MIT Arts Startup Incubator: DAOuda Leonard at Student Pitch Competition

Building E38, Floor 7

Hear from CreateSafe CEO and Grimes’ manager, DAOuda Leonard, at the MIT Arts Startup Incubator live pitch competition!Five teams of MIT students present their arts-focused ventures to a panel of expert judges to win $15K. Following their pitches, DAOuda Leonard joins in conversation with an MIT moderator about CreateSafe’s approach to using GenAI as a tool to empower artists and transform the music industry. The event will culminate with the winning team awarded a $15K prize.Light dinner and refreshments will be provided. Visitors arriving to MIT after 5pm, please note that a staff member will greet you at the door since evening access to the building is limited.About the programThe MIT Arts Startup Incubator supports creative entrepreneurship at the Institute by equipping a cohort of students to develop arts-focused ventures and compete for a $15K prize at a culminating pitch event.About the speakerDAOuda Leonard is a philosopher at the forefront of the creator empowerment movement. With a decade of service in the entertainment industry, he’s been a manager, publisher, producer, A&R and creative director for Grimes, DJ Snake, Skrillex, BloodPop® and more. Daouda believes in a world where artists are seen, heard, and economically empowered. He is the founder and CEO of CreateSafe, Inc., a music technology company that provides SaaS and Premium Services for music artists, managers and record labels. Daouda graduated from Northeastern University School of Business with a degree in Management Information Systems.About the teamsSceneSpark is a genAI platform that empowers screenwriters to enhance their writing with visuals and data to give their projects the best chance of clearing studios’ production barriers.HONMI creates pop-up spaces in vacant retail storefronts to empower local emerging designers and revitalize the longevity of commercial spaces in urban areas.Culture Crate preserves global living heritage through digital and hands-on learning opportunities for families and educators to engage with complex cultural practices in accessible, authentic, and rigorous ways.Hex House is an artist studio and event space committed to securing long-term, affordable opportunities for a vibrant community of emerging artists to make and show their work.BlueprintML is an easy to use, genAI CAD platform that automates time consuming tasks so architects can focus on crafting innovative design experiences.About the JudgesJessica Fjeld is a Lecturer on Law and the Assistant Director of the Cyberlaw Clinic at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Her legal practice is focused on supporting the work of creatives, archivists, and advocates, especially as it intersects with emerging technology. She is a member of the board of the Global Network Initiative and previously worked in Business & Legal Affairs for WGBH Educational Foundation. She holds a JD from Columbia Law School, an MFA in Poetry from the University of Massachusetts, and a BA from Columbia University. Jessica is also a poet.Christopher Hope is the founder and executive director of The Loop Lab and Equity IntelligenceConsulting. He now serves on the board of advisors for MassHire and AVIXA, and is a Creative Community Fellow for the National Arts Strategies and Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Innovate@BU. He received a BA from Tufts University and Masters at Harvard Divinity School.Irene Li is the co-founder of Mei Mei dumplings & Prepshift, a tech tool and consulting firm that supports businesses of all sizes to thrive sustainably and equitably. She serves on the boards of Haley House, Lovin’ Spoonfuls, and Project Bread. She also co-founded Project Restore Us, was part of Visible Hands’ inaugural cohort of underrepresented tech founders, and received the James Beard Foundation Leadership Award andsix James Beard Foundation nominations for Rising Start Chef. She is a graduate of The Mountain School, Milton Academy, and Cornell University.