Dean Kakridas

Dean Kakridas is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in leadership and strategic roles across various industries. Currently serving as Principal & Chief Catalyst at The Dean Machine, Senior Advisor at Eidra, and Catalyst at Neol, Dean is recognized for efficiently merging human resilience with machine-like effectiveness. With a strong background in business development and innovation, Dean has held positions such as Managing Director at Fresh Consulting, Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Star, and Managing Director of Strategy & Innovation at Ziba Design. Additionally, Dean contributes to the SXSW Innovation Awards as a judge and mentor, while advising at Ambush. An entrepreneur at heart, Dean founded nineten innovation, LLC, and played a pivotal role as Founding Partner and Managing Director at International Accelerator. Dean holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University.