Starting a Data Conference: The Data Makers Fest Story
In this episode, we talk with Leonid Kholkine, co-founder of Data Makers Fest and Head of R&D at DareData.
Leonid’s career spans research, engineering, startups, and community building. He completed a PhD in machine learning applied to sports, worked on real-world AI systems across several industries, and helped launch multiple initiatives around data and innovation, including World Data League and Data Lead Club.
He is also one of the people behind Data Makers Fest, a conference created for practitioners who want to learn from real projects and real experience.
In this conversation, we discuss:
Leonid’s path from engineering to applied AI research
His work on machine learning in sports and applied data systems
How the idea for Data Makers Fest started
What it takes to launch a conference from scratch
Why practitioner communities are important in the data ecosystem
His experience as one of the early members of DataTalks.Club
About the Speaker:
Leonid Kholkine is Head of R&D at DareData and co-founder of Data Makers Fest, a conference for data practitioners focused on practical knowledge and real-world experience.
Leonid has a background in machine learning research and applied AI. He completed a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Antwerp, where his work focused on machine learning applications in sports performance and physiology.
Throughout his career, he has worked across research, engineering, and innovation projects in multiple domains, including sports analytics, healthcare, and data platforms. He has also co-founded several community initiatives, including World Data League, a global data science competition focused on urban challenges, and Data Lead Club, a community for data team leaders.
His work combines applied AI, product development, and community building in the data ecosystem.
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