ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern Innovation and Startup Center, in collaboration with the Aberdeen Development Corporation, has announced Kevin Ervin Kelley and James Villarrubia as keynote speakers for the 2025 Technology & Entrepreneurship Summit.

The summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Johnson Fine Arts Center on the campus of Northern State University. The event brings together entrepreneurs, industry professionals, students and community members to explore the evolving landscape of technology and business.

Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA, is an award-winning architect, experience designer and co-founder of Shook Kelley, a firm known for its expertise in how environments influence behavior, decision-making and business outcomes. Kelley has worked with major global brands, including Harley-Davidson, Whole Foods and Kraft, offering insights on how to design spaces that encourage innovation, relevance and long-term success.

James Villarrubia is a leading applied artificial intelligence expert. Most recently, he served as a Presidential Innovation Fellow for NASA Aeronautics. Villarrubia has held leadership roles in startups focused on AI, cryptography, healthcare and education. He has also worked on policy initiatives with the White House, Department of Justice and Department of Defense. He holds multiple patents and degrees from the University of Virginia and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome this year’s keynote speakers to the Technology & Entrepreneurship Summit,” said Tim Hanigan, CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corporation. “Kevin’s visionary approach to spatial intelligence and design thinking, combined with James’s hands-on expertise in AI, space technology and immersive learning, offers a powerful blend of insight and inspiration. These are the kinds of voices that don’t just challenge how we think—they spark the bold ideas that drive communities and industries forward.”

“This year’s Technology & Entrepreneurship Summit is all about turning great ideas into action that will move our businesses, industries, and communities forward,” said Bea Smith, director of the Northern Innovation and Startup Center. “Every year we listen closely to what our region needs, and this year we’ve lined up an even bigger, better group of speakers who are ready to deliver the insights and inspiration to make it happen.”

For ticket and event information, please visit www.northernstartupcenter.com/summit.