With more than 20 years of event production experience for startup pitch and technology-related events, Chris Valentine is the Founder and CEO of Adeo InterActive, a full service event production and startup data intelligence firm based in Austin, TX. Through innovative technology, ingenuity and creativity, Adeo InterActive creates a variety of products designed to help companies achieve their unique, tech-related strategic goals.

Chris has produced numerous events and programs for clients including NASA, Kauffman Foundation, AARP, Turner Entertainment, Student Startup Media, Business Investment Growth, Busby Foundation, Healthways, Louisville Innovation Summit and Engage Digital Media.
Chris also serves as the Event Producer for SXSW Interactive conference program SXSW Accelerator, a cutting-edge startup competition where companies from around the world compete and showcase leading technology innovations. Since 2009, SXSW Accelerator has showcased more than 353 startups and we are proud to report that 71% of those startups went on to secure a combined $3.1 billion in funding and 14% of those startups have since been acquired by the likes of Facebook, Google, British Telecom, Huffington Post, Apple, and Live Nation.

An Austin resident since 1988, Chris also volunteers his time to several local organizations and serves as the Executive Director for the Busby Foundation, a non-profit that provides support and resources for Central Texas families who are facing ALS. In this role, Chris leads the organization’s efforts to increase awareness about the disease and raise funds primarily through the charity’s two annual events – the Lone Star Crawfish Festival and the Rock & Roll Golf Classic.

Chris is a graduate of Concordia College and holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Behavioral Science. In his free time, Chris enjoys watching English soccer and classic movies, hiking on various trails with his wife and Border Collie dog, as well as traveling the world.