Danny Mekić

Danny Mekić is a technology and innovation expert specializing in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and strategic consultancy. Mekić began his career at age 15 by launching his first software company, followed by ventures in hosting, anonymous text messaging, and chocolate delivery. After passing the Colloquium Doctum entrance exam, he was admitted to the University of Amsterdam without a high school diploma, where he studied jurisprudence and served as chairman of the Faculty's Student Council. Mekić serves as a guest lecturer at multiple universities and holds degrees in law, management science, culture studies, and business administration. He is pursuing a PhD at Leiden University, under joint supervision with Eindhoven University of Technology.

Mekić founded NewTeam, an international consultancy firm specializing in strategic boardroom consultancy for large organizations in technology, media, communications, disruptive innovation, new business models, and digital transformation. He has advised 40 of the 100 largest organizations in Europe across sectors such as technology, communications, finance, insurance, aviation, food, construction, and healthcare. His client work includes supporting KLM with innovation and social media, advising the Dutch judiciary on digitalization, and assisting the European Broadcasting Union and Eurovision Song Contest with online strategy and infrastructure. In addition to NewTeam, Mekić operates ventures including HackathonFactory, InnovationRecruitment, StrategyCooker, and Innovation Accelerator, an online training course for innovators.

Mekić has received several awards, including "Leader of Tomorrow" by the St. Gallen Symposium, "Most Successful Young Entrepreneur of the Netherlands" by Sprout, and recognition as one of the Netherlands' 50 biggest talents by Quote and Elsevier. NRC Handelsblad has identified him as a leading business expert on Dutch TV, and FTM ranked him among the top cyber experts in the Netherlands. He received the Felipe Rodriguez Award for contributions to freedom of communication and privacy. Mekić is the author of "Ondernemer in een Week" ("Entrepreneur in a Week"), a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, and co-author of "Internetrecht 2.0" for the Association for Information Technology and Law.

Mekić has delivered more than 700 lectures in the Netherlands and internationally, including in Europe, America, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. He has opened the academic year at Eindhoven University of Technology, delivered three TEDx Talks, and teaches as a guest lecturer at Dutch colleges and universities. Mekić has served on advisory boards for the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs and of Education, Culture and Science, promoting entrepreneurship among students. He applies innovation models and techniques grounded in two decades of entrepreneurial experience and expertise in management, technology, and law.