Michael Fan, this panel featured Desiree Gruber (Peabody Award Winner, Project Runway Creator, and Full Picture Founder), Joost van Dreunen (Founder & CEO of Aldora and NYU Professor of Gaming), Joe Schaeppi (Founder & CEO of Solsten), and Guillaume Monteux (Founder & CEO of Gadsme).

Panel: The Evolution of Gaming Financing

We jumped into how studios, from AAA giants to indie developers, are reimagining funding in an era of economic challenges and heightened competition for players' attention. We explored innovative approaches such as crowdfunding, revenue-sharing models, venture investments, and platform partnerships that are reshaping the financial landscape of game development, and shared insights on balancing creative vision with financial sustainability and how to navigate the shifting expectations of investors and audiences.

Moderated by Ryan You, this panel featured Rex Zhou (Global Investments & Partnerships at NetEase Games), Matt Hooper (Managing Partner at IME Law), and Matthew Cohen (Lead Gaming & Media Agent at Creative Artists Agency).

Fireside: The Future of Interactive Entertainment

General Partner Sam Englebardt held a fireside with JJ Abrams where they discussed what goes into the “magic” of storytelling and creation. Someone who hardly needs an introduction, JJ is a writer, director, and producer known for his blockbuster works in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction. Abrams wrote and produced such films as Regarding Henry, Forever Young, Armageddon, Cloverfield, Star Trek, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Abrams co-founded Bad Robot with his wife Katie McGrath, which has produced series like Lost and Westworld alongside films like Cloverfield, Super 8, Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible, Star Wars Episodes VII and IX. Abrams' films have grossed over $4 billion worldwide, making him the eighth-highest-grossing film director of all time.


Fireside: Building an Emerging Technology Investment Firm

General Partner Sam Englebardt held a fireside with Mike Novogratz where they discussed the future of crypto and digital assets, how to continuously evolve to stay at the cutting edge of emerging technologies, and how Galaxy has positioned itself for future success. Mike is the Founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital. He was formerly a Partner and President of Fortress Investment Group LLC. Prior to Fortress, Mr. Novogratz spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was elected Partner in 1998. Mr. Novogratz serves as the Chairman of The Bail Project and has made criminal justice reform a focus of his family’s foundation. He also sits on the Board of Overseers at NYU Langone Medical Center and is a board member of Princeton Varsity Club and Jazz Foundation of America. Mr. Novogratz received an AB in Economics from Princeton University and served as a helicopter pilot in the US Army.

Panel: The Post-Modern Accelerated Computing Stack

We explored how data has become the essential fuel driving business innovation, particularly in the context of AI. The panel examined how next-generation computing architectures are enabling businesses to process and leverage data at unprecedented scales, unlocking transformative insights and capabilities. At the same time, we discussed the critical importance of safeguarding user privacy, ensuring data ownership, and prioritizing safety in this rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Moderated by Jeff Brown, this panel featured Dr. Eiman Ebrahimi (Founder & CEO of Protopia AI), Dr. Hojjat Jafarpour (Founder & CEO of DeltaStream), and Dr. Manny Ahmed (Founder & CEO of OpenOrigins).


Panel: Digital Health, AI, and Human Performance

We examined the transformative role of digital therapeutics in revolutionizing our understanding of health and well-being. The panel explored how advancements in gaming, AI, and wearables are providing unprecedented insights into human health, offering personalized tools to enhance performance and quality of life. We highlighted innovations such as AI-driven health coaching, gamified therapies, and real-time data from wearables, emphasizing their potential to empower individuals and redefine healthcare delivery.

Moderated by Sam Englebardt, this panel featured Caroline Yap (Global Head of AI Business at Google), Hamed Shahbazi (CEO of WELL Health), Ryan Douglas (Founder & Chairman of DeepWell DTx), and Ben Wald (Operating Partner at Galaxy Interactive and Founder of Very Technologies).