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Thursday April 23, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining how companies are imagined, built, and scaled. What once required large teams and significant capital can now be prototyped, tested, and launched by small, highly leveraged teams using AI driven tools and infrastructure. As a result, the pace of entrepreneurship is accelerating and the barrier between idea and execution is shrinking.


But with this new power comes a new set of questions. How should founders think about building AI first companies? Where are the real opportunities versus the hype? And how can entrepreneurs responsibly design products that incorporate powerful new technologies while navigating evolving concerns around data, security, and trust?


This showcase session brings together experienced builders, operators, and investors who have helped create and scale some of the most influential technology platforms of the modern internet. Collectively, the panel represents leadership experience across companies such as Reddit, Pinterest, Apple, LinkedIn, and Salesforce, along with active work supporting and investing in the next generation of technology startups.


Drawing from decades of experience building, scaling, and advising high growth companies, the conversation will explore what it actually takes to launch and grow companies in an AI driven era. Expect a candid and practical discussion about the changing startup playbook, how AI is shifting the economics of company building, and where the next generation of founders may find their greatest opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Where AI is creating the most meaningful leverage for early stage startups
  • How founders can incorporate AI into product development without over engineering
  • Emerging risks around data, security, and trust in AI driven companies
  • How the startup playbook is evolving in an AI accelerated world
  • What investors and operators are looking for in the next generation of AI founders

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Note: This Summit session is ticketed.
Please purchase your tickets on Humanitix. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tourism, R.L. Beyer Custom Homes, Ludwig Kuttner, and The City of Charlottesville
Speakers
avatar for Marty Weiner

Marty Weiner

Former CTO Reddit, Founding Engineer Pinterest
Marty was a founding engineer at Pinterest and spent 4.5 exciting years building Pinterest from tiny to big. In 2015 he joined Reddit as its first CTO tasked with helping bring the company into working order. Much gray hair was created, but now Reddit has even IPO’d and is on the... Read More →
avatar for Andrew Schoka

Andrew Schoka

CEO & Co-Founder, Hardshell
Andrew is the co-founder and CEO of Hardshell, where he leads the company's efforts to support secure AI adoption by growth-oriented companies. Prior to founding Hardshell, Andrew spent over seven years on active duty as a cyber operations officer with U.S. Army Cyber Command and... Read More →
avatar for Omar Garriott

Omar Garriott

Executive Director, UVA Darden School of Business, Batten Institute
Omar Garriott is Executive Director of UVA Darden’s Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology. Prior to Darden he built a career as a “Tech Intrapreneur for Good,” venture founder, and bestselling author. He has led product marketing teams and education... Read More →
Sponsors
avatar for UVA Innovates

UVA Innovates

The Entrepreneurship Initiative will coordinate and amplify entrepreneurship activities across UVA. 
Thursday April 23, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Irving theater, CODE Building

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