Learning
Programs and experiences for students and alumni, including [YOU] on AI + X.
IE Silicon Valley Hub
A transatlantic hub for innovation
Connecting Europe and Silicon Valley
Learning · Research · Ventures
Sutardja Dai Hall · CITRIS at UC BerkeleyEvent17 November 2026Arrival from 3:30 PM
Time4:00–6:00 PM PacificNetworking reception until 6:30 PM
Hosted byIE University and CITRISUC Berkeley
About the Hub
A bridge between IE and Silicon Valley
The Hub connects IE alumni, students, researchers, founders, investors, and industry leaders. It supports learning experiences, research collaborations, and ventures across Europe and Silicon Valley.
Research
Collaboration between university researchers, industry, and public-interest partners.
Ventures
Connections for founders and investors working across markets and disciplines.
Why now?
Innovation is expanding beyond software
AI is expanding innovation into robotics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, climate technologies, and other emerging fields. Europe and Silicon Valley bring complementary strengths, talent, and networks to this changing landscape.
The Hub is designed to strengthen transatlantic collaboration across learning, research, and venture building.
The launch will bring together industry, academia, venture, and policy leaders to help shape the Hub’s first portfolio of initiatives.
Speakers and leadership
Meet the Silicon Valley, Berkeley, and IE leadership
Viewpoints from mini-keynotes and panels will lead into follow-on conversation at the networking mixer. Learn about opportunities through [YOU] on AI + X, industry and academic research, and cross-world ventures.
Michael Marks
Leading Silicon Valley Investor and Former CEO of Flextronics
Investment · Technology · Ventures
Alexandre Bayen
Professor and CITRIS director leading advanced research for society
Research · Technology · Society
Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño
President, IE University
Education · Leadership · Innovation
Ikhlaq Sidhu
Dean, IE School of Science & Technology
Engineering · Entrepreneurship · Innovation
Rafif Srour
Dean of Programs, IE School of Science & Technology
Data · AI · Learning Innovation
Edo Segal
Napster CTO and 5× serial entrepreneur
AI · Education · Entrepreneurship
Trond Petersen
Berkeley–IE Silicon Valley Hub Director; Professor of Sociology
Sociology · Research · CollaborationNetwork and Hear from key participants and stakeholders
Camille Crittenden
Executive Director, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute
Tech Policy · AI Governance · Equity
Jennifer Mangold
Chief Innovation and Learning Officer, Fung Institute
Experiential Learning · Responsible Innovation · Engineering Leadership
Jaideep Sen
Chief Business Officer, Minfy; former CEO and co-founder, D4DT / IOT World Labs
AI · Data · Industrial IoT
Bob Waite
Co-founder and CTO, diibs
Commerce · Technology Platforms
Karin H. Bauer
Managing Director, Berkeley Center for Digital Assets
Former eBay · Oracle
Cosmos Nicolaou
Principal, CloudEng; former Google engineering leader
Cloud · Search · Distributed Systems
Grace D. O’Connell
Interim Faculty Director, Berkeley M.E.T.; Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering · Entrepreneurship · Translational Research
Shomit Ghose
Venture capitalist; former General Partner, ONSET Ventures
Startups · Five IPOs
Sanjay Mittal
Founder and CEO, Predictika; AI pioneer and serial entrepreneur
AI · Constraint Reasoning · $5B IPO
Leticia Cabral-Calvillo
Executive Director, IEX Labs
Innovation · Technology Transfer · Venture Building
Puneet Pandit
Group CEO and co-founder, MIRAI Capital Global
Global Venture Capital · Deep Tech
Alexandr Chevtaev
Tech entrepreneur and IE professor
Web3 · AI · Data PrivacyProgram
Launch event
Leadership remarks, short talks, a panel conversation, and time to meet the community.
Welcome and launch
Introduction to the Hub and formal launch of the IE–CITRIS collaboration.
Mini-keynotes
Science and ventures, education and AI, and technology research for society.
Panel conversation
How alumni, universities, industry, and investors can collaborate across the Atlantic.
Networking reception
Informal conversation and introductions until 6:30 PM.
Who should attend
Connect with the Hub
The launch is for people who want to take part in learning, research, industry, or venture activity between IE and the Bay Area.
IE alumni
Reconnect with IE and build relationships with Bay Area industry and academic communities.
Students
Explore learning and research opportunities, including You on AI + X.
Industry, academics, founders, and investors
Meet potential collaborators and identify projects that can move across institutions and markets.
Optional working session18
November 2026
10:00 AM–1:00 PM Pacific
Help shape next steps
Options to observe the You on AI+X Course and campus tour.
Join a practical working session on Wednesday morning to provide feedback and take part in the Hub’s design and development.
- Review priorities for learning, research, ventures, and alumni engagement
- Identify potential projects and collaborators
- Agree on practical follow-up actions
Practical information
Plan your visit
Arrival begins at 3:30 PM. The programme runs from 4:00–6:00 PM, followed by a networking reception until 6:30 PM.
Timing
Arrival: 3:30 PM
Programme: 4:00–6:00 PM
Reception: 6:00–6:30 PM
Venue
Sutardja Dai Hall, 3rd Floor
Banatao Auditorium, Room 310
Address
2594 Hearst Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720
Open in Google Maps ↗
Registration
Register for the launch
Use the registration form to indicate whether you would also like to join the optional working session.
Register for the launch →