Mentors who will hand you the keys.
Mentors are like entrepreneurship accelerant. Our mentors care about the success of Ignition companies and work to bring out the best in them. Their dedication of time, knowledge, and network is invaluable.
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CloseElliott Adams
Current: Digital Media Industry Director at Louisiana Economic Development
Past: Chief Technology Officer at CD Baby
Elliott Adams serves as Digital Media Industry Director at Louisiana Economic Development, where he administers the state's Digital Interactive incentive program. Most recently, he worked for CD Baby in Portland, brokering digital licensing agreements for the firm's catalog and then serving as Chief Technology Officer. Adams has designed and taught curricula on media, society and technology at Portland State University and Loyola University New Orleans.
Digital Media Industry Director at Louisiana Economic Development
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CloseJohn Barnette
Current: CTO of Audiosocket
John Barnette has been keeping the lights on at tech companies since 1998. In his increasingly rare spare time, he speaks at programming conferences and helps maintain various bits of open source software. He (very) occasionally blogs, and can often be found pontificating as @jbarnette on Twitter.
CTO of Audiosocket
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CloseMark Bates
Current: Founder/Chief Architect at Meta42 Labs
Mark Bates has been developing web applications of one kind or another since 1996. He has spent an ungodly amount of time programming Java, but thankfully he discovered Ruby in late 2005, and life has been much nicer since. In 2011 Mark found CoffeeScript and his life got even nicer!
Since discovering Ruby Mark has become a prominent member of the community. He has developed various open source projects such as Configatron, Cachetastic, CoverMe, and the Mack Framework. In 2009 Mark authored the book “Distributed Programming with Ruby” for Addison-Wesley.
Since discovering CoffeeScript in 2011 Mark has become a leader in that community as well, through presentations at local user groups to releasing several high profile libraries, such as Deano.JS and CoffeeBeans. Mark is currently working on the book “Programming in CoffeeScript” for Addison-Wesley (due out in early 2012).
Mark has taught classes on both Ruby and Ruby on Rails. He has spoken at several Ruby gatherings, including 2008 and 2010’s RubyConf where Mark spoke about building distributed applications. Mark has also given presentations about CoffeeScript at several gatherings, including BostonRB.
In 2011 Mark launched the innovative applications FluxTracker.com (integrated issue, project, and error tracking) and TweetKO.com (bookmark and backup tweets).
Mark has an honors degree in Music from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. He still likes to rock out on the weekends, but set times are now 10PM and not 2AM.
He lives just outside of Boston with his wife Rachel and their sons Dylan and Leo.
Mark can be found at www.markbates.com and github.com/markbates.Founder/Chief Architect at Meta42 Labs
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CloseGalia Ben-Artzi
Current: CEO of Particle Code and one of its founders
Galia Benartzi is the CEO of Particle Code and one of its founders. As CEO, Galia is responsible for the company's daily operations, business relationships and general karma. Before Particle Code, Galia joined Guy to co-found Mytopia, a leading social games business acquired by 888 (LSE: 888). At Mytopia, Galia ran business development and helped raise its first round of financing. Galia has a BA in Comparative Literature from Dartmouth College and an MA in International Relations and International Economics with a specialization in Energy Policy from SAIS Johns Hopkins. She is an avid recycler and aspiring yogi.
CEO of Particle Code and one of its founders
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CloseGabe Benveniste
Current: CEO and Founder of SonicLiving
Gabe Benveniste founded SonicLiving in order to bring people closer to the events they care about. By bridging social actions across the Internet, SonicLiving fuels discovery, engagement, and transactions amongst fans and their friends. Labels, studios and companies such as Pandora, Live Nation, Universal Music Group, Facebook, Twitter and The Weinstein Company are all a part of the SonicLiving platform.
Prior to SonicLiving, Gabe was at Pixar Animation Studios where he built a particular expertise creating collaborative services that streamlined the work-flow for many of the acclaimed studio’s critical functions. During his six-year tenure there he also was at the forefront in development of Macintosh OS X maintenance and deployment, a process that was subsequently adopted by firms such Genentech and others.
Gabe has spoken on behalf of Pixar at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference and O’Reilly’s OS X Conference. Gabe competed in the 2003 World Beard and Mustache Championship, where his prodigious chops propelled him to sixth place (out of six) in the first-ever sideburn contest. His work has been featured in Playboy, MTV and Wired.CEO and Founder of SonicLiving
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CloseAmy Benziger
Current: Producer for the Social Capital Markets Conference
Amy Benziger has been building the field of social enterprise and innovation as Producer for the Social Capital Markets Conference from the organization’s inception in 2008 until the completion of its fifth conference in 2011. Interviewing hundreds of thought leaders across the social enterprise landscape each year, she focused on content development and multi-media initiatives. As the first employee of the organization, Amy was proud to oversee the growth of the event to over 1500 attendees from 50+ countries. Interested in the intersection of media with social enterprise and activism, she has used short form documentary, live-streaming and online challenges to engage a global audience.
Amy was a member of the founding team and serves as a strategic advisor to Hub Bay Area, a diverse local and global community dedicated to building solutions for social, economic and environmental sustainability. Prior to coming onboard with SOCAP, she was the youngest brand and sales strategist for Diageo North America, managing San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.Producer for the Social Capital Markets Conference
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CloseChris Bernard
Current: Director and Advisor in Microsoft
Chris Bernard is a Director and Advisor in Microsoft that works with startups, entrepreneurs and investors and helped launch Microsoft’s BizSpark program—a program designed to help startups fast-track with software, support and visibility.
Trained as a designer he’s served as a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago, School of the Art Institute and the Institute of Design. He advises and mentors companies from incubators across the midwest including Houston Technology Center, Capital Factory, LaunchPad and Tech Wildcatters and worked with Groupon and a firm called Copia (www.thecopia.com) in 2010 and 2011 in an advisory role.
Chris is also the ‘chief’ experience evangelist for Microsoft’s US developer and platform evangelism team, advising the team’s senior leadership on customer experience, interaction design and user experience and setting the design strategy for a 300 member team that focuses on emerging technology.
As a practicing designer Chris has worked with dozens of companies as a ‘designer in residence’ and Chris has lectured on design and innovation at TEDx, The Big Design Conference, SxSW, AIGA and has written articles for ID Magazine and The Journal of Business Strategy. He can be found on Twitter @chrisbernard and Facebook and Linked In. He blogs at designthinkingdigest.com and 21stcenturystory.comDirector and Advisor in Microsoft
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CloseAlexander Black
Current: Founder and CEO of Turing
Alexander Black has 15 years experience in nearly every specialization associated with film & web application design, development deployment and testing. His team's work has recently won the 2010 DEMOgod Award for Social Media, he has individually been featured in Business Week magazine for his UI design work. He has served in design & leadership roles at venture backed startups, and grown Turing from a small design business to a 20 person team responsible for building award winning web applications
Founder and CEO of Turing
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ClosePeter Bodenheimer
Current: Partner in Flatsourcing
A native of New Orleans, Peter has over 15 years working in software and web application development with startups in markets from San Francisco to Boston. In his role with Flatsourcing, Peter directs the sales, marketing, and client relations for a 50 person global engineering firm with clients across 11 different time zones. Before becoming a partner in Flatsourcing, Peter ran the interactive arm of nationally recognized creative shop Trumpet and was a key member of the City of New Orleans technology team before, during, and after The Big K.
Partner in Flatsourcing
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CloseElon Boms
Current: Managing Director at LaunchCapital
Elon S. Boms, Managing Director of LaunchCapital LLC, has led LaunchCapital in making 25 investments across a broad range of industries. Since co-founding the company in 2008, Elon has developed LaunchCapital`s presence across the US, opening 3 offices located in Boston, New Haven, and San Francisco. Elon joins the Venture Capital community with significant experience in structuring biotech, consumer products and technology deals. Prior to establishing LaunchCapital, Elon was a Management Consultant at Fidelity Investments where his work focused on strategy initiatives for investments in emerging markets. Elon also worked in Corporate Finance for Citigroup. He began his career as a brand manager at Georgia Pacific Company`s Dixie Foodservice division. In this role, Elon assumed responsibility for a $125M business, orchestrated $25M in capital investments and engineered a complete profit turnaround for the paper cup business. Elon earned his M.B.A from the Yale School of Management where he graduated with distinction in Venture Capital and a concentration in Finance and Strategy. Elon completed his B.A. in Economics from George Washington University. Elon is an avid golfer, skier, and gourmet chef. He lives in Boston with his wife Stephanie and dog Bogey.
Managing Director at LaunchCapital
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CloseChristopher Boudy
Current: Co-Founder at NewOrleansTech.net
Chris is an avid technologist, web designer, and writer. In 2009, he and a group of colleagues started NewOrleans Tech.Net, a local technology news source within the city of New Orleans. He is also a Digital Coach with the Entergy Innovation Center, mentoring entrepreneurs about how to effectively use the web when starting up a company.
Co-Founder at NewOrleansTech.net
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CloseShawn Broderick
Current: Chief Troublemaker at play140 Inc.
Past: Managing Director at TechStars Boston
Founder/CEO TrustPlus
Co-Founder/CEO Genetic Anomalies
A successful entrepreneur, Shawn has spent over fifteen years inventing, designing, founding, building, staffing, funding, managing, marketing, buying, growing, selling - and sometimes even not-fucking-up - Internet companies.
Chief Troublemaker at play140 Inc.
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CloseMike Brown Jr.
Current: Investment Professional at AOL Ventures
As a VC at AOL Ventures, Mike Brown Jr. is focused on investing in the early stage consumer internet space and adding value to their awesome portfolio companies like about.me, Metamarkets, gdgt, 20x200 and betaworks. He formerly worked as an investment professional at the Virgin Group with a focus on early stage consumer services and digital media.
Investment Professional at AOL Ventures
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ClosePaige Craig
Current: Co-founder/CEO at BetterWorks
Past: Angel Investor in a number of companies
Advisor at Lincoln Group
Think of the latest young hot technology startup and there�s a good chance Paige Craig has invested in it. In the last two years, he has become one of the most prolific angel investors in the L.A. tech community. Since 2008, he has put money into more than 35 companies, including local companies GameSalad, a mobile-game maker, and e-commerce website EcoMom. Now, Craig is taking a break from investing to start his own company, BetterWorks.
Co-founder/CEO at BetterWorks
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CloseKeith L Crawford
Current: Founder of Loftin Group, LLC
Keith Crawford returned to New Orleans full time after Hurricane Katrina to found the Loftin Group, LLC, a managerial consulting practice focusing in contract CFO services, financial management consulting, and strategic planning. Since March 2009, he has also held the position of Senior Vice President, Finance and Development, for Greater New Orleans, Inc., the regional economic development organization for the greater New Orleans region.
The Loftin Group LLC also holds equity interest in numerous Companies, and Keith serves as CFO of one of those firms, Omnicademy LLC, an education technology firm that develops and hosts innovative online education platforms.
Prior to this, Keith held CFO roles with the Idea Village, an economic development organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship in the New Orleans area and Discovery Alliance International, Inc., a clinical research company. From 1997-2003, he held many financial management roles with Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, In. ranging from controllership roles in the Company`s R&D function to management consulting roles within the Company`s Internal Audit organization.
A New Orleans native, Keith received his BA from Louisiana State University in 1987 and MBA in 1991 from Tulane University`s A.B. Freeman School of Business, where he is currently a board member of the Tulane Association of Business Alumni.Founder of Loftin Group, LLC
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CloseTaylor Davidson
Current: Senior Associate at kbs+p Ventures
Taylor is currently a Senior Associate for kbs+p Ventures, the thematic investment arm of kbs+p, focusing on early-stage investing in advertising and marketing technology. He is also a professional conference and event photographer
Senior Associate at kbs+p Ventures
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CloseAnne Driscoll
Current: Group Vice President, Product Marketing at Glam Media, Vice President, Marketing and Business Operations at Ning
Driscoll manages product marketing for the company’s social and advertising products. She joined Glam Media from Ning where she led marketing and business operations. Prior to joining Ning, Driscoll led communications and brand initiatives at Google, creating programs to support culture, establish it as a great place to work, and drive the global talent strategy. Driscoll led several cross-Google brand projects including the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, Google Code Jam and Innovate or Die. In addition, she worked closely with Google’s international offices developing go to market strategies and supported the hiring of talent worldwide. Before Google, Anne was the Director of Product Management at GNX, a global B2B platform delivering sourcing and collaboration solutions for retailers, and a Senior Consultant at Andersen Consulting specializing in retail and supply chain clients. Driscoll has an Honors Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University in Canada.
Group Vice President, Product Marketing at Glam Media, Vice President, Marketing and Business Operations at Ning
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CloseJohn Elstrott
Current: Chairman of the Board at Whole Foods Market
Executive Director at Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship
Professor of Entrepreneurship at Tulane University Freeman School of Business
Past: CFO at Celestial Seasonings, Inc.Dr.
John B. Elstrott is currently Chairman of the Board for Whole Foods Market, and has served as a director of the Company since 1995. Dr. Elstrott is a Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship and the founding director of the Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship at Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, which was started in 1991.
Chairman of the Board at Whole Foods Market
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CloseMark Graffagnini
Current: Grafinini + Associates founded in 2009, New Orleans, LA
Mark represents companies in the technology sector and companies pursuing unique social entrepreneurship models. He currently represents several companies in Louisiana, New York and California and boasts one of the fastest growing corporate and securities practices.
Grafinini + Associates founded in 2009, New Orleans, LA
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CloseJen Hamilton
Current: Consultant to technology companies in the Bay Area
Jen is an entrepreneur who is passionate about helping young, innovative companies to grow. She has a strong background in building and managing operations teams and has extensive finance experience through her roles in the corporate and investment banking world. She is currently working as a consultant to technology companies in the Bay Area.
While pursuing her Bachelor of Commerce degree at Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada), Jen co-founded The Perth Bagel Company. Upon graduating, she began her finance career working with Citibank Canada in Toronto and later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to become a technology investment banker first at DLJ and later Credit Suisse and UBS. She went on to obtain her MBA from INSEAD (at both the France and Singapore campuses) where she explored various passions including travel, culture, and microfinance. This led her to found On The Road Travel, an online resource for independent travelers in Latin America. She subsequently joined Kiva.org, where she served as Chief Financial Officer. Kiva is an award-winning non-profit organization called the “hottest non-profit on the planet” by FORTUNE magazine and a top 50 Website by TIME. Kiva’s online platform has connected over 1 million people and raised over $275 million through lending to alleviate poverty.
Jen is a yoga student, rusty skier and recovering triathlete. She also mentors small business owners through the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, two young children, and big shaggy dog.Consultant to technology companies in the Bay Area
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CloseAndrew Hyde
Current: World Traveler
Andrew has lived in Oregon, Rhode Island and Colorado. He is currently traveling the world with only 15 things to his name. He organized and started Ignite Boulder, TEDxBoulder and is the founder of Startup Weekend. An interface designer by trade, he dabbles in photography, design, writing and startups. RSS feed here. You can follow him on twitter where he is @AndrewHyde.
World Traveler
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CloseMike Karnjanaprakorn
Current: Co-founder/CEO at Skillshare
Past: Product at Hot Potato
Co-Founder at All Day Buffet
Director of Business and Brand Development at Behance
Michael is the co-founder and CEO of Skillshare, a platform to learn anything from anyone. Before that, he led the product team at Hot Potato, which was acquired by Facebook, and developed products and services that organized the creative world at Behance.
Co-founder/CEO at Skillshare
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CloseEric Marcoullier
Current: Co-CEO at OneTrueFan
Past: Co-founder/CEO at Gnip Co-founder/ VP Product at MyBlogLog
Eric co-founded the pioneering games site IGN.com in 1996 (IPO in 2000, acquired by NewsCorp in 2005) and the first distributed social network MyBlogLog in 2005 (acquired by Yahoo in 2007). Additionally, he made console video games for half a decade and launched social data aggregator Gnip in 2008.
Co-CEO at OneTrueFan
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CloseBrent McCrossen
Current: Founder and CEO at AudioSocket
As the CEO of Audiosocket, Brent McCrossen is responsible for the company`s business development. Working with his business partner, investors, employees and customers, Mr. McCrossen crafts a vision and strategy that benefits not only the company but also the musicians and media producers it has set out to assist. He first made his mark as co-founder of Interface Booking and Management. Interface was a Seattle based booking and talent agency in charge of the talent buying for three Seattle music venues: High Dive, Nectar Lounge and Tost. The company managed such artist as KJ Sawka, Emilia Sosa, DJ Motion Potion and Chrisopher Blue. Having booked their artist roster on national tours, they leveraged those successes and secured appearances at nationally acclaimed festivals like Bonnaroo, Vegoose, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Bumbershoot. Ten plus years in the music business gives Brent a unique perspective on the industry and the changes it`s facing. Born and raised in New Orleans, Brent has a deep passion for all things food, music and culture. He has made that passion a career.
Founder and CEO at AudioSocket
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CloseJen Medbery
Current: Founder and CEO Drop the Chalk
After a two-year stint in New Orleans with Tech For America, Jen launched the startup Drop the Chalk. Drop the Chalk is web-based software that enables teachers to collect and analyze classroom data in real-time.
Founder and CEO Drop the Chalk
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CloseMichael Mimeles
Current: Entrepreneur & Consultant
Mr. Mimeles has been involved in building and launching internet and technology companies for the past 16 years.
Mr. Mimeles was involved in the creation and launch of AllBusiness.com in 1999 which sold in early 2000 to GE. Mr. Mimeles was also part of the team that restarted AllBusiness.com in 2004 and sold to Dun & Bradstreet in 2007.
Prior, Mr. Mimeles was responsible for opening and managing a San Francisco office for Cox Interactive Media and creating and launching BayInsider.com, a local Bay Area news and information site. He managed various web sites for Apple Computer, including www.apple.com and was integral in the creation and launch of Bell Canada’s Small Business site, Bellzinc.com. He additionally built and launched web sites for Susquehanna Radio and KTVU Television. Mr. Mimeles also served as Vice President of Pay By Touch, a San Francisco based biometric authentication company. Prior to working with Internet companies, Mr. Mimeles spent ten years developing and producing feature film and television projects in Los Angeles.
Entrepreneur & Consultant
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CloseBrian Oberkirch
Current: Director, Interactive Strategy at Peter Mayer
Past: Founder at Small Good Think, CEO at Weblogs Work
Brian Oberkirch is a product marketing and communications guy in love with the Web. Brian believes that it's an amazing engine of possibility, & he thinks we should constantly strive to make it better.
Director, Interactive Strategy at Peter Mayer
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CloseNicolas Perkin
Current: Co-Founder & President at The Receivables Exchange
As a former CFO and a successful entrepreneur, Nicolas Perkin has felt firsthand the pressures that a lack of working capital can bring to bear on a thriving business. In order to provide small and medium sized businesses with an easy and efficient way to access working capital, he co-founded The Receivables Exchange.
Prior to The Receivables Exchange, Mr. Perkin was Executive Vice President at EmSense Corporation, a leading next generation media measurement company. Previously, he was Vice President of Global Business Development for Massive, Inc., which was acquired by Microsoft Corporation in May 2006. In addition, he held the positions of CFO and Executive Vice President of Strategic Business Development at Kestrel Technologies, a leading Wall Street developer of technology solutions for fixed income trading. He also worked in mergers and acquisitions at Veronis, Suhler & Company and Cowles Media Company and held various operations positions at The Black Book.
He holds a Master of Science in Finance from the London Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University.Co-Founder & President at The Receivables Exchange
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CloseKenneth Purcell
Current: CEO of the "Fastest growing company in the Travel Industry 2009"
Kenneth Purcell is the CEO of the "Fastest growing company in the Travel Industry 2009" as well as the fastest growing private company in the State of Louisiana for two consecutive years; 2008 & 2009 as stated in Inc Magazine. Recipient Travel Weekly's Silver Magellan Award 2009. Always On Global 250 winner 2009. Finalist Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 - Gulf Coast Region. Deloitte Fast 500 winner 2008, Junior Achievement Rising Star 2008. Innovator of the Year LA Governor's Technology Awards - 2007. Gambit Weekly & New Orleans Magazine's Top 40 Under 40. LTC and G.N.O. Inc's Growth Company of the Year 2007, New Orleans City Business's Innovator of the Year 2007 & 2008.
CEO of the "Fastest growing company in the Travel Industry 2009"
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CloseSteve Schlafman
Current: VP of Business Development at StickyBits
Past: Director of Venture Investments at The Kraft Group
Steve is an ex-VC who took his talents to the other side of the table. Now helping people and brands bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds.
VP of Business Development at StickyBits
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CloseChris Schultz
Current: Co-founder Launch Pad, Launch Pad Ignition
Chris Schultz is a tech entrepreneur and angel investor living in New Orleans. He has launched several Internet companies and blogs about entrepreneurship and the start-up ecosystem in Louisiana at ChrisSchultz.net. He is the co-founder of Launch Pad and Launch Pad Ignition. He found his tribe at his first BarCamp.
Co-founder Launch Pad, Launch Pad Ignition
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CloseJann Schwarz
Current: Director of Global Product Strategy and Business Development, The Media Innovation Group at WPP
Jann Schwarz is an Entrepreneurial Digital Media and Marketing executive with extensive international experience in digital media and advertising technology, creative content production and distribution
Director of Global Product Strategy and Business Development, The Media Innovation Group at WPP
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CloseAngie Shelton
Current: Vice President of Product Development at Wikia.com
As Vice President, Product Development and Marketing, Angie leads Product Strategy and Audience Growth initiatives for Wikia.com, one of the fastest growing social media sites. In the time Angie has been at Wikia, their audience has grown from 1 million to 40 million users world wide. Before joining Wikia, Angie worked at Microsoft, in the Home and Entertainment Division, where she was responsible for licensing and distribution partnerships for Microsoft's Xbox and PC Game franchises. Angelique holds an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business where she chaired the Digital Media Group, and a B.A in Finance from Louisiana State University.
Vice President of Product Development at Wikia.com
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CloseNeel Sus
Current: Founder of Susco Solutions, Touch Studios
Neel began his entrepreneurial endeavors with Susco Solutions, a custom software development company that has quickly grown from a one-man operation to employing 10 programmers since it was founded in 2006. Susco Solutions has been recognized by New Orleans City Business and Business Week Online and continues to help local businesses, large and small, automate tasks and create intuitive software applications. In addition to innovation for various technological platforms, such as the web-based and desktop environment, Susco Solutions has most recently become one of New Orleans leading iPhone App development shops. He then fed into his entrepreneurial spirit by delving into other business ventures such as co-founding Elympus, Inc., a medicinal informatics software company, and Solaris Tanning on Maple Street. This year alone, along with launching the Susco App Maker with Susco Solutions, Neel has also founded Touch Studios. As a mobile application development agency, Touch Studios has already made an impact with the recent creation and launch of The Miles Method, an LSU Football recruitment application created for the iPad the first of its kind. Along with his own personal success, Neel has used his drive and spirit to influence other entrepreneurs in the New Orleans area via his participation in many local organizations. He is a founding member and Board member of Net2NO (Net Squared New Orleans), a leader in the New Orleans Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization Accelerator Program, and on GNO, Inc. Next Gen Council. He is also a member of the Louisiana Technology Council, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, Executive Connections and serves as a mentor for budding college entrepreneurs through programs including the Allan Houston Foundation.
Founder of Susco Solutions, Touch Studios
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CloseEugene Terk
Current: Counsel in the McGlinchey Stafford PLLC New Orleans office
Eugene's intellectual property experience focuses on the development, protection and licensing of intellectual property rights under copyright, trademark, patent and trade law secret law particularly within the context of entertainment, video gaming, multimedia, high-tech transactions and e-commerce. His experience also includes counseling clients conducting business on the Internet.
Counsel in the McGlinchey Stafford PLLC New Orleans office
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CloseRobbie Vitrano
Current: Co-Founder and Chief Branding Architect at NakedPizza
Robbie Vitrano is the Co-Founder and Brand Architect of Naked Pizza, working to change the world's views on fast food, and Co-Founder and Chairman of Trumpet, a venture marketing company. Both companies are based in New Orleans, Louisiana — a place that Robbie calls the Social Innovation Silicon Valley.
Co-Founder and Chief Branding Architect at NakedPizza
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CloseChristiaan Vorkink
Current: Senior Associate at True Ventures
Early stage tech junkie at True Ventures.
Over the past decade, I've had a number of professions, but I've really only had one job: helping other people learn, grow and achieve. after teaching for two years after college, I’ve been neck deep in early stage technology since 2001. today, I’m excited to be a part of the True Ventures team in San Francisco, where we partner with founders of very early stage technology companies that we believe will change the world. Three things that make me happy: Mexican food, the state of Maine, and grainy YouTube clips of the Showtime Lakers.Senior Associate at True Ventures
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Advisory Board
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CloseMatt Candler
Current: Founder and CEO of 4.0 Schools
From 2001 to 2004, Matt served as KIPP Foundations Vice President of School Development, where his team established 37 new schools across the U.S. Matt later served as founding COO of the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence, a $41 million effort to promote quality charter school creation. Most recently, Matt served New Schools for New Orleans as its first CEO and built a team whose human capital and school creation efforts have led to the most innovative and aggressive public school reforms in the nation. Matt continues to play an active role in Louisiana reform as chairman of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools and co-founder of the city-wide teacher support community closingthenolagap.org.
Founder and CEO of 4.0 Schools
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Close
Taylor Davidson
Current: Senior Associate at kbs+p Ventures
Taylor is currently a Senior Associate for kbs+p Ventures, the thematic investment arm of kbs+p, focusing on early-stage investing in advertising and marketing technology. He is also a professional conference and event photographer
Senior Associate at kbs+p Ventures
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CloseMike Katz
Current: Investments in digital media and internet applications at Battery.
After spending eight years in New York City as an entrepreneur and investor, Mike joined Battery in 2011 and focuses on investments in digital media and internet applications. Prior to Battery, he was Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Conductor, Inc. where he ran the early development of what is now the company's core product. Conductor is a portfolio company of FirstMark Capital (previously known as Pequot Ventures) where Mike worked as an Associate and assisted with the firm's investments in StubHub (acquired by eBay), Navic Networks (acquired by Microsoft), and Flarion Technologies (acquired by Qualcomm).
Mike was also an Analyst at Merrill Lynch & Co. in the Global Markets & Investment Banking division, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Project Enterprise, a microfinance nonprofit based in Harlem. He has a BS from Georgetown University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Mike blogs at www.mikekatz.com.Investments in digital media and internet applications at Battery.
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CloseAmith Nagarajan
Current: Co-founder Aptify
Amith co-founded Aptify in 1993. He is responsible for the long term strategy of the organization as well as the day-to-day operational leadership. Amith focuses on finding new ways to leverage technology as a strategic business tool, arming organizations with the flexibility to ensure that change is an asset to their competitiveness. He actively works with Aptify's staff, partners, and clients to lead the organization forward and is also a frequent speaker at many industry events. Amith greatly values input from the community, and has established a blog to share his thoughts with the public and receive feedback. Prior to founding Aptify Corporation, Amith worked in the R&D laboratories at Hewlett-Packard Company in Palo Alto, California. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California with a concentration in Business Administration.
Co-founder Aptify
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CloseSteve Schlafman
Current: Principal at Lerer Ventures
Steve Schlafman is a Principal at Lerer Ventures. Steve was previously VP of Business Development at Stickybits Inc. / Turntable.fm and Director of Venture Investments at The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company focused on sports & entertainment, paper & packaging, real estate development, and private equity. Prior to The Kraft Group, Steve worked at Massive Inc. and Microsoft in a variety of Business Development, Strategy and Corporate Finance roles. Steve graduated with highest honors from Northeastern University and you can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/schlaf
Principal at Lerer Ventures
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Close
Chris Schultz
Current: Co-founder Launch Pad, Launch Pad Ignition
Chris Schultz is a tech entrepreneur and angel investor living in New Orleans. He has launched several Internet companies and blogs about entrepreneurship and the start-up ecosystem in Louisiana at ChrisSchultz.net. He is the co-founder of Launch Pad and Launch Pad Ignition. He found his tribe at his first BarCamp.
Co-founder Launch Pad, Launch Pad Ignition
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CloseDavid Spector
Current: Dave works with growth stage internet, mobile and consumer product companies at Sequoia Capital
Prior to joining Sequoia Capital in 2010, Dave held various business development and sales management positions at Google where he helped oversee enterprise, advertising and commerce related areas of the company. Earlier, he held sales and business development roles with IBM and Reuters. Dave has a BA from Tulane University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Dave works with growth stage internet, mobile and consumer product companies at Sequoia Capital
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