The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth is hosting a business event that will focus on innovation in mobility and energy. Although startups have long been associated with Silicon Valley and software, their power to disrupt and drive innovation is quickly changing both the mobility and energy landscapes.

Examples of this innovation include the rise of alternative modes of electric transportation such as electric skateboards and scooters on college campuses (Inside Higher Ed), the FAA’s approval of flying car test flights (Business Insider), and the introduction of battery swappable electric scooters (Forbes).

This event will examine innovation and macro trends in the mobility/energy industries from the perspective of startups, established companies, as well as the emerging partnerships between the two. Join us as our panel of industry experts discuss topics such as the infrastructure realities of electric vehicles, the role of legacy Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and how established automotive companies can collaborate with startups to accelerate innovation. In addition to gaining knowledge about current trends in the US and Japan in the Energy and Mobility spaces, attendees will also have the opportunity to network with professionals in energy and mobility.

Panelist: Meelis Anton
COO, Clevon Corporation

Meelis Anton is the COO of Clevon in the US. He has 20 years of international experience from the US and multiple countries in Europe. He brings an exceptional portfolio of success in building and scaling up large and complex programs. Meelis has experience from technology vendors like Ericsson and from the telecom operator side in executive roles. Having worked in telecommunications, logistics and retail automation sectors, he has worked with global leading companies and helped them achieve magnificent business outcomes. Under his strategic leadership, Clevon is building up impeccable reputation in the United States for driverless technologies.

Learn more about Clevon Corporation here – https://clevon.com/

Panelist: Sahil Segal
Portfolio Engagement Director, Frontier Fund, Toyota Ventures

Sahil Segal is a portfolio engagement director at Toyota Ventures, responsible for working with startups in the Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund and developing and implementing programs that add value to portfolio companies. Prior to joining Toyota Ventures, Sahil led startup scouting for Deloitte Consulting’s mobility practice. He has held roles at The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and served on an advisory committee of the World Economic Forum, focusing on the role of cybersecurity within startups. Sahil also co-founded TrekConnect, a platform that connected travelers to locals for hyper-customized vacations. Sahil received a dual degree in finance and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in business administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Panelist: Michael Fresco
Vice President of Corporate Development & General Counsel

Michael is the Vice President of Corporate Development & General Counsel at Revel, an electric mobility and EV infrastructure company based in Brooklyn. He oversees the company’s growth through strategic partnerships and transactions while serving as Revel’s lead in-house counsel. Michael played key roles both in launching Revel’s all-electric, all-employee rideshare service, which has completed over 1,000,000 electric rides in New York City, and in the buildout of Revel’s network of publicly available fast-charging Superhubs. Prior to joining Revel in early 2020, he was an attorney in private practice in New York.

Moderator: Suzanne Basalla
President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S.-Japan Council (USJC)
former Chief of Staff, Toyota Research Institute (TRI)

Suzanne Basalla is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization devoted to developing and connecting diverse leaders in the U.S. and Japan, with the overall goal of strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. Ms. Basalla is also Vice Chair of the National Association of Japan America Societies, a member of the Japan Society of Northern California Board of Directors, and Special Advisor to Career Girls. She joins USJC from her role as Chief of Staff at the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), a Silicon Valley-headquartered subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation that develops automated driving, robotics, and other human amplification technology for Toyota. She has been at TRI since 2017.

Read more about Suzanne Basalla on the US-Japan Council website here – https://www.usjapancouncil.org/suzanne-basalla/