Summit
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GAME Change Summit #6
June 16, 2026
The Lightwell at North by Hotel Covington
19 E Pike Street
Covington, KY 41011
Online registration has closed. You can register onsite for the SparkHaus event on June 15 beginning at 4:30 pm and for the Summit on June 16 beginning at 8:00 am.
The GAME Change Summit brings together leaders in supply chain, manufacturing and the circular economy from industry, academia and the public sector to advance real-world circular economy solutions.
Focused on circular supply chain innovation, resilient infrastructure and scalable manufacturing strategies, the Summit creates space for collaboration, partnership and action across the GAME Change network.
GAME Change Summit #6 Pre-Event
June 15, 2026
5 – 7 p.m. EDT
The Assembly Hall at SparkHaus
727 Madison Avenue, Covington
Join us for an pre-event gathering ahead of the GAME Change Summit. The SparkHaus Pre-Event offers an opportunity to connect with peers across industry, academia and the public sector in a relaxed setting before the full Summit program begins.
Circular Economy Startup Ecosystem Panel
Moderator:
Eric Hartman, GAME Change Innovation Challenge
Panelists:
Andrew Bliss, Founder and CEO, Ecoshell
Katie Taylor, CEO and Co-founder, Narratize
Rob Watson, Principal, Upland Road
Partners: eGateway Capital and SparkHaus
GAME Change Summit #6
June 16, 2026
9 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. EDT
The Lightwell at North by Hotel Covington
Agenda
8:00 – 9:00 am
Registration
Pick up your name badge and enjoy a light breakfast and beverages.
9:00 – 9:15 am
Welcome
Andrew Costello, Client Manager, PYXERA Global (representing partners FedEx, PYXERA and Circular Supply Chain Coalition)
Remarks including GAME Change Update
Ian McClure, CEO, GAME Change
9:15 – 9:45 am
Opening Keynote: Full Circle: How Today’s Data Centers help Build Tomorrow’s AI
Manjula Murugesan, Head of Circularity Innovation, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
9:45 – 10:45 am
Robotics and Automation in Circular Systems
As compute infrastructure scales at an unprecedented rate, the systems needed to efficiently recover, reuse, and remanufacture hardware and valuable components lag behind — leaving much of that value in the shredder. Molg is building that missing infrastructure: a deployable circular manufacturing platform that combines purpose-built robotics and adaptive automation to recover value at the component level, at scale. In this session, Molg will demonstrate how that platform works in practice and share the real-world partnership that is putting it to the test. This session will be followed by a Fireside Chat with Allyson Cross.
Allyson Cross, Commercial Manager, Molg
10:45 – 11:00 am
Break
11:00 – 11:30 am
Fireside Chat
High-Tech Meets Hands-On: Building the Next-Gen Repair & Service Workforce
As economic shifts drive large-scale layoffs among knowledge workers, a critical question emerges: how do we redeploy that talent into the growing repair and service economy? This fireside chat explores the intersection of workforce displacement and technological innovation and what it means for the future of after-sales and field service.
Deborah Dull, Senior Advisor for Circularity, GAME Change and Founder, Circular Supply Chain Network
David Warrick, Executive Vice President, Enterprise, Overhaul
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Can AI Ever Be Circular? AI Infrastructure as a Circular Economy Use Case
AI infrastructure is one of the fastest growing physical systems on the planet, including data centers, chips, cooling and energy. But it is also one of the least circular by design. Today, we will explore whether AI can become a circular system where hardware is reused, materials are recovered, supply chains are transparent and value is retained instead of discarded.
Importantly, this is not just a sustainability conversation. It is about supply chain resilience, cost, domestic manufacturing and regional competitiveness. During the 45 minutes, we will focus on identifying the real leverage points, whether technology, supply chains or incentives and what it would actually take to operationalize circular AI at scale.
Moderator:
Landon Borders, Chief Ecosystem Officer, GAME Change
Panelists:
Matt Bedingfield, CEO, Mint Innovation
Gerald Jackson, Vice President Strategy, SCM Solutions Evangelist, Oracle
Rob Watson, Principal, Upland Road
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch and Networking
Networking with discussion and connection.
1:15 – 2:45 pm
Innovation and Demonstration Session: Circular Economy-Enabling Technologies
High-energy session featuring rapid-fire pitches from emerging technology teams and startups advancing circular solutions. Managed and facilitated by Midsouth I-Corps Hub.
See team listings below the agenda.
2:45-3:30 pm
The Workforce Opportunity in Circular Systems
Finding the Right Role for Human Labor in an Automated Circular Economy
Andy Kizzee, Director, BDC Business Hub
As the circular economy embraces robotics, AI and automation, an important question remains: where does human labor create unique value? Drawing from large-scale de-manufacturing and material recovery projects, this session explores how even entry level workers can create value where automation and shredding-based recycling often fall short in highly variable waste streams. Participants will examine the economic, environmental and social impacts of manual de-manufacturing, including improved material recovery, lower capital requirements and the creation of meaningful entry-level and transitional employment opportunities for workers most likely to be left behind by technological change. Through discussion and case studies, we’ll explore where automation excels, where it struggles and how human adaptability can strengthen the next generation of circular systems.
3:30 – 4:00 pm
State of the Market: A Corridor of Commerce in the Heartland
Mike Veith, Partner, eGateway Capital
4:00 – 4:15 pm
Closing and Next Steps
Ian McClure, CEO, GAME Change
*Details subject to change
Innovator Showcase
Discover the startups and emerging ventures developing technologies that are shaping the future of circular supply chains, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and resilient industry across the GAME Change ecosystem.
AlchemII
Converting methane into high-value graphite and clean hydrogen to support a more sustainable industrial future.
Armadillo Layered Design
Developing next-generation semiconductor manufacturing equipment that improves safety, efficiency and precision in advanced film deposition processes.
AXIS – Agriculture x Innovation & Science
Creating sustainable mycelium-based biomaterials as environmentally friendly alternatives to leather and synthetic textiles.
BDC Business Hub
Building circular economy workforce solutions that recover valuable materials from waste streams while creating meaningful employment opportunities.
Biocatalysis
Transforming discarded materials into fuel, electricity and other valuable products through innovative waste-to-resource technologies.
Edgetrack
Providing real-time shipment visibility and predictive analytics that help carriers improve efficiency, traceability and operational performance.
Elemental Composites
Advancing scalable natural fiber reinforcement technologies for stronger, more sustainable composite materials.
Fibarcode
Enabling product authentication, traceability and end-of-life management through innovative fiber-based textile labeling technology.
Iris Strategies
Supplying critical aerospace and defense technologies, including alternative sources for specialized military timing indicators.
Ship It Pro
Helping shippers, carriers and receivers reduce cargo damage and improve accountability through shipment verification and freight quality monitoring.
ThermoComp
Developing advanced metal cutting solutions that improve tool life, machining performance and manufacturing efficiency.
Vector Research Labs
Using real-time physiological monitoring and intervention technologies to improve human performance and readiness in high-stakes environments.
ZephyrFuel
Developing modular, on-site hydrogen production systems that improve energy resilience, reduce emissions and support industrial operations.
Interested in learning more?
These innovators will be participating in the GAME Change ecosystem and sharing how their technologies are addressing critical challenges in advanced manufacturing, circular economy systems, logistics, workforce development and clean energy. Connect with them during the pre-event and event to explore collaboration, investment and partnership opportunities.