AUSTEN SMART

Austen Smart is a connector across music, technology and business, and the host and founder behind CHOOSE TO's events launched from The House of KOKO, London, where he also sits on the committee.

Over nine years he's dreamt and built truly outlandish platforms and partnerships; Spotify's first global education programme, the world's first graded DJ exams with ABRSM, products used by millions. He's raised more than £6M for early-stage companies through SEIS and EIS, and he's been mentored by Sir Ron Dennis (McLaren), Olly Bengough (KOKO), Chris Byatte (EA Games) and Katia Veressen (Foundations of Inner Power).

His particular craft is the narrative. Taking a company, or brand that one would skim past and re-framing it to drive acquisition or investment. When he isn't hosting, he's advising the founders on how to raise and how to move. “The best things happen when the right people are in the same room”.