Program DetailsDate: Location: ADTC @ Georgia Tech Midtown Atlanta Participants Fee: $100 ** All projects are approved my local IPN team prior to submitting for the pitch competition |
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Adil Devshi
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Speakers for IPN Bootcamp 2016:
Mark Myette
From Wantreprenuer to Entrepreneur…Do YOU Have What It Takes to Chart Your Own Course?
There is a time in everyone’s career they assess their career path. Some (more than we admit) wonder if they should strike out and chart their own course…they are the “wantreprenuers”. Until someone makes the move they are the “wantrepreneur”. This session will help you gain insight & begin your personal discovery to learn how well-suited you might be to take the leap.
We will provide data-driven research, findings and reference material and assessment tools to measure your entrepreneurial attributes along with guidelines as to how you can leverage / maximize each.
About the speaker
Mark Myette is an author, Alternative Career Coach, and business owner creating trusted, advocacy-based relationships where clients achieve clarity around entrepreneurship. He helps people build rewarding businesses / careers. His unique discovery and education experience empowers his clients to explore alternative career options outside of the traditional job market that could include something entrepreneurial. Throughout Mark’s business career, which began in 1983 and where he spent 24+ years within Fortune 500 companies, he has always loved being an advisor, catalyst, coach, connector, influencer, pioneer, stimulator and teacher! He’s passionate about giving back, volunteering, doing his part to leave the world in a better place AND helping people see things in themselves or the world they may not yet see. Mark has a BA from Boston University, MBA from Emory University, and a Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) from the Association of Talent Development (ATD). Recently, his book “WANTREPRENEUR – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?“achieved best seller status in three categories on Amazon
Michael Maziar – COO
Michael runs the day to day operations of ATA. His role includes overseeing the deal flow process from screening through due diligence, angel investing education, entrepreneurial and membership support, and managing the Analyst Program. Prior to this position he worked throughout the Atlanta startup tech ecosystem and non profit scene in sales, marketing, and operations. He has an MBA from Georgia Tech in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management. When not connecting investors and companies you can find Michael enjoying the outdoors with his wife hiking, biking, and snowboarding.
Dorothéa Bozicolona-Volpe
Dorothéa Bozicolona-Volpe was born in New York City to French and Italian parents. Her Father’s passing caused her family to move to Europe where she became somewhat of a nomad. She has lived in Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Dorothéa Bozicolona-Volpe is a strategic digital marketing executive who is fluent in 4 languages and specializes in developing business for international brands (Fortune 500) via initiating and integrating social media and digital strategies and enterprise social networking, as well as, building strategic partnerships and implementing marketing technologies.
Dorothéa teaches marketers and business leaders how to measure, optimize and build current new media efforts to increase value and develop strong relationships between brands and fans.
There are 3 distinct areas of her business:
– Personal Branding
– ESN (Enterprise Social Networking)
– Social Media and Content Marketing Strategy
David Wright
We work with a limited number of “local” businesses almost anywhere to do their Internet marketing for them, so that they show up at the top of the search engines and get more clients & earn more profits. We achieve this by leveraging local & global SEO (Search Engine Optimization), video, social media, online marketing, and other tools to gain more clients and keep customers coming back for more.
We are a full service marketing firm, helping businesses around the world with everything from high-level marketing strategy to tactical, day-to-day activities to make sure your marketing gets results.
David is an expert who has been quoted in dozens of media outlets including Inc., The Wall Street Journal, CNN, BusinessWeek, Inc. and more, and writes articles and other information vehicles that are read and implemented around the world – sharing his real-world advice that works, so you & your business can, too!
David is also a best-selling author of the acclaimed book, Get A Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves and co-author of Conversations with Experts.
If you need help with marketing yourself or your business more effectively, using free and inexpensive, creative, effective tools & techniques, I can probably assist you.
Business strategy, Web Strategy, SEO, marketing, social media marketing, and other areas are where I can help your business grow, regardless of the economy.
Specialties:Online marketing, SEO (We’ve hit #1 on Google for competitive terms in as little as 27 minutes and page one as fast as 15 minutes), local search, social media, marketing & sales, video marketing / video SEO, Hispanic marketing, online PR, Internet marketing, small business marketing, public speaking, benchmarking, performance measurement, process improvement, project management, operations management, international business development and trade (Japan & worldwide), planning & strategy.
SPEAKERS FOR IPN 2013
David VinsonDavid Vinson is a founding family member of Kids ‘R’ Kids International, and was raised in the early pre-school industry. With 30 years of experience, David has owned and operated multiple schools – with 20 million dollars’ worth of Kids ‘R’ Kids property, managing more than 200 employees, and caring for more than 1,200 children daily. David and his wife Sasha know and understand the importance of being deeply immersed in your business and never becoming complacent or content with the status quo. David and Sasha, who have six children, sold their schools in 2003. As a family David, Sasha, and their children devote a large amount of time and resources to charitable organizations and endeavors. They are passionate about their commitments to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the March of Dimes, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as other foundations. Currently, as Director of Operations at Kids ‘R’ Kids International, David dedicates his energy in helping to bring the Kids ‘R’ Kids name and brand to a level of excellence that is recognized as one of the premier child care providers in the nation. The first Kids ‘R’ Kids franchise opened in 1985 and today there are over 160 schools in operation. Kids ‘R’ Kids Efforts to expand the name and brand internationally have become a reality with expansions in China, India, and Turkey. David is an action-oriented visionary committed to success. His skills include leadership, technology integration, crisis management, market advancement, and public speaking. |
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Keith GarnettFrom 1984 to 1996, Mr. Keith was the Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of The Prudential Insurance Company of America, supervising the company’s global investment activities comprising roughly $250 billion at year end 1995 in the U.S. and nine foreign countries. Between 1977 and 1984, Mr. Keith supervised Prudential’s Corporate Finance and Pension Asset Management activities. Prior to joining Prudential, Mr. Keith lived in Columbus, Indiana, where he was Vice President and General Manager of Irwin Management Company, a private asset management company. Mr. Keith is a Trustee of The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a philanthropic endowment, where he serves as the Chairman of the Finance Committee, overseeing its investment programs. He is also Chairman of Whitecap Capital Company, a private investment company (CAPCO), which invests capital from insurance companies in privately held businesses. He is an investment committee member for Fung Investments Ltd (Hong Kong) and a director of Fung Brands Ltd., a private company which buys heritage brands in Europe for franchising in Asia. At SeaBridge, Mr. Keith is Chairman and CEO and portfolio manager for various investment styles. Mr. Keith holds Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and was inducted into the Georgia Tech Engineering Hall of Fame in 1997. Mr. Keith received an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School. |
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Kishore EechambadiAfter graduating from Emory’s Goizueta Business School with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Economics degrees, Kishore worked for Deloitte Consulting as a Business Analyst. In August of 2013, Kishore had an opportunity to serve as the William J. Clinton Fellow for Service living in Udaipur, India for a year. After returning from India Kishore and a friend from Emory began Coupon Doc. A site that helps individuals afford medications by working with pharmaceutical companies to provide co-pay discounts and uninsured cards. As co-founder of Coupon Doc, Kishore raised over $250,000 in venture capital from investors such as Blue Cross Blue Shield Venture Partners, Walgreens and Great Oaks Venture Capital. |
Coaches
Sam MerchantSam Merchant is founder of The Merchants Financial Group, Ltd., located in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Mr. Merchant has over 30 plus years’ experience in providing capital and business operations. He has worked with small and medium size businesses as well as institutional and large cap public companies related to banking, technology, real estate including hospitality, healthcare services, retail, manufacturing and mergers and acquisition of all size and sectors. |
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Noor MithaniNoor Mithani runs a conglomerate of for-profit accredited educational institutions which operate under the names of University of Atlanta, National High School, Iverson Institute and Royal Beauty Careers. With offices in 8 countries, students attend courses online and on campus. Students in over 20 countries take advantage of accredited American education through distance learning. The history started in the late 90 ’s training IT professionals towards their completion of diplomas and certifications. Quickly they realized IT was a growing bubble which won’t last forever. He strategized to mitigate his risks while business was flourishing and acquired his way into other areas of discipline. That notion is still embedded in him today with the constant need to stay focused on the next emerging career. He has acquired several underperforming assets and have completed successful turnarounds at these institutions. Their fundamentals lie in re-structuring management and streamlining the operations. Noor came to Atlanta from Chicago in 1996 during the Olympics to further his education and ended up moving here permanently. Noor Mithani graduated from Georgia State University in 1996 with a major in Computer Information Systems. Noor worked as an engineer for over 10 years at Siemens and IBM before venturing out with Akber in the education field. |
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Rahim CharaniaRahim Charania is the Chief Executive Officer of American Fueling Systems (AFS), a Georgia-based company specializing in the production and distribution of alternative fuels. Mr. Charania has a passion for sustainably and domestically sourced fuels. This passion inspired him to form AFS in 2011 to address the growing demand for cleaner, more cost effective and domestically sourced fuels. AFS has quickly become one of the premier companies paving the way for the growth of alternative fuels infrastructure. |
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Shahid CharaniaShahid Charania is managing director for Emerging Markets for Equifax Inc. Appointed to this position in July 2008, he leads the company’s efforts for emerging markets expansion, which includes Russia, China, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and other similar markets. He is responsible for creating strategic direction for expansion in these areas, for building and maintaining appropriate relationships within these markets, and for operating Equifax’s businesses in these countries. He has over 23 years of experience across operations, outsourcing and business development. He has held responsible positions in various companies overseeing various territories. He has also held Board level positions in companies/territories, including companies like Fidelity, E-funds, Equifax Russia, and Fortune BPO. Prior to joining Equifax, he has held executive level positions in Fidelity National Information Services. Shahid holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. |
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Sheila ViraniSheila Virani is an analyst at Emerson Human Capital Consulting. With 2 years of experience in Benefits Management and training new hires, Sheila realized her passion to teach. After pursuing further education, Sheila now has 4 years of experience managing change through her involvement as a teacher and curriculum writer in the pilot stages of a supplementary education system. |
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Michelle NooraliMichelle is a Software Engineer at a well-funded startup company in Atlanta. She recently graduated with a Computer Science (B.S.) degree from The University of Georgia. Michelle did her research in scheduling algorithms on uniprocessors. In addition to Computer Science, she also studied International Affairs and Arabic. During her senior year, Michelle co-founded a startup called Miracle Ticket, a last-minute event tickets marketplace. Michelle is passionate about music, problem solving, new technology, agile development, and community service. |
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Kamran KuraniKamran is a Successful professional, with detailed Pizza Hut experience. Experiences include P & L management experience driving market share, revenue, profit growth, Cap-ex break-even modules, marketing strategies, managing real estate portfolio’s, cash/stock investments & people capability. He has a Talent for making rapid assessments of diverse situational challenges and then developing and leading the resulting action plans. Kamran Currently owns and operates two Pizza Hut franchises. |
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Rustam RamjiRustam is the CEO of Next Level Petroleum Inc. Next Level Petroleum LLC is a wholesale gasoline distributor for Chevron / Texaco /Citgo / Valero in USA. NLP Construction LLC, a subsidiary of NLP builds ground up gas stations in the State of GA. Equity Solutions,a sister company of NLP assists gas station owners with creative financing. |
Panelists
Chef Brian RoseIn 1995 Bryan started his Culinary Career working French Master Chef, Jean Banchet at The Riviera in Buckhead GA. After a few short months Bryan new that he wanted to become a chef. After Graduating from George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, Rose moved to Charleston SC to attend Johnson & Wales University. While in Charleston, Rose worked at Wild Dunes Resort and The Harbour Club, owned By Club Corps of America. After receiving his Associates Degree in Culinary, he moved back to Atlanta. Rose worked for Guenter Seegar at Seegar’s , Georgia’s only Free standing 5 star restaurant. Rose also was the chef at the Gwinnet County Civic and Cultural Center, for Proof of the Pudding, Atlanta’s premiere catering company. Rose left Proof to Join the United States Marine Corps Reserve shortly after 9/11. After training at Parris Island, Camp Lejune and Red Stone Aresenal, Rose checked into Det. 1 Ammo Company, Rome, GA. Rose went back to Charleston to finish his education at Johnson & Wales University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant Management. Upon graduation Rose excepted a Chef position at The Palm in Coral Gables FL. Rose opened two restaurants in Miami and then accepted an Executive Sous Chef position at the Sonesta Bay Front Hotel in Coconut Grove FL. Rose and family moved back to Atlanta in 09′ and became the Owner/Operator of one of Atlanta’s oldest Restaurants, Pittypat’s Porch. Rose also was a partner in the Taqueria Tsunami restaurant group, until this May, when he sold his equity in the company. Bryan and Alika Rose have two daughters, Hayley and Hannah and reside in Marietta. |
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Max PovolotskyMr. Max Povolotsky currently serves as a Managing Director of GSS Capital Group, the investment banking/corporate finance arm of Garden State Securities, Inc. He has been engaged in the investment banking, investment advisory and securities business for 17 years. Before joining Garden State Securities, Inc., he served as Vice President of Private Client Group/Corporate Finance Department at First Montauk Securities Corp. from April 2001 through October 2008. During Max’s time at First Montauk Securities Corp’s, Corporate Finance Dept., and at his previoues firms, he participated in raising in excess of $350 million for public and private companies. From July 1999 through April 2001 Max was a Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance at First Atlanta Securities, LLC, From November 1995 through July 1999 Mr. Povolotsky was employed at JW Genesis Securities, a New York Stock Exchange member firm. During Max’s time at JW Genesis, he was a member of the Presidents Club in 1998 and 1999. From 1993 through 1995, Max was employed at Josephthal Lyon & Ross & Inc., a New York Stock Exchange member firm. Max holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Finance from Georgia State University.He currently holds several registrations with FINRA including the Series 7, 24 and 79. He is married and has three boys. |
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Dr. Vipul PatelDr. Vipul “Vic” Patel graduated with Doctorate of Pharmacy from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. With over 10 years of experience in both hotel and the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Patel is primarily involved with hotel/pharmacy development. In 2008, Vic opened his first “Carolina Pharmacy” and is developing 2 more in 2010 along with 1 hotel. His goal is to create his own independent chain of pharmacies within the North and South Carolina. He and his wife Pina resides in Charlotte, NC. |
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Ronald A. SwichkowRonald A. Swichkow, CPA is a shareholder in the CPA firm of D’Huyvetter & Swichkow, P.C. He has been with the firm since 1988. Prior to 1988, Ron has worked for the international accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) in the audit and tax departments as well as served as the Tax Director and Risk/Benefits Manager for a National Bank and a Federal Savings Bank. His experience has included all areas of accounting, tax and financial planning matters for small to medium sized businesses. He has served as a trusted advisor to many start-up businesses and has actually been an entrepreneur by owning and operating two small business ventures. Ron received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in June, 1979 from the University of Florida and his CPA certificate in 1980. He is an avid golfer and currently serves as President of Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell, Georgia. |
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Shawn H. WilsonUnder Shawn’s leadership, New Look has trained and certified over 13,000 youth as global leaders and provided almost 300,000 hours of leadership training worldwide. Shawn helped to build New Look’s International Board of Directors from the ground up transforming the Atlanta based Board of Directors into an international group of corporate and community leaders from across the globe, including Great Britain, Canada and Hong Kong. Understanding the power of collaboration, Shawn developed a signature partnership with Emory University to produce New Look’s program curriculum, evaluation model and world-class leadership certification. Prior to joining New Look, Shawn founded SWI Consulting, Inc., a non-profit management firm. Clients included entrepreneurs, universities, and an impressive list of NBA and NFL professional athletes. During his tenure with SWI Consulting, Shawn helped develop a national private – public partnership with Dr. Toni Yancey of the UCLA School of Public Health and the NFL’s fastest man, Allen Rossum, to develop “Instant Recess”- an anti-youth obesity program that has been licensed by the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream and the Winston-Salem school system in North Carolina. Shawn began his nonprofit career in 1991 with the Children Outing Association and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from Shorter University, graduating with top marks. |
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Dale RichardsonDale Richardson has exemplified leadership and excellence at every level of his academic and professional career. He attended Morgan State University where he graduated magna cum laude in December 1997 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. While attending Morgan State University, Attorney Richardson was selected and profiled by US Black Engineer Magazine in the article “Top HBCU Technology Students.” Additionally, he was a charter member and Vice President of Morgan State University’s Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. While at Morgan State, he also served as National Finance Chair for the National Society of Black Engineers, President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and was selected as a Senator to represent Morgan State University at the Maryland Student Legislature. Attorney Richardson began his professional career in the Intellectual Property Group at Kilpatrick Stockton in Midtown Atlanta working primarily on patent prosecution and other intellectual property issues. Attorney Richardson also worked in the Construction and Government Representation groups at Johnson and Freeman, LLC where he worked extensively with the City of Atlanta’s Hartsfield Development Program. At an estimated cost of over $6 Billion, the Hartsfield Development Program is the largest public works project in the history of the State of Georgia. In 2005, Attorney Richardson was selected as an inaugural member of Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Stars, an honor bestowed on only 2.5% of the attorneys in the state of Georgia. The Law Offices of Dale Richardson, LLC has also had the honor of being selected and serving as Local Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in contesting Fulton County’s Motion for Unitary Status. |