Day 3 of the YPO Global Business Summit (GBS) was nothing short of extraordinary — a full day of inspiration, innovation and connection that reflected the very best of the YPO community.
Global leaders dove into thought-provoking sessions led by transformative business minds before witnessing the high-energy finale — Deal Tank — where more than 100 business opportunities were narrowed down to the top three. Finalists had just two minutes to pitch their deals live on stage.
The ultimate title was awarded to Yohei Kiguchi, CEO at Licube Inc.. His technology, rooted in years of advanced university research in Japan on lithium isotope separation for fusion energy, expanded through breakthroughs in electrodialysis to achieve unprecedented ultra-high purity at ultra-fast speed. Licube delivers its ultra-high purity lithium compounds to everything from space exploration to fusion energy, pharmaceuticals to semiconductors and even high-performance racing.
— Ashton Kutcher share
Ashton Kutcher on humility, high-stakes bets, and the AI-powered future
In a high-energy fireside chat, Ashton Kutcher shared his journey from Hollywood to high-stakes investing — and the mindset that fuels both.
“I’ve always tried to be the dumbest person in the room,” he says, underscoring his belief in curiosity over ego.
For Kutcher, the best founders are those who lead by example, know their domain cold, and treat everyone — from investors to receptionists — with respect. He stressed the importance of building cultures where disagreement is safe and encouraged, adding, “The hardest thing isn’t making a decision; it’s creating a space where people feel secure enough to boldly disagree with you.”
On AI, Kutcher was clear: The platform shift is now. “This is the worst AI will ever be — and it’s already powerful.” His advice? Learn how to use these tools to automate your work or risk being left behind.
With more than 15 learning sessions, 336 deals submitted, 900 YPO members participating in speed networking resulting in 5,000+ connections made and USD6.33 billion in total transacted deal volume, GBS 2025 showcased the drive, ingenuity and collaboration that define this global community of chief executives.
