OK Catalyst

Oct 21, 20214 min

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Experts to Lead Roadmap Training

Roadmap weekend is just over two weeks away; as program participants are gearing up for the weekend retreat at one of the most unique venues in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, 21C Museum and Hotel, we're giving you an exclusive look at the training topics and the robust lineup of speakers. Our presenters have a vast expanse of professional experience and know-how surrounding the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participants can expect to learn about customer segmentation, funding strategies, intellectual property law and more.


 

Meet our presenters:

Cassandra Rigsby

OU Startup Programs Director, Tom Love Innovation Hub

Module 1: Value proposition and Customer Segmentation

As the founding Director of OU’s Startup Programs, Cassandra works to fulfill the I-Hub’s mission of advancing innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma and across the state. Specifically, Cassandra supports community-focused programs, providing individualized strategy support and coordinating mentorship for accelerator founders and incubator tenants.

Andrew Pollock

Managing Director, University of Oklahoma Office of Technology Commercialization

Module 2: Invention Disclosure & Commercialization

Andrew is the managing director for the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Oklahoma. The Tech Commercialization office helps OU researchers transform ideas into tangible impact and provides the highest level of fiduciary expertise for the perfection, conveyance and commercialization of OU intellectual property, and serves as a driving force for OU's economic impact through education, expertise, and efficiency.

Daniel Will

Executive Director, Brightest Orange Ventures - OSU

Module 2: Invention Disclosure & Commercialization panel

Daniel serves as the Executive Director for Oklahoma State University, leading the charge on a newly merged economic development program. Brightest Orange Ventures is expected to become a vessel for launching new products, guiding startup companies and building new community partnerships.

Susan Moring

Associate, Cortado Ventures

Module 3: Funding Strategies

With years of experience supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Susan has extensive training in consulting early-stage technology and social impact startups. Susan also launched a social entrepreneurship fellowship program in Oklahoma City and grew the state’s first coding boot camp. Along with other panelists, Susan will be sharing her

William Paiva

Executive Director, The Oklahoma Life Sciences Fund

Module 3: Funding Strategies

Dr. William D. Paiva is the Managing Partner of Oklahoma Life Sciences Fund Ventures, which is an early-stage health care fund, operational in the State of Oklahoma for 20 years. Many of Oklahoma’s most successful health care companies trace their roots back to OLSF Ventures. Dr. Paiva specializes in the identification and management of early-stage health care investment opportunities.

James Spann

Founder and Managing Partner, Boyd Street Ventures

Module 3: Funding Strategies

Highlighting innovation in the heartland, James is the founder and managing partner of Boyd Street Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in OU and Oklahoma innovations. Boyd Street Ventures supports individuals affiliated with the University of Oklahoma through scale-up resources and capital to help these innovations reach new heights.

James Roller

Managing Partner, Victorum Capital

Module 3: Funding Strategies

James is the Managing Partner of Victorum Capital where he oversees day-to-day operations. In previous roles, James helped raise a corporate venture capital fund of $32 million at Baker Hughes and was responsible for product commercialization, business development, and economic analysis efforts.

Kristen Garcia

Startup Programs Specialist, Francis Tuttle Technology Center

Module 4: Business Administration

Kristin is a part of the business development team at Francis Tuttle Technology Center where she works with LaunchPad FT, and StitchCrew to create, implement, and sustain programs that allow entrepreneurs with feasible ideas and concepts the ability to gain the knowledge, resources, and skills necessary to start businesses in the OKC area and beyond. Kristin is an expert in cultivating partnerships and building entrepreneurial ecosystems and will be leading a module on business administration

David Kinsinger

Executive Director, University of Oklahoma Entrepreneurial Law Clinic

Module 5: IP, Laws and Regulations

Executive director of the OU Entrepreneurial Law Center and a lecturer, David has considerable experience in corporate innovation, business law and intellectual property protection, and exploitation. He is an attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing corporations on intellectual property matters and corporate transactions, including more than 15 years at L-3 Communications, where he managed a company portfolio of more than 1,000 U.S. patents as well as budgets, settlement negotiations and oversight of all IP-related litigation matters and threats.

Tom Wavering

Executive Director, Tom Love Innovation Hub

Module 6: SBIR & OARS Funding

Tom joined the University of Oklahoma in September 2016 as the founding Executive Director of the Tom Love Innovation Hub with the mission to increase innovation and entrepreneurship across Oklahoma through a mix of resources, programs, services, and collaborations. As a national expert in the federal SBIR program, Tom founded and leads the I-Hub’s OK Catalyst program which provides statewide SBIR-related networking, training, and mentoring efforts.


 
Jessica Stewart

Client Services Manager, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology

Module 6: SBIR & OARS Funding

Jessica is a client services manager with the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). She strives to connect companies with the Oklahoma-based resources they need to accelerate their technology development. Jessica oversees OCAST’s four funding programs, including Applied Research and Intern Partnerships.

Caitlin Dennis

Digital Director, Anglin PR

Module 7: Elevator Pitch

Caitlin directs the digital team at Anglin PR, where she specializes in crafting effective newsletters, email blasts, websites and social media for clients of all kinds. She has experience coordinating social media, national influencer campaigns and emails in the corporate retail space. Caitlin received her B.A. in English and Theatre from Middlebury College in Vermont.


Don't miss our blog update for the highly anticipated Founders Panel featuring OK Catalyst program alumni, moderated by Secretary of Science and Innovation for the State of Oklahoma, Elizabeth Hutt Pollard.
 

 
Applications for the Fall 2021 Roadmap are closed. You can download the 2021 Roadmap weekend agenda HERE. if you're interested in attending Roadmap weekend in Spring 2022, click this link to apply. For the latest program news and updates from OK Catalyst, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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