Behind every strong student team is guidance that sharpens thinking and builds confidence. Our mentors bring experience, perspective, and thoughtful feedback to help founders navigate critical decisions as they grow.
For semifinalists, this stage is about depth. Sharpening your architecture. Pressure-testing your assumptions. Strengthening your path to scale. The mentors joining this year’s Builder Series have walked that road themselves and are stepping in to help teams think bigger, build smarter, and move forward with clarity.
Neil Roodyn is a founder and technology innovator with 25 years of experience building at the edge of emerging technology, from early 3D graphics to AI and Mixed Reality. Having worked with teams at Microsoft, NVIDIA, Telstra, and KPMG, he brings a builder’s perspective that helps student founders turn bold ideas into impact.
Patricio Cofré is a data science entrepreneur and business leader with deep experience in analytics, AI, and technology driven transformation. As a cofounder of Metric Arts and a leader in large scale data initiatives across finance, retail, and telecommunications, he helps founders turn data into meaningful impact.
Thomas Martinsen is a technology evangelist and AI strategist with deep experience in software engineering and cloud platforms. As a Technical Evangelist at twoday, and a Microsoft Regional Director and AI MVP, he focuses on helping organisations turn generative AI and modern cloud technologies into real, sustainable value.
Kent Agerlund is the founder of CTGlobal now twoday with decades of experience building enterprise grade endpoint, security, and cloud solutions across Europe and the US. Drawing from his work as a consultant, trainer, and author, he brings practical insight into designing resilient and scalable platforms.
Nishith Pathak is an AI innovator and technology strategist with deep experience delivering complex, enterprise scale solutions for global organizations. He leads global architecture and innovation at DXC Technology, bringing insight from large scale transformation and advanced AI systems used by Fortune 100 companies.
Norman Sasono is a technology leader and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in fintech and
startups. As a cofounder of multiple companies and now head of technology at DANA, he brings first-hand insight into building products and scaling solutions used by hundreds of millions.
Agnes Molnar is the founder of Search Explained and a globally recognized expert in enterprise search and knowledge management. Having delivered search and AI solutions for organizations in over 30 countries, she brings practical insight founders can apply as they build and scale their ventures.
Maarten Eekels is a cloud and AI expert with more than 20 years of experience driving digital transformation across Europe. He is an independent technology strategist and cloud architect, bringing first-hand insight into helping founders scale with clarity and avoid common growth pitfalls.
Gabe Rijpma was the 12-year-old glued to an 8-bit computer, 6502 assembly, certain technology would change the world. He turned that obsession into 20 years at Microsoft, including 12 years leading their healthcare business across Asia. He co-founded and sold Aceso Health, now runs CardioNexus as CEO, and remains a relentless advisor to startups. Still certain technology can make most things better.
Olajumoke Toriola is an award-winning CTO and global technology leader with over two decades of experience delivering secure and scalable solutions across industries. Her work in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation provides founders with trusted insight as they build resilient, future-ready products.
Ouafa Benterki is a globally recognized Algerian ICT leader, international speaker, and research author. A Microsoft Regional Director and founder & CEO of MTY Intelligent Software Global LLC, she is also an international Smart Cities advisor and awardee of Women Who Code’s 2023 “100 Technologists to Watch” and the SHE LEAPS 2025 ICONS program.
Sharon Sumner is a technology entrepreneur and startup founder with nearly 20 years of experience building cloud based solutions for businesses. Having built a SaaS platform from scratch, she brings practical insight into product development and scaling solutions with customers in mind.
Elena Sinel is an award winning social entrepreneur and founder of Teens in AI, a global initiative empowering young people to build AI solutions for social good. She brings insight from advising companies and governments on inclusive technology education and impact.
Eric D. Boyd is a tech entrepreneur and cloud computing expert with nearly 30 years of experience building modern software solutions. As the founder and CEO of responsiveX, he brings insight from helping startups and enterprises adopt cloud and AI with confidence.
Todd Fine is a technology entrepreneur and executive with 25 years of experience building and scaling software companies. As a co founder of Wintellect, he brings firsthand insight into growing companies from early stage to successful acquisition.
Dr. David Goad is a technology leader and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across IT and digital strategy. As the founder of eSavvy and a former leader at Microsoft, KPMG, IBM, and Hitachi, he brings insight from building award winning startups and leading technology at scale.
Dr. Erdal Ozkaya is the CISO at Morgan State University and an award winning cybersecurity executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience leading security programs across global organizations. As a founder, former CISO at Standard Chartered Bank, and author of multiple books, he brings practical insight into building secure and resilient technology at scale.
Sharon Weaver is the founder and CEO of Smarter Consulting and a technology leader with nearly 30 years of experience driving digital transformation. She brings insight from building inclusive teams and aligning technology with business strategy to help founders scale with purpose.
Christian Buckley is a collaboration strategist and enterprise software entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in product, marketing, and technical leadership. As a founder and former leader at Microsoft and leading ISV partners, he brings insight into building collaboration platforms that scale across organizations.
Chander Dhall is a software architect and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience building scalable enterprise applications. As the founder and CEO of Cazton, he brings insight from leading engineering teams and shaping AI and cloud strategy for companies worldwide.
Greg Levenhagen is VP for AI at NRI and a software architect and technology strategist with over two decades of experience designing enterprise systems and leading engineering teams. He has held senior roles across consulting, product development and technical leadership, with recognised expertise in cloud architecture, AI and modern application platforms.
Scott Bockheim is a technology executive and enterprise architect with over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation at global companies including Microsoft, Starbucks, and MillerCoors. He brings insight from building cloud and AI platforms that scale to millions of users and drive meaningful business impact.
Kate Carruthers is a data and AI leader with experience delivering innovative data and cybersecurity initiatives across startups, enterprises, and academia. She brings insight from founding technology companies and leading landmark AI and data programs that help organizations innovate with confidence.
Jourdan Templeton is a technology entrepreneur and engineering leader with experience building cloud platforms and scaling digital businesses. As the founder and CTO of Aware Group, he brings insight from leading AI and data initiatives across global enterprises and government.
Rockford Lhotka is a software architect, entrepreneur, and author with over 30 years of experience designing distributed systems. As the creator of the CSLA .NET framework and founder of Marimer LLC, he brings deep insight into building scalable software and leading engineering teams.
Together, this year’s Builder Series mentors represent decades of experience across startups, global enterprises, AI innovation, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, fintech, SaaS, healthcare, and digital transformation. Their collective insight spans building companies from the ground up, leading technology at global scale, and guiding teams through pivotal growth moments. As Imagine Cup 2026 semifinalists move deeper into the Builder Series, they do so supported by leaders who have navigated complexity, scaled responsibly, and turned vision into execution. We are grateful for the time, expertise, and intentional guidance these mentors bring to the next generation of founders shaping what comes next.
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