Founder and CEO - Wasoko
Daniel Yu founded Wasoko (formerly Sokowatch) after witnessing pervasive product stock outs at small retail stores while living in Egypt. Prior to founding Wasoko, Daniel worked as a software developer and Chief Technical Officer for several early-stage startups in the US and attended the University of Chicago where he focused on International Studies and Linguistics. Through his work with Wasoko, Daniel has received international recognition as the winner of the Prince of Wales Young Entrepreneur Prize, designation by the White House as an Emerging Global Entrepreneur, and as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs. Daniel has worked in or travelled to 60+ countries and speaks Mandarin, Swahili, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, and French.
As the digital economy reshapes global development, world-class universities are emerging as critical anchors for new city ecosystems. This session explores how the convergence of higher education, research, and technology can drive urban growth—positioning university-centered developments as launchpads for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digitally-enabled industries. From attracting top talent to fostering startup ecosystems, these hybrid hubs are redefining what it means to build a city around knowledge.