Yao is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Hatchery, an organization instrumental in developing the New York technology ecosystem with an international advisory consultancy and incubator. She has helped over 350 early stage companies through various phases of maturity with a focus on product, business, revenue, and funding. She leads up the enterprise incubator in New York building products with corporate partners -- from ideation, development, sales, funding to exit. She is advisor and deal maker to the governments of 10 countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia to assist foreign technology companies in their expansion to the U.S. market. Previously, Yao co-founded an award winning digital agency, Gigapixel Creative, building technology solutions and digital strategies for corporations, startups, and advertising agencies. Clients and campaigns included Cline Davis Mann, BBDO, Y&R, Nextel, Cigna, Chase, Starwood Hotels, Universal and more. She helped launch several startups and lead the agency to 30 accolades including Top 10 Hot Creative Agencies to Watch and Forbes Best of Web. Recently, Yao was named by Forbes as one of eleven women at the center of New York’s digital scene, by Beta Beat as one of 25 Women Driving New York’s Tech Scene, and TechWeek’s 100 most influential people in tech. She is part of the U.S. State Department Global Entrepreneurship Program Delegations in bringing entrepreneurship and initiatives to strategic countries. Yao is a sought after speaker in areas of building internet companies, technology, big data, social media, and entrepreneurship. Yao and her efforts have been featured in Fortune, Inc Magazine, The Miami Herald, Reuters, Daily News, Red Herring, Crains, American Venture, and TED. She has a particular passion for helping entrepreneurs, women, and social causes with projects in place to build global communities, push more women into executive positions.