Wish you could meet someone that has done it? Done it big? Maybe even in your exact space? These are the experienced rockstars that will help you and your company succeed. And this is just a start.
We will be rolling out a more detailed investor list soon to accompany this one.
Cem Erdem
CEO and Founder of Project Skyway
Cem (pronounced “gem”) is founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Augusoft, the first SaaS company to establish web-hosted lifelong learning systems for the educational market. Inspired by his early mentors who helped him grow personally and professionally, he founded Project Skyway so that he could help other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams faster and more efficiently than he did as he grew Augusoft into the success that it is today.
CEO and Founder of Project Skyway
Cem (pronounced “gem”) is founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Augusoft, the first SaaS company to establish web-hosted lifelong learning systems for the educational market. Inspired by his early mentors who helped him grow personally and professionally, he founded Project Skyway so that he could help other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams faster and more efficiently than he did as he grew Augusoft into the success that it is today.
Aaron Kardell
CEO of Locate My Deal
Aaron has over 15 years experience creating new software products and companies. Aaron is currently heavily invested in all things related to location-based apps. His first iPhone app, iGarageSale, has been featured by Apple three times. He is now focused on two location-based startups – MobileRealtyApps and Locate My Deal. MobileRealtyApps produces branded smartphone apps for real estate brokers. Locate My Deal will be launching in Q1 2011. In late 2007, Aaron wrote a Facebook app, World Conquest, which was acquired three months later by SGN. He wonders if he should have taken Zynga’s offer instead. In 2001 Aaron founded an education software startup called Altona Ed which was acquired by Pearson in 2004.
CEO of Locate My Deal
Aaron has over 15 years experience creating new software products and companies. Aaron is currently heavily invested in all things related to location-based apps. His first iPhone app, iGarageSale, has been featured by Apple three times. He is now focused on two location-based startups – MobileRealtyApps and Locate My Deal. MobileRealtyApps produces branded smartphone apps for real estate brokers. Locate My Deal will be launching in Q1 2011. In late 2007, Aaron wrote a Facebook app, World Conquest, which was acquired three months later by SGN. He wonders if he should have taken Zynga’s offer instead. In 2001 Aaron founded an education software startup called Altona Ed which was acquired by Pearson in 2004.
Ben Edwards
COFOUNDER OF REFACTR AND MINNE✽
In 2006 Ben co-founded Refactr where he currently builds web applications like LeanTo (http://lean-to.com), a project tracking tool tailored for agile teams and MileMarker (http://getmilemarker.com), an innovation and prioritization platform for idea-driven communities. Ben is actively involved in the MInnesota design and technology communities, and co-organizes and produces a series of open events and conferences as part of minne✽.
COFOUNDER OF REFACTR AND MINNE✽
In 2006 Ben co-founded Refactr where he currently builds web applications like LeanTo (http://lean-to.com), a project tracking tool tailored for agile teams and MileMarker (http://getmilemarker.com), an innovation and prioritization platform for idea-driven communities. Ben is actively involved in the MInnesota design and technology communities, and co-organizes and produces a series of open events and conferences as part of minne✽.
Björn Stansvik
CEO of Mentormate
Bjorn is CEO of IQPakk, a mobile learning solution and SpyderMate, a SEO analysis service. Bjorn holds a M.Sc. in Business Administration from the Gothenburg School of Economics and has completed a master’s thesis in Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. He worked in high-tech and strategic business development in Europe, Latin America, and the United States prior to founding MentorMate, his holding company, in 2001, and has guided the company through various stages of growth and change.
CEO of Mentormate
Bjorn is CEO of IQPakk, a mobile learning solution and SpyderMate, a SEO analysis service. Bjorn holds a M.Sc. in Business Administration from the Gothenburg School of Economics and has completed a master’s thesis in Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. He worked in high-tech and strategic business development in Europe, Latin America, and the United States prior to founding MentorMate, his holding company, in 2001, and has guided the company through various stages of growth and change.
Brad Sorock
Founder of NicheRetail.com
As visionary and co-founder of Niche Retail, Brad leads the business relationship team. His primary responsibilities are to identify, establish, and grow new relationships with branded manufacturers. With experience in the retail industry dating back to the 1990s, Brad built his first eCommerce site in 1997, and is always pushing the limits of innovation in order to create the best experience for all parties.
Founder of NicheRetail.com
As visionary and co-founder of Niche Retail, Brad leads the business relationship team. His primary responsibilities are to identify, establish, and grow new relationships with branded manufacturers. With experience in the retail industry dating back to the 1990s, Brad built his first eCommerce site in 1997, and is always pushing the limits of innovation in order to create the best experience for all parties.
Chad Eckes
CEO of cSquarede
Chad is founder, owner and principal of cSquaredE, a boutique advisory firm that helps mid-market technology companies with strategy, marketing and business development. Prior to cSquaredE, Chad held various senior-level roles at Accenture, 3M, HighJump Software, and also two small technology companies. He has specialized in strategic planning, writing business plans, launching new ventures, developing alliances and channel partners, enterprise sales, mergers and acquisitions, and managing multi-million dollar development initiatives. Chad received his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and his BA in Economics and Mathematics from Northwestern University.
CEO of cSquarede
Chad is founder, owner and principal of cSquaredE, a boutique advisory firm that helps mid-market technology companies with strategy, marketing and business development. Prior to cSquaredE, Chad held various senior-level roles at Accenture, 3M, HighJump Software, and also two small technology companies. He has specialized in strategic planning, writing business plans, launching new ventures, developing alliances and channel partners, enterprise sales, mergers and acquisitions, and managing multi-million dollar development initiatives. Chad received his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and his BA in Economics and Mathematics from Northwestern University.
Chris Heim
ceo of amcom
Over the past two decades, Chris Heim has built a reputation as an exceptional leader in enterprise software and IT. Just recently in March, 2011 Chris sold his software company Amcom to USA Mobility for $163m in cash, Chris’ second exit. Chris previously held the role of CEO and President of HighJump Software which he sold to 3M for $88m. Chris won the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2003.
ceo of amcom
Over the past two decades, Chris Heim has built a reputation as an exceptional leader in enterprise software and IT. Just recently in March, 2011 Chris sold his software company Amcom to USA Mobility for $163m in cash, Chris’ second exit. Chris previously held the role of CEO and President of HighJump Software which he sold to 3M for $88m. Chris won the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2003.
Dan Grigsby
founding partner of drivetrain
Dan previously founded Mobile Orchard, which became the number one iPhone developer news site and podcast. He founded half a dozen other companies, including an early e-commerce provider that was acquired by Microsoft and the only ever successful competitor to PayPal. He received the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40″ award, Finance and Commerce’s “40 Minnesotans On The Move” award, was named one of MPLS/St. Paul magazines “75 Best Brains” and featured as one of fifteen “Innovatives” by Twin Cities Business. Dan is an Adjunct Instructor and Entrepreneur-In-Residence the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.
founding partner of drivetrain
Dan previously founded Mobile Orchard, which became the number one iPhone developer news site and podcast. He founded half a dozen other companies, including an early e-commerce provider that was acquired by Microsoft and the only ever successful competitor to PayPal. He received the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40″ award, Finance and Commerce’s “40 Minnesotans On The Move” award, was named one of MPLS/St. Paul magazines “75 Best Brains” and featured as one of fifteen “Innovatives” by Twin Cities Business. Dan is an Adjunct Instructor and Entrepreneur-In-Residence the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.
Don MacPherson
cofounder of modern survey
Prior to founding Modern Survey, Don consulted for American Express providing direction and management within the discipline of employee surveys and leadership development. Around the world—from Asia and Australia to the United Kingdom and across the United States—Don has designed and implemented customer, employee, and leadership surveys.
cofounder of modern survey
Prior to founding Modern Survey, Don consulted for American Express providing direction and management within the discipline of employee surveys and leadership development. Around the world—from Asia and Australia to the United Kingdom and across the United States—Don has designed and implemented customer, employee, and leadership surveys.
Don Smithmier
CEO of Sophia Learning
Don is a winner of Twin Cities Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and founder of three successful start‐ups, including GoKart Labs, the digital innovation company which incubated and built Sophia. Don was an early‐stage employee and ultimately Vice President at Capella University (NSDQ: CPLA), a fully‐online, accredited university. During his 14 years at Capella, Don held a succession of Marketing, Technology and Business leadership roles and was recognized as a pioneer in online advertising.
CEO of Sophia Learning
Don is a winner of Twin Cities Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and founder of three successful start‐ups, including GoKart Labs, the digital innovation company which incubated and built Sophia. Don was an early‐stage employee and ultimately Vice President at Capella University (NSDQ: CPLA), a fully‐online, accredited university. During his 14 years at Capella, Don held a succession of Marketing, Technology and Business leadership roles and was recognized as a pioneer in online advertising.
Jason Baker
CTO at VISI
Jason has over sixteen years of experience working with Internet and telecommunications organizations in the Upper Midwest. He is Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of VISI, a large Midwest regional provider of data center, managed hosting, and cloud computing services. VISI was acquired in 2010 by TDS (NYSE:TDS), a Fortune 500 US-based telecommunications company. VISI operates multiple tier-2 and tier-3 data center facilities in the Upper Midwest as well as large public and private cloud infrastructure. Jason co-founded Digital North in 2001, and helped Digital North expand into multiple data centers serving thousands of customers. Digital North acquired VISI in 2005 and re-branded the combined organization as VISI.
CTO at VISI
Jason has over sixteen years of experience working with Internet and telecommunications organizations in the Upper Midwest. He is Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of VISI, a large Midwest regional provider of data center, managed hosting, and cloud computing services. VISI was acquired in 2010 by TDS (NYSE:TDS), a Fortune 500 US-based telecommunications company. VISI operates multiple tier-2 and tier-3 data center facilities in the Upper Midwest as well as large public and private cloud infrastructure. Jason co-founded Digital North in 2001, and helped Digital North expand into multiple data centers serving thousands of customers. Digital North acquired VISI in 2005 and re-branded the combined organization as VISI.
Jeff Liebl
Chief Strategy Officer, eBureau
Jeff brings a successful track record of leadership in growing venture capital-funded, high technology companies in both Silicon Valley and Minnesota. Jeff also currently serves as CMO of TruSignal, a recently spun off sister company of eBureau. Previous roles include VP Global Marketing & Product Management for Ubiquity Software, which successfully IPO’d in March 2005. Before running off to the Valley for a decade, Jeff started his career as an industry analyst for Smaby Group in Minneapolis. Jeff earned his Bachelors degree at the University of St. Thomas and his MBA from the University of Michigan.
Chief Strategy Officer, eBureau
Jeff brings a successful track record of leadership in growing venture capital-funded, high technology companies in both Silicon Valley and Minnesota. Jeff also currently serves as CMO of TruSignal, a recently spun off sister company of eBureau. Previous roles include VP Global Marketing & Product Management for Ubiquity Software, which successfully IPO’d in March 2005. Before running off to the Valley for a decade, Jeff started his career as an industry analyst for Smaby Group in Minneapolis. Jeff earned his Bachelors degree at the University of St. Thomas and his MBA from the University of Michigan.
Jim Sheehan
COO / Partner of PowerObjects
Jim oversees the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of PowerObjects including sales, marketing, solution delivery and operations. Under his leadership and guidance, Jim has transitioned the company’s vision to laser focus on doing everything it takes to become the leading Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner worldwide. It’s a big goal but Jim brings boundless energy to the task and requires little sleep.
COO / Partner of PowerObjects
Jim oversees the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of PowerObjects including sales, marketing, solution delivery and operations. Under his leadership and guidance, Jim has transitioned the company’s vision to laser focus on doing everything it takes to become the leading Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner worldwide. It’s a big goal but Jim brings boundless energy to the task and requires little sleep.
Joe Keeley
CEO of College Nannies & Tutors
Joe Keeley is CEO of College Nannies & Tutors, the franchisor of the nation’s largest nanny and tutor company built on top of a winning platform to enable it all. Joe founded College Nannies & Tutors in 2001 while earning a degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN and being a nanny himself for two boys and a little girl during school. College Nannies & Tutors is now operating over 75 locations on both coasts and in the Midwest.
CEO of College Nannies & Tutors
Joe Keeley is CEO of College Nannies & Tutors, the franchisor of the nation’s largest nanny and tutor company built on top of a winning platform to enable it all. Joe founded College Nannies & Tutors in 2001 while earning a degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN and being a nanny himself for two boys and a little girl during school. College Nannies & Tutors is now operating over 75 locations on both coasts and in the Midwest.
John Tedesco
CEO of Contigo
John is a co-founder and President & CEO of Contigo Systems Inc, a leading provider of
location-based services using wireless and GPS technology for fleet management, asset
tracking and personal safety applications. Previously, John co-founded PayMyBills.com,
a consumer eFinance company he started at the Idealab incubator in Pasadena,
California. As CEO, John led this 200-person company from concept stage to revenue
generation and market leadership with 40,000 subscribers before selling the company
for almost $70 million.
CEO of Contigo
John is a co-founder and President & CEO of Contigo Systems Inc, a leading provider of
location-based services using wireless and GPS technology for fleet management, asset
tracking and personal safety applications. Previously, John co-founded PayMyBills.com,
a consumer eFinance company he started at the Idealab incubator in Pasadena,
California. As CEO, John led this 200-person company from concept stage to revenue
generation and market leadership with 40,000 subscribers before selling the company
for almost $70 million.
Jon Dahl
ceo of zencoder
Founder and CEO of Zencoder, a YCombinator (W2010) company. Zencoder provides the best video encoding technology on the market serving clients like CollegeHumor, Posterous, TwitVid, and sliderocket. Jon is a former Rails dev shop founder and splits his time between Minneapolis and SF.
ceo of zencoder
Founder and CEO of Zencoder, a YCombinator (W2010) company. Zencoder provides the best video encoding technology on the market serving clients like CollegeHumor, Posterous, TwitVid, and sliderocket. Jon is a former Rails dev shop founder and splits his time between Minneapolis and SF.
Joseph Rueter
cofounder curation station
Cofounder of four current products Kipsu, Locate My Deal, Extendr, and Curation Station, Joseph is the consumate company launcher. He zeroes in on the strategy and interaction design side of building awesome products and serves on the programming boards of the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association and Minnesota’s TED event, TEDxTC when he’s not coding and designing.
cofounder curation station
Cofounder of four current products Kipsu, Locate My Deal, Extendr, and Curation Station, Joseph is the consumate company launcher. He zeroes in on the strategy and interaction design side of building awesome products and serves on the programming boards of the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association and Minnesota’s TED event, TEDxTC when he’s not coding and designing.
Justin Kaufenberg
Chief Executive Officer at TST Media
Justin is Chief Executive Officer at TST Media, which he co-founded in 2004. Justin is responsible for setting the overall direction and product strategy for the company, as well as new growth initiatives. Previously Justin was the co-founder of Third North Creative, an interactive agency. In 2010, Justin received the Business Journal’s “Young Entrepreneur” award. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics and marketing from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he graduated with honors.
Chief Executive Officer at TST Media
Justin is Chief Executive Officer at TST Media, which he co-founded in 2004. Justin is responsible for setting the overall direction and product strategy for the company, as well as new growth initiatives. Previously Justin was the co-founder of Third North Creative, an interactive agency. In 2010, Justin received the Business Journal’s “Young Entrepreneur” award. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics and marketing from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he graduated with honors.
Kim Albee
Founder and President at Genoo
With over twenty-three years of software experience including 15 years of corporate and entrepreneurial management, Kim works closely with customers to
ensure that Marketing and Sales are able to sustain and improve their alignment – results showing up in both top and bottom line performance. In addition to her work with software, Kim has a lifelong interest in the technology of being and leads courses in ontology. Kim founded Einsof, a sales & marketing performance software company, in 2000. In February of 2008, Kim founded Genoo LLC, a SaaS offering of Integrated Online Marketing Tools.
Founder and President at Genoo
With over twenty-three years of software experience including 15 years of corporate and entrepreneurial management, Kim works closely with customers to
ensure that Marketing and Sales are able to sustain and improve their alignment – results showing up in both top and bottom line performance. In addition to her work with software, Kim has a lifelong interest in the technology of being and leads courses in ontology. Kim founded Einsof, a sales & marketing performance software company, in 2000. In February of 2008, Kim founded Genoo LLC, a SaaS offering of Integrated Online Marketing Tools.
Lief Larson
CEo of workface
Lief has been a career entrepreneur, technologist and futurist. He has founded and grown several companies. In 2004 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kiosk & Self-Service industry association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Mr. Larson was named #8 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 10 American Entrepreneurs Under 30″ list and was a back-to-back semi-finalist for the Minnesota Cup in 2005 & 2006. In 2010 his efforts with Workface resulted in the company winning the Social Business Innovation award and the OnDemand 100 award.
CEo of workface
Lief has been a career entrepreneur, technologist and futurist. He has founded and grown several companies. In 2004 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kiosk & Self-Service industry association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Mr. Larson was named #8 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 10 American Entrepreneurs Under 30″ list and was a back-to-back semi-finalist for the Minnesota Cup in 2005 & 2006. In 2010 his efforts with Workface resulted in the company winning the Social Business Innovation award and the OnDemand 100 award.
Luna Ahmed
Managing Partner at ILM Professional Services
Luna Ahmed is a co-founder of ILM and Fusion Room, two application development firms she helped launch to build leading-edge, quality-focused technology solutions. She has more than 14 years of IT experience, including tenures with Thomson and Norstan. As a co-founder of ILM and Fusion Room, Luna is responsible for all operations for both companies. She focuses on strong internal operations built on a can-and will-do culture. In addition, she has a dynamic approach to problem solving: always do the right thing. Luna holds a Masters degree in Technology Management from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Managing Partner at ILM Professional Services
Luna Ahmed is a co-founder of ILM and Fusion Room, two application development firms she helped launch to build leading-edge, quality-focused technology solutions. She has more than 14 years of IT experience, including tenures with Thomson and Norstan. As a co-founder of ILM and Fusion Room, Luna is responsible for all operations for both companies. She focuses on strong internal operations built on a can-and will-do culture. In addition, she has a dynamic approach to problem solving: always do the right thing. Luna holds a Masters degree in Technology Management from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Marty Leestma
angel investor
Marty was previously CEO of Retek which provided software solutions and services to the retail industry. Under Marty’s leadership Retek was acquired by Oracle for $700m in 2005. Prior to joining Retek, Marty Leestma was Accenture’s global managing partner, Retail and Consumer Goods & Services (CGS) Industries. Leestma was responsible for leading a team focused on providing tailored consulting, technology and outsourcing services across the retail and consumer packaged goods sectors. Marty now invests and advises startups, both in the social venture space and in the technology space.
angel investor
Marty was previously CEO of Retek which provided software solutions and services to the retail industry. Under Marty’s leadership Retek was acquired by Oracle for $700m in 2005. Prior to joining Retek, Marty Leestma was Accenture’s global managing partner, Retail and Consumer Goods & Services (CGS) Industries. Leestma was responsible for leading a team focused on providing tailored consulting, technology and outsourcing services across the retail and consumer packaged goods sectors. Marty now invests and advises startups, both in the social venture space and in the technology space.
Matt Meents
ceo of reside
Matt’s cofounded Reside, a cloud solution for sales, marketing and service, with focused expertise in CRM, Social CRM, and AppDev, in 2001. Recognized as a Twin Cities’ “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” (Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, 2010), Matt consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation and entrepreneurialism to drive results, with a passion for solving clients’ business problems. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Matt holds a B.S. in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Computer Science.
ceo of reside
Matt’s cofounded Reside, a cloud solution for sales, marketing and service, with focused expertise in CRM, Social CRM, and AppDev, in 2001. Recognized as a Twin Cities’ “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” (Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, 2010), Matt consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation and entrepreneurialism to drive results, with a passion for solving clients’ business problems. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Matt holds a B.S. in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Computer Science.
Matthew Shilts
cofounder of social samba
Matthew is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for software architecture and building kick-ass agile development teams. He previously co-founded Nanobiz, which sold to Verisign in 2000, and resulted in his growth to VP of Product Engineering for a $200M+ product line. Matthew’s most recent start-up experience was at RedBrick Health, where he was CTO and participated in the most recent round of funding from Kleiner. Matthew is looking forward to friending the cast of Entourage in a future scripted social network from SocialSamba.
cofounder of social samba
Matthew is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for software architecture and building kick-ass agile development teams. He previously co-founded Nanobiz, which sold to Verisign in 2000, and resulted in his growth to VP of Product Engineering for a $200M+ product line. Matthew’s most recent start-up experience was at RedBrick Health, where he was CTO and participated in the most recent round of funding from Kleiner. Matthew is looking forward to friending the cast of Entourage in a future scripted social network from SocialSamba.
Mike Dickoff
Angel Investor
Mike founded Navitaire in 1993 and was its CEO from 1993-2000 and again from 2002-2005. It’s a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture and offers software-as-a-service to the airline industry. Mike retired from Accenture as a Partner and is now investing in cool startups that have the same penchant for disrupting industries like he did back in his airline days.
Angel Investor
Mike founded Navitaire in 1993 and was its CEO from 1993-2000 and again from 2002-2005. It’s a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture and offers software-as-a-service to the airline industry. Mike retired from Accenture as a Partner and is now investing in cool startups that have the same penchant for disrupting industries like he did back in his airline days.
Nancy Lyons
ceo of clockwork active media
Nancy is the founder, President & CEO of Clockwork Active Media Systems, a Minneapolis-based digital agency that services clients worldwide. She was formerly President of the midwest internet service provider Bitstream Underground. Both agencies have been recognized locally and nationally for their progressive policies toward work-life balance and client care. Working Mother magazine named Clockwork one of the nation’s Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in 2008.
ceo of clockwork active media
Nancy is the founder, President & CEO of Clockwork Active Media Systems, a Minneapolis-based digital agency that services clients worldwide. She was formerly President of the midwest internet service provider Bitstream Underground. Both agencies have been recognized locally and nationally for their progressive policies toward work-life balance and client care. Working Mother magazine named Clockwork one of the nation’s Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in 2008.
Patrick Riley
CEO of modern survey
For more than a decade, Patrick Riley has led survey product development and computer based learning initiatives. Patrick Riley helped found Modern Survey in 1999 and serves as its Chief Executive Officer today and is responsible for providing direction and leadership to define and achieve the business’ goals, mission and strategic vision. Prior to founding Modern Survey, Patrick worked for American Express as a survey technology product designer. Patrick is also an accomplished filmmaker and musician having played in rock & roll bands, worked as a writer and producer in the film and television industry in Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles and at the Sundance Filmmaker’s Lab, and has volunteered his time and energy to the Interact Center and Center for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment.
CEO of modern survey
For more than a decade, Patrick Riley has led survey product development and computer based learning initiatives. Patrick Riley helped found Modern Survey in 1999 and serves as its Chief Executive Officer today and is responsible for providing direction and leadership to define and achieve the business’ goals, mission and strategic vision. Prior to founding Modern Survey, Patrick worked for American Express as a survey technology product designer. Patrick is also an accomplished filmmaker and musician having played in rock & roll bands, worked as a writer and producer in the film and television industry in Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles and at the Sundance Filmmaker’s Lab, and has volunteered his time and energy to the Interact Center and Center for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment.
Rajiv Tandon
founder of Adayana
Dr. Rajiv Tandon is Founder and Chairman of Adayana, Inc. a Minneapolis based performance improvement and workforce development company providing services and solutions that empower individuals to learn. Adayana is listed in the Top 20 Training Outsourcing Companies for the past 4 years and in the Inc 500 fastest growing companies, three years in a row.Tandon’s “next adventure” is related to developing “Edu-entrepreneurs” who will develop transformational initiatives in education/training in emerging nations and across the globe. Tandon was CEO and President of LearningByte a multimedia training company that was acquired by DigitalThink in October, 2001. Prior to that he was Director of the Corporate Venturing Programs at the University of St. Thomas where he has taught MBA level courses in Venture Management and Franchising.
founder of Adayana
Dr. Rajiv Tandon is Founder and Chairman of Adayana, Inc. a Minneapolis based performance improvement and workforce development company providing services and solutions that empower individuals to learn. Adayana is listed in the Top 20 Training Outsourcing Companies for the past 4 years and in the Inc 500 fastest growing companies, three years in a row.Tandon’s “next adventure” is related to developing “Edu-entrepreneurs” who will develop transformational initiatives in education/training in emerging nations and across the globe. Tandon was CEO and President of LearningByte a multimedia training company that was acquired by DigitalThink in October, 2001. Prior to that he was Director of the Corporate Venturing Programs at the University of St. Thomas where he has taught MBA level courses in Venture Management and Franchising.
Rob Weber
Angel investor and Cofounder of W3i
Rob Weber co-founded W3i in 2000. As CEO, from inception through November 2007, and as VP of Business Development thereafter, Rob grew W3i into a leading distributor of consumer applications. Today, Rob is focusing on the growth of W3i Mobile, an application network that increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for mobile apps. Since establishing his first website in 1995, Rob has co-founded other interactive media businesses, including a free application review site and a display ad network. In 2006, Rob shared the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award with the other co-founders of W3i, Aaron Weber and Ryan Weber. Rob was also named to the 2007 Inc. 5,000—CEO’s Under 30 list. Rob received his B.S. in Entrepreneurship from St. Cloud State University. He is a Board Member of W3i and is a private angel investor in a number of music, game, video, social media, mobile application start-ups.
Angel investor and Cofounder of W3i
Rob Weber co-founded W3i in 2000. As CEO, from inception through November 2007, and as VP of Business Development thereafter, Rob grew W3i into a leading distributor of consumer applications. Today, Rob is focusing on the growth of W3i Mobile, an application network that increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for mobile apps. Since establishing his first website in 1995, Rob has co-founded other interactive media businesses, including a free application review site and a display ad network. In 2006, Rob shared the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award with the other co-founders of W3i, Aaron Weber and Ryan Weber. Rob was also named to the 2007 Inc. 5,000—CEO’s Under 30 list. Rob received his B.S. in Entrepreneurship from St. Cloud State University. He is a Board Member of W3i and is a private angel investor in a number of music, game, video, social media, mobile application start-ups.
Scott Burns
CEO of govdelivery
Since its launch in 2000, GovDelivery’s Digital Communication Platform has transformed how governments communicate with the public. GovDelivery has more than 75 employees and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota with offices in D.C. and London. The company has been named to the Twin Cities Business Journal’s Fast 50 list of fastest growing private companies five years in a row. In 2009, GovDelivery acquired GovLoop, and in December, 2009, ICG, a publicly-held holding company (NASDAQ: ICGE) partnered with GovDelivery’s management team to buyout all other investors at a $22 million valuation. Investors’ annualized return from investment in GovDelivery ranged from 13-40%.
CEO of govdelivery
Since its launch in 2000, GovDelivery’s Digital Communication Platform has transformed how governments communicate with the public. GovDelivery has more than 75 employees and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota with offices in D.C. and London. The company has been named to the Twin Cities Business Journal’s Fast 50 list of fastest growing private companies five years in a row. In 2009, GovDelivery acquired GovLoop, and in December, 2009, ICG, a publicly-held holding company (NASDAQ: ICGE) partnered with GovDelivery’s management team to buyout all other investors at a $22 million valuation. Investors’ annualized return from investment in GovDelivery ranged from 13-40%.
Spenser Segal
CEO of Actifi
Spenser has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including Vice President of e-Commerce Strategy and Development for American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA), where he directed the reconstruction of several websites into an integrated, customer-oriented financial services offering. He also held management positions at Dain Rauscher, Barrington Capital Management, and BigCharts. Spenser was part of the very early and core team of BigCharts which sold to MarketWatch.com for $166m in 1999.
CEO of Actifi
Spenser has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including Vice President of e-Commerce Strategy and Development for American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA), where he directed the reconstruction of several websites into an integrated, customer-oriented financial services offering. He also held management positions at Dain Rauscher, Barrington Capital Management, and BigCharts. Spenser was part of the very early and core team of BigCharts which sold to MarketWatch.com for $166m in 1999.
Thomas Knoll
Cofounder of launchrock, startup Advisor
Thomas is a community architect, community cultivator, and customer developer for brands including Zappos, UserVoice, and Seesmic. While he has a technical background, he prefers to speak in gardening and architecture metaphors. He is inspired by storytelling, psychology, evangelism, architectural theory, social economics, game mechanics, cultural anthropology, compassion, and ants. He was studying to become a missionary, but left that path because he grew tired of the business of religion. Now, he helps businesses convert customers into communities of evangelists.
Cofounder of launchrock, startup Advisor
Thomas is a community architect, community cultivator, and customer developer for brands including Zappos, UserVoice, and Seesmic. While he has a technical background, he prefers to speak in gardening and architecture metaphors. He is inspired by storytelling, psychology, evangelism, architectural theory, social economics, game mechanics, cultural anthropology, compassion, and ants. He was studying to become a missionary, but left that path because he grew tired of the business of religion. Now, he helps businesses convert customers into communities of evangelists.
Tom Kieffer
CEO of Virteva
Tom is on his third tech company having exited the previous two. Prior to founding Virteva, Tom founded Agiliti in 1999, a pioneer in the cloud computing and SaaS marketplace which he sold to VeriCenter and served on the Board of Directors until August of 2007 when the company was acquired yet again by SunGard. Prior to founding Agiliti, Tom founded Connect Computer, an IT consulting and services company. Following Connect’s merger with Norstan in 1996, Kieffer served as its Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development.
CEO of Virteva
Tom is on his third tech company having exited the previous two. Prior to founding Virteva, Tom founded Agiliti in 1999, a pioneer in the cloud computing and SaaS marketplace which he sold to VeriCenter and served on the Board of Directors until August of 2007 when the company was acquired yet again by SunGard. Prior to founding Agiliti, Tom founded Connect Computer, an IT consulting and services company. Following Connect’s merger with Norstan in 1996, Kieffer served as its Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development.