About the event.
On 15 January 2025, Astra Global, together with Gold Ventures, hosted the international online event Artificial Intelligence (AI/AR/VR): What’s Next?
The event became a platform for direct dialogue between founders and industry professionals. Startups in the fields of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality presented their projects and received expert evaluation from the jury, which included representatives of venture capital funds and corporate investors.
The format included:
- Startup Competition — individual pitching sessions focused on technology, business models, and scaling strategies.
- Investors Panel — a strategic discussion on the future of AI, AR, and VR.
Artificial Intelligence (AI/AR/VR): What’s Next? is an international platform that reflects the dynamics and key vectors of the global industry. It sets market benchmarks, highlights the most promising directions, and showcases projects capable of shaping the future of technology and business models in the coming years.
Our mission is to accelerate deals, foster long-term partnerships, and support projects that define the future of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies.
The jury evaluated projects according to the following criteria:
- Innovation & Disruption — ability to transform the market.
- Scalability & Market Fit — growth potential and product relevance.
- Business & Revenue Model — sustainability of monetization strategy.
- Team & Leadership — expertise and leadership capacity.
- Technology Excellence — maturity and uniqueness of technology.
- Impact & Sustainability — long-term value and ESG contribution.
- Presentation & Strategic Vision — clarity of vision and persuasiveness of delivery.
- Regulatory Readiness — preparedness for compliance in regulated markets.
- Generative AI & Applied AI — from next-generation models to practical applications across industries.
- Immersive Technologies (AR/VR/XR) — prospects for new user scenarios and business models.
- AI + Robotics — integrating AI into autonomous systems, industry, and transportation.
- Ethics & Regulation — global approaches to regulation and responsible use of technology.
- Investment & Corporate Innovation — how venture funds and corporations are reshaping their strategies in AI/AR/VR.
- Global Ecosystems — US, Europe, Israel, and Asia: different approaches to scaling and commercialization.
Speakers & jury.
Chris Fisher
Operating Partner, Click Ventures. Expert in global investments and IPOs
Gilad Engel
Partner, Target Global. Business development expert, angel investor with multiple successful exits
Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes
Senator, WBAF Angel Investment Fund. Futurist and expert in healthcare innovation
Gary Fowler
Co-Founder, GSD Venture Studios. Serial entrepreneur and AI investor
Yash Hemaraj
Partner, Benhamou Global Ventures. Expert in robotics and intelligent automation
Sergio A. Escobar
CEO & Partner, BCF Ventures. Investor in B2B software and mentor in global accelerators
Henry Palmer
Partner, Amplifier. Specialist in supply chain and industrial AI solutions
Francesco Corea
Research Lead, Balderton Capital. Expert in data analysis and AI strategies
Nuno Goncalves Pedro
Managing Partner, Strive Capital. Founder of the first quant-VC fund in the Bay Area
Suzana Lalicic
Angel Investor | CEO & Founder at Stockografija |Professional B2B Matchmaker| Unicorn Deal Maker
Rebecca Fishman
Founder & CEO, MaRe Head Spa System. An expert in implementing AI technologies in the wellness industry
Filip Ferents
Founder of the AI-Powered Legal Platform. Expert in legal risk management, litigation, and innovative legal technology (LegalTech)
Sergiy Nagornyy
Founder and Chief Innovator of Royal Therapy | Pharmonis USA LLC. Expert in wellness innovation, high-end retail, and science-backed orthopedic sleep solutions
Iuliia Tolmacheva
Product Design Leader in immersive tech. Designs UX/UI for AI, robotics, and AR/VR with a focus on usability, emotion, and future relevance.
Mariana Tataryn
Manager, Deloitte USA. Advisor for AI and deep-tech ventures. Expert in digital finance transformation, enterprise platforms, and data governance.
Ekaterina Dmitrieva
Investor Relations Expert in Alternative Investments
Olga Maximchuk
Architect of the Fresh & UltraFresh transformation in retail market, now leading the transition toward international agrotechnology initiatives. An expert in building sustainable business ecosystems where direct producer integration, digital technologies, and strategic partnerships replace traditional transactional procurement models. She led the industry through a structural inflection point — shifting competition from price-driven dynamics to ecosystem-based value creation.
Mustafa Alamir
Founder & AI Integration Specialist at Sky Wise IT Solutions. Expert in Agentic AI, enterprise automation, and scalable AI-powered software ecosystems.
Mariia Miakisheva
Mariia Miakisheva is a CFO with over 9 years of experience in strategic finance, financial modeling, and business process automation.
Winners.
Best Startup
Asim Bhalerao
Fluid Robotics
Best Business Model
Govind Kumar
SeaportAI
Best Product
Amir Bozorgzadeh
Virtuleap
What participants said.
For our team, it was invaluable to receive questions from the jury about the architecture and scalability of our product. Usually, discussions focus only on the business model.
Marc Lindner
Product Director at Zoe
It’s rare to see such a wide spectrum of technologies — from generative AI to industrial VR solutions — on one stage. This helps shape long-term forecasts for the industry.
Nuno Goncalves Pedro
Managing Partner, Strive Capital. Founder of the first quant-VC fund in the Bay Area
2025 will be a turning point for AI and XR: we are no longer talking about concepts, but about large-scale implementations. And this was evident in every project discussed.
Francesco Corea
Research Lead, Balderton Capital. Expert in data analysis and AI strategies
Partners.
General partner and co-organiser
Partners
