Our core team acts as advisors for startups at every step of the program. We deliver the curriculum, ask the difficult questions, make connections and ensure startups get the optimal experience out of the program. Core team members are at URBAN-X every day and spend as much time with startups as they possibly can.
Johan is an expert in developing hardware and software solutions. With years of experience working for brands like Audi and BMW, as…
Johan is an expert in developing hardware and software solutions. With years of experience working for brands like Audi and BMW, as well as through his own consulting practice, Johan has designed products ranging from camera platforms going to space to infrastructure solutions providing clean drinking water in urban India. Johan shares insights and expertise on the design and development process – helping startups to iterate, prototype, test and succeed in building their vision faster.
Tristan has 12 years of experience in innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship, as the director of hardware tech incubator NYDesigns on the ecosystem…
Tristan has 12 years of experience in innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship, as the director of hardware tech incubator NYDesigns on the ecosystem side, and as the cofounder of Topager (urban farming) and Sitrep (urbanism studio) on the founder side. Tristan holds a Master’s in Industrial Engineering from the Ecole Centrale de Marseille and a Masters in Competitive Intelligence and Innovation from Aix-Marseille University.
Tara has over 12 years of experience in Operational Management working within the BMW Group. She has been part of the start-up…
Tara has over 12 years of experience in Operational Management working within the BMW Group. She has been part of the start-up scene early on for the organization- joining BMW i Ventures at the developmental stage which eventually led her to oversee and manage operations at URBAN-X. Tara helps facilitate the relationship between URBAN-X and many different key departments within the organization. Her expertise in corporate processes, purchasing & budgeting is a crucial link for the success and functionality of URBAN-X.
Sarah is expanding the reach of URBAN-X throughout Europe and Asia. Working at BMW headquarters in Munich, Germany, Sarah facilitates the relationship…
Sarah is expanding the reach of URBAN-X throughout Europe and Asia. Working at BMW headquarters in Munich, Germany, Sarah facilitates the relationship between URBAN-X, MINI and the BMW Group. She is the co-founder of an online magazine and previously worked in the start-up scene before joining MINI. Based on her diverse experience and computer science and art history education, she has a passion for connecting left brain and right brain topics by finding the common ground.
Emily is a creative storyteller and marketer focused on building compelling narratives and fostering knowledge of URBAN-X’s network of startups, as well…
Emily is a creative storyteller and marketer focused on building compelling narratives and fostering knowledge of URBAN-X’s network of startups, as well as the growing industry. While working for companies like NBCUniversal, The New York Times, and Fine Films, Emily had the opportunity to work on innovative campaigns, investigative stories, and powerful documentaries. Emily holds a Master’s in Journalism and Communications from the S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications, and a Bachelor’s in Marketing from Georgetown University.
Zihao is a designer who specializes in branding and layout design. His work is guided by a strong belief in the functional…
Zihao is a designer who specializes in branding and layout design. His work is guided by a strong belief in the functional aspects of design. He has accumulated valuable experience working with organizations in Asia and North America. In his own practice, Zihao self-publishes artist books and other printed matter.
Experts-in-Residence, or EIRs, become extensions of our cohort teams. They are high-value specialists in areas like software development, visual design, mechanical and electrical engineering, product design, UI and UX. With resident expert support, our startups are positioned to build the best solution possible. EIRs are at URBAN-X multiple times during the week and during design intensives.
Karol is a strategically driven designer living at the intersection of culture and technology. A generalist by design, in the past ten…
Karol is a strategically driven designer living at the intersection of culture and technology. A generalist by design, in the past ten years she has worked inside studios making software for industry leaders and in-house at Condé Nast touching the most recognized names in journalism and culture. She co-founded a hardware startup and understand what they need from a design partner first hand. She is continuously studying how future technology will shape society, people, interaction and design.
Dean has spent the last 20 years creating consumer products for mass-manufacturing overseas. With over fifteen patents filed and dozens of products…
Dean has spent the last 20 years creating consumer products for mass-manufacturing overseas. With over fifteen patents filed and dozens of products sold around the world, Dean enjoys helping people make new things. Dean is also an urban cycling advocate and music + lighting guru.
Michael Sharp has been working as a creative in agencies large and small around the world, including in London, Amsterdam, Sydney and…
Michael Sharp has been working as a creative in agencies large and small around the world, including in London, Amsterdam, Sydney and New York. His career has spanned many sectors from the cool to the corporate – but always with the same passion for great design and new ideas. Michael has been lecturing in graphic design at the Shillington School of Graphic Design in New York since 2011. He co-founded the China heights gallery in Sydney and Lazy Susan gallery in NYC.
James Calhoun has 15+ years of experience leading development and production of complex technology solutions for enterprise companies and startup founders. He…
James Calhoun has 15+ years of experience leading development and production of complex technology solutions for enterprise companies and startup founders. He has worked with numerous languages to build award-winning websites, mobile applications, and experiential installations in Europe, Asia and the United States. In 2013, James founded Rehash Studio, where he applies his experience to help startups plan and scale their technology platforms.
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