Chinedu Echeruo is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Beloved Ecosystem, building AI-powered startups to co-create inclusive wealth at global scale. At the heart of this ecosystem is DICE, an innovative organizational model that leverages human intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock collective innovation and problem-solving. With a passion for using technology to create positive social change, Echeruo is dedicated to empowering economically distressed communities and fostering inclusive economic growth.

His ambitious goal is to build a $25 billion ecosystem in 10 years, starting with 10 AI-powered startups in Newark, New Jersey, and expanding to 50 startups across major Northeast cities and then nationwide. Talented, the first startup, will use Agentic AI to autonomously match youth with apprenticeships, adapt training programs in real-time, and collaborate with employers to create pathways out of poverty. The ecosystem aims to create 5,000 local jobs, with at least 35% hired from distressed communities, and generate $5 billion in community wealth through 20% resident-employee ownership.

Echeruo’s entrepreneurial journey began with a deeply personal challenge—a fear of getting lost that stemmed from his childhood in Nigeria and early days navigating New York City. This frustration led him to create HopStop, a pioneering navigation app used in over 350 cities worldwide, which was acquired by Apple in 2013. He also founded Tripology, a lead-generation service for the travel industry, later acquired by Rand McNally and subsequently owned by USA Today.

Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Echeruo was a key member of the investment team at AM Investment Partners, a $500 million hedge fund focused on convertible bond arbitrage. He began his career at J.P. Morgan Chase, working in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Leveraged Finance groups, where he was involved in various M&A, financing, and private equity transactions.

Echeruo holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated with honors from Syracuse University. Through his work and vision, he aims to build vibrant ecosystems that optimize for the collective good.