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Director of Digitalization and Cybersecurity Office
Mayor’s Proxy for Smart City
Michal Lakomski is the Mayor’s Proxy for Smart City and the Director of Digitalization and Cybersecurity for the city of Poznan. A graduate of the Poznan University and a respected smart city expert, Michal has been the driving force behind Poznan’s digital transformation since 2017. Responsible for the implementation of innovative systems and e-services for both the residents of Poznan and the employees of Poznan City Hall, Michal is a champion of innovation with a keen interest in open data and new technologies. He is a regular speaker at national and international conferences (WSB Merito University, Stanford University, Smart City Expo Barcelona, Urban Tech Forward).

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Dirk Schmidt is the Co-Founder & CEO of BizzTech, specializing in Smart Spaces and Metaverse solutions. With a background in sports management, business development, and digital innovation, he has built and led multiple successful ventures. Since 2018, he has driven BizzTech’s AI-powered metaverse platform, integrating Unreal Engine 5, digital twins, and IoT for seamless Web3 experiences. Previously, he managed elite tennis professionals, founded a fitness chain, and invested in real estate. Based in Tenerife, Spain, Dirk is fluent in German, English, and Spanish, bringing a global vision to digital transformation.

Early Life and Education

Dirk Schmidt was born in Hamburg, Germany. From 1983 to 1988, he founded and operated an agency specializing in coaching tennis professionals.

Career in Sports and Business

Dirk’s early career focused on sports management, where he served as General Manager of multifunctional sports centers in Germany between 1989 and 1993. His expertise led him to the role of Director of Operations at DIMA Sport Management GmbH, where he managed and promoted professional tennis players at the European level, including stars like Andrei Medvedev and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Between 1998 and 2001, he built a successful chain of five fitness centers in Switzerland, managing a membership base of 6,500 individuals and 150 employees. His ventures proved lucrative, and in 2001, TC Holdings Switzerland acquired his fitness centers. Following this, he took on the role of Finance Director at TC Holdings, overseeing 14 gyms with 12,500 members and 350 employees.

Dirk later transitioned into real estate investments, funding the construction of single-family homes in Mallorca, Spain (2003-2007), and a 32-apartment holiday complex on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (2008-2011).

Entrepreneurial Shift to Technology and the Metaverse

In 2011, Dirk founded several small and medium-sized businesses in the Canary Islands, Spain, leading to three successful exits. His forward-thinking approach to technology and digital transformation led him to co-found BizzTech in 2018, where he serves as CEO.

Leadership at BizzTech

Under Dirk’s leadership, BizzTech has become a pioneer in Smart Spaces and Metaverse solutions, offering AI-powered immersive digital experiences for businesses and governments. BizzTech’s platform leverages Unreal Engine 5, AI-driven analytics, digital twins, and IoT to create high-fidelity, interactive environments. Dirk’s vision ensures accessibility, allowing users to engage in metaverse experiences across devices without VR headsets.

Personal Life and Multilingual Expertise

Dirk Schmidt is currently based in Tenerife, Spain, where he oversees BizzTech’s global operations. He is fluent in German (native), English (business level), and Spanish (business level), reinforcing his ability to operate across international markets.

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Benjamin Lyon is senior vice president and chief technology officer of Aptiv, a position he has held since December 2022.
In this role, Mr. Lyon is responsible for ensuring that Aptiv remains at the forefront of emerging and disruptive technology trends and prioritizing longer-term technology and business model opportunities in mobility and adjacent markets. In addition, Mr. Lyon is responsible for the technology leadership of the global engineering organization, which includes more than 19,000 technologists located in 12 major technical centers across the globe.
Mr. Lyon has over two decades of experience in senior engineering, developing technology, commercializing products and executing program launches at leading technology companies.
Most recently, Benjamin served as Chief Engineer and Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations of Astra Space, Inc. since 2021. In this role, he successfully deployed 22 satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO) and launched the Astra Space Engine Hall-Effect thruster product line.
Before that, Benjamin served at Apple Inc. for over two decades, developing and productized sensors, displays, high-performance compute, and safety / security critical technology for scale. While at Apple, he also cofounded their autonomous systems effort.
Mr. Lyon received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

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Technology Transfer Consultant. In PSTP since 05.2014; Experienced in the preparation of business, technology and innovation reviews; experienced in SME’s advice, support and information in the field of European funding. Experienced in fostering cooperation between science and business, IPR analyst. Certified Factory of the Future advisor, supporting digitalization process in manufacturing companies.

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DevRel Engineer at vlayer.xyz. Passionate about ZK cryptography, smooth UX in Web3, and open source privacy-driven projects

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She is a graduate in Marketing and Management from UAM in Poznań, as well as a graduate of postgraduate studies at Collegium Da Vinci (New Marketing and Business Trainer).

She creates strategies for brand management, marketing, and business development. Her strength lies in project management, which she acquired while working in the publishing industry, marketing agencies, EU projects, and running her own business (including a training academy). She has also collaborated with non-governmental organizations, supporting them in marketing and daily activities.

She is a lecturer and author of publications on company management, HR, promotion and marketing, IT technology, and the English language.

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Bartosz Graś

Adwokat, założyciel i partner kancelarii Graś i Wspólnicy. Członek Trybunału Arbitrażowego przy Izbie Gospodarczej Blockchain i Nowych Technologii. Aktywnie działa w obsłudze podmiotów wykorzystujących technologię blockchain. Od kilku lat zaangażowany w innowacyjny projekt, oparty na technologii blockchain, realizowany dla PlayWay S.A., jednej z największych polskich spółek działających w branży gier wideo.

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