From Uber to Electronic Music

Ryan Graves, the billionaire entrepreneur who helped launch Uber from a startup into a global transportation platform, has joined the Board of Directors of Adriatic Sound Festival. Graves earned his fortune as the first employee and original CEO of Uber, playing a central role in the company's early operations, launch strategy, and international expansion, eventually serving as Senior Vice President of Global Operations. He founded Saltwater in 2018, an investment firm focused on capital efficiency and long-term value.

Positioning Technology and Culture

The appointment signals a deliberate push by the festival to position itself at the intersection of technology and culture. Graves joins Brant Cryder, President and CEO of Saint Laurent Americas, on the festival's board. Festival founder Luca Lewis called Graves not only an investor, but a true partner in the vision they're building, adding that the appointment has given the team tremendous confidence in their ambition to scale the brand worldwide.

A Rapid Rise on Italy's Adriatic Coast

The festival takes place at Fano Airport on Italy's Adriatic coastline and launched in 2025, rapidly establishing itself as one of Europe's most exciting new electronic music gatherings. The debut edition welcomed over 20,000 attendees across two stages, blending Roman heritage with a forward-thinking electronic music program headlined by RÜFÜS DU SOL, Richie Hawtin, and Sven Väth, among others.

The second edition of Adriatic Sound Festival runs June 12-14, 2026, at Fano Airport in Fano, Italy. This year's lineup includes Boris Brejcha, ARTBAT, Sven Väth, and more.