George is the founder and CEO of Metamaterial Technologies Inc. (MTI), a smart materials and photonics company, solving some of the world’s most difficult problems to change the way we use, interact and benefit from light. Over the past years he has forged partnerships with global brands, enabling MTI to develop and lead new technologies. In 2012, he received the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program for CEO’s with the highest growth potential and Frost & Sullivan’s 2014 Global Aerospace Product Leadership Award for Lamda Guard metaAIR, the new revolutionary thin-film that provides protection from laser strikes in the commercial aviation industry. Prior to MTI, George founded of Medical Wireless Sensing Ltd. (MediWise) a research and development medtech company based in London, UK, with the vision to improve healthcare by enabling high precision to non-invasive diagnostics. Mediwise has received several awards including the Winner of the 4th Edition “Building Global Innovator” competition held in Portugal, for both the Health stream as well as the overall winner for 2014. Dr. Palikaras has a BEng. in Computer Engineering, an MSc. in Digital Communication Systems and did his PhD studies in metamaterial science. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Queen Mary University in London in wearable and implantable sensors projects. He also worked in industry at Wireless Technology Laboratories (former Nortel Networks) working with a team of engineers and managers through contract bidding and technology development for large telecommunication OEMs in excess of $30m. The startups he has lead have developed strong IP portfolios with over 65 patent applications and 15 patents granted, he has authored over 40 journals and conference publications and has successfully raised in excess of $20m in Venture, angel and non-dillutive capital.