AnaMaria Meshkurt

Technology Investments, Ventures and Partnerships at Red Sea Global, Saudi Arabia’s leading Giga Project on the development of tourism. She is also a well known Tech investor and Strategic Board Member with AMVS Capital. She is also the Co Editor in Chief of Moneys Magazine, a publication featuring investors and entrepreneurs globally. Additionally she is the author of two books, on the topic of Innovation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the United Nations and its model. Previously she was the Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement at the FONGIT (Fondation Genevoise pour l’InnovationTechnologique), the premier Swiss technology startup innovation platform and incubator. Aiming at achieving positive social and economic impact, FONGIT supports startups in the technology sector who are based in Geneva or want to set up their headquarters in the canton. She is a seasonedstartup mentor and judge for startups focusing on emerging technologies including AI, IoT, Blockchain, XR and the Metaverse. She has been a guest judge in many events such as the Experience Accelerators Future of work hackathon and the UN AI for Good Global Summit Innovation Factory. She worked for the United Nations (UN), as programme officer in the UN InternationalTelecommunication Union (ITU) Office for Europe, in charge of digital inclusion, skills, gender, youth, accessibility and innovation matters with European governments. During her time with the ITUStandardization Sector, she conceptualized and managed the ITU Smart Incubator programme for emerging tech start-ups in developing countries as well as oversaw ITU-T and non-statutory events including workshops, seminars and forums. She also led trainings for the Bridging the Standardization Gap programme, supporting ITU delegates in the standardization process and worked with various groups on the topic of Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things and more. She was instrumental to the delivery of the European Impact Summit 2020 as part of the Advisory Board of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). She is a communications professional with a strong background in public relation and engagement, tech start-ups, innovation, and digital skills. Prior to joining ITU she worked for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as well as in various UK based NGOs.