Mentors
Kevin BouleyBio: Kevin is CEO of the research and advisory services firm Nerac. He’s also an active angel investor, mentor and host to a growing number of startup newcos in the Tolland Technology Corridor.
Ira YellenBio: Ira Yellen, President/CEO of First Experience Communications, an integrated marketing communications agency, provides strategic counsel and creative tactics to large and small companies.
Mark Van AllenBio: Mark Van Allen is president of the University of Connecticut’s Research & Development Corp. (UConn R&D), a science and technology-focused subsidiary of the UConn Foundation that seeks to create new business start-ups based on technologies developed by UConn researchers-----a graduate of Stanford University and its School of Business, Van Allen was named president of the for-profit UConn R&D in 2003.
Ryan DuquesBio: Ryan Duques, Serial Entrepreneur had a successful exit in the traditional media industry, now focuses on e-Learning, real-time apps and prides himself in speed to execution. Follow @rduques
Bill KnightBio: Bill Knight is the founder of Adams & Knight, Inc. one of Connecticut’s largest advertising/digital/social/PR firms.
Fred WergelesBio: Fred Wergeles is the founder of a consulting practice that specializes in Strategic Market Analysis; an Adjunct Professor at the University of Hartford, teaching Entrepreneurship and Market Intelligence courses, and the founder of the Connecticut Economic Gardening Group, a
Ted IvesBio: Ted Ives has worked for technology companies ranging through every layer of the information technology stack including Apple, Microsoft, APC, and National Semiconductor; most recently served as Vice President of Product Management at The Search Agency; and provides online marketing consulting services to medium-to-large businesses with a special emphasis on SEO and Paid Search.
John GiaccottoBio: John Giaccotto is the owner of LionLeaf, LLC which is a web development company based in Southington, Connecticut. LionLeaf specializes in building custom web applications. John holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration. John has over twelve years of experience in the web development field and has previously held positions at Adeptra, Inc. and Oceanus World Link Services, Inc.
Rita ZangariBio: Rita Zangari is Director of the UConn\'s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) and Executive Director of the Technology Incubation Program (TIP) -- UConn\'s business incubator which supports the success of technology ventures at three campuses.
Nick BerezaBio: Nicholas Bereza is a computer scientist and an educator. In 2002 he founded NE Computer Solutions that now provides technical consulting, services, and products to many clients throughout the Northeastern United States. He has over a decades worth of experience developing innovative software and deploying system architectures for a variety of clients including the University of Connecticut and the University of New Haven. As an adjunct professor he has taught computer courses at Norwalk Community College, and critical infrastructure protection courses at the University of New Haven/Sandia National Lab join graduate program. Nick also provides continuing education through free seminars and courses ranging from computer security to system administration.
Joe WehrBio: Joe is a founder of DBMI, an IT consulting & training firm, which grew from 4 founders to 180 employees. Since DBMI\'s sale Joe has been involved, as both an advisor and investor, in a number of startups, some successful & some not. Joe is a life-long entrepreneur with first-hand experience in what it takes to build a successful business.
John ParkinsonBio: John Parkinson is a freelance Art Director with design experience in advertising and sales promotion and is currently on long term assignment with LEGO.
Steve LovelaceBio: Steve Lovelace, President/CEO of Moving Pictures Inc and gener8or communications. Marketer, strategist, producer, consultant.
