Elias Tefarikis is an innovation strategist, corporate venturing expert, and entrepreneur with over two decades of global experience across Latin America, the United States, and Europe. He is CEO and founder of Smyrna Labs, a firm specializing in corporate venturing and venture client implementation. ​ Elias has served as Executive Director of Corporate Impact Venturing at Wayra — Telefónica's global innovation arm — and as a consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank on innovation ecosystem development and public policy. He has designed and led corporate venturing programs in more than ten countries and delivered over 200 talks to executives, investors, and entrepreneurs worldwide. ​ He also leads non-profit initiatives. He is currently the President of Fundacion Entrepreneur in Chile and Sisu Educational Foundation in the United States. Both organizations lead Financial Education Programs using game-based methodologies. He holds a Master's in Technology Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland and a Master's in Science of Education from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. ​ Elias publishes weekly insights on corporate venturing and innovation strategy through his newsletter, The Venture Edge, and his YouTube channel.