Speakers
Session 1 - How to Raise Funds from Strategic Investors | February 7, 2023 | 11:15am - 12:15pm EST

Moderator
Jack Bell
Managing Director - Pantek Partners

Panelist
Alisa Band
Senior Investment Manager - Henkel Tech Ventures

Panelist
Josh Epstein
Managing Partner - UDC Ventures

Panelist
Brian Wong
President - Zelos Energy

Panelist
Yi Zhang
Head of Strategic Investments, Senior Advisor to the President of Wanxiang America - Wanxiang America Corp.
University Technology Showcase & Lunch | February 7, 2023 | 11:45am - 3:15pm EST

Moderator
Joe Slezak
Director of Marketing and Business Development - H2R CPA

Judge
Nehal Bhojak
President & CEO - Lumis Corp.

Judge
Afshan Khan
Portfolio Executive - Innovation Works

Judge
Lauren Williams
Director - 412 Venture Fund

University Represenative
Daniel Broderick
EIR - University of Pittsburgh - Innovation Institute

University Representative
Reed McManigle
Mentor in Residence - Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation - Carnegie Mellon University

University Represenative
Paul Petrovich
Assistant Director, Business Development - University of Pittsburgh - Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Session 2 - The Underdog Financing Option: Why You Should Consider Debt Financing During Your Capital Raise | February 7, 2023 | 3:15 - 4:15pm EST

Moderator
Eric Kline
Partner - Troutman Pepper

Panelist
Daniel Frechtling
CEO - Boltive

Panelist
Wendy Jarchow
Chief Investment Officer - River SaaS Capital
Session 3 - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: How the Right Funding Partners Can Help You Navigate Business Challenges | February 7, 2023 | 4:30 - 5:30pm EST

Moderator
Wendy Jarchow
Chief Investment Officer - River SaaS Capital

Panelist
Bethany George
Partner, Investments - JumpStart Inc.

Panelist
Gerald Hetrick
CEO - Bezlio

Panelist
Dave Lowman
CFO - Proformex

Panelist
Alicia McGinnis
General Partner - Audrey's Kitchen
Breakfast & UPMC Fireside Chat: Commercializing the Medical Expertise in Pittsburgh | February 8, 2023 | 8:15 - 9:30am EST

Moderator
Marlee Myers
Partner - Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

Panelist
Rob Hartman
Senior Director, Translational Sciences - UPMC Enterprises

Panelist
Nicholas Shapiro
Vice President - UPMC Enterprises
Session 4 - Building a Platform Strategy | February 8, 2023 | 9:40 - 10:40am EST

Moderator
Jennifer Van Dam
Director of Platform - Genius Guild

Panelist
Patrick Bailey
Director of Platform - 412 Venture Fund

Panelist
Hunter Hartwell
Partner - Glasswing Ventures

Panelist
Jordan Marinkovich
Platform Community Manager - Innovation Works

Panelist
Alison Todak
Director of Platform - Plymouth Growth
Session 5 - Is Crowdfunding Right for Your Company? | February 8, 2023 | 10:50 - 11:50am EST

Moderator
Perry Patterson
Shareholder - Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

Panelist
George Cook
CEO & Co-Founder - Honeycomb Credit

Panelist
Jenna McLaughlin
COO - Velum Fermentation

Panelist
Nate McLaughlin
CEO - Velum Fermentation
Keynote Speaker: Mary Beth Green of Sheetz, Closing Lunch & Awards Ceremony | February 8, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:45pm EST

Keynote Speaker