Prof. Dr. Mark Harris is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience in the high-tech industry and in entrepreneurship. Prof. Harris retired from Intel to follow his passion in entrepreneurship and in new venture creation. While at Intel, Prof. Harris built Intel’s global Technology Entrepreneurship program together with UC Berkeley California’s Lester Center for Entrepreneurship. During this period Prof. Harris experienced first hand the difficulties, especially in Europe, of building entrepreneurial Eco-Systems. Addressing this area became Prof. Harris’ passion which resulted in founding innova.ventures. innova.ventures is a globally active management consulting firm offering consultancy, trainings and seminars on many aspects of innovation.

Prof. Harris holds Master Degrees in Computer Science and Economics from Technical University in Munich. He also holds Adjunct Professorships in Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management at the University in Sofia, the Politehnica University in Bucharest and the University of Applied Sciences in Rosenheim Germany. He is also an expert for the Executive MBA Program at the Technical University of Munich and is a Senior Fellow at the International Entrepreneurship Academy Intentac. Prof. Harris was also on the executive board of Informatics Europe, is on the Accreditation Council of EQANIE as well as on advisory boards of collaborating or invested companies. Prof. Harris is also General Partner of GFP (Global Faculty Partners) Management Oy (ltd.) Finland. GFP Management Oy is the parent organization to “GFP for Problems worth solving LP”.

A graduate of the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Computer Science at the Gdansk University of Technology. For several years he has been participating in the development of investment projects in the field of R&D of Information Technology, carried out in Poland by the leading, global technology companies. When acting as a Director and President in the Polish branches of these companies he actively contributed to the success of investments, formation of strategic partnerships between Polish and foreign research teams and creating an effective platform for collaboration and communication in multicultural societies, academic circles and in business. Professional Career: 1984-1991 Gdansk University of Technology Faculty of ETI; 1990-1991: Vers (co-founder, CFO and Director – R&D work in the field of computer networks), 1991-1997: CrossComm-Poland (CFO, CEO, General Manager); 1997-1999: Olicom Poland (President, General Manager); 1999-2010: Intel Technology (President, General Manager). Functions performed in advisory bodies: Member of the Board of the Faculty of ETI, member of the Steering Committee of the regional Innovation Strategy of the Pomeranian province, Member of the Panel of experts of the ZPORR (Infrastructure of information society), Member of the team of advisors for the Rector of Gdansk University of Technology. Professional interest: start-up investment and VC, global digital transition, academic community and business cooperation (commercialization of the results of the scientific work, protection of intellectual property).