Mahmud Samandari has a PhD in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. He is a serial entrepreneur having started a number of companies and entities in several countries. In Latin America he founded companies in the ICT field, ranging from Satellite-based Interactive Distance Learning, Data Transmission Networks, Mobile Software Services, technological solutions for Mass Transportation Systems and a PPP between the World Bank, the Ecuadorian government and several private sector companies. He presided a Rotary project creating microbanks, was a member of a committee overseeing the operations of rural, indigenous radio stations in Latin America and served on the board of several private companies, as well as trade associations. He has coached startups for the Swiss government’s Commission for Technology and Innovation and has served on the Advisory Boards of “COMPASS, Responsible Research and Innovation” and L’Opéra, a high end French Bakery and Salon de Thé in India. He is a founding member and Secretary General of ebbf (Ethical Business Building the Future) and is in charge of the international expansion of soul.com, a leadership training and consultancy company. His publications include “How to implement Responsible Research and Innovation in SMEs?”, “Innovation: Thoughts on Purpose, Definition and Governance” and “The Obligation of States to Cooperate with International Organizations.”