Laura Bernal

Laura Bernal Vergara currently serves as Chief of Staff and Growth and Talent Manager at Malted AI, beginning in April 2024. Prior experience includes managing the DDE Incubator Programme at Edinburgh Innovations from January 2021 to April 2024, where responsibilities involved supporting the development of AI solutions and businesses in collaboration with students and researchers. Laura co-founded netminds from June 2019 to March 2022, dedicated to facilitating partnerships between businesses and academics. A brief participation in the Ignite Accelerator occurred in late 2019, following a research internship at Newcastle University's Medical School. Laura's earlier career highlights include serving as an Account Executive at McCann Worldgroup and hosting roles in Colombian radio, including production and content management. Academic credentials comprise a Master's degree in Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship from Newcastle University Business School, alongside a recent Certificate in Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School Online.