Chris Joannou | Think Bigger: Bold Visions, Blockchain, and Building Global Startup Communities

On this episode of The Silicon Dreams, host Sharlaine Menezes from Orbis86 chats with Chris Joannou, VP of Ecosystem Growth at Draper University, seasoned startup mentor, and global business development leader. With over a decade in startups and venture capital, Chris shares Draper U’s unique approach to training entrepreneurs—combining real-world expertise, immersive residency programs, and unconventional challenges like “Survival Week” with Navy SEALs. He reveals alumni success stories, the power of partnerships, and strategies for building thriving startup communities worldwide. From blockchain’s future to AI-blockchain synergy, deep tech moonshots, and why big, bold visions attract top talent, Chris offers actionable insights for founders ready to think bigger, go global, and push beyond their limits.