The 2026 Venture NY keynote speaker, Ed Mitzen, shared an honest and energizing perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership and the rapidly changing future of work. A serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of the Business for Good Foundation, Mitzen reflected on building multiple successful companies, including Fingerpaint Group, while emphasizing that resilience, people-first leadership and purpose-driven work remain at the core of long-term success.
Throughout the conversation, he encouraged founders to focus less on chasing hype or wealth and more on solving real problems, building strong teams and creating businesses that positively impact their communities. Mitzen also discussed the opportunities and challenges AI is creating across industries, the importance of adaptability in today’s economy and why entrepreneurs have a critical role to play in shaping what comes next.
Ultimately, the keynote served as both a practical guide and a call to action for the next generation of founders to build companies that matter.