Join StartUp Westport for an evening celebrating bold ideas, community impact, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. 

We’re proud to honor Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) and President and Managing Partner of WME Group as our 2025 Innovator of the Year, and Sweet P Bakery as our Community Impact Innovator Award recipient. 

 During our signature Innovator of the Year event, we will spotlight stories of resilience, leadership, and decision-making that define the entrepreneurial journey. In a candid fireside conversation moderated by  CNBC anchor Sara Eisen, Mark will share the pivotal moments that shaped his career—from high-stakes deals to hard-earned lessons—and how those experiences now guide his priorities and leadership. 

 We’ll also shine a spotlight on Sweet P Bakery, a local business making a big difference through inclusive hiring and purpose-driven growth. Their story is a reminder that innovation and impact come in many forms. 

Register here to attend.

 What to Expect: 

  • A celebration of entrepreneurship—from global conglomerates to local favorites 

  • A vibrant gathering of founders, leaders, and changemakers 

  • Insightful conversation on leadership, risk, and reinvention 

Light refreshments will be served, including a special treat from Sweet P Bakery. 

Agenda:

6:00 PM – Doors Open

6:30 PM – Welcome + Opening Remarks

6:40 PM – Community Impact Award

7:00 PM – Fireside Chat with Mark Shapiro; Moderated by Sara Eisen

8:30 PM – Closing Remarks + Networking

Mark Shapiro

President and Chief Operating Officer, TKO; and President and Managing Partner, WME Group  

Sara Eisen

Co-Anchor CNBC’s Squawk on the Street” & CNBC’s“Money Movers”

Our Speakers

Mark Shapiro serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising businesses including UFC and WWE; and as President and Managing Partner of WME Group, a global network of businesses that represent the world’s leading talent, intellectual property, and brands.   

Shapiro began his career at ESPN, where he oversaw both production and programming and led the creation of sports and entertainment properties that helped build ESPN into one of the world’s strongest multimedia brands. Shapiro then served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer of Dick Clark Productions, and later Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.   

Shapiro is a member of the board of trustees of Equity Residential (NYSE) and a member of the board of directors of EverPass Media, Fifth Season, and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. He also serves as the Chairman of Captivate Network and is a minority owner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). 

Sara Eisen is co-anchor of the 10AM hour of CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” (M-F, 9AM-11AM ET) and co-anchor of “Money Movers” (M-F, 11AM-12PM ET), which both broadcast from Post 9 at the New York Stock Exchange. She is known for her deep expertise in financial markets and the global economy as well as regular news making interviews with some of the most prominent names in the financial world, including Phil Knight, Janet Yellen and Christine Lagarde, among others.