An event like
No other!

IDEA Week is bringing 30 powerful speakers, panelists and workshop leaders to the region – including visionary storyteller Ashley Flowers, groundbreaking neuroscientist-entrepreneur Milad Alucozai, and passionate founder-author-musician Max Yoder. It’s going to be one of the most electric days of the year!

APR 22-25 | SOUTH BEND, IN

Featured speakers

Our featured speakers are trailblazing innovators who are inspiring the future.

Ashley Flowers

Podcaster, Crime Junkie

Ashley Flowers, the top female podcaster in the U.S., is revolutionizing the podcasting world as the Founder and creative force behind audiochuck, an independent media company with over ten chart-topping shows. Named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the most influential people in podcasting, Ashley’s work has captivated audiences globally, with her podcasts surpassing 2.6 billion downloads. She is best known for Crime Junkie , a two-time #1 show on Apple Podcasts, where her compelling storytelling has made her a household name.

Dr. Milad Alucozai

Neuroscientist

Dr. Milad Alucozai, an Afghan-American neuroscientist, entrepreneur, biotech executive, and global investor, is dedicated to leveraging his expertise in bioengineering, computational biology, and machine learning to revolutionize translational research and development. His ultimate goal is to significantly enhance patient care and fundamentally transform the field of medicine. His unwavering commitment to commercializing groundbreaking technologies and nurturing thriving startup ecosystems globally has earned him a reputation as a highly respected thought leader and dedicated mentor for entrepreneurs through the Creative Destruction Lab and the Wyss Institute at Harvard University.

MAX YODER

Former CEO, Lessonly

Max Yoder is a husband, father, author, musician, and co-founder and former CEO of Lessonly, the Indianapolis-based training software company. Max and his friends co-founded Lessonly in 2012. The company grew to 300 employees and $30 million in annual revenue before it was acquired by Seismic in 2021.

Scott Chacon

Co-Fouder, GitHub

Is the former cofounder of GitHub; now cofounder of GitButler, a next generation version control client, based in Berlin. Scott helped grow GitHub from 4 cofounders to 450 employees over 8 years, eventually being acquired by Microsoft for $7.5 billion. Scott is also the author of Pro Git, published by Apress and found online at git-scm.com. In unrelated news, he holds a WSET Level 3 certification in Wines and Spirits and owns a dog rescue outside of Berlin.

COME HEAR THE NEXT

big idea

Join us on a journey where possibility meets purpose. Our passion drives us to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and create solutions that don’t just meet expectations – they redefine them. Whether you’re a dreamer, doer, or visionary, you’ll find an IDEA Week lineup where creativity flourishes and potential knows no limits.

OUR SPEAKER ROSTER

From grassroots innovators to industry pioneers, our speakers bring together diverse perspectives and experiences to inspire and motivate while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.