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Susan Akbarpour (Persian: سوسن اكبرپور ) is an Iranian-American entrepreneur, journalist, investor, and public speaker. She is the co-founder and CEO of Mavatar Technologies, the developer of the mCart omnichannel commerce platform.

Early Life and Education
Akbarpour was born and raised in Mashhad, Iran.

In 1993, Akbarpour graduated with a B.S. in French language and literature from Ferdowsi University in Iran. Akbarpour later attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she received an M.S. in Management in 2010.

Journalism in Iran
After graduating from university, Akbarpour began working as a journalist at Khorasan.

Early Media and Technology Ventures
Akbarpour immigrated to the United States in 1997. She settled in the Bay Area, where she continues to live.

Soon after arriving in the United States, Akbarpour founded Iran Today, a newspaper for Iranian Americans in both Persian and English.

In December 2000, Akbarpour founded Silicon Iran, a quarterly magazine for Iranian-Americans in the technology industry. Akbarpour founded Silicon Iran with her brother Cyrus, an electrical and software engineer. Silicon Iran later rebranded as Teksia, which offered networking and support to other ethnics groups including Japanese Americans, Indian Americans and Chinese Americans. Teksia continued to publish the Silicon Iran quarterly magazine. Teksia hosted the International Technology Forum (ITF), a conference that brought together the technology leaders of various ethnic communities and people interested in networking with these groups. The ITF hosted events in Silicon Valley, at MIT, and in Barcelona in collaboration with Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and US Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona.

In 2004, Akbarpour also founded Linkore, a “venture catalyst firm.” Linkore provided services to businesses, including executive search, event planning, and marketing strategy. Linkore advised more than 50 startups.

Mavatar Technologies
Akbarpour co-founded Mavatar Technologies in 2011 with Brom Mahbod. Mavatar is an enterprise software company and the developer of the mCart commerce product. Akbarpour conceived the platform’s concept while performing graduate research at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. mCart plans to use the mCart token, an ERC-20 Ethereum-backed cryptocurrency, to pay influencers for the sales that they drive within the mCart platform.

Other Business Activities
Akbarpour is a partner at venture capital firm Candou Ventures. Candou invests in communications, semiconductors, biotech, software, and e-commerce companies.

Akbarpour is an advisor and board member of the blockchain transaction company Trustroot. She also sits on the board of directors at the Internet Media Association International Executive Council and VOMax Corporation.

Speaking
Akbarpour regularly speaks at conferences across the United States about topics such as cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and advertising.

Media
Akbarpour regularly appears on television news programs to discuss blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and advertising. She has appeared on CBS Los Angeles, Fox Business’ Varney & Co., Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, Good Morning Lala Land, and other programs.

Writing
Akbarpour has written articles about blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and startup innovation. She is a contributing writer to the Forbes Agency Council, where she writes about blockchain and digital commerce.

Personal Life
Akbarpour is married to fellow entrepreneur and investor Faraj Aalaei. They have one daughter together and two sons from Faraj’s previous marriage. The family resides in Atherton, CA.