Students in our program will receive direct, hands-on mentoring from leading Seattle entrepreneurs and investors. Your mentors will consist of a core group of Seattle founders, CEOs, venture capitalists, angel investors, and attorneys who have both foundational expertise and startup experience. Learn more about the mentors below.
About me
I am an accomplished technology entrepreneur with a track record of providing tech and product management leadership in both startups and companies like Travelocity.
My motto/tagline is:
Rules are meant to be broken and boundaries are a figment of our culture.
Fields of expertise
Product development: MVP (from ideation to market), lean analytics, product market fit; Customer Development; Accelerators, fundraising & pitching for seed rounds.
About me
I am a passionate serial technology entrepreneur having been a part of half a dozen startups over 20 years (co-founded 4 startups with 5 acquisitions).
My motto/tagline is:
Always be learning. Get paid to learn!
Fields of expertise
Software architecture, Data and machine learning applications, Technology innovation, Product design, Growth marketing, Fundraising, Startup leadership patterns and styles.
Forrester Research Inc.
About me:
Leading Forrester’s efforts to build the real time CX cloud by leveraging best of breed ML technologies. Previously Co-Founder & CEO of GlimpzIt, an AI Customer Intelligence platform that was acquired by Forrester.
My Motto/tagline is:
Good things happen to those who act
Fields of expertise:
Product Development (Technology), Go To Market, Sales enablement and Fundraising
About me
I am officially giving up on retirement. I need to solve hard problems in addition to attending spin and Barre classes.
My motto/tagline is:
Nothing meaningful comes without hard work and focus. And a sense of humor.
Fields of expertise
Business Model validation, Product Viability, Market Facing Strategies.
About me
I’m an experienced business builder, having been a key leader bringing new products and services to market in several early stage startups. In the past year, I’ve taken my startup operating experience into roles on the investor side, including leadership roles within Grubstakes and the Seattle Angel Conference. What I value in others is what I aspire to myself — a ‘give first’ mindset, active mentoring, ability to think critically to innovate and solve problems.
My motto/tagline is:
Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.
Fields of expertise
Early stage startup strategy and operations. Customer development, angel pitch deck approaches.
About me
Innovation leader with 15+ years of experience in digital marketing, go-to-market strategy, customer acquisition, customer research, analytics, and sales enablement.
My motto/tagline is:
What’s the *right* thing to do?
Fields of expertise
Marketing, Customer Acquisition, Financial Models, Fundraising.
About me
A technology leader with extensive experience leading complex organizations and strategic initiatives in fast moving environments.
My motto/tagline is:
It always all about the people…
Fields of expertise
Product & Market Strategies.
About me
I help private sector and non-profit clients develop and introduce consumer products into challenging global markets.
My motto/tagline is:
The only permanent failure is the failure to keep breathing. Try again!
Fields of expertise
Product development and commercialization.
About me
I am a business professional and consultant who helps technology companies and startups explore, create and expand new opportunities and initiatives. My expertise focuses on program management, marketing, communications and operations.
My motto/tagline is:
Love what you do and let your heart be your guide.
Fields of expertise
Creating marketing and communication plans, strategic development, helping companies create their pitch.
About me
I advise companies (start-ups to global enterprises), entrepreneurs, legal departments, and attorneys on strategic business and legal matters.
My motto/tagline is:
The one each of my team members will never forget: “We don’t meet deadlines, we best deadlines.”
Fields of expertise
Legal: Intellectual Property & Technology Licensing, Strategic Alliances.
About me
I am an energetic and enthusiastic team leader with entrepreneurial vision and background striving to create or develop companies that exude a profound purpose, provide a valuable service, and generate collective prosperity.
My motto/tagline is:
Do what is right, not what is easy.
Fields of expertise
Start-ups, marketing, business development, leadership, sales, operations, product development, global sourcing, overseas manufacturing, supply chain and transportation logistics, contract negotiation, intellectual property and business law.
About me
I build, cultivate, and scale of new products. Experienced with solving customer pain points, leading with business model and product innovation.
My motto/tagline is:
Keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s simple.
Fields of expertise
Business models, Market segmentation, financial modeling, Enterprise focus
About me
I am an entrepreneur, educator and author, dedicated to solving real-world energy problems with a balance of technology, business and social impact.
My motto/tagline is:
Entrepreneur and educator at the forefront of innovation in energy finance.
Fields of expertise
Startups, Communications/Marketing, Real Estate Development, LEED
About me
For the past 15 years I’ve been a pioneer in mobile payments and mobile commerce. I’ve led innovative mobile products for Amazon.com, Citibank, AT&T Wireless and leading iOS and Android game developers. I have experience partnering with mobile operators around the world, a deep understanding of the payments ecosystem, and experience with the latest proximity technologies including Bluetooth Low Energy beacons.
My motto/tagline is:
Everything is good. There are no bad outcomes – everything that happens is good.
Fields of expertise
The Pitch: positioning the product / opportunity / go-big vision / highlights / sales projections / amount to raise.
About me
The opportunity for entrepreneurship exists everywhere- you just need to identify the need.
My motto/tagline is:
Two really:
- Celebrate the wins, take the setbacks in stride.
- Every dollar you spend should have a direct impact on revenue.
Fields of expertise
Business Strategy, Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Pitching, and Operations.
About me
Over 23 years comprehensive experience in new innovation development and team leadership, including P+L responsibility for new startups, long and short term planning, team building, and market development.
My motto/tagline is:
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Fields of expertise
New Product Innovation (entrepreneurship & intrapreneurship).
About me
I am a seasoned business executive with 20+ years experience at cutting-edge technology companies.
My motto/tagline is:
Life is short make it count.
Fields of expertise
Business and Corporate Development; Venture Capital Fundraising / Financing; Executive and Board Management.
About me
I’m an active advisor to startup companies including Creative Live, Inkwell Media, and EveryMove and active investor via Founders Co-op and SKV, and direct angel investing.
My motto/tagline is:
Happy but never satisfied.
Fields of expertise
Customer development, VC fundraising, product development.
About me
I am a private angel investor in small businesses and real estate in the state of Washington.
My motto/tagline is:
Hard work, Intelligence, and Teamwork (HIT).
Fields of expertise
Work-life balance, finance and accounting.
About me
A particle physicist by training, I enjoy both long term fundamental research and bringing new technologies to market.
My motto/tagline is:
Life is too short for anything but the truth.
Fields of expertise
Work life balance, venture capital, building the great group mentality, team dynamics/culture, Y Combinator, seed financing, cloud architecture, Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and life post-acquisition.
About me
I am a seasoned executive and proven leader with a common sense approach to problem solving. Experienced in the challenges that face rapidly growing companies in a variety of industries.
My motto/tagline is:
Keep perspective, work hard and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Fields of expertise
Business strategy, financial modeling, work-life balance, operations, HR, international business.
About me
Entrepreneur, consultant, angel investor.
My motto/tagline is:
Keep moving forward.
Fields of expertise
Customer development, VC fundraising, product development.
About me
I am an entrepreneurial leader with more than 15 years of marketing, product management and technology leadership experience.
My motto/tagline is:
The karma bus drives in circles.
Fields of expertise
Go To Market (Sales, Marketing, Customer Success),product development, fundraising, business models/pricing.
About me
I am a marketing and business strategy executive with deep and broad expertise in emerging technology, innovation and design.
My motto/tagline is:
“It’s not worth doing something unless someone, somewhere, would much rather you weren’t doing it.” -Terry Pratchett
Fields of expertise
Value proposition and strategic positioning
About me
Corporate, Securities and Finance Attorney.
My motto/tagline is:
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right!
Fields of expertise
Board development, corporate legal issues, corporate formation / financing / deals, effective negotiation.
About me
I am a key business driver and leader within the marketing industry. Many times in my career I’ve been the change agent or risk taker to try new things and take on complex or challenging situations.
My motto/tagline is:
Nothing is impossible.
Fields of expertise
Leadership, Marketing/Advertising, Running a business
About me
Successful CEO with demonstrated experience in entrepreneurial tech companies. Led two companies to successful M&A exits. Strong product and technology skills.
My motto/tagline is:
It could always be worse.
Fields of expertise
Tech, Consumer products, General management, Hiring/HR, Finance, Culture.
About me
I am an experienced Internet entrepreneur and the holder of six patents. I enjoy building and sharing knowledge.
My motto/tagline is:
Always say yes to trying something new.
Fields of expertise
Company and product vision, Product Management, analyst relations, systems architecture.
About me
I’m a full time angel investor. I invest either directly or with others through different organizations: Alliance of Angels, SWAN Venture Fund, and Grubstakes.
My motto/tagline is:
For analytical founders: Humans are fun, embrace the weird. For those whose brain lean right: Panic early, panic often, enjoy the ride.
Fields of expertise
Analyzing the basics of the business model. Strategic positioning and risk assessment.
About me
I am a certified food professional with 18 years of progressive experience in food safety and quality management. Skilled at leading in multicultural and international arenas and cross-functional teams. Highly effective at gaining alignment and influencing at all levels of the organization. Strong technical resource, effective project manager, change agent, and business partner.
My motto/tagline is:
No finish line!
Fields of expertise
Market White Space Assessment, Product Ideation and Innovation, Supply Chain Management, MVP generation
About me
I’m passionate about the startup and venture capital ecosystem in Seattle, and believe that our region is poised to become one of the world’s premier hubs for entrepreneurship.
My motto/tagline is:
Technology Executive, Startup Mentor and Ecosystem Builder.
Fields of expertise
Business models, product positioning, fundraising, operations, patents (I’m a named inventor on six US patents).