The World's Premier AI in Education HackathonEdTech 3.0

Artem Volokitin

CEO & Founder

Art for Introvert

Creative / Artistic Judge

Artem Volokitin is the CEO and Founder of Art for Introvert, a leading EdTech platform focused on creating engaging and accessible learning experiences through innovative educational formats. With more than five years of experience in the education sector, he has built and scaled a widely recognized educational project offering creative “summary-style” courses designed to make complex subjects more approachable and engaging for modern learners. Artem’s expertise spans product management, growth strategy, marketing, and business development, combining strong strategic thinking with a passion for transforming how people learn. As a founder and product leader, he is dedicated to building impactful educational products that reach broad audiences and deliver measurable learning value.

I'm looking for teams creating bold and user-centered learning products that combine strong execution, innovative educational experiences, and scalable growth potential to make learning more engaging and accessible.

Aijana Abdesova

ADAP/Education Officer

UNICEF Kyrgyzstan

Creative / Artistic Judge

Aijana is the ADAP/Education Officer at UNICEF, where she leads initiatives that empower children and young people through education, digital engagement, and volunteer-driven programs. Her work spans designing national partnerships with government and civil society organizations, building the capacity of educators and community stakeholders, and managing youth-focused platforms such as U-Report Kyrgyzstan and the Bebbo parenting app. With deep experience in education programming, child rights advocacy, and leveraging technology to reach underserved communities, Aijana is passionate about solutions that expand access to quality learning and create meaningful opportunities for every child to thrive.

I'm looking for teams building practical and inclusive AI solutions that strengthen learning outcomes, empower educators and students, and ensure that every child has access to safe and equitable educational opportunities.

Oleg Smirnov

AI Researcher

White Circle

Technical Judge

Oleg is an AI Researcher at White Circle , an AI safety lab focused on building safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems. His experience spans leading quantitative research at a high-frequency trading firm and founding a nonprofit EdTech platform for language schools. An International Mathematical Olympiad gold medalist, he combines deep mathematical rigor with entrepreneurial experience to develop AI agents that are safe, unbiased, and capable of improving learning outcomes at scale.

I'm looking for teams building deployable AI solutions that meaningfully improve learning outcomes while demonstrating strong technical rigor, thoughtful design, and a clear commitment to safety and ethics.

Karen Nikoghosyan

CEO

eSwap Global INC

Business / Ethics Judge

Karen is an entrepreneur and technology executive with extensive experience across AI, B2B SaaS, and large-scale eCommerce systems. Having served as CTO of multiple SaaS ventures and founded a major eCommerce company, he currently leads eSwap Global Inc. as CEO. A member of the Forbes Technology Council, Karen brings deep expertise in building and scaling technology-driven businesses, with a strong focus on innovation, product strategy, and practical AI adoption. Through his involvement in numerous international hackathons and startup ecosystems, he actively supports teams in transforming ambitious ideas into scalable, impactful products.

I'm looking for teams that combine strong technical execution with clear educational impact and build AI solutions capable of solving real-world learning challenges at scale.

Anastasia Rodina

Product Lead

VC studio Dreamdaze

Business / Ethics Judge

Anastasia Rodina is a Product Lead at Dreamdaze, a venture studio focused on building and scaling digital products for early-stage startups. She specializes in 0→1 product development in complex and regulated markets, leading products from idea to launch within months and achieving up to 90% user conversion in high-friction user journeys. Her experience spans product strategy, customer discovery, and designing scalable systems that support rapid growth, including platforms serving more than 10,000 users. Anastasia is passionate about transforming ambitious ideas into products that deliver clear value and measurable impact.

I'm looking for teams that deeply understand their users, validate real educational needs, and build AI-powered products that are both technically strong and capable of delivering meaningful learning outcomes at scale.

Amer Sheeny

Senior Software Engineer

Meta

Technical Judge

Amer Sheeny is a Staff Engineer with more than a decade of experience building large-scale software systems, including nearly nine years at Meta. Alongside his work on high-impact platforms, he leads independent app development projects focused on practical AI applications, product growth, and scalable digital infrastructure. His expertise spans mobile and backend engineering, Android development, AI integration, R&D, and Python-based systems. With a strong background in designing and shipping products used at scale, Amer brings a technical and product-focused perspective to evaluating innovative educational technologies.

I'm looking for teams building technically strong and scalable AI-powered products that solve real educational challenges with thoughtful engineering, usability, and long-term impact in mind.

Abrar Afzal

Product Manager

Imobisoft

Business / Ethics Judge

Abrar Afzal is an AI Product Manager with more than five years of experience leading the development of AI-powered products across healthcare, biotech, compliance, and digital transformation sectors. His work spans AI-driven healthcare platforms, pharmaceutical compliance automation systems, and digital diagnostic tools designed to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Combining expertise in machine learning, product strategy, data science, and design, Abrar focuses on bringing AI into real-world workflows in practical, scalable, and compliant ways. He has spoken at industry events including MedTech and PropTech conferences at ExCeL London, sharing insights on AI adoption and product innovation. Abrar is also a member of the UK Health & MedTech Skills Forum and has been shortlisted for the Made in Midlands Awards for his contributions to technology-led solutions.

I'm looking for teams building practical and scalable AI solutions that solve meaningful real-world problems, demonstrate strong product thinking, and create measurable impact in education and beyond.

Siddharth Arora

AI Product Manager

Yelp

Business / Ethics Judge

Siddharth Arora is an AI Product Manager at Yelp and a product leader with more than 13 years of experience building B2C and B2B products used by hundreds of millions of users worldwide. His background spans AI-powered product development, UX/UI design, product growth, analytics, and founder-led innovation. Siddharth specializes in creating user-centered digital experiences that combine strong product strategy with scalable execution, helping teams transform complex ideas into impactful products. With deep expertise across product management and AI-driven experiences, he brings a practical perspective on building technology that delivers measurable value at scale.

I'm looking for teams building intuitive and scalable AI-powered learning products that demonstrate strong user empathy, clear product thinking, and the potential to create meaningful impact for learners worldwide.

Andrey Chubin

Lead Data Scientist

Quantum One

Technical Judge

Andrey Chubin is a Lead Data Scientist with extensive experience building high-impact AI and machine learning systems across marketplaces, e-commerce, fintech, and food delivery platforms. His background includes work at leading regional technology companies such as Yandex and Careem, where he developed recommender systems, antifraud solutions, and conversion optimization models that delivered measurable business impact. Among his achievements are recommendation systems generating millions in additional conversions, fraud prevention models saving hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly, and machine learning solutions that significantly improved user engagement and platform performance. With experience spanning both product-focused and consultancy-driven environments, Andrey brings deep expertise in applying AI to solve complex real-world problems at scale.

I'm looking for teams applying AI in practical and measurable ways, with strong technical execution, thoughtful use of data, and solutions that can demonstrate real impact for learners and educational platforms.

Daisy Mengxuan Zhang

Global Digital Growth Manger

Radware

Creative / Artistic Judge

Daisy is the Global Digital Growth Manager at Radware with more than 10 years of experience driving digital growth for technology companies. Her background spans AI-powered marketing, product growth, frontend strategy, and B2B marketing consulting, including experience as a startup CEO. Daisy specializes in scaling digital products through data-driven growth strategies, customer engagement, and go-to-market execution. Combining expertise in marketing and technology, she is passionate about helping innovative products reach global audiences and create meaningful impact through strong user acquisition and retention strategies.

I'm looking for teams building innovative AI-powered products with strong market potential, clear user value, and scalable growth strategies that can drive meaningful adoption in education and beyond.

Jainesh Doshi

VP Engineering Manager

JPMorganChase

Technical Judge

Jainesh is a VP, engineering manager, and applied ML researcher building large-scale generative AI systems at the intersection of language, reasoning, and real-world impact across finance and healthcare. His career spans the full technology stack — from designing GPU architectures, optimizing CUDA kernels, and building racing electronics to leading work in distributed systems, deep learning, and NLP. Today, he focuses on advanced AI systems where language understanding meets high-stakes decision-making and scalable infrastructure. Jainesh is particularly passionate about applying AI to expand access and reduce inequity in underserved communities, combining deep technical expertise with a mission-driven approach to innovation.

I'm looking for teams tackling ambitious AI challenges with strong technical depth, thoughtful system design, and solutions that can create meaningful real-world impact at scale.

Yauheni Kruk

Art Director

Meta

Creative / Artistic Judge

Yauheni Kruk is an Art Manager at Meta, where he helps shape the globally acclaimed VR phenomenon Beat Saber, delivering immersive experiences enjoyed by millions of users worldwide. Working at the intersection of creativity, technology, and product execution, he specializes in building engaging experiences that translate complex ideas into intuitive, impactful interactions. Over the course of his career, Yauheni has contributed to a diverse range of products, from live-service ecosystems such as World of Tanks Blitz, to innovative startups like Forces of Freedom, and large-scale franchise development on Transformers: Reactivate. He has led multidisciplinary teams, managed sophisticated creative pipelines, and delivered content at global scale. At EdTech 3.0, Yauheni brings a unique perspective on experience design, engagement, and human-centered creativity. His expertise in crafting immersive digital environments and scaling compelling user experiences offers valuable insight for teams building the next generation of AI-powered learning products.

I’m looking for people that combine strong creative vision with thoughtful execution to build engaging, user-centered experiences that stand out both visually and functionally.

Nikita Poloznikov

Head of Design

Jazari

Creative / Artistic Judge

Nikita is a product designer and design leader with over a decade of experience building products and brands used by millions. Over the past 10 years, he has worked as a Designer, Art Director, and Head of Design across some of Europe's most influential technology companies, including Yandex Music, Yandex Practicum, and Dodo Brands (Dodo Pizza and Drinkit). Today, he is building UK-based fintech startup Jazari from the ground up. Throughout his career, Nikita has led transformative product initiatives at scale. He spearheaded the complete rebrand and product redesign of Yandex Music, including the launch of its advertising platform. He helped redefine Yandex Practicum and supported its expansion into the U.S. market, and played a key role in launching new ventures for Dodo Pizza across the UK and China. His expertise spans product strategy, brand systems, user experience, and designing products that successfully scale across markets and cultures. At EdTech 3.0, Nikita brings a builder's perspective on creating intuitive, delightful, and impactful AI-powered learning experiences.

I am looking for teams that obsess over users, not just technology. I'm excited by participants who deeply understand learner needs and use AI to create products that are intuitive, engaging, and capable of delivering measurable outcomes. I appreciate strong product thinking, thoughtful design, rapid execution, and ideas that can realistically evolve from prototypes into products used by millions.

Alena Skalon

UX researcher

Yandex Cloud

Business / Ethics Judge

Alena is a UX researcher at Yandex Cloud and a mixed-methods specialist with a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her international perspective has been shaped by six years living and working in Australia, where she deepened her expertise in human behavior, research methodologies, and evidence-based decision-making. Alena specializes in transforming both qualitative and quantitative insights into product strategy. Her work bridges deep user understanding with behavioral analytics, experimentation, and rigorous data analysis to help teams make informed decisions. At EdTech 3.0, Alena brings a researcher’s perspective to the future of AI-powered learning. She is passionate about products that move beyond impressive demos to deliver meaningful educational outcomes, leveraging insights from psychology, user behavior, and data to create experiences that are effective, engaging, and accessible at scale.

I'm looking for teams that combine technical innovation with a genuine understanding of learners. I'm excited by solutions grounded in evidence rather than assumptions—products that clearly identify a user need, validate their approach, and use AI to create measurable improvements in learning experiences. I value thoughtful research, strong problem framing, and teams that can demonstrate not just what their product does, but why it matters and how it helps people learn better.

Maria Piterberg

AI Runtime Team Lead

Habana Labs (Intel)

Technical Judge

Maria Piterberg leads AI Runtime and large-scale communication systems at Habana Labs (Intel), where she builds the software infrastructure powering distributed deep learning on custom AI accelerators such as Gaudi. Her expertise spans distributed training, runtime systems, communication libraries, memory management, graph execution, synchronization, and large-scale performance optimization. Throughout her career, Maria has enabled complex AI training workloads across diverse hardware environments, bridging low-level systems engineering with the evolving demands of modern machine learning. Beyond her engineering work, Maria is an international speaker on AI infrastructure and a published author exploring topics ranging from distributed training and AI hallucinations to AI literacy for future generations. She is also the author of I Am a Pancake!, a children's book that introduces young learners to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through storytelling, humor, and accessible metaphors. Her unique combination of deep technical expertise and passion for education makes her a strong advocate for making AI more understandable, scalable, and impactful.

I'm looking for teams building innovative AI solutions that combine strong technical foundations with thoughtful educational design, making advanced technology more accessible, reliable, and impactful for learners at scale.

Indranila Tsybikova

Enterprise Architect

Business / Ethics Judge

Indra is an Enterprise Architect with extensive experience driving large-scale digital transformation and platform modernization initiatives. As a Solution Architect, she has led complex transformation programs across telecommunications and digital services, including helping evolve a company with over $50 billion in gross merchandise value into a platform-based business model that enabled multi-billion-dollar revenue growth. Her expertise spans enterprise architecture, business transformation, platform strategy, and large-scale BSS/OSS modernization for Tier 1 and Tier 2 telecom operators. Indranila brings a strong business and systems-thinking perspective, helping organizations navigate complex change while delivering sustainable growth and operational excellence.

I'm looking for teams that combine innovative technology with strong business thinking, clear scalability plans, and a compelling vision for creating measurable impact in education and lifelong learning.

Dmitry Korshunov

Machine Learning Engineer

Yandex

Technical Judge

Dmitry Korshunov is a ML Engineer with more than five years of experience building and operating production-grade AI systems at scale. He specializes in LLM-powered search, retrieval systems, and conversational agent architectures, with a strong focus on creating reliable and effective user experiences. Dmitry has led the end-to-end development of conversational product search systems for large e-commerce platforms, covering everything from system design and data pipelines to LLM evaluation, deployment, and post-launch optimization. His expertise also includes retrieval and ranking algorithms, RAG architectures, reliability engineering, computer vision, and machine learning-driven pricing models. Through his work, he focuses on transforming cutting-edge AI research into robust, scalable products that deliver measurable impact.

I'm looking for teams building technically sound AI solutions with strong retrieval, reasoning, and user experience foundations, demonstrating clear potential to improve learning outcomes through scalable and reliable systems.

Andrey Goryainov

AI/ML Engineer

Ex-Revolut

Technical Judge

Andrey Goryainov is an AI/ML engineer focused on advancing the frontiers of machine learning, multi-agent systems, and AI research. He became the youngest-ever employee at Revolut, where he developed automated research systems and probabilistic models for the CEO’s office. His experience includes building deep research frameworks for multi-agent systems at Isara Labs and developing AI-driven solutions for legal and financial applications. Andrey’s current interests lie in neural network interpretability, Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs), and the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. He is passionate about exploring novel AI architectures and turning cutting-edge research into practical systems with real-world impact.

I'm looking for teams that combine technical excellence with original thinking, pushing the boundaries of AI while building solutions that can create meaningful and measurable impact in education.

Igor Pocheptsov

Data Analyst

Technical Judge

Igor is a data analyst and mathematical researcher specializing in AI feature optimization, Large Language Models, and data-driven decision-making. During his time at Yandex, he focused on model evaluation, performance analysis, and resolving complex technical challenges at scale, building on a strong academic foundation in mathematics and analytics. Igor has developed innovative methodologies for applying LLMs to educational workflows, including a published approach that accelerated complex grading processes by six times while maintaining quality and consistency. In addition to his technical expertise, he has led large-scale operational initiatives and educational startup projects, giving him a unique perspective on how AI can be effectively applied to real-world learning environments.

I'm looking for teams that use AI thoughtfully to solve real educational challenges, combining strong analytical foundations, measurable impact, and innovative approaches to improving how people learn.

Lakshmi Supriya Namana

AI Product Owner & Founder, FlowOps | DevOps Engineer

WebCreators UK

Technical Judge

Lakshmi Supriya Namana is an AI product leader, entrepreneur, and DevOps engineer passionate about building intelligent systems that solve real-world problems. She is the Founder and Product Owner of FlowOps, an AI-powered workflow automation platform designed to help small businesses across the UK replace manual processes with scalable, intelligent automation. Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Lakshmi serves as a DevOps Engineer at WebCreators UK, where she brings hands-on expertise in cloud infrastructure, deployment pipelines, and software operations. Her combination of technical depth and product ownership enables her to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and reliable, production-ready solutions. As a founder, Lakshmi understands the challenges of building products from scratch—identifying customer needs, prioritizing features, and delivering value quickly. She is particularly interested in the intersection of AI, automation, and product development, helping teams create systems that are both technically sound and user-centric.

I'm looking for teams that combine strong product thinking with practical AI applications. I'm excited by solutions that use intelligent automation to solve real problems, are built on solid technical foundations, and deliver intuitive user experiences that can scale beyond the hackathon.

Marina (Korobeinikova) Kaufmann

Founder & CEO

Woona

Business / Ethics Judge

Marina is the Founder and CEO of Woona, a pet longevity startup developing an AI-powered wearable collar and proprietary health analytics platform designed to extend and improve the lives of dogs. Combining machine learning with continuous biometric monitoring, Woona operates at the intersection of AI, consumer hardware, and veterinary science. Prior to founding Woona, Marina spent 14 years at Yandex, where she led international business development and expansion initiatives across EMEA, Latin America, and APAC. As Head of International Business Development at Yandex Mediaservices and Head of Business Development at Yandex Zen, she launched products and forged strategic partnerships across five continents, collaborating with organizations including Rakuten Viber and Cốc Cốc. Marina brings deep expertise in AI-driven products, global market expansion, and building technology businesses that deliver meaningful impact.

I am looking for teams developing AI-powered products with high user value, scalable business models, and the potential to make a significant impact on education and human well-being.

Jean Kluschke

Product Strategy & Operations Lead

PLATMA

Business / Ethics Judge

Jean Kluschke is the Product Strategy & Operations Lead at PLATMA, where he helps build and scale AI-powered no-code and enterprise software solutions. His expertise spans product strategy, enterprise software commercialization, startup operations, and go-to-market execution. Jean works with technology companies to design scalable delivery systems, develop enterprise-ready product strategies, and prepare innovative software for adoption in complex business environments. With a strong focus on execution and market fit, he brings a practical perspective on turning promising technologies into successful, scalable products.

I'm looking for teams that combine technical innovation with clear product thinking, scalable execution, and a strong understanding of how their solution can succeed in the real world.

Manoj Kumar Tyagi

Software Engineer

DBS Bank

Technical Judge

Manoj is a Vice President of Architecture and Development at DBS Bank, where he leads the design and development of cloud-native microservices for payments, remittance, and anti-fraud platforms. With more than 19 years of experience spanning Java technologies, financial systems, and AI-driven business applications, he has delivered large-scale solutions in fraud detection, payment certainty, and digital financial infrastructure. Manoj also led the successful replacement of a major third-party collateral management system with an in-house platform, generating significant annual cost savings for the bank.

I'm looking for teams building scalable, secure, and AI-powered solutions that solve real-world problems in education, finance, and digital services with strong technical execution and clear business value.

Nikita Kryzhanouski

Founding Engineer

Rork

Technical Judge

Nikita is a full-stack engineer with over eight years of experience building high-performance products that scale from early-stage concepts to platforms serving millions of users. His expertise spans software architecture, AI-powered development, and creating robust, user-centric applications. He architected and scaled the frontend of Telegram Wallet from its earliest stages to more than 10 million active users, helping build one of the largest digital payment experiences in the Telegram ecosystem. More recently, he developed a production AI agent at Rork AI—an Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)-backed startup—that autonomously generates over 15,000 React Native applications every day, pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted software development. Nikita is also an entrepreneur with a passion for education. He founded a gamified coding platform that attracted more than 100,000 users, making programming more engaging and accessible through interactive learning experiences. At EdTech 3.0, Nikita brings deep expertise in AI engineering, scalable software systems, and developer tools. He is particularly interested in teams building technically ambitious products that combine exceptional engineering with meaningful educational impact.

I am looking for teams that use AI to solve meaningful educational challenges with strong technical execution. I value robust engineering, thoughtful product design, and solutions that demonstrate both innovation and the ability to scale to real-world users.

Sergey Polyashov

COO

Toloka AI

Technical Judge

I’m currently the COO at Toloka and a seasoned engineering leader with a background in building large-scale, ML-driven platforms. I previously led Microsoft’s Web Data Platform and spearheaded Bing Shopping, where I developed machine learning–powered search systems that significantly improved user engagement and revenue. Earlier in my career at Yandex, I built high-performing video search and recommendation systems, delivering state-of-the-art relevance and personalization at scale. My work included launching the Yandex Shopping vertical from the ground up, creating a comprehensive ML-driven ecosystem for search, product indexing, and analytics. Across these roles, I’ve focused on turning advanced machine learning into impactful, user-facing products, combining technical excellence with strong operational execution to scale systems used by millions.

Andrei Shcherbinin

Machine Learning Engineer & ML lead

Social Discovery Group

Technical Judge

Andrei is a ML Lead at Social Discovery Group, where he builds production-grade AI systems that improve user experience, platform safety, and business performance across high-traffic consumer products. His expertise spans recommender systems, user engagement and monetization models, and end-to-end ML infrastructure, covering the full lifecycle from problem definition and experimentation to deployment, monitoring, and continuous optimization. Andrei has led the delivery of multiple large-scale machine learning systems, driving measurable improvements in revenue, retention, and user engagement. As an engineering leader, he has also built and mentored ML teams, translating product strategy into scalable, real-world AI solutions.

I'm looking for teams building practical AI solutions with strong technical execution, clear product value, and a data-driven approach to improving learning experiences and user outcomes.

Artem Volokitin

CEO & Founder

Art for Introvert

Creative / Artistic Judge

Artem Volokitin is the CEO and Founder of Art for Introvert, a leading EdTech platform focused on creating engaging and accessible learning experiences through innovative educational formats. With more than five years of experience in the education sector, he has built and scaled a widely recognized educational project offering creative “summary-style” courses designed to make complex subjects more approachable and engaging for modern learners. Artem’s expertise spans product management, growth strategy, marketing, and business development, combining strong strategic thinking with a passion for transforming how people learn. As a founder and product leader, he is dedicated to building impactful educational products that reach broad audiences and deliver measurable learning value.

I'm looking for teams creating bold and user-centered learning products that combine strong execution, innovative educational experiences, and scalable growth potential to make learning more engaging and accessible.

Aijana Abdesova

ADAP/Education Officer

UNICEF Kyrgyzstan

Creative / Artistic Judge

Aijana is the ADAP/Education Officer at UNICEF, where she leads initiatives that empower children and young people through education, digital engagement, and volunteer-driven programs. Her work spans designing national partnerships with government and civil society organizations, building the capacity of educators and community stakeholders, and managing youth-focused platforms such as U-Report Kyrgyzstan and the Bebbo parenting app. With deep experience in education programming, child rights advocacy, and leveraging technology to reach underserved communities, Aijana is passionate about solutions that expand access to quality learning and create meaningful opportunities for every child to thrive.

I'm looking for teams building practical and inclusive AI solutions that strengthen learning outcomes, empower educators and students, and ensure that every child has access to safe and equitable educational opportunities.

Oleg Smirnov

AI Researcher

White Circle

Technical Judge

Oleg is an AI Researcher at White Circle , an AI safety lab focused on building safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems. His experience spans leading quantitative research at a high-frequency trading firm and founding a nonprofit EdTech platform for language schools. An International Mathematical Olympiad gold medalist, he combines deep mathematical rigor with entrepreneurial experience to develop AI agents that are safe, unbiased, and capable of improving learning outcomes at scale.

I'm looking for teams building deployable AI solutions that meaningfully improve learning outcomes while demonstrating strong technical rigor, thoughtful design, and a clear commitment to safety and ethics.

Karen Nikoghosyan

CEO

eSwap Global INC

Business / Ethics Judge

Karen is an entrepreneur and technology executive with extensive experience across AI, B2B SaaS, and large-scale eCommerce systems. Having served as CTO of multiple SaaS ventures and founded a major eCommerce company, he currently leads eSwap Global Inc. as CEO. A member of the Forbes Technology Council, Karen brings deep expertise in building and scaling technology-driven businesses, with a strong focus on innovation, product strategy, and practical AI adoption. Through his involvement in numerous international hackathons and startup ecosystems, he actively supports teams in transforming ambitious ideas into scalable, impactful products.

I'm looking for teams that combine strong technical execution with clear educational impact and build AI solutions capable of solving real-world learning challenges at scale.

Anastasia Rodina

Product Lead

VC studio Dreamdaze

Business / Ethics Judge

Anastasia Rodina is a Product Lead at Dreamdaze, a venture studio focused on building and scaling digital products for early-stage startups. She specializes in 0→1 product development in complex and regulated markets, leading products from idea to launch within months and achieving up to 90% user conversion in high-friction user journeys. Her experience spans product strategy, customer discovery, and designing scalable systems that support rapid growth, including platforms serving more than 10,000 users. Anastasia is passionate about transforming ambitious ideas into products that deliver clear value and measurable impact.

I'm looking for teams that deeply understand their users, validate real educational needs, and build AI-powered products that are both technically strong and capable of delivering meaningful learning outcomes at scale.

Amer Sheeny

Senior Software Engineer

Meta

Technical Judge

Amer Sheeny is a Staff Engineer with more than a decade of experience building large-scale software systems, including nearly nine years at Meta. Alongside his work on high-impact platforms, he leads independent app development projects focused on practical AI applications, product growth, and scalable digital infrastructure. His expertise spans mobile and backend engineering, Android development, AI integration, R&D, and Python-based systems. With a strong background in designing and shipping products used at scale, Amer brings a technical and product-focused perspective to evaluating innovative educational technologies.

I'm looking for teams building technically strong and scalable AI-powered products that solve real educational challenges with thoughtful engineering, usability, and long-term impact in mind.

Abrar Afzal

Product Manager

Imobisoft

Business / Ethics Judge

Abrar Afzal is an AI Product Manager with more than five years of experience leading the development of AI-powered products across healthcare, biotech, compliance, and digital transformation sectors. His work spans AI-driven healthcare platforms, pharmaceutical compliance automation systems, and digital diagnostic tools designed to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Combining expertise in machine learning, product strategy, data science, and design, Abrar focuses on bringing AI into real-world workflows in practical, scalable, and compliant ways. He has spoken at industry events including MedTech and PropTech conferences at ExCeL London, sharing insights on AI adoption and product innovation. Abrar is also a member of the UK Health & MedTech Skills Forum and has been shortlisted for the Made in Midlands Awards for his contributions to technology-led solutions.

I'm looking for teams building practical and scalable AI solutions that solve meaningful real-world problems, demonstrate strong product thinking, and create measurable impact in education and beyond.

Siddharth Arora

AI Product Manager

Yelp

Business / Ethics Judge

Siddharth Arora is an AI Product Manager at Yelp and a product leader with more than 13 years of experience building B2C and B2B products used by hundreds of millions of users worldwide. His background spans AI-powered product development, UX/UI design, product growth, analytics, and founder-led innovation. Siddharth specializes in creating user-centered digital experiences that combine strong product strategy with scalable execution, helping teams transform complex ideas into impactful products. With deep expertise across product management and AI-driven experiences, he brings a practical perspective on building technology that delivers measurable value at scale.

I'm looking for teams building intuitive and scalable AI-powered learning products that demonstrate strong user empathy, clear product thinking, and the potential to create meaningful impact for learners worldwide.

Andrey Chubin

Lead Data Scientist

Quantum One

Technical Judge

Andrey Chubin is a Lead Data Scientist with extensive experience building high-impact AI and machine learning systems across marketplaces, e-commerce, fintech, and food delivery platforms. His background includes work at leading regional technology companies such as Yandex and Careem, where he developed recommender systems, antifraud solutions, and conversion optimization models that delivered measurable business impact. Among his achievements are recommendation systems generating millions in additional conversions, fraud prevention models saving hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly, and machine learning solutions that significantly improved user engagement and platform performance. With experience spanning both product-focused and consultancy-driven environments, Andrey brings deep expertise in applying AI to solve complex real-world problems at scale.

I'm looking for teams applying AI in practical and measurable ways, with strong technical execution, thoughtful use of data, and solutions that can demonstrate real impact for learners and educational platforms.

Daisy Mengxuan Zhang

Global Digital Growth Manger

Radware

Creative / Artistic Judge

Daisy is the Global Digital Growth Manager at Radware with more than 10 years of experience driving digital growth for technology companies. Her background spans AI-powered marketing, product growth, frontend strategy, and B2B marketing consulting, including experience as a startup CEO. Daisy specializes in scaling digital products through data-driven growth strategies, customer engagement, and go-to-market execution. Combining expertise in marketing and technology, she is passionate about helping innovative products reach global audiences and create meaningful impact through strong user acquisition and retention strategies.

I'm looking for teams building innovative AI-powered products with strong market potential, clear user value, and scalable growth strategies that can drive meaningful adoption in education and beyond.

Jainesh Doshi

VP Engineering Manager

JPMorganChase

Technical Judge

Jainesh is a VP, engineering manager, and applied ML researcher building large-scale generative AI systems at the intersection of language, reasoning, and real-world impact across finance and healthcare. His career spans the full technology stack — from designing GPU architectures, optimizing CUDA kernels, and building racing electronics to leading work in distributed systems, deep learning, and NLP. Today, he focuses on advanced AI systems where language understanding meets high-stakes decision-making and scalable infrastructure. Jainesh is particularly passionate about applying AI to expand access and reduce inequity in underserved communities, combining deep technical expertise with a mission-driven approach to innovation.

I'm looking for teams tackling ambitious AI challenges with strong technical depth, thoughtful system design, and solutions that can create meaningful real-world impact at scale.

Yauheni Kruk

Art Director

Meta

Creative / Artistic Judge

Yauheni Kruk is an Art Manager at Meta, where he helps shape the globally acclaimed VR phenomenon Beat Saber, delivering immersive experiences enjoyed by millions of users worldwide. Working at the intersection of creativity, technology, and product execution, he specializes in building engaging experiences that translate complex ideas into intuitive, impactful interactions. Over the course of his career, Yauheni has contributed to a diverse range of products, from live-service ecosystems such as World of Tanks Blitz, to innovative startups like Forces of Freedom, and large-scale franchise development on Transformers: Reactivate. He has led multidisciplinary teams, managed sophisticated creative pipelines, and delivered content at global scale. At EdTech 3.0, Yauheni brings a unique perspective on experience design, engagement, and human-centered creativity. His expertise in crafting immersive digital environments and scaling compelling user experiences offers valuable insight for teams building the next generation of AI-powered learning products.

I’m looking for people that combine strong creative vision with thoughtful execution to build engaging, user-centered experiences that stand out both visually and functionally.

Nikita Poloznikov

Head of Design

Jazari

Creative / Artistic Judge

Nikita is a product designer and design leader with over a decade of experience building products and brands used by millions. Over the past 10 years, he has worked as a Designer, Art Director, and Head of Design across some of Europe's most influential technology companies, including Yandex Music, Yandex Practicum, and Dodo Brands (Dodo Pizza and Drinkit). Today, he is building UK-based fintech startup Jazari from the ground up. Throughout his career, Nikita has led transformative product initiatives at scale. He spearheaded the complete rebrand and product redesign of Yandex Music, including the launch of its advertising platform. He helped redefine Yandex Practicum and supported its expansion into the U.S. market, and played a key role in launching new ventures for Dodo Pizza across the UK and China. His expertise spans product strategy, brand systems, user experience, and designing products that successfully scale across markets and cultures. At EdTech 3.0, Nikita brings a builder's perspective on creating intuitive, delightful, and impactful AI-powered learning experiences.

I am looking for teams that obsess over users, not just technology. I'm excited by participants who deeply understand learner needs and use AI to create products that are intuitive, engaging, and capable of delivering measurable outcomes. I appreciate strong product thinking, thoughtful design, rapid execution, and ideas that can realistically evolve from prototypes into products used by millions.

Alena Skalon

UX researcher

Yandex Cloud

Business / Ethics Judge

Alena is a UX researcher at Yandex Cloud and a mixed-methods specialist with a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her international perspective has been shaped by six years living and working in Australia, where she deepened her expertise in human behavior, research methodologies, and evidence-based decision-making. Alena specializes in transforming both qualitative and quantitative insights into product strategy. Her work bridges deep user understanding with behavioral analytics, experimentation, and rigorous data analysis to help teams make informed decisions. At EdTech 3.0, Alena brings a researcher’s perspective to the future of AI-powered learning. She is passionate about products that move beyond impressive demos to deliver meaningful educational outcomes, leveraging insights from psychology, user behavior, and data to create experiences that are effective, engaging, and accessible at scale.

I'm looking for teams that combine technical innovation with a genuine understanding of learners. I'm excited by solutions grounded in evidence rather than assumptions—products that clearly identify a user need, validate their approach, and use AI to create measurable improvements in learning experiences. I value thoughtful research, strong problem framing, and teams that can demonstrate not just what their product does, but why it matters and how it helps people learn better.

Maria Piterberg

AI Runtime Team Lead

Habana Labs (Intel)

Technical Judge

Maria Piterberg leads AI Runtime and large-scale communication systems at Habana Labs (Intel), where she builds the software infrastructure powering distributed deep learning on custom AI accelerators such as Gaudi. Her expertise spans distributed training, runtime systems, communication libraries, memory management, graph execution, synchronization, and large-scale performance optimization. Throughout her career, Maria has enabled complex AI training workloads across diverse hardware environments, bridging low-level systems engineering with the evolving demands of modern machine learning. Beyond her engineering work, Maria is an international speaker on AI infrastructure and a published author exploring topics ranging from distributed training and AI hallucinations to AI literacy for future generations. She is also the author of I Am a Pancake!, a children's book that introduces young learners to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through storytelling, humor, and accessible metaphors. Her unique combination of deep technical expertise and passion for education makes her a strong advocate for making AI more understandable, scalable, and impactful.

I'm looking for teams building innovative AI solutions that combine strong technical foundations with thoughtful educational design, making advanced technology more accessible, reliable, and impactful for learners at scale.

Indranila Tsybikova

Enterprise Architect

Business / Ethics Judge

Indra is an Enterprise Architect with extensive experience driving large-scale digital transformation and platform modernization initiatives. As a Solution Architect, she has led complex transformation programs across telecommunications and digital services, including helping evolve a company with over $50 billion in gross merchandise value into a platform-based business model that enabled multi-billion-dollar revenue growth. Her expertise spans enterprise architecture, business transformation, platform strategy, and large-scale BSS/OSS modernization for Tier 1 and Tier 2 telecom operators. Indranila brings a strong business and systems-thinking perspective, helping organizations navigate complex change while delivering sustainable growth and operational excellence.

I'm looking for teams that combine innovative technology with strong business thinking, clear scalability plans, and a compelling vision for creating measurable impact in education and lifelong learning.

Dmitry Korshunov

Machine Learning Engineer

Yandex

Technical Judge

Dmitry Korshunov is a ML Engineer with more than five years of experience building and operating production-grade AI systems at scale. He specializes in LLM-powered search, retrieval systems, and conversational agent architectures, with a strong focus on creating reliable and effective user experiences. Dmitry has led the end-to-end development of conversational product search systems for large e-commerce platforms, covering everything from system design and data pipelines to LLM evaluation, deployment, and post-launch optimization. His expertise also includes retrieval and ranking algorithms, RAG architectures, reliability engineering, computer vision, and machine learning-driven pricing models. Through his work, he focuses on transforming cutting-edge AI research into robust, scalable products that deliver measurable impact.

I'm looking for teams building technically sound AI solutions with strong retrieval, reasoning, and user experience foundations, demonstrating clear potential to improve learning outcomes through scalable and reliable systems.

Andrey Goryainov

AI/ML Engineer

Ex-Revolut

Technical Judge

Andrey Goryainov is an AI/ML engineer focused on advancing the frontiers of machine learning, multi-agent systems, and AI research. He became the youngest-ever employee at Revolut, where he developed automated research systems and probabilistic models for the CEO’s office. His experience includes building deep research frameworks for multi-agent systems at Isara Labs and developing AI-driven solutions for legal and financial applications. Andrey’s current interests lie in neural network interpretability, Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs), and the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. He is passionate about exploring novel AI architectures and turning cutting-edge research into practical systems with real-world impact.

I'm looking for teams that combine technical excellence with original thinking, pushing the boundaries of AI while building solutions that can create meaningful and measurable impact in education.

Igor Pocheptsov

Data Analyst

Technical Judge

Igor is a data analyst and mathematical researcher specializing in AI feature optimization, Large Language Models, and data-driven decision-making. During his time at Yandex, he focused on model evaluation, performance analysis, and resolving complex technical challenges at scale, building on a strong academic foundation in mathematics and analytics. Igor has developed innovative methodologies for applying LLMs to educational workflows, including a published approach that accelerated complex grading processes by six times while maintaining quality and consistency. In addition to his technical expertise, he has led large-scale operational initiatives and educational startup projects, giving him a unique perspective on how AI can be effectively applied to real-world learning environments.

I'm looking for teams that use AI thoughtfully to solve real educational challenges, combining strong analytical foundations, measurable impact, and innovative approaches to improving how people learn.

Lakshmi Supriya Namana

AI Product Owner & Founder, FlowOps | DevOps Engineer

WebCreators UK

Technical Judge

Lakshmi Supriya Namana is an AI product leader, entrepreneur, and DevOps engineer passionate about building intelligent systems that solve real-world problems. She is the Founder and Product Owner of FlowOps, an AI-powered workflow automation platform designed to help small businesses across the UK replace manual processes with scalable, intelligent automation. Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Lakshmi serves as a DevOps Engineer at WebCreators UK, where she brings hands-on expertise in cloud infrastructure, deployment pipelines, and software operations. Her combination of technical depth and product ownership enables her to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and reliable, production-ready solutions. As a founder, Lakshmi understands the challenges of building products from scratch—identifying customer needs, prioritizing features, and delivering value quickly. She is particularly interested in the intersection of AI, automation, and product development, helping teams create systems that are both technically sound and user-centric.

I'm looking for teams that combine strong product thinking with practical AI applications. I'm excited by solutions that use intelligent automation to solve real problems, are built on solid technical foundations, and deliver intuitive user experiences that can scale beyond the hackathon.

Marina (Korobeinikova) Kaufmann

Founder & CEO

Woona

Business / Ethics Judge

Marina is the Founder and CEO of Woona, a pet longevity startup developing an AI-powered wearable collar and proprietary health analytics platform designed to extend and improve the lives of dogs. Combining machine learning with continuous biometric monitoring, Woona operates at the intersection of AI, consumer hardware, and veterinary science. Prior to founding Woona, Marina spent 14 years at Yandex, where she led international business development and expansion initiatives across EMEA, Latin America, and APAC. As Head of International Business Development at Yandex Mediaservices and Head of Business Development at Yandex Zen, she launched products and forged strategic partnerships across five continents, collaborating with organizations including Rakuten Viber and Cốc Cốc. Marina brings deep expertise in AI-driven products, global market expansion, and building technology businesses that deliver meaningful impact.

I am looking for teams developing AI-powered products with high user value, scalable business models, and the potential to make a significant impact on education and human well-being.

Jean Kluschke

Product Strategy & Operations Lead

PLATMA

Business / Ethics Judge

Jean Kluschke is the Product Strategy & Operations Lead at PLATMA, where he helps build and scale AI-powered no-code and enterprise software solutions. His expertise spans product strategy, enterprise software commercialization, startup operations, and go-to-market execution. Jean works with technology companies to design scalable delivery systems, develop enterprise-ready product strategies, and prepare innovative software for adoption in complex business environments. With a strong focus on execution and market fit, he brings a practical perspective on turning promising technologies into successful, scalable products.

I'm looking for teams that combine technical innovation with clear product thinking, scalable execution, and a strong understanding of how their solution can succeed in the real world.

Manoj Kumar Tyagi

Software Engineer

DBS Bank

Technical Judge

Manoj is a Vice President of Architecture and Development at DBS Bank, where he leads the design and development of cloud-native microservices for payments, remittance, and anti-fraud platforms. With more than 19 years of experience spanning Java technologies, financial systems, and AI-driven business applications, he has delivered large-scale solutions in fraud detection, payment certainty, and digital financial infrastructure. Manoj also led the successful replacement of a major third-party collateral management system with an in-house platform, generating significant annual cost savings for the bank.

I'm looking for teams building scalable, secure, and AI-powered solutions that solve real-world problems in education, finance, and digital services with strong technical execution and clear business value.

Nikita Kryzhanouski

Founding Engineer

Rork

Technical Judge

Nikita is a full-stack engineer with over eight years of experience building high-performance products that scale from early-stage concepts to platforms serving millions of users. His expertise spans software architecture, AI-powered development, and creating robust, user-centric applications. He architected and scaled the frontend of Telegram Wallet from its earliest stages to more than 10 million active users, helping build one of the largest digital payment experiences in the Telegram ecosystem. More recently, he developed a production AI agent at Rork AI—an Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)-backed startup—that autonomously generates over 15,000 React Native applications every day, pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted software development. Nikita is also an entrepreneur with a passion for education. He founded a gamified coding platform that attracted more than 100,000 users, making programming more engaging and accessible through interactive learning experiences. At EdTech 3.0, Nikita brings deep expertise in AI engineering, scalable software systems, and developer tools. He is particularly interested in teams building technically ambitious products that combine exceptional engineering with meaningful educational impact.

I am looking for teams that use AI to solve meaningful educational challenges with strong technical execution. I value robust engineering, thoughtful product design, and solutions that demonstrate both innovation and the ability to scale to real-world users.

Sergey Polyashov

COO

Toloka AI

Technical Judge

I’m currently the COO at Toloka and a seasoned engineering leader with a background in building large-scale, ML-driven platforms. I previously led Microsoft’s Web Data Platform and spearheaded Bing Shopping, where I developed machine learning–powered search systems that significantly improved user engagement and revenue. Earlier in my career at Yandex, I built high-performing video search and recommendation systems, delivering state-of-the-art relevance and personalization at scale. My work included launching the Yandex Shopping vertical from the ground up, creating a comprehensive ML-driven ecosystem for search, product indexing, and analytics. Across these roles, I’ve focused on turning advanced machine learning into impactful, user-facing products, combining technical excellence with strong operational execution to scale systems used by millions.

Andrei Shcherbinin

Machine Learning Engineer & ML lead

Social Discovery Group

Technical Judge

Andrei is a ML Lead at Social Discovery Group, where he builds production-grade AI systems that improve user experience, platform safety, and business performance across high-traffic consumer products. His expertise spans recommender systems, user engagement and monetization models, and end-to-end ML infrastructure, covering the full lifecycle from problem definition and experimentation to deployment, monitoring, and continuous optimization. Andrei has led the delivery of multiple large-scale machine learning systems, driving measurable improvements in revenue, retention, and user engagement. As an engineering leader, he has also built and mentored ML teams, translating product strategy into scalable, real-world AI solutions.

I'm looking for teams building practical AI solutions with strong technical execution, clear product value, and a data-driven approach to improving learning experiences and user outcomes.