The Digital Speaker Series of The Hellenic Initiative continues on Wednesday, May 26 7:00 PM-8:00 PM Athens time, 12 Noon EDT. Join Moderator Chris Goulakos and gain insight from Steve Galanis, co-founder and CEO of Cameo, about his journey to founding Cameo and the work behind fundraising to reach ‘unicorn' status.

Cameo is the leading marketplace connecting fans directly with tens of thousands of pop culture personalities in the form of customized video messages, live video calls, and direct messages. Launched by Galanis, Martin Blencowe, and Devon Townsend in 2016, the Cameo platform has connected fans with tens of thousands of their favorite athletes, entertainers, and other influencers facilitated more than 1 million Cameo videos and raised more than $1 million for a wide range of charities through its Cameo Cares program.

On a mission to enable the most personalized and authentic fan connections on Earth, Cameo has earned some of the business world’s highest accolades, including recognition as one of Time Magazine’s 50 Most Genius Companies of 2018 and Fast Company’s World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2020, the #1 spot in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Social Media Companies of 2020, and ranking on The Information’s TI50 list of The Most Promising Startups of 2020. Galanis himself has been recognized as one of “Hollywood’s Top Innovators” of 2020 by The Hollywood Reporter, a 40 Under 40 honoree by Crain’s Chicago Business, and Innovator of the Year (B2C) by Chicago Inno.

Galanis graduated from Duke University with a degree in History. He is an active member of the YPO Chicago Chapter and the Economic Club of Chicago. He also serves on Duke University’s Young Alumni Development Committee.

Moderator Chris Goulakos is the Managing Director of Balius Partners, a permanent capital investment vehicle deploying value strategies in public and private markets. He is also a Venture Partner of the private equity firm, Fleet Street Partners and a co-chair of the New Leaders Committee at THI.