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We are so excited to share with you the DC Startup & Tech Week 2024 schedule! If you are early stage to growth stage founder, entrepreneur, investor, or looking to work with startups we have 14 tracks of content with over 150 sessions, 250 speakers that have been curated for you.

Ready to personalize your schedule and add sessions to your calendar? First register and purchase your ticket on Eventbrite, then you will receive an email to personalize your schedule. If you already registered, create your schedule today.
Tuesday, October 22
 

9:30am EDT

Morning Coffee & Networking
Join us for a lovely morning with coffee and networking with DC's service-based ecosystem, founders, operators, VC's and ecosystem players.

Coffee will be provided.
Tuesday October 22, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

10:00am EDT

Welcome Remarks from Ryan Touhill, Director of Arlington Economic Development
Kick off Tuesday of DC Startup & Tech Week in National Landing with inspiring welcome remarks from Ryan Touhill, Director of Arlington Economic Development. Hear how Arlington is fueling innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and shaping the future of the DMV region as a thriving hub for startups and tech talent!
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Touhill

Ryan Touhill

Director, Arlington Economic Development
Ryan Touhill is the Director of Arlington Economic Development. Mr. Touhill has extensive experience managing economic development agency operations and a proven track record implementing local small business grant and economic recovery programs. He has played a key role in fostering... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 10:00am - 10:05am EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

10:30am EDT

Scaling in a New Work Era: How AI & Post-Covid Trends Are Redefining Business, Workspaces & Growth with the Evan Regan-Levine the Head of Strategy for JBG Smith
In this insightful fireside chat, Seema Alexander, co-founder and president of Virgent AI, will sit down with Evan Regan-Levine, head of strategy for JBG Smith, one of the nation’s leading real estate developers, to explore how businesses are navigating the transformative forces shaping the future of work. From the rapid rise of AI-powered solutions to the lasting impact of post-Covid work trends, this conversation will dive deep into how companies can scale in a world that is redefining business operations, workspaces, and growth strategies. Evan will share his perspective on the evolving role of real estate in this new work era, including shifts in demand for hybrid and flexible office spaces, as well as JBG Smith’s approach to integrating innovation and AI into their developments. Whether you’re a business leader, founder, or innovator, this conversation will provide actionable insights on how to leverage technology and adapt to the ever-changing work environment to achieve sustainable growth.
Moderators
avatar for Seema Alexander

Seema Alexander

Co-founder & President, Virgent AI + DC Startup & Tech Week
Seema Alexander is a dynamic force in business, leveraging over two decades of experience to guide entrepreneurs and CEOs toward growth at the intersection of brand repositioning, innovation, and community.As Co-Founder and President of Virgent AI, she is at the forefront of AI innovation... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Evan Regan-Levine

Evan Regan-Levine

CSO, JBG Smith
Evan Regan-Levine has serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at JBG Smith. Prior he served as Executive Vice President of Research and Strategic Innovation in their Investments Group since 2018. In that role he was responsible for guiding the firm’s investment strategy with data and... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

10:45am EDT

Finding our "silicon" - How to build a Trillion dollar startup & venture ecosystem
Silicon Valley wasn’t always the epicenter of venture. It wasn’t born; it was made. Learn about the efforts over the past 20+ years to sow the seeds in our region: people, innovation, technology, capital.

Most importantly: where do we go from here???
Speakers
avatar for Katherine Hill Ritchie

Katherine Hill Ritchie

Senior Director, Venture Funds, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
Katherine Hill Ritchie has more than 19 years of finance and investment experience. She is a frequent speaker and content provider to investment conferences and publications world-wide. She founded Private Capital Investments, LLC while she was working in Geneva, Switzerland in 2009... Read More →
avatar for Tom Weithman

Tom Weithman

Managing Director, Virginia Venture Partners
Tom Weithman is Chief Investment Officer for the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation and Managing Director of Virginia Venture Partners (VVP), a strategic investment platform pursuing complementary direct and indirect investment strategies to further the economic development... Read More →
avatar for Frank Taylor

Frank Taylor

VC, Virginia Venture Partners
Frank Taylor is an early stage VC, angel investor, and syndicate lead focused on pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A investments in autonomous systems and dual-use technologies. Frank currently serves as an Investment Associate at Virginia Venture Partners and Entrepreneur in Residence at... Read More →
avatar for Paige Soya

Paige Soya

Managing Partner, K Street Capital
Paige Soya is the Managing Director of K-Street-Capital, a DC-based venture syndicate investing ~$5M/year in seed-growth-late stage tech companies, where she leads due diligence and advises on multiple portfolio company boards. She is also the chair of Everest Capital Group, a consulting... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 10:45am - 11:25am EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

11:00am EDT

VC Math: What Founders MUST Know
Tuesday October 22, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Experienced investors see founder math mistakes All. The. Time.
Jen O’Daniel, Senior Investment Director, and Dustin Dunbar, Senior Associate, will walk you through an interactive workshop so founders don’t make mistakes when:
-Allocating stock to early advisors
-Crafting their friends and family round
-Deciding how to value their company early on
-Talk about future rounds and calculating exit
Speakers
avatar for Steven Ryan

Steven Ryan

Partner - Emerging Companies & Venture Capital, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Steve Ryan advises companies on venture capital, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate governance matters with a strong emphasis on representing private high-growth companies and venture capital investment firms.
avatar for Jennifer O’Daniel

Jennifer O’Daniel

Senior Investment Director, VIPC | Virginia Venture Partners
Jennifer O'Daniel joined Virginia Venture Partners (formerly CIT GAP Funds) in 2003, where she leads pre-seed and seed-stage investments in tech companies with a concentration on cybersecurity and enterprise software. A senior member of the investment team, O’Daniel has led over... Read More →
avatar for Dustin Dunbar

Dustin Dunbar

Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners | VIPC
Senior Investment Associate focused on investing in the most promising Virginia-based tech companies and nurturing tech startups through their critical early stages of development. US Army Veteran.
Tuesday October 22, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) 251 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

11:30am EDT

Unlocking Opportunities: Growth Strategies for Startups with CTA and CES
Unlocking access to vital resources and a powerful network can be a game-changer for your tech startup. In this fireside chat, you'll discover the unique opportunities offered by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and CES, from direct connections with top industry leaders and investors to gaining membership in the Entrepreneur Council. You'll also explore how to leverage market research and expert mentoring to fuel your growth. Learn how CTA can empower your startup and how you can take advantage of Eureka Park at CES, designed especially for startups, where innovators from around the world exhibit and maximize their ROI. This session is essential for uncovering opportunities to help you scale your business for long-term success.
Speakers
avatar for Ximena Gates

Ximena Gates

CEO, Buildwithin
Dr. Ximena Gates-Hartsock is a serial tech entrepreneur, co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer of BuildWithin, a venture-backed technology company based in Washington, DC. BuildWithin's innovative skills technology simplifies the process for organizations to implement effective... Read More →
avatar for Tiffany Moore

Tiffany Moore

Senior Vice President, Consumer Technology Association
As the Senior Vice President of Political and Industry Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), I lead advocacy efforts at the federal level on issues that affect the consumer technology industry. I also drive the association’s political strategy and programs and lead... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 11:30am - 12:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

12:00pm EDT

Lunch & Networking
Join us for a lunch hour during the conference. Refuel and connect with fellow attendees while enjoying a delicious meal. It's the perfect opportunity to network and discuss the day's insights in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.

Given DC Startup and Tech Week is a community based event, we do our try to partner with local food vendors to provide a portion of the food. Food is on a is first come first serve basis.

Additional Food Options are available at the Water Bar located a short 2 minute walk from JBG Smith Experience Center.
Tuesday October 22, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

12:30pm EDT

Common Strategic Mistakes by SaaS founders in Building the Software Products, and How to Avoid Them
Tuesday October 22, 2024 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
SaaS founders looses time and money by adopting wrong steps and strategies in building their software products. I have worked on around 100 SaaS products/MVP products in last 14 years and I have seen several common mistakes repeated by founders. In my presentation, I would be discussing 5-6 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Speakers
avatar for Piyush Jain

Piyush Jain

CEO, Simpalm
I am the CEO and Founder of Simpalm and Ducknowl. I founded Simpalm, a custom software development company in 2009, which has served 300 clients in last 14 years. I am a tech-entrepreneur at heart and jumped into startup world after completing my PhD from Johns Hopkins to live my... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) 251 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

12:30pm EDT

The Present & Future of Creator Economy
Tuesday October 22, 2024 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
This panel will discuss how creators can diversify their income streams beyond traditional social media platforms, leveraging decentralized tools, fan-driven models, and direct sales to establish a more sustainable business.
Moderators
avatar for Janey Park

Janey Park

Founder, Content Creator, Podcaster, Writer, The Digital Runway
Janey Park is a Global Fashion & Beauty expert with 15+ years of Marketing and Retail Strategy expertise honed at brands like LVMH, Elizabeth Arden, and Lippincott. She led Marketing/Growth/PR/Web3 at a Digital Fashion House, launching NFTs, AR Filters, and brand partnerships with... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Sophia Moshasha

Sophia Moshasha

Client Engagement Manager, The World Bank
Sophia Moshasha is a leading strategist in emerging technologies, with over a decade of experience driving impactful solutions utilizing spatial & cloud computing, AI, XR, and other interconnecting emerging technologies. Sophia is renowned for her ability to translate complex technologies... Read More →
avatar for Erich Kottke

Erich Kottke

CEO / FOUNDER, CreativeOwls.io - WebbieSocial - EZDISPLAY
Erich Kottke, also known as CreativeOwls in the Web3 community, is a seasoned Software Developer and Digital Marketing Specialist with over 16 years of experience. He has collaborated with prestigious clients, including the Department of Defense (DOD), FBI, and US Geological Survey... Read More →
avatar for Vinnie Hager

Vinnie Hager

Artist, Vinnie Hager Art
Artist
Tuesday October 22, 2024 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1000 N Glebe, Arlington, VA

1:00pm EDT

Afternoon Kickoff & Welcome by Joe Benevento, VIPC President and CEO
Joe Benevento, VIPC President and CEO will kickoff the afternoon session of impactful talks!
Speakers
avatar for Joe Benevento

Joe Benevento

Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:00pm - 1:05pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

1:00pm EDT

The Business of AI: The Foundations Every Founder Needs to Know That Will Drive Innovation for Decades to Come
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
In this session, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping the business landscape and the key foundational elements every founder needs to grasp in order to leverage AI successfully. From understanding AI’s core technologies to navigating the ethical considerations and data challenges that accompany its adoption, this presentation will provide some core actionable insights to help founders innovate and future-proof their businesses.

Participants will learn:

• The different types of AI and their real-world applications.
• The critical role of data in AI strategy, and how founders can harness it for long-term innovation.
• Case studies of AI-driven startups that have transformed industries and scaled quickly.
Speakers
avatar for Jason Michael Perry

Jason Michael Perry

Fractional Chief AI Officer, Perry Labs
Jason Michael Perry is a Fractional Chief AI Officer and seasoned executive with over two decades of experience. He is the author of the free weekly newsletter "Thoughts on Tech & Things" and his upcoming book, The AI Evolution available for pre-order. Jason led the award-winning... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show 1660 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

1:00pm EDT

Supercharge Your Startup: Unlocking IRA & Local Incentives for Growth
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:00pm - 1:40pm EDT
This panel will dive into how startups and tech companies can tap into funding opportunities from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and various state and local incentive programs to accelerate their growth. Experts will share insights on navigating these funding landscapes, practical strategies for accessing resources, and success stories from companies that have turned these opportunities into real-world gains. Attendees will walk away with a clear roadmap on leveraging these powerful tools to propel their businesses forward.

This session will take place at Zebox Coworking, located at 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Moderators
avatar for Anjali Mahadevia

Anjali Mahadevia

Head of business Development, Future
I'm on a mission towards a world with less waste. My personal belief is that corporate intervention is one of the greatest vehicles to combat climate change. Along with two others, I co-founded a climate-tech startup called Ampliphi. We provide businesses with a data-driven approach... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Krishna Matturi

Krishna Matturi

Cofounder, Ampere
Krishna Matturi is the co-founder of Ampere, a platform focused on clean energy and electrification solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses. Before founding Ampere, he served as a climate advisor at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where he worked... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Whalen

Nicole Whalen

Founder & CEO, Green Compass LLC
Nicole Whalen is the founder and CEO of Green Compass, a DC-based company building nature based solutions that generate environmental credits to rapidly reduce the emissions of the built environment. She has an interdisciplinary background in earth science and economics with a MA... Read More →
avatar for Ian Magruder

Ian Magruder

Director of Market Mobilization, Rewiring America
Ian Magruder leads private sector partnerships at Rewiring America, the nation’s leading electrification nonprofit. Rewiring America was instrumental in crafting many of the home electrification policies within the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate emissions... Read More →
avatar for Skye Lawrence

Skye Lawrence

Co-Founder, Ampere
I'm the co-founder of Ampere, a fintech startup developing the next generation of financial technology for the electrification of SMBs. With over 10 years of experience in economic development and industrials, commercialization of tech and finance I'm committed to supporting SMBs... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:00pm - 1:40pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Zebox 1550 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

1:05pm EDT

How Do I Become a Unicorn Company?
Hear from self-styled “unicorn hunters” on *exactly* what they’re looking for from companies in the areas of:
-Market size (and when this is flexible)
-Growth rate – and why this *isn’t* flexible
-Customer acquisition
-Technology moats and
-so much more!
 Not every venture investor is looking for a unicorn – especially in our ecosystem. True unicorn hunters are willing to take big swings early on and need to see specific criteria to move forward.
 
What have you been missing? What can you improve?
Speakers
avatar for Lister Delgado

Lister Delgado

Managing Partner, IDEA Fund Partners
Lister is the co-founder and managing partner of IDEA Fund Partners, an early-stage Venture Capital firm headquartered in Durham, NC. He is passionate about helping technology entrepreneurs build the next set of technology startups that will change the world.
avatar for Craig Snodgrass

Craig Snodgrass

Venture Partner, Valor Ventures
Craig Snodgrass has deep leadership and operational expertise in analytics, optimization, and product development across startups, scale-ups, and established companies. He has honed his capabilities with challenging roles, including 12 years as Chief Data Officer at Cardlytics spanning... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:05pm - 1:45pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

1:30pm EDT

Generative AI Use Cases That Are Disrupting Industry
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
In this 30-minute show-and-tell session, a Partner from McKinsey & Company will take you on a journey through some of the most groundbreaking generative AI use cases transforming industries today. From automating labor-intensive tasks to creating new market opportunities, generative AI is reshaping how businesses operate and innovate

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how these AI-driven use cases are already delivering real value across industries and what steps founders and business leaders can take to adopt similar technologies to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

This description zeroes in on practical examples and specific industries, helping attendees visualize how
Speakers
avatar for Varshik Nimmagadda

Varshik Nimmagadda

Partner, McKinsey & Company
McKinsey global co-lead for Software and Services GTM and Pricing. I lead McKinsey's thinking around GenAI use cases specially in sales and marketing and have led multiple GenAI strategy and transformation efforts at tech players.
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show 1660 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

1:30pm EDT

Web3 Funding Trends: What Are VCs Investing In?
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
This panel will explore the latest funding trends in the Web3 space, focusing on what venture capitalists (VCs) are backing today. From decentralized finance (DeFi) to blockchain infrastructure and creator economy projects. Attendees will gain insights into the types of startups attracting capital, how VCs are assessing risk in a volatile market, and emerging opportunities for entrepreneurs in the decentralized technology landscape.
Speakers
avatar for Patrick Murck

Patrick Murck

Principal, Plural.vc
Patrick is Founder and CEO of Surus and has been involved in a number of startups as a founder, employee, investor, advisor and counsel including co-founder and Principal of Plural.vc. Most recently, he was the President and CLO of Transparent Systems and prior to that co-led the... Read More →
avatar for Mike Chan

Mike Chan

Managing Partner, Deep Ventures
Mike Chan is the Managing Partner at Deep Ventures, a VC syndicate that has invested $15 million into crypto, AI, and deep tech early-stage startups. Mike has over 20 years of experience in venture capital, marketing, biz dev, product, and operations. He has started multiple companies... Read More →
avatar for J. Ayo Akinyele

J. Ayo Akinyele

CEO, Bolt Labs
PhD in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University, specializing in applied cryptography and cryptographic engineering. In 2018, Ayo co-founded Bolt, a mission-driven startup focused on security and privacy technology. As CEO, he leads a passionate team dedicated to delivering... Read More →
avatar for Joshua Howard

Joshua Howard

Associate, Redbeard Ventures
Joshua Howard is an Investor at Redbeard Ventures. He previously was at Bessemer, Atento Capital, and Ripple Ventures, as well as was a Web3 Founder.He focuses on DeAI at Redbeard, with interested in DePIN, gaming, and traditional infra.
avatar for Kabir Kumar

Kabir Kumar

Partner and Founding Team, Flourish Ventures
I am part of the founding team of Flourish Ventures, a unique evergreen investor, which spun out from the Omidyar Network. I invest in early stage fintech both in the US and globally and drive Flourish's ecosystem efforts. I have 20 years of experience in the financial sector spanning... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1000 N Glebe, Arlington, VA

1:30pm EDT

Introduction to User Centered Design for Startup Founders
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Was founding your startup your first venture into the field of technology? You're not alone! Most founders are passionate experts in their field who find themselves lost and uncertain about how to pull off their big vision for the product they're trying to launch. In this presentation we'll discuss simple strategies that founders can apply to ensure their product is validated and focused on real user needs.
Speakers
avatar for Javi Calderon

Javi Calderon

UX & Product Design, Product Management, Content Strategy & Education, General Assemly
Multidisciplinary tech industry professional with experience across design, content strategy, product marketing, facilitation and business development. Full-time instructor, part-time design consultant, life- long learner and innovation advocate.
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) 251 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

1:50pm EDT

From Local Solutions to Global Impact: Lessons in Scaling and Adaptability with Gravity Water's Founder, Danny Wright
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:50pm - 2:20pm EDT
Join us for an inspiring keynote by Danny Wright, CEO of Gravity Water, as he shares his vision for tackling global water scarcity through innovative, sustainable solutions. Under Danny’s leadership, Gravity Water has pioneered systems that harness gravity to provide clean drinking water to underserved communities, transforming lives and promoting health. In this session, Danny will discuss the challenges of water accessibility, the importance of community-driven initiatives, and the role of technology in creating lasting change. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a passionate leader dedicated to making a difference in the world!

This session will take place at Zebox Coworking, located at 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Speakers
avatar for Danny Wright

Danny Wright

Founder, Exec. Director, Gravity Water
Danny Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of Gravity Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating scalable solutions for at-risk communities through place-based technology and innovative finance tools. With a passion for integrating environmental sustainability and... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:50pm - 2:20pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Zebox 1550 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

1:50pm EDT

What’s Getting Funded – and Why???
With many many investors pulling back and conserving cash, hear from active investors about what is *actually* getting funded now.
Hear from the investors on the ground that are screening hundreds (1000’s?) of companies each year and see exactly what is happening
Speakers
avatar for Anthony Obi Jr

Anthony Obi Jr

Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners
Anthony Obi Jr. is an investor at Virginia Venture Partners, where he focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups. He began his career as part of the founding team at PreopMD, a digital health startup addressing inefficiencies in the pre-op and post-op space. This experience, which... Read More →
avatar for William Leonard

William Leonard

Investor, Valor VC
William Leonard is an Investor at Valor Ventures, an ATL-based VC firm leading seed rounds for B2B SaaS startups in the Census South. William is at the forefront of sourcing, diligence, execution, and works with portfolio founders to scale to next rounds. Outside of work, William... Read More →
avatar for Christopher C. King

Christopher C. King

Managing Partner, Theo Advisors
Christopher C. King, M.P.A, M.B.A. is a venture partner, startup investor, activist entrepreneur, adjunct professor, and author recognized by Black Enterprise, Disrupt Magazine, Village Capital, and the National Institute of Health. He is Managing Partner at Theo Advisors, a consultancy... Read More →
avatar for Billy Taki

Billy Taki

Senior Associate, ResilienceVC
Billy is a Senior Associate at ResilienceVC, a seed-stage fintech fund that invests in companies that drive financial resilience for all Americans. He has prior experience working with companies seeking to improve financial health in underserved communities across 4 continents, most... Read More →
avatar for Kate Goodall

Kate Goodall

Cofounder & Managing Partner, Halcyon Venture Partners
Kate Goodall (she/her) is the Cofounder & Managing Partner of Halcyon Venture Partners, investing in seed-stage climate, health and equity-tech ventures. Prior to her current role she cofounded Halcyon, an incubator for early-stage impact-driven ventures, and served as CEO for its... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

2:00pm EDT

The Disruptor’s Blueprint: How to Build AI Products in an Uncertain World
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:00pm - 2:40pm EDT
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, building AI products presents both incredible opportunities and unique challenges. This panel brings together leading innovators and AI disruptors to share their playbook for creating AI-driven products in a world defined by uncertainty. From navigating volatile markets to addressing ethical concerns, panelists will discuss how they turn uncertainty into innovation while staying ahead of industry shifts.

Key topics to be covered:

• Strategies for building adaptable AI products that can thrive in unpredictable environments.
• How to balance speed of innovation with responsible AI development and regulation.
• Navigating data challenges, privacy, and bias to ensure ethical AI product deployment.
• Real-world examples of AI products that are transforming industries despite economic and regulatory hurdles.
• The role of collaboration between startups, enterprises, and regulators in advancing AI innovation.

This panel will equip founders and entrepreneurs with actionable insights on how to design, develop, and scale AI products that are built to last, even in the face of continuous change.
Moderators
avatar for Seema Alexander

Seema Alexander

Co-founder & President, Virgent AI + DC Startup & Tech Week
Seema Alexander is a dynamic force in business, leveraging over two decades of experience to guide entrepreneurs and CEOs toward growth at the intersection of brand repositioning, innovation, and community.As Co-Founder and President of Virgent AI, she is at the forefront of AI innovation... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Marcus Finley

Marcus Finley

Chief Solution Officer, Virgent
Marcus Finley is an accomplished technologist and digital visionary who blends expertise in technology, business strategy, and leadership. With a foundation in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University, Marcus has successfully managed over $15 million in tech projects... Read More →
avatar for Banjo Obayomi

Banjo Obayomi

Senior Developer Advocate, AWS
Banjo is a Senior Developer Advocate at AWS, where he helps builders get excited about building solutions. Banjo is passionate about building with generative AI and has started a meetup, newsletter and open-source projects. When not building the next big thing, Banjo likes to relax... Read More →
avatar for Jess Hall

Jess Hall

Principal, Hallway Studio
Jessica Hall is an accomplished product, design, and AI strategy consultant who helps companies craft compelling narratives, launch innovative products, and elevate teams globally. She co-authored "The Product Mindset" and is a TEDx speaker. Jessica's expertise stems from product... Read More →
avatar for Marcy Ewald

Marcy Ewald

COO, ThinkNimble
Marcy Ewald is COO and co-founder at ThinkNimble, and a former executive at an exited startup, Aspire. Marcy now works with founders to create successful businesses built with great technology, regardless of founders' technical background. She created the product processes and coaching... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:00pm - 2:40pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show 1660 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

2:15pm EDT

Bridging Traditional Finance & Digital Assets: Institutional Investments in Crypto
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
As digital assets gain momentum, institutional investors are integrating crypto into traditional portfolios. This session explores the growing role of ETFs, retirement plans, and other vehicles providing direct and indirect exposure to crypto.
Moderators
avatar for Shailee Adinolfi

Shailee Adinolfi

Head of Business Development, Trust Machines
Shailee's experience is at the intersection of crypto, payments, international institutions and governments. She leads Business Development for Trust Machines, focused on making Bitcoin productive through products and services. She previously led business development for MetaMask... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Asi De Silva

Asi De Silva

Chief Investment Officer, Capital Squared Financial
Asi De Silva is partner and Chief Investment Officer of Capital Squared Financial (CSF), a Rockville MD based Investment Advisor. He previously founded RockDen Advisor that allocated a portion of client retirement portfolios to digital assets and managed a private liquid crypto fund... Read More →
avatar for Jackson Mueller

Jackson Mueller

Policy Director, The Digital Chamber
Jackson Mueller serves as Policy Director for The Digital Chamber. For the past 15 years, Jackson has helped policymakers, c-suite executives, and the broader public better understand and navigate the complex and ever-evolving intersection of financial services, policy, and technological... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1000 N Glebe, Arlington, VA

2:20pm EDT

Unlocking Impact Through Private & Public Partnerships in the $5TR Water Industry
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:20pm - 3:00pm EDT
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring industry leaders Jennie Graham, Investment Associate at Burnt Island Ventures; Dr. Cat Shrier, CEO of Water Citizen; and Danny Wright, CEO of Gravity Water. Together, they will explore transformative ways to unlock impact through strategic partnerships and innovative funding models. This engaging conversation will delve into the power of collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges, from water access to sustainable development. Attendees will gain insights into successful funding strategies, the importance of aligning missions, and how to leverage partnerships for maximum social impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts at the forefront of change and discover actionable strategies for driving your initiatives forward!

This session will take place at Zebox Coworking, located at 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Moderators
avatar for Dr. Cat Shrier

Dr. Cat Shrier

CEO, WaterCitizen.Org
Dr. Cat Shrier has more than 30 years of experience in Water Engineering, Planning and Policy particularly focused on Water Innovations and Entrepreneurship. WaterCitizen supports Water Professionals and Entrepreneurs to be Leaders.
Speakers
avatar for Danny Wright

Danny Wright

Founder, Exec. Director, Gravity Water
Danny Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of Gravity Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating scalable solutions for at-risk communities through place-based technology and innovative finance tools. With a passion for integrating environmental sustainability and... Read More →
avatar for Jennie Graham

Jennie Graham

Associate, Burnt Island Ventures
Jennie is an Associate at Burnt Island Ventures, an early stage fund focused on water technologies. Jennie has a background in social enterprise, spending several years supporting founders to build sustainable businesses across Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East, and as Entrepreneur... Read More →
avatar for Ian Fisk

Ian Fisk

., Mentor Capital Network
Ian Fisk coordinates the Mentor Capital Network — more than 1,200 individuals who have built, managed, invested in, or studied social enterprises. He has directly supported more than a thousand companies who are changing the way the world does business. He has worked to build the... Read More →
avatar for Susan Springsteen

Susan Springsteen

President, H2O Connected LLC
Susan is Co-founder and CEO of H2O Connected, LLC, a company whose multi-patented product line helps nearly everyone with a toilet save water and save money.In 2006, Susan co-founded nth Solutions LLC, a vertically integrated product development, business incubation, and manufacturing... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:20pm - 3:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Zebox 1550 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

2:30pm EDT

Optimizing Your Onboarding Experience: A Mini UX Audit
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
A good user experience is critical to product success in today’s competitive market. Our workshop will walk SaaS product founders and teams through a mini UX audit exercise to identify product opportunities based on our SaaS UX best practices checklist, then conduct a rapid impact vs effort matrix analysis of the opportunities to produce a prioritized backlog of ideas. Attendees will receive templates and checklists to support the activity and to take with them to use in future product discovery work. We’ll also share supporting information and resources about some of our other favorite rapid discovery exercises.
Speakers
avatar for Erin Stewart

Erin Stewart

Founder, Scenic West Design
Erin Stewart is the founder of Scenic West Design, a boutique product strategy and user experience agency that focuses on B2B SaaS products. She brings over 15 years of digital product and design leadership experience and has personally worked with over 50 SaaS startups to create... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) 251 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

2:35pm EDT

A Look Behind the Curtain, How Investors Approach Early Stage Diligence
It's difficult to understand what goes on behind the scenes at Venture Capital firms. How do they think about startups? What are they really looking for in diligence? Hear from several investors on what they look for.
Speakers
avatar for Jackson Lefelar

Jackson Lefelar

Associate, Fenway Summer
Jack joined Fenway Summer in 2023, where he serves as a member of the Investment Team. Jack supports the firm’s investment processes, from due diligence and decision-making to supporting portfolio companies and innovative founders. Previously, Jack worked in fintech as employee... Read More →
avatar for Emma Park

Emma Park

VP, Impact Venture, JPMorgan Case
Emma Park is a DC-based impact venture investor with more than a decade of private markets finance experience across middle market investment banking, private equity, growth equity, and venture. Emma brings expertise in deal sourcing, diligence, and execution with a proven track record... Read More →
avatar for Blaire Rowe Rakowicz

Blaire Rowe Rakowicz

Founding Investor, Cross Impact Capital
Blaire is a founding team member at Cross Impact Capital (CIC), where she leverages her expertise in impact investing and sustainable finance.Prior to joining CIC, Blaire was a credit investor at Oak Hill Advisors (OHA), focusing on consumer, food, and industrial businesses. At OHA... Read More →
avatar for Bryson Hearne

Bryson Hearne

Investor, ResilienceVC
Bryson has robust experience in the fintech space, having worked with dozens of financial health startups. Formerly, Bryson Hearne led financial health accelerator programs at Village Capital and assisted the Financial Health Innovation Fund in investing in several early stage fintechs... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:35pm - 3:25pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

2:55pm EDT

Cyber Wars: A Debate on How AI and Tools Empower Both Sides of the Fight and What Founders Need to Know Be Safe
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:55pm - 3:35pm EDT
This panel demonstration will have panelists each play either the Hostile or Defender and will battle it through escalating scenarios… such as attacks on common household threats, corporate threats, and large infrastructure threats to the utility grid or air traffic controller towers! Through these battles, you’ll learn some of the thinking and techniques behind how hostiles attack and most importantly some insight on how to defend from these attacks.
Moderators
avatar for Jim McCubbin

Jim McCubbin

EVP & CFO, Virgent.ai
Mr. McCubbin is the EVP & CFO Virgent.Ai and the CEO of Marmac Corporate Advisors, LLC. Mr. McCubbin has over 30+ years of progressive experience in scaling and leading dynamic teams in a range of industries and emerging markets both domestically and internationally.
Speakers
avatar for Tina Williams-Koroma

Tina Williams-Koroma

Founder/CEO, CyDeploy, Inc.
Tina C. Williams-Koroma, Esq., CISSP, PMP, is a serial entrepreneur – Founder/CEO of TCecure, and most recently, Founder of CyDeploy (https://www.cydeploy.com) which is a AWS, Google, and Techstars funded tech venture. She is a Maryland licensed attorney and possesses a B.S. in... Read More →
avatar for David Tohn

David Tohn

CEO, BTS Software Solutions
David Tohn is the Chief Executive Officer at BTS Software Solutions (BTS) in Colombia, Maryland; co-founder of the BTS spinoff, Verb8tm™, Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors for Steer™, LLC; Chairman of the Technology Board of the Maryland Technology Council; Board Member... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Keaton

Kevin Keaton

Founding Partner, CIO/CISO at Red Cell Partners., Red Cell Partners
Kevin Keaton is the Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Red Cell. Mr. Keaton is also the co-founder and CEO of Eyris, a Red Cell Incubation delivering unprecedented levels of data-centric security and control to counter pervasive cybersecurity... Read More →
avatar for Dave Wynegar

Dave Wynegar

CTO, 1Marksman
Dave brings senior leadership to 1Marksman as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) by providing cross-functional business, technical and cyber security roles within the company. He promotes business growth by helping clients through technological changes, security enhancements, and... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:55pm - 3:35pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show 1660 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

3:00pm EDT

The RASA Story: Building, Funding, and Scaling a Disruptive Hospitality Venture
Join us for an inspiring session as we dive into The RASA Story, a behind-the-scenes look at how this innovative hospitality brand has shaken up the fast-casual dining scene. From its humble beginnings to becoming a beloved favorite, the founders of RASA will share their journey of building a unique restaurant concept, securing funding, and scaling their venture while staying true to their mission and values. They will also share how they started to use AI to create a better customer experience. This session is packed with insights on overcoming challenges, disrupting a competitive industry, and driving growth in a purpose-driven way. In this fireside chat, you’ll leave finding valuable lessons in RASA’s story.
Moderators
avatar for Rachel Koretsky

Rachel Koretsky

Founder & CEO, Upace & DC Startup & Tech Week
Rachel Koretsky is the Founder and CEO of Upace: the #1 Mobile App for member experience and reservations platform for recreation centers specializing in JCCs, YMCAs and Parks & Recreation. She has directly supported hundreds of recreation centers to transition to utilizing technology... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Sahil Rahman

Sahil Rahman

Co-Founder & Co-CEO, RASA
Sahil Rahman is the co-founder of RASA, a growing fast casual Indian restaurant based in Washington, DC that is focused on opening minds through power of food.Born to Indian parents from two different religious backgrounds, and influenced deeply by travels across our world, he has... Read More →
avatar for Rahul Vinod

Rahul Vinod

Co-CEO / Co-Founder, RASA
Rahul Vinod is the co-founder of Washington, D.C.'s emerging fast-casual Indian restaurant brand, RASA. A former Wall Street Investment Banker at BNP Paribas turned restaurateur, Rahul grew up in the industry as the son of one of the nation’s prominent Indian chefs. As a child... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

3:05pm EDT

Can AI Solve the Challenges It's Creating? Renewably Powering Data Centers
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:05pm - 3:40pm EDT
Join leading VCs and pioneering industry experts as we explore the growing renewable energy demands driven by energy-intensive sectors like data centers. This discussion will go deep into how AI-driven innovations are helping manage renewable energy supply to meet escalating demands sustainably and efficiently. Attendees will hear from industry practitioners and investors who are shaping strategies and developing real-world applications to enhance resilience and sustainability in the energy sector.

This session will take place at Zebox Coworking, located at 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Moderators
avatar for Abid Siddiqui

Abid Siddiqui

Principal, AI Fund
Abid is a Principal at AI Fund where he is focused on building and investing in AI-based startups. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurial roles, he has a strong background in working with founders to take products from 0-1. Prior to the AI Fund, Abid advised BARDA, a... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Chris Eng

Chris Eng

Principal, Sands Capital
Chris is a Principal at Sands Capital where he focuses on early-stage investments in the AI and cybersecurity sectors. Prior to Sands Capital, Chris worked at cybersecurity VC funds ForgePoint Capital and YL Ventures. He started his career as a consultant at Promontory Financial Group... Read More →
avatar for Julia Lundin

Julia Lundin

Director, Digital Solutions, AES
Julia Lundin is the Director of Digital Solutions within the innovation team at AES, a global energy company. She focuses on identifying new business ventures that could use Artificial Intelligence to support clean energy and climate objectives. In her prior role at AES, Julia developed... Read More →
avatar for Michael Bauer

Michael Bauer

Founder Partner, Paradigm Energy Partners
A seasoned entrepreneur and technologist, Michael has built several successful companies across the energy sector. Most recently, he founded Sentient Energy, a distribution grid management and analytics platform, and led it to acquisition by Koch Industries. He previously joined the... Read More →
avatar for Aalok Mehta

Aalok Mehta

Responsible AI Policy Manager, Google
Aalok Mehta is the Responsible AI Policy Manager at Google, where he oversees policy development and analysis on AI testing, governance, evaluation, development, and other issues. He previously was OpenAI's U.S. policy lead and a senior advisor at SeedAI. He has also worked on technology... Read More →
avatar for Osman Ashai

Osman Ashai

CEO, PwrQ
With over a decade of leadership the power distribution industry, Osman Ashai is the CEO of PwrQ, a leading US manufacturer of electrification products for mission-critical facilities from datacenters, to ports, and renewable energy infrastructure. Osman has led PwrQ through significant... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:05pm - 3:40pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Zebox 1550 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

3:05pm EDT

DeFi: The Rise of Community-Driven Finance in Web3
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:05pm - 3:50pm EDT
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is transforming the financial landscape by empowering communities to take control of their economic future. This session explores how DeFi protocols are democratizing access to financial services, removing intermediaries, and creating new opportunities for peer-to-peer transactions. Learn how community-driven innovation is reshaping the Web3 economy, from lending and borrowing to staking and yield farming, and what this means for the future of finance
Moderators
avatar for Bryan Colligan

Bryan Colligan

Founder, AlphaGrowth
Bryan Colligan is the founder of AlphaGrowth, a strategy & BD firm on a mission to help TradFi into the crypto industry. Upon the introduction of DeFi in 2020 Bryan left FT Partners investment bank to pursue his passion in helping build the Future of Decentralized Finance. Previously... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Maurice Chalfin

Maurice Chalfin

Head of Growth, Lulo
My name is Maurice, I am a Web3 native working full time in the Solana ecosystem since Q1 2021.I had neighbors mining Bitcoin on home computers in 2011/12 and have been in or around the blockchain space ever since. I believe deeply in the promise of blockchain technology as the world’s... Read More →
avatar for Marcia Blacken

Marcia Blacken

Advisor, Glo Dollar
Marcia currently serves as an advisor to the Glo Foundation after having worked full time for the last year and a half working to launch Glo Dollar and laying the groundwork for its go-to-market strategy. Marcia has 11 years experience working in the financial services industry, currently... Read More →
avatar for Karima Williams

Karima Williams

Head of Growth, Umoja Protocal
Karima Williams is a community builder and digital strategist with a knack for connecting people with emerging technologies. Her experience spans from launching healthcare exchanges to growing one of the largest blockchain meetups in the US, and now focuses on helping businesses build... Read More →
avatar for Christian Duffus

Christian Duffus

Founder & CEO, Fonbnk
Christian ("Chris") Duffus is the Founder & CEO of Fonbnk, a leading global onramp to Web3, targeting mobile-first, cash-based economies using prepaid airtime as a medium of exchange. Chris is a leading Fintech & Telecom and Web3 advisor with a significant background in working with... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:05pm - 3:50pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1000 N Glebe, Arlington, VA

3:30pm EDT

Bootstrapping to ARR with No-Code/Low-Code
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT
Are you an aspiring founder, or a new founder with an idea? You can build the MVP and test your idea with less than $8K.

Hear how a first-time, non-technical founder who prototyped an app, built the beta in a no-code / low-code solution, and used that to acquire the first 10 paying customers. Discussion will include the pros & cons of no-code / low-code and how to get started on your own.
Speakers
avatar for Kathryn Adabonyan

Kathryn Adabonyan

CEO & Founder, GoPursue, PBC
Kathryn Adabonyan is the CEO & founder of GoPursue, dedicated to empowering the next generation of talent while bridging the gap between education & employers.Kathryn is a proud alum of entrepreneurial fellowships including Camelback Ventures, Halcyon, and Founder Institute. Previously... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) 251 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

3:35pm EDT

Scaling Smarter: The Power of Strategic Partnerships To Accelerate Your Startup Growth
Growing a startup is challenging, but one hidden secret to success is finding the right partnerships that can accelerate your path to success. In this panel, seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders will explore how strategic partnerships can fuel your growth by supporting key areas like securing investment, enhancing decision-making, and boosting marketing and sales efforts. Discover how partners can open doors to investors, provide valuable insights for smarter business decisions, and help expand your customer base through joint marketing and sales initiatives. Whether you're seeking capital or trying to scale your operations, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to find and leverage the right partnerships that drive sustainable growth for your startup.
Moderators
avatar for Irfan Siddiqui

Irfan Siddiqui

Vice President, Business Development, NobleReach Foundation, Head of Partnerships, DC Startup and Tech Week
Irfan Siddiqui is the head of Business Development at NobleReach Foundation, where he focuses on commercializing technology innovation from US government-funded R&D initiatives, collaborating with government, academia, and industry. Previously, he served as VP of Engineering at In-Q-Tel... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Amelia DeSorrento

Amelia DeSorrento

Management Consulting + Business Strategy, Solestiss
After years of advising small and mid-sized businesses on nights and weekends, Amelia finally took the plunge to commit to full-time consulting and found Desoco. Prior to starting Desoco, Amelia spent four years at Capital One, where she held roles leading ventures teams, innovation... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Friedlander

Lisa Friedlander

CRO, NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers/Citrine Angels
Lisa Friedlander is an attorney, entrepreneur, investor, and a strategic advisor/mentor to numerous startups. After practicing corporate and telecommunications law for 15+ years in both large and small firms, as well as serving in a VP General Counsel role for a satellite telecom... Read More →
avatar for Ximena Gates

Ximena Gates

CEO, Buildwithin
Dr. Ximena Gates-Hartsock is a serial tech entrepreneur, co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer of BuildWithin, a venture-backed technology company based in Washington, DC. BuildWithin's innovative skills technology simplifies the process for organizations to implement effective... Read More →
avatar for Michael Stiefvater

Michael Stiefvater

Director, Business Investment, Arlington Economic Development
Michael is the Director of Business Investment at Arlington Economic Development, where he oversees Arlington’s efforts in business recruitment and retention, international trade, entrepreneur support and catalyzing the innovation economy. Since taking a leadership role in late... Read More →
avatar for Max Frank

Max Frank

Technology Commercial Banking Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:35pm - 4:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

3:40pm EDT

Beyond Chatbots: Unlocking the Future of AI & Business with Personalized, Autonomous Agents
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:40pm - 4:10pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Marcus Finley

Marcus Finley

Chief Solution Officer, Virgent
Marcus Finley is an accomplished technologist and digital visionary who blends expertise in technology, business strategy, and leadership. With a foundation in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University, Marcus has successfully managed over $15 million in tech projects... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:40pm - 4:10pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1000 N Glebe, Arlington, VA

3:45pm EDT

Becoming a B-Corp Movement: How it's profitable to do good - Climate Edition
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:45pm - 4:25pm EDT
Join us for an enlightening session on the transformative potential of B-Corp certification and how it can enhance your business’s profitability while making a positive impact on society and the environment. This event will feature expert speakers who will explore the benefits of becoming a B-Corp, including increased consumer trust, access to a growing market of socially conscious customers, and opportunities for collaboration with like-minded businesses. Attendees will learn how aligning their business practices with the rigorous standards of B-Corp certification can drive growth, foster employee engagement, and improve overall brand reputation. Discover how doing good can also mean doing well, and find out the steps to start your journey toward B-Corp certification!

This session will take place at Zebox Coworking, located at 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Speakers
avatar for Karen Lickteig

Karen Lickteig

Senior Manager, Events & Activations, B Lab U.S. & Canada
avatar for Hazel Horvath

Hazel Horvath

Founder & CEO, Ecolytics
Hazel is the founder and CEO of Ecolytics, a software platform enabling companies to build data-driven sustainability programs. In 2022, Ecolytics was accepted into Techstars, a highly selective business accelerator program. Hazel currently serves on the board of B Local Mid-Atlantic... Read More →
avatar for Kristin Murphy

Kristin Murphy

Senior Director, Federal Government Relations, Biotechnology Innovation Organization
avatar for Sophia Maroon

Sophia Maroon

Founder | CEO, Dress It Up Dressing
Sophia started her second career as a food entrepreneur in 2012.Her brother had long held that there was a business to be had in the salad dressing their mother had served them every night growing up and that she’d been making for her own family for over fifteen years. Discouraged... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 3:45pm - 4:25pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Zebox 1550 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

4:00pm EDT

Founder-Led Innovation: Transforming Industries with Blockchain
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Blockchain technology is driving a wave of founder-led innovation across diverse sectors, from tracking cattle and capturing carbon credits to revolutionizing gaming and comic book writing. This session will explore how visionary founders are harnessing blockchain to create immersive gaming experiences, establish ownership of digital assets, and enhance storytelling in comics. Discover how these pioneers are transforming industries by enhancing transparency, fostering community engagement, and unlocking new revenue streams
Speakers
avatar for Mike Toner

Mike Toner

Head of Marketing, EyeLevel
Michael Toner is a seasoned marketing executive and entrepreneur with a strong track record in leading cutting-edge technology initiatives. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at Threedium, a 3D and AR tech company partnering with major global brands, where he played... Read More →
avatar for Chris Light

Chris Light

CEO and Founder, E-Livestock Global
Chris Light is a seasoned Executive, Serial Entrepreneur, Technologist, Innovator, Web3, AI, and Blockchain enthusiast with 25+ years of experience. He is a co-founder at E-Livestock Global, a Blockchain powered, award-winning, and globally acknowledged solution. Launched worldwide... Read More →
avatar for Shekinah Apedo

Shekinah Apedo

Blockchain Legal Advisor, LEX M3TAVRSE
Shekinah Apedo, Esq. is a seasoned professional with experience in crypto and blockchain, having worked as a Compliance Investigator at Bittrex and advised various blockchain startups on regulatory matters. With a focus on anti-money laundering (AML) laws and decentralized finance... Read More →
avatar for Corbin Page

Corbin Page

Owner, Paymagic Labs
Corbin runs a crypto app studio, Paymagic Labs. Previously he was an early employee at Consensys where he served as Head of Product for MetaMask Swaps, Staking, and Institutional. Before Consensys, he worked in tech at a couple large hedge funds.
avatar for Rick Gilchrist

Rick Gilchrist

Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vannadium
Rick Gilchrist is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and the CEO of Vannadium, a deep tech company that's redefining data. With a deep understanding of the digital economy and a commitment to data ownership and control, Rick has positioned Vannadium at the forefront of the Web3 revolution... Read More →
avatar for Brian Ellenberger

Brian Ellenberger

Investor, Blu Ventures
Brian is a part of the cybersecurity investment team at Blu Ventures, a DC-based firm that focuses on early-stage investments in cybersecurity and B2B SaaS. Prior to working at Blu Ventures, Brian spent almost a decade working in investment banking and was CFO for an outdoor apparel... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 1000 N Glebe, Arlington, VA

4:15pm EDT

AI and Emerging Tech: A Investor Perspective on Founder Opportunities, Challenges & Outlook
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:15pm - 4:50pm EDT
In this panel, top investors will share their unique insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and emerging technologies. Founders will gain an inside look into the key opportunities driving investment in AI, the challenges investors see on the horizon, and the long-term outlook for emerging tech startups. Learn what investors are looking for in AI-driven solutions, how to navigate fundraising in this competitive space, and the strategies that can set founders apart in a crowded market.


Key discussion points will include:

• Emerging trends in AI and tech that investors are most excited about.
• The common hurdles AI founders face and how to overcome them.
• Navigating regulatory and ethical challenges in AI product development.
• Long-term outlooks on AI and its potential to disrupt industries.

This panel is a must-attend for founders seeking to align their AI and tech ventures with investor expectations and capitalize on the next wave of innovation.
Speakers
avatar for Islindy Merius

Islindy Merius

Operating Partner, Passbook Capital
Islindy Merius is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience spanning venture capital, corporate law, and business development across multiple global markets. She is an Operating Partner at Passbook Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage founders from... Read More →
avatar for Rob Richardson

Rob Richardson

Founder/CEO of Disruption Now and Chief Curator of MidwestCon, Disruption Now Media
Richardson founded Disruption Now, a tech and media company specializing in AI, data blockchain development, and event production/curation. Disruption Now's mission is to make emerging technology accessible to all, and its events attract diverse participants, including students, executives... Read More →
avatar for Abid Siddiqui

Abid Siddiqui

Principal, AI Fund
Abid is a Principal at AI Fund where he is focused on building and investing in AI-based startups. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurial roles, he has a strong background in working with founders to take products from 0-1. Prior to the AI Fund, Abid advised BARDA, a... Read More →
avatar for Brian Ellenberger

Brian Ellenberger

Investor, Blu Ventures
Brian is a part of the cybersecurity investment team at Blu Ventures, a DC-based firm that focuses on early-stage investments in cybersecurity and B2B SaaS. Prior to working at Blu Ventures, Brian spent almost a decade working in investment banking and was CFO for an outdoor apparel... Read More →
avatar for Swathi Young

Swathi Young

CTO, Allwyn Corp
Swathi Young is an international keynote speaker, blogger, community-builder, and an award-winning Chief Technology Officer of Allwyn Corporation, where she leads technology and AI/ML implementations at federal and commercial organizations. She has led over 100+ digital projects globally... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:15pm - 4:50pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show 1660 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

4:20pm EDT

Path to Acquisition: Steps Every Founder & Investor Should Know to Prepare A Startup for a Successful Exit
Moderators
avatar for Rachel Koretsky

Rachel Koretsky

Founder & CEO, Upace & DC Startup & Tech Week
Rachel Koretsky is the Founder and CEO of Upace: the #1 Mobile App for member experience and reservations platform for recreation centers specializing in JCCs, YMCAs and Parks & Recreation. She has directly supported hundreds of recreation centers to transition to utilizing technology... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Rosy Khalife

Rosy Khalife

COO, Nexus Labs
Rosy Khalife is an entrepreneur, inventor, and advisor to startups. She appeared on the hit TV show Shark Tank and secured funding for her company Surprise Ride. Her company was later acquired by Fat Brain Toys. Rosy currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Nexus Labs. Learn... Read More →
avatar for Brendan Sullivan

Brendan Sullivan

General Manager, Volt Athletics
Brendan Sullivan is the founder of ZAMA Health, a B2B healthcare software platform designed to support college athletes and fitness enthusiasts. In April 2024, ZAMA was acquired by Volt Athletics, which currently serves over two million people worldwide.Brendan started as an investment... Read More →
avatar for Travis Lay

Travis Lay

Senior Manager, EY
Travis has over 13 years of public accounting experience in technology, media and consumer industries, with over 11 years of experience advising on mergers and acquisitions.  He is also the national capital leader for the EY's Entrepreneur Access Network which aims to assist entrepreneurs... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:20pm - 5:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

4:30pm EDT

Cracking the Code: Winning Federal Contracts & Grants for Climate Tech Startups
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Securing federal support can transform a climate tech startup from promising to powerhouse. This panel will unpack the secrets to winning federal contracts, grants, and other forms of support from agencies like the EPA, DOE, and more. Attendees will learn from experts on how to identify the right opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and build relationships with federal agencies. The panel will provide a straightforward guide to navigating the federal funding maze and securing the resources needed to scale.

This session will take place at Zebox Coworking, located at 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Speakers
avatar for Chris J. Faranetta

Chris J. Faranetta

Vice President & Co-Founder, NearStar Fusion Inc.
Chris is a fusion energy and aerospace entrepreneur with extensive experience in commercializing deep technology. Since 2008 he has been focused on the development and commercialization of fusion energy technology. As a Co-founder of NearStar Fusion Inc. he is focused on the business... Read More →
avatar for Michael Miller

Michael Miller

Principal/Director, Booz Allen Hamilton
Mr. Michael (Mike) Miller is a Principal/Director in the Civil Sector Group at Booz Allen with over 30 years of professional experience providing innovative solutions for clients with energy, climate, and infrastructure modernization missions. Mike is Booz Allen’s overall Energy... Read More →
avatar for Patrick Ho

Patrick Ho

Founder, Forager Station
Patrick Ho is the founder of Forager Station. Forager Station is developing next generation lithium refining equipment, vastly reducing freshwater usage in the lithium refining process and enabling less polluting lithium resources to be developed. Patrick has a Master of Science in... Read More →
avatar for Ben Schrag

Ben Schrag

SBIR/STTR Program Director, National Science Foundation
Ben Schrag joined the U.S. National Science Foundation as an SBIR/STTR program director in 2009. Ben has worked across several portfolio areas including advanced materials, instrumentation and hardware, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Prior to NSF, he was the director of... Read More →
avatar for C'pher Gresham

C'pher Gresham

Co-Founder, GridVolve
C’pher Gresham is an accomplished entrepreneur, leader, and technologist dedicated to driving global impact through innovation. Currently, he is a co-founder of GridVolve, a platform focused on accelerating the transformation of the electric grid industry. As the former CEO of SEED... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Zebox 1550 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202

4:30pm EDT

Beyond Code: Crafting Effective Discussions to Further Technical Decision-Making
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:30pm - 5:15pm EDT
Let's face it: we've all been to one... that offsite, training, or gathering that you couldn't quite get into. Or maybe there was just one highlight, but the rest was a bit of a letdown. This happens because these experiences simply need to be designed and constructed differently! In this interactive session, you'll get a chance to design your dream gathering, connect it to concrete goals and outcomes, and learn about some innovative approaches to rethink the usual. This is a chance for everyone at any level to put on their planning hats and get some tips about how to put your plan into action to use with your team, board, or any group of individuals.

This session will be a mix of creative and interactive materials being used to represent and build these experiences, small group discussions and brainstorms, and specific peer question asking and tip-sharing to create camaraderie in the room.
Speakers
avatar for Allison McMillan

Allison McMillan

CEO, Tavlin Consulting
Allison McMillan is a fractional VP of Engineering and Engineering Leadership Consultant with over 25 years of offsite planning and facilitation experience. She’s previously held leadership roles at QuotaPath, DEV, and GitHub. Allison has worn many hats in multiple industries as... Read More →
Tuesday October 22, 2024 4:30pm - 5:15pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) 251 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

5:00pm EDT

Networking & Innovation Mixer @ Water Bar sponsored by JBG SMITH
Tuesday October 22, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Join us for a vibrant evening of networking and collaboration at the Water Bar in Arlington, VA, as part of DC Startup & Tech Week! Sponsored by JBG SMITH, this exclusive happy hour brings together the brightest minds in tech, startups, and investment from across the DMV.

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators while enjoying stunning views, refreshing drinks, and great company. Whether you're looking to spark new ideas, meet potential partners, or unwind after a day of sessions, this event is the perfect opportunity to build relationships that shape the future of tech in our region.

Thank you to our sponsor JBG Smith. JBG SMITH owns, operates, invests in, and develops a dynamic portfolio of high-growth mixed-use properties in and around Washington, DC. Through an intense focus on placemaking, JBG SMITH cultivates vibrant, amenity-rich, walkable neighborhoods throughout the Capital region, including National Landing where it now serves as the exclusive developer for Amazon’s new headquarters.
Tuesday October 22, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
National Landing (Arlington) Water Bar 1601 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
 
Wednesday, October 23
 

9:30am EDT

Morning Networking
Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Join us for a lovely morning before sessions begin to network with DC's service-based ecosystem, founders, operators, VC's and ecosystem players.
Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

9:30am EDT

Meditation and Mindfulness, sponsored by Zenjoy
Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Join us for a calming and restorative 25-minute meditation and mindfulness session designed to help you reset, refocus, and recharge during the conference. This activation will guide you through a series of gentle breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques aimed at reducing stress and increasing mental clarity. Whether you're new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this session will offer a peaceful moment of reflection to enhance your overall well-being.
Speakers
avatar for Shalin Mahadevia

Shalin Mahadevia

Founder, BAYA. Music & Mindfulness
Shalin also known by his pseudonym BAYA is an Artist and Yogi dedicated to creating immersive experiences that promote healing and transformation. Through a unique blend of yoga, live music, sound healing, and breathwork, Shalin guides participants in shifting their vibration and... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

10:00am EDT

Unleashing the Power of Brand, Influence & AI: Fireside Chat with Marty Carroll, Red Bull's Marketing Maverick & Former Nike Innovator
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Speakers
avatar for Marty Carroll

Marty Carroll

Director of Marketing, Red Bull
High performing brand marketer with success in national and field roles at acclaimed global brands; specializing in product storytelling, consumer experiences, and team leadership.
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

10:00am EDT

How to Build a Paid Public Speaking Business
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Marcus Bullock, CEO/Founder (Flikshop), never knew that every pitch competition, sales meeting, or even informational session for his startup was an opportunity to build empathy around the mission of his company. These pitches became the catalyst for his desire to create impact with his mission, which later grew into a public speaking career. This workshop helps other startup founders find opportunities to build a brand, share their message, and even build revenue while doing it all.



Speakers
avatar for Marcus Bullock

Marcus Bullock

CEO, Flikshop
At the age of 15, Marcus Bullock was sentenced to eight years in adult maximum security prison—for stealing a car. Now released, he’s turned his entrepreneurial vision into Flikshop, an ingeniously simple app that allows family members to connect with prisoners, who are otherwise... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

10:00am EDT

How To Validate Your Idea Before Spending Money
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
A step by step framework called "Vision to Value" which assists entrepreneurs with validating their business ideas before they spend any money or resources. 
Speakers
avatar for Tremain Davis

Tremain Davis

CEO, Think PGC, Inc
Tremain is a tech entrepreneur and 4x founder. He is also the CEO of Think PGC, a nonprofit social impact consulting company. Think builds community engagement models that drive economic development. Think has built a national business ecosystem using the universities as regional... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

10:00am EDT

How to secure corporate clients and partnership using your current expertise and services
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
In this workshop, experts and entrepreneurs will discover the strategic steps to secure lucrative corporate clients and sought-after partnerships by leveraging their existing expertise and services. Participants will learn effective techniques to showcase their unique value proposition and craft compelling proposals. Join us to transform your business and open doors to rewarding corporate opportunities in today's competitive market.
Speakers
avatar for Adeola Ariyo-Enikanoselu

Adeola Ariyo-Enikanoselu

CEO, AAE CONSULTING, INC
Adeola Ariyo-Enikanoselu is a renowned Business and Brand strategist, speaker, and visionary leader dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and the next generation of female leaders for the past 20 years. With a background in Software Engineering, Business, and Women's Leadership... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

10:00am EDT

Mission Model Canvas - Building Company Culture and Values
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Every mission-driven organization centers its efforts on delivering value to its beneficiaries or stakeholders, but the key question is whether the organization is optimally structured and functioning to fulfill its mission objectives. A critical component of success is the organization’s ability to assess how well it delivers its intended value. For mission-oriented entities, this requires a mission-specific approach beyond traditional business planning. The Mission Model Canvas, adapted from the Business Model Canvas, offers a strategic tool to design and articulate value, focusing on the success of the mission rather than profit. It examines essential elements of value delivery, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs, effective achievement of mission goals, and the optimal use of resources. By outlining key partnerships, activities, and cost structures, the Mission Model Canvas helps mission-driven organizations sustain their impact.
Speakers
avatar for Tyrome Smith

Tyrome Smith

Entrepreneur in Residence, Bowie State University
Tyrome ‘Ty’ Smith, has over 25 years of consulting and leading executives and their teams by helping them understand human and organizational dynamics. As part of his work, He developed an innovative education program for the DoD; including coaching and mentoring product development... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

10:30am EDT

The Future of Augmented Reality & Artificial Intelligence: Fireside chat with Andre Byers, Founder of New Era Ventures
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am EDT
Speakers
avatar for Andre Byers

Andre Byers

Owner, New Era Ventures
Mr. Andre Byers is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and academic with wide-ranging interests.  His company, New Era Ventures, is a social-minded conglomerate owning businesses in technology, last-mile delivery, and skincare.Byers created two patent-pending inventions (for two separate... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11:00am EDT

Brand Vibes & Market Power: Growth Strategies that Stick
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Join this dynamic session where Borzou and Ashtan dive into how startups can leverage purpose-driven branding and meaningful market connections to fuel sustainable growth. Learn how to create brand vibes that resonate deeply with your audience and strategies to give back to the market in ways that boost your brand’s influence and success. Whether you're a startup or a scaling business, this talk will give you actionable insights to grow and thrive in any environment.
Speakers
avatar for Borzou Azabdaftari

Borzou Azabdaftari

Founder & CEO, NickelBronx
Alabama-born, Virginia-raised, and Iranian-made, Borzou isn’t just another CEO; he’s a college dropout turned serial entrepreneur, speaker, and the brains behind the award-winning digital agency NickelBronx. Known for his prowess in branding and digital marketing, Borzou’s work... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11:00am EDT

The Art of Collaboration: Build Relationships that Last Beyond the Project
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
As a Global Strategist, Christina is always finding ways to connect people and resources to fuel the life expectancy of her clients businesses and brands. The success of an operation is in the people who put the plays into action.

In this workshop Christina guides participants on building a roadmap to building the right relationships.
- Be authentic: Ways to network without being extractive or aggressive
- Expand your network with intentions: Build relationships within and outside your organization to gain diverse perspectives now and future opportunities.
- Take calculated risks: Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and seize opportunities for growth and advancement.
- Know where you’re headed: Have a destination before you bring other people into your career journey.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Glancy

Christina Glancy

Global Strategist, At First Glance Solutions
Christina is a leading voice for helping first generation professionals (FGPs) navigate their growth process without burning out or selling out. She is passionate about being a trusted advisor who helps FGPs trade in their learned dysfunction for healthy ways to build success.Christina... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11:00am EDT

Effective Leadership: Creating an Engaged & Activated Organizational Culture
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Turnover is expensive. A vibrant, values-based company culture can help your business attract and retain top-tier talent while serving as a key retention tool and a competitive differentiator. In this session, you’ll learn how to create an inclusive, empowering company culture that encourages your team to produce their very best work. 
Speakers
avatar for Danielle Vogel

Danielle Vogel

Assistant Director, Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship
Danielle Vogel joined the faculty at American University's Kogod School of Business in 2022. Her classes (MGMT 360, MGMT 382 & MGMT 496) focus on the intersection between entrepreneurship and sustainability. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11:00am EDT

Cheat Codes to Take Your Pitch to the Next Level
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
In this session, I will share seven “cheat codes” that can improve pitches by at least 20% and provide a scale to measure these improvements. I will also share the four C’s of a good pitch: clarity, conciseness, convincing and compelling. I’ll walk through each of these areas in depth so founders leave with an understanding of how to confidently pitch and compel their audience to take the desired action.
Speakers
avatar for Lauren McDanell

Lauren McDanell

VP of Strategy & Growth, SEED SPOT
Lauren McDanell is VP of Strategy & Growth at SEED SPOT where she leverages nearly two decades of experience to support underrepresented early-stage startups, guide the strategic vision for SEED SPOT, and build the internal architecture of resources, partnerships, and world-class... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11:00am EDT

Unlocking Funding Strategies and Non-Dilutive SBIR/STTR Funding
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
This workshop provides an in-depth exploration of non-dilutive funding strategies and mechanisms available to government tech startups. Led by experienced advisors in innovation and partnerships, participants will learn about various funding opportunities, including SBIR/STTR programs, government solicitations, and public-private partnerships. The session will offer practical advice on pitching to investors, securing funding, and creating a strong financial foundation by combining various funding sources.
Speakers
avatar for Sheila D. Collins

Sheila D. Collins

Managing Director, The Capital Curator
As Managing Director of Capital Curator, I ensure the most promising fintech and health tech startups are not only discovered but also get the resources they need to thrive. My mission is centered on identifying groundbreaking solutions and connecting them to funding sources. I lead... Read More →
avatar for Nina Archie

Nina Archie

Program Innovation Management, U.S. Department of State
Nina Archie is a professional with extensive experience in dual-use technology and intellectual property. She founded Innovator Connector, a consultancy focused on aiding startups and small businesses in technology commercialization, securing non-dilutive funding, and guidance to... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

11:50am EDT

Making It Real: Applied AI for Insights, Operations, and Customer Engagement
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:50am - 12:30pm EDT
Are you curious about how AI can transform your business, but unsure where to start? Or maybe you’re already exploring AI and looking for hands-on guidance to take your skills to the next level. This workshop is designed for professionals at all levels—from the AI-curious to the competent—who want to unlock the power of AI in their daily work.
Join us for a 45-minute interactive session where you’ll:
🔍 Discover how AI can turn data into actionable insights, helping you make smarter, faster decisions.
⚙️ Streamline operations by automating routine tasks and freeing up time for high-impact work.
🤝🏾 Engage customers with personalized experiences using AI tools that truly connect.
Key Objectives:
  • Learn to leverage AI tools for data analysis, automation, and customer interaction.
  • Understand how to apply AI to real-world business challenges in a practical, hands-on way.
  • Gain confidence in using AI for driving efficiency and enhancing the customer experience.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
  • A toolkit of easy-to-use AI platforms for insights, operations, and customer engagement.
  • Practical skills and examples that you can apply immediately to your work.
  • A fresh perspective on the role of AI in shaping the future of your business.
No matter where you are on your AI journey, this workshop is your chance to make it real.

Speakers
avatar for Eric Brown Jr.

Eric Brown Jr.

CEO, ELVTE Coaching and Consulting
Eric Brown, Jr. empowers leaders to cultivate cultures that harness emerging technology for real-world impact. As Founder and CEO of ELVTE Coaching & Consulting, he guides organizations in leveraging Generative AI, Cloud Computing, and Extended Reality, crafting solutions that optimize... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 11:50am - 12:30pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

12:00pm EDT

Legal Aspects of Fundraising
Wednesday October 23, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Raising a round of capital can be daunting with lots of pitfalls to avoid. Understanding the levers and terms investors will ask for from the outset will go a long way towards de-risking your startup and ensuring success. Join startup attorney, serial entrepreneur, venture capital partner and the Founder of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers, Anthony Millin, as he outlines everything founders should know about the legal aspects of fundraising. 
Speakers
avatar for Anthony Millin

Anthony Millin

Founder and Co-Chair, NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers
Anthony Millin is a trusted legal and business advisor to startup and emerging growth companies. As a startup attorney, a serial entrepreneur, a former seed stage venture partner, and the Founder and Co-Chair of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers, named in 2024 as the nation's top law... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

12:00pm EDT

Reclaim Your Freedom and Time by Delegating and Automating Your Business
Wednesday October 23, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Does this sound like you?

If I don’t show up, the show won’t go on. I stress thinking about what would happen to my business if I got sick or took a vacation. I don’t have time to properly train the help I know I need. I’m swamped. I’ve been burned by staff before. I have trust issues. I have a team helping me, but they always need clarity on how to get things done. I’m skeptical anyone could perform tasks of the same quality as me. I can’t scale or eventually sell my business without standardizing or simplifying my operations.

If any of that sounds familiar to you, then attend this DC Startup Week session! You will learn new frameworks and opportunities to rethink delegataing work, designing automated systems for scale, and decreasing your stress, so you can reclaim your freedom of time to spend it doing what you love with the ones you love.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Malloy

Mike Malloy

Founder, CEO, & Trusted Advisor, Malloy Industries
Mike Malloy is the founder of Malloy Industries, which matches growth-stage companies with fractional executives to scale their business. He is a seasoned professional with 15+ years of experience as a Deloitte management consultant, Waveborn sunglasses CEO, Halcyon Incubator program... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:00pm EDT

How to get high-quality leads and sales on repeat for your company (without paying for expensive ads or burning out creating social media content that no one sees)!
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
In this practical session, Josh Chernikoff, a lead generation coach who started, scaled, and sold two successful education companies, will share his insights into getting more high-quality leads and sales to grow your business. He'll pull back the curtains and share how you can avoid the top three lead generation mistakes he sees, which keep companies stuck way too long, especially when selling to multiple stakeholders. He'll also share what you should do instead to start getting more leads and clients fast - on repeat!

Speakers
avatar for Josh Chernikoff

Josh Chernikoff

CEO, Josh Chernikoff
Josh Chernikoff is a two-time founder/CEO, now a business coach specializing in lead generation and scaling systems specifically for companies in the education space. Josh has started, built to scale, and then sold two companies in the education space over the last two decades. He... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:00pm EDT

Protecting Your Intellectual Property (IP): From Idea to Reality with USPTO
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
As you start your business, protecting your intellectual property (IP) is essential to safeguarding your creative ideas and products. This workshop will provide practical insights into how to protect your IP, whether it's a product, service, or invention, and how to navigate the various processes involved in securing patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Attendees will learn about the key aspects of IP protection and explore valuable programs and resources that can help take your creative ideas from concept to reality
Speakers
avatar for Tomeka Oubichon

Tomeka Oubichon

Regional Outreach Officer, USPTO
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:00pm EDT

How to Build a 5-Year Financial Forecast Model for Startups (Hands-on Financial Tool in MS Excel)
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Understanding the flow of money in and out of your business is paramount to business success. However, this issue is often misunderstood or put on the "back burner" by startup founders. In this session, we will provide attendees with a template model (in MS Excel) that includes revenue, cost (COGS and Fixed), operating income, cash flow, and break-even analysis for 5 years (first 3 years are month-by-month). We will also introduce a simple CAP Table in the model. Sample practice numbers will be provided for discussion! You get to keep and use the model!
Speakers
avatar for Tommy White

Tommy White

Director, Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship
Tommy White is a Senior Professorial Lecturer at the Kogod School of Business at American University (teaching entrepreneurship & venture capital courses) and the Director of the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship at AU where he works directly with student entrepreneurs launching... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:00pm EDT

Transitioning from Founder-led Sales to Hiring Your First Sales Rep
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
This session takes founders through the thought processes of building their initial sales organization. I generally have an accompanying checklist and companion worksheet for the attendees.

Are they ready to hire their first rep? To answer this, they must accept that they need to be willing to hand over their "baby" to someone else (the sales professional). Next, I walk through primary items that must be a part of hiring that first rep.
-Knowing what to look for: Hunter/Farmer/Gatherer
-Understanding the Pros/Cons of hiring a "Player/Coach"
-Types of Sales Roles
-What prior experience does the rep need to have?
-Understanding the market
-The interview process
-The onboarding process
Speakers
avatar for Kristie Jones

Kristie Jones

Principal, Sales Acceleration Group
Kristie Jones is the author of Selling Your Way IN. Companies hire Kristie to elevate their sales organization because most sales leaders and professionals feel discouraged and frustrated about anemic pipelines, low close rates, and missed targets. Audiences find Kristie’s presentations... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:00pm EDT

From Storytelling to Sales: Content Marketing that Converts
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Your business is making a one-of-a-kind impact and no one else can tell your unique story. So why doesn’t your audience seem to care?

Join marketing consultant Camille Galles for a one-hour workshop to figure out what you need to talk about and how you need to talk about it to start seeing results.

This won’t be just another lecture. Together, we’ll work through exercises so you can leave with:

• Themes and topics to inform up to a year’s worth of content.
• A channel strategy that supports your customer journey.
• A plan for building the systems and processes you need to execute consistently.
• An understanding of how to make today’s most successful storytelling techniques work for you.

Join us to build a strategic approach to content marketing that connects your brand with the people you need to make an impact – and a profit.
Speakers
avatar for Camille Galles

Camille Galles

Founder and Principal, Quintet Creative
Camille Galles is a marketing strategist, creative thinker, pop culture nerd, and former grassroots political organizer. And she’s obsessed with figuring out how social media and content marketing can be strategically deployed to make the world a better place.Her background leading... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:45pm EDT

Business Finance Mastery: Cashflow Rules Everything Around Me
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
This session will go further into cash flow projections, budget creation, tax projections, and cash flow strategy to give attendees a better handle on the lifeblood of their start-ups and ultimately give them a better chance at survival. 
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Mitchell

Amanda Mitchell

Owner, H6 Small Business Solutions
I'm Amanda! I am a mom, military spouse, and veteran. I currently live in the DC area with my active duty spouse, Brian, our three children and our German Shepherd, Bindi. I have an undergrad in Business Admin, a master's degree in Accounting, I am an Accredited Financial Counselor... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:50pm EDT

Culture is Currency: Investing in HBCU Founders
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
“Culture is Currency” is a panel hosted by the Venture for THEM team alongside some astounding founders & investors that are all graduates of HBCUs + trailblazers in the DMV

This panel will especially accent:
- the importance of investing in the HBCU startup ecosystem
- an overview of each founder/investor’s journey to success + lessons learned
- how panelists leveraged their HBCU experience to catapult their career and overall community impact
-how attendees can get more involved in the “untapped ecosystem” of exceptional HBCU founders
Speakers
avatar for Tyrome Smith

Tyrome Smith

Entrepreneur in Residence, Bowie State University
Tyrome ‘Ty’ Smith, has over 25 years of consulting and leading executives and their teams by helping them understand human and organizational dynamics. As part of his work, He developed an innovative education program for the DoD; including coaching and mentoring product development... Read More →
avatar for Kiante Bush

Kiante Bush

CEO/Founder, Venture for THEM
Kiante hails extensive experience as a Project Manager and Business Analyst within the Tech Consulting industry. He has supported various distinguished corporations including Accenture, Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, JPMorgan, and Northrop Grumman. Concurrently, Kiante is also the... Read More →
avatar for Zaria Lontae Pompey-Smith

Zaria Lontae Pompey-Smith

Program Director, Nex Cubed/Sway Capital
Zaria Smith has joined venture capital and technology, currently serving as Program Director at Nex Cubed Venture Capital Firm in San Francisco, within Washington DC. With expertise spanning software engineering, healthcare, and startup development at Amazon Web Services, she has... Read More →
avatar for Destiny Wesley

Destiny Wesley

Founder, Detach. Sustain. Reverse
Destiny Wesley’s vision extends beyond her academic achievements in Business and Fashion. Wesley is designing her own fashion line, DSR (Detach Sustain Reverse), An e-commerce platform using textile technology to design and sell modular, and tailored athlesiure apparel. Wesley’s... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

1:50pm EDT

Self-Made is a Myth - Building your Personal Advisory Board as a Founder
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
The founder's journey is lonely, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. Imagine having a board, just like your company will have (or already does), but dedicated to helping YOU succeed as an individual. Well, not only is it possible, but many executives have just that - and so should you.

In this session, you'll learn proven strategies and best practices to assemble, nurture, and leverage your board effectively from someone walking the same path. Elevate your founder journey while cultivating a supportive network that prioritizes the well-being of you AND your company. Join us for invaluable insights and practical guidance.
Speakers
avatar for Keith Chaney

Keith Chaney

Co-Founder & CEO, Peadbo
Keith Chaney is co-founder and CEO of the software platform, Peadbo (short for Personal Advisory Board). Prior to Peadbo, he led organizational transformations at McKinsey & Company and most recently Partnership Strategy at Google. Originally from Flint, Michigan, he currently lives... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

2:00pm EDT

Breathwork for Clarity and Focus
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Join Fully Bloomed for two transformative breathwork sessions designed to help attendees reset and recharge. These sessions will guide participants through calming techniques to release stress and cultivate mental clarity. Whether you're looking to relax between panels or center yourself for the day ahead, this guided experience offers the perfect opportunity to connect with your breath, restore balance, and enhance your overall well-being.
Speakers
avatar for Distinee Gayle

Distinee Gayle

Founder, Fully Bloomed
Distinee Gayle is the founder of Fully Bloomed and a certified breathwork facilitator dedicated to promoting mindfulness and well-being.Through intentional journaling workshops and breathwork meditation, she has impacted thousands across the East and West Coasts, helping individuals... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

2:00pm EDT

Hiring for Culture: Building Your Team's Values from the First Hire
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Building a healthy company culture from the start is crucial because your first hire sets the tone for your organization’s values, communication style, and work environment. In a startup, culture isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it’s the foundation that drives collaboration, attracts the right talent, and ensures alignment with your mission, making it essential for long-term success.
Speakers
avatar for Alyssia Kum

Alyssia Kum

Principal, pak solutions, LLC
I'm the Principal at pak solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within HR solutions. While my career path has led me to specialize in HR, my true passion lies in helping individuals discover and navigate their own... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

2:00pm EDT

DMV Tech Nexus: Cyber & AI Salon (Invite Only Event) in Partnership with US Ignite and InnovateDMV
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The event offers a platform for university researchers, startups, and government agencies to discuss innovations in applied AI and cybersecurity. 

We have a few remaining spots for our inaugural DMV Tech Nexus: Cyber & AI Salon, an exclusive gathering for the Deep Tech ecosystem on Wednesday, October 23, in partnership with US Ignite and InnovateDMV. This unique event is designed to fuel disruptive innovations and foster collaboration.

We're inviting Deep Tech founders, applied AI and cybersecurity-focused research professors, and government innovation leaders to come together for this one-of-a-kind salon. The goal is to stay informed on cutting-edge AI and cybersecurity advancements, research, and insights while supporting founders on their journey toward innovation and growth.
​Submit your application here for consideration.
Speakers
avatar for Catherine Forrest

Catherine Forrest

Technology and Entrepreneurship Program Specialist, Co-Founder, Technology & Entrepreneurship Program Specialist, InnovateDMV at US Ignite Co-founder of eazy
Catherine is an entrepreneur with experience in GTM strategy, information and operations systems design, venture capital, and digital twin modeling. At 22, she launched her first startup in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate. As the Technology... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Invite-Only 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

2:00pm EDT

Pitch Social: Practice Your 3 Minute Pitch Live & Get Real-Time Feedback!
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Join us for an exciting opportunity to pitch your business on-site with no prior registration needed! This event is hosted by Techsgiving, DC Startup & Tech Week, & Venture4Them.

Entrepreneurs and founders will deliver their 3-minute elevator pitches to a panel of experts, receive immediate feedback, and refine their pitch skills in real time. Whether you’re looking to practice or make valuable connections, this is your chance to get expert insights in a supportive environment.

• Date: Wednesday October 23, 2024
• Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Location: National Union Building

Take the stage, showcase your business, and network with peers, investors, and mentors. Don’t miss out!

Register here: bit.ly/PITCHSOCIAL
Speakers
avatar for Brandon Andrews

Brandon Andrews

Cofounder - Gauge, Gauge
Brandon Andrews is co-founder of Gauge; an AI-driven mobile market research platform connecting brands to consumers and influencers to identify opportunities and avoid mistakes. As Senior Consultant at Values Partnerships he leads the company’s work on technology and entrepreneurship... Read More →
avatar for Sheila D. Collins

Sheila D. Collins

Managing Director, The Capital Curator
As Managing Director of Capital Curator, I ensure the most promising fintech and health tech startups are not only discovered but also get the resources they need to thrive. My mission is centered on identifying groundbreaking solutions and connecting them to funding sources. I lead... Read More →
avatar for Isabel Wen

Isabel Wen

Senior Manager, Venture Development, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
Isabel Wen is an emerging leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and ecosystem development. As Growth Director, she supports early-stage tech startup founders, advisors, and ecosystem partners. Isabel has held leadership roles in startups, small businesses, and nonprofits in business... Read More →
avatar for Islindy Merius

Islindy Merius

Operating Partner, Passbook Capital
Islindy Merius is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience spanning venture capital, corporate law, and business development across multiple global markets. She is an Operating Partner at Passbook Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage founders from... Read More →
avatar for Jessica Grant

Jessica Grant

Chief of Staff, High Street Equity Partners
Jessica Grant is a seasoned venture capital Chief of Staff with over a decade of experience in business operations and development for NGOs and venture-backed startups. Her global career has centered on designing growth systems and implementing strategic visions that have propelled... Read More →
avatar for Guc Ozenci

Guc Ozenci

Managing Director, Founder Institute | ConnectOp
Seasoned entrepreneur, technology professional and thriving leader with strong, harmonizing people skills and proven track record in connecting business needs with technology and innovation. Director of Founder Institute - Washington DC Chapter, accelerating promising pre-seed stage... Read More →
avatar for Jasmine Jones

Jasmine Jones

CEO, Myya
Jasmine Jones is the visionary Founder & CEO of Myya, the first and only online direct-to-consumer, insurance-billable post-mastectomy intimates brand. An innovator in women's health and a champion for empowerment, Jasmine’s mission is to provide dignity, comfort, and confidence... Read More →
Wednesday October 23, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
National Union Building (4N) 918 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

5:00pm EDT

Dirty Habit Happy Hour
Wednesday October 23, 2024 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Join us for some great networking at our Happy Hour!
Wednesday October 23, 2024 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Dirty Habit 555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

6:00pm EDT

TasteLab: Demystifying the Intersection of Art and Tech
Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:00pm - 9:30pm EDT
Join the Anacostia BID and the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce for "TasteLab: Demystifying the Intersection of Art and Tech," a one-of-a-kind gathering where industry experts, visionary artists, and innovative thinkers come together to explore the essential synergy between art and technology. This dynamic event invites participants to exchange knowledge and insights, shedding light on pathways for artists to access exciting opportunities within the tech industry.

Throughout the evening, attendees will engage in a "Big Chair Discussion" featuring leaders Howard Jean from Black Meta Agency and Paul Grant from Ascender Communications. Together, they will delve into how these two fields intersect to shape the future of innovation, workforce development, and emerging opportunities. This conversation will spark meaningful discussions, fostering collaboration and creative exchange among attendees from diverse sectors.

The TasteLab experience aims to demystify the complexities of navigating the tech landscape, empowering the creative community to leverage their skills and imagination in new and exciting ways.

Join us for an inspiring evening of connection, learning, and culinary delights as we collectively shape the future of art in the digital age!

Moderated by DeShuna Spencer, Founder & CEO of kweliTV

Register HERE: http://bit.ly/TasteLabOct24
Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:00pm - 9:30pm EDT
2442 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE 2442 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE

6:30pm EDT

CPG & Consumer Tech VIP Reception hosted by Compass Coffee, Entrepreneur Ventures, Union Kitchen & The Well
Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
We're hosting a private CPG & Consumer Tech reception during DC Startup & TechWeek on October 23 with our friends at Compass Coffee, Entrepreneur Ventures, Union Kitchen, Foster Garvey and partners.

Please register here: https://app.glueup.com/event/reception-compass-coffee-entrepreneur-vc-union-kitchen-foster-garvey-123390/
Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Compass Coffee 650 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
 
Thursday, October 24
 

9:00am EDT

Build Breakfast Club: Immigration & Eggs
Thursday October 24, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Join The Penn West Equity & Innovation District together with Open Avenues to discuss immigration pathways for founders and professionals growing companies and careers in Washington DC. We will review innovative temporary work visa solutions such as the cap-exempt H-1B and O-1 pathways and discuss how the Washington DC Soft Landing Program offers pathways to support foreign national founders on this journey.

Speakers
avatar for Danielle Goldman

Danielle Goldman

CEO, The Build Fellowship
Danielle is CEO of The Build Fellowship and Co-Founder and Executive Director at Open Avenues Foundation where she has led the development and national expansion of a cap-exempt H-1B pathway for top global talent. Danielle has invested the last decade into opening pathways for foreign... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

9:00am EDT

Morning Coffee & Networking
Thursday October 24, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Join us for a lovely morning with coffee and networking with DC's service-based ecosystem, founders, operators, VC's and ecosystem players.

Coffee will be provided.
Thursday October 24, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

10:00am EDT

Fireside Chat with [solidcore]'s General Counsel, Dimple Manghnani
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Dimple, General Counsel & Vice President at [solidcore], where we’ll dive into the company’s incredible journey from its founding in Washington, DC, to its rapid national expansion. We’ll explore the legal and operational challenges of scaling a beloved fitness brand, as well as insights into navigating growth in a competitive wellness market.
Moderators
avatar for Brendan Sullivan

Brendan Sullivan

General Manager, Volt Athletics
Brendan Sullivan is the founder of ZAMA Health, a B2B healthcare software platform designed to support college athletes and fitness enthusiasts. In April 2024, ZAMA was acquired by Volt Athletics, which currently serves over two million people worldwide.Brendan started as an investment... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Dimple Manghnani

Dimple Manghnani

General Counsel, [solidcore]
Dimple serves as the General Counsel at [solidcore], a fitness company founded in DC that specializes in strength-based reformer workouts designed to help people nationwide create the strongest versions of themselves.She leads the negotiation of all commercial leases and partnership... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

10:00am EDT

Who’s Funding Good? The Investor’s View on Backing Impact Ventures
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:40am EDT
Ready to unlock the secrets to securing funding? Wondering how to attract investors who share your vision? Join us for a session that dives deep into the investor mindset! Join Rachel Rong of Springboard Enterprises for a conversation with Arti Srivastava, VP of Investments at Citi Impact Fund. Stefanie Thomas, Managing Director, Pre-seed Vehicle at Zeal Capital Partners, and Jacob Cohen, General Partner at MAGIC Fund. Discover what really attracts funders and learn strategies to align your mission with their priorities. This is your chance to learn how to access capital to grow your company and your impact.
Speakers
avatar for Arti Srivastava

Arti Srivastava

Investor, Citi Impact Fund
Arti Srivastava, Investor Citi Impact Fund. Arti has spent the last 8 years in the impact investing space both in emerging markets and the US. Prior to Citi Impact Fund, she was with Bamboo Capital Partners in the Singapore office investing in Financial Inclusion across Africa, South... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Rong

Rachel Rong

Head of Operations, Springboard
Rachel Rong joined our operations team in April 2019. Prior to joining Springboard, Rachel worked at two marketplace startups — Uber and Handy. At Handy (acquired by ANGI Homeservice) in New York, she focused on improving the quality and liquidity of the marketplace and ensuring... Read More →
avatar for Stefanie Thomas

Stefanie Thomas

Managing Director, Zeal Capital Partners
Stefanie is an early-stage impact investor with over a decade of deal-making, ecosystem-building, and relationship development experience. Stefanie launched into venture capital as a passionate freelancer at Impact America Fund (IAF)—a start-up firm that grew from $7M to $110M AUM... Read More →
avatar for Jacob Cohen

Jacob Cohen

General Partner, MAGIC Fund
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:40am EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

10:00am EDT

Round Table Discussion: The Future of U.S. Economic Strategy: Pros and Cons of Establishing a Sovereign Wealth
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
This round table will bring together 25 leading economists, policymakers, financial experts, academics, and representatives from key industries for an engaging and dynamic discussion on whether the United States should establish a sovereign wealth fund (SWF). Drawing on international examples like Norway’s successful fund, the participants will explore the potential advantages and challenges of creating such a fund in the U.S. context.
Speakers
avatar for Dave Harden

Dave Harden

Founder & Managing Partner, Outpost Ventures
As an author, businessman, father of four and retired Air Force pilot, I am excited to be leading a unique veteran-owned, deep tech venture fund at Outpost Ventures (OV). We are mission-oriented and passionate about building investment opportunities through public-private partnerships... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

10:00am EDT

GW Law Clinic: General Non-Profit Law and Entrepreneurship Guidance: Sign up for a 1-1 15 minute Session
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 1:00pm EDT
GW Law Clinics invites start-ups to take advantage of their expertise during D.C. Startup and Tech Week 2024. Please drop by on Thursday, October 24th between 10-1:00pm at International Square Conference Center where our team will be providing quick tips and general guidance to new start-ups and emerging organizations.

Sign up is first come, first serve for your 15 minute session.
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 1:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center: Small Conference Room 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

10:00am EDT

Startup Showcase & Resource Expo
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Don’t miss the Startup Showcase & Resource Expo on Thursday, October 24th—an exciting opportunity to connect with the region’s most innovative startups, investors, tech apprentices and startup resources all in one place!
Whether you’re looking for new partnerships, investment opportunities, or insights on scaling your business, this expo offers valuable networking, live demos, and expert advice to help you grow and thrive in the startup ecosystem.
Thank you to our sponsor Capital Workforce Innovation Consorium!
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:00am - 4:00pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

10:30am EDT

Being a Non-Technical Founder in a Tech-world
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:30am - 11:10am EDT
Join us for an in-depth panel discussion of all non-technical founders Being a founder without a tech background can feel daunting, but it’s also an exciting opportunity. Join us as non-technical founders share their stories on how they’ve built and scaled tech companies. We’ll talk about finding the right partners, working with technical teams, and how to succeed in a tech-driven world, even without coding skills. Perfect for anyone looking to lead in the tech space without being a tech expert!
Moderators
avatar for Dexter Carr Jr

Dexter Carr Jr

CEO and Co-Founder, G-Haven Esports LLC and Game4Good
Dexter Carr Jr. has always been a gamer. Ever since he was a child he was hooked. Video games have been a passion of his and held a firm place in his life. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for gaming. Though it wasn’t just for entertainment, video games brought a lot... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Angel Livas

Angel Livas

Founder / CEO, ALIVE Podcast Network
When it comes to connecting to the hearts of audiences, you must be relatable, transparent, honest...and quite frankly you have to know what you’re talking about. Angel N. Livas marries her tremendous life experiences with her spiritual compass to guide others through managing life... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Koretsky

Rachel Koretsky

Founder & CEO, Upace & DC Startup & Tech Week
Rachel Koretsky is the Founder and CEO of Upace: the #1 Mobile App for member experience and reservations platform for recreation centers specializing in JCCs, YMCAs and Parks & Recreation. She has directly supported hundreds of recreation centers to transition to utilizing technology... Read More →
avatar for Kay Rodriguez

Kay Rodriguez

Founder & CEO, Outerly
Kay Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Outerly, a startup that matches small groups of strangers for nature walks around their city. Outerly's mission is to tackle the loneliness epidemic by connecting people in nature. Before founding Outerly, Kay worked at Bain & Company, National... Read More →
avatar for Naza Shelley

Naza Shelley

Founder & CEO, CarpeDM
Naza Shelley, Esq. is the Founder and CEO of CarpeDM, a tech-enabled matchmaking service and dating app uniquely designed to help professional black women find love.
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:30am - 11:10am EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

10:35am EDT

Innovative Trends Shaping the Future of Mental Health and Wellness
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:35am - 11:20am EDT
The panel will delve into the latest innovations and approaches shaping mental healthcare and general wellness. Amongst other things, this may include the impact of metabolic health on mental well-being, the rise of digital therapeutics, personalized wellness solutions, AI-driven mental health tools, or the evolving strategies for holistic, accessible care in clinical and everyday settings.
Speakers
avatar for Laura Gomez Cadena

Laura Gomez Cadena

VC Investor, Healthworx Ventures (Carefirst BCBS)
Laura Gomez Cadena is an investor at Healthworx, the innovation and investment arm of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Laura is passionate about bringing the digital transformation into healthcare. This passion goes beyond her everyday job. She currently cohosts the podcast Health... Read More →
avatar for Daniel Osborne

Daniel Osborne

CMO, Zenjoy
Daniel Osborne is the Co-Founder and COO of Zenjoy, a wellness beverage brand focused on reducing stress. Born in Howard County, Maryland, Daniel is passionate about creating a more balanced, less stressful future. His leadership is grounded in positivity, guiding Zenjoy’s mission... Read More →
avatar for Sophia Suarez

Sophia Suarez

Co-Founder & CMO, Vital
Sophia Suarez is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vital, bringing a wealth of experience from Wall Street, marketing strategy, investor relations, and academia. She holds an undergraduate degree from MIT and earned a Master’s in behavioral marketing from Yale School of Management... Read More →
avatar for Tiffany Bassford

Tiffany Bassford

COO, Fractional
Tiffany Bassford is a seasoned operations executive with extensive experience in driving growth for venture-backed startups, particularly in healthtech and social impact sectors. With a decade of consulting experience in organizational development and project management, and a track... Read More →
avatar for Michaela Brown

Michaela Brown

General Manager and Chairwoman of DEI Board, VIDA Fitness and Urban Adventures Companies
Michaela is a veteran of the fitness industry with over 20 years of experience as an athlete, athletic coach, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and successful studio owner. A major highlight of her athletic career is her distinction as the first, African American letter-winner... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:35am - 11:20am EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

10:45am EDT

Assembling a Purpose-Driven Team: Advisors, Co-Founders, and Early Hires
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:25am EDT
How do founders create teams that drive growth while staying true to their mission? Join us for a session featuring local founders at various stages of their startup journeys, from early-stage ventures to successful exits. They will share their experiences in recruiting early hires, selecting advisors, and finding like-minded co-founders. Discover actionable strategies for attracting mission-aligned talent and fostering a values-driven culture that motivates employees to contribute to both purpose and business success.
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Rosenberg

Rebecca Rosenberg

CEO, ReBokeh
Rebecca Rosenberg is the founder and CEO of ReBokeh (Techstars Equitech 23’), an assistive tech company that creates modern tools for the moderate low vision community. Rebecca was born with an uncorrectable vision impairment stemming from a rare disease called albinism. Like millions... Read More →
avatar for Daniel Barker

Daniel Barker

President & CEO, Halcyon
Dan is the President and CEO of Halcyon, an incubator and investor in early-stage, impact-driven startups from around the globe. Dan joined Halcyon from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth where he was vice president focused on supporting cutting-edge research on financial... Read More →
avatar for Naeim Khanjani

Naeim Khanjani

Vice President, Punchbowl News
Naeim Khanjani is the founder of Electo Analytics, a data and software company which was acquired by Punchbowl News late 2023. He is currently the VP of Strategic Initiatives at Punchbowl News, and a member of The Innovation & Technology Inclusion Council for DC government. With his... Read More →
avatar for Ximena Gates

Ximena Gates

CEO, Buildwithin
Dr. Ximena Gates-Hartsock is a serial tech entrepreneur, co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer of BuildWithin, a venture-backed technology company based in Washington, DC. BuildWithin's innovative skills technology simplifies the process for organizations to implement effective... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:25am EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

11:15am EDT

Build a Rock Solid Infrastructure, Systems and Operations Before Scaling Your Early Stage Startup
Thursday October 24, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
Get practical insight on how to build a solid infrastructure and the operational systems necessary to support the core functions of your startup and help enable you to scale.
Speakers
avatar for Darius Clair

Darius Clair

Program Manager, Techstars Washington DC Powered by J.P. Morgan
avatar for Christina Lynch

Christina Lynch

Chief Executive Officer, Trydent Consulting, LLC
Christina Lynch has spent more than 15 years of her career propelling small businesses and entrepreneurs forward in their industries. She has a notable track record for utilizing a flexible and non-judgmental approach with her clients and partners that has promoted the success of... Read More →
avatar for Christopher C. King

Christopher C. King

Managing Partner, Theo Advisors
Christopher C. King, M.P.A, M.B.A. is a venture partner, startup investor, activist entrepreneur, adjunct professor, and author recognized by Black Enterprise, Disrupt Magazine, Village Capital, and the National Institute of Health. He is Managing Partner at Theo Advisors, a consultancy... Read More →
avatar for Henry Ching

Henry Ching

CEO, Enginuity Solutions
Henry Ching is a Fractional COO and Integrator for companies that run on EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). His company, Enginuity Solutions, focuses on helping Visionary/Founders attack the pain of running their business on a day to day so they can focus on what they do best... Read More →
avatar for Karen Gordon

Karen Gordon

Founder, InnoFig
Karen Gordon is a Fractional CRO and consultant who helps CEOs build revenue-driving strategies and teams with measurable, scalable impact.Karen has over 15 years of experience in building and scaling successful startups. Most recently she worked with two technical co-founders to... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

11:25am EDT

Helping Startups Navigate the Legal and Regulatory Landscape
Thursday October 24, 2024 11:25am - 12:00pm EDT
The panel will discuss key strategies for startups to navigate the evolving legal and regulatory landscape in mental health and wellness, including compliance challenges, policy advocacy, and aligning with industry standards to drive sustainable growth.
Speakers
avatar for Bobby Cunningham

Bobby Cunningham

Director, Vogel Group
Bobby Cunningham is a Director at the Vogel Group.Bobby Cunningham has worked in and around politics for over a decade. Prior to joining Vogel Group, he spent more than five years at Van Heuvelen Strategies. Bobby cut his teeth helping frontier tech startups innovate across government-dominated... Read More →
avatar for Catherine Pugh

Catherine Pugh

Director, Digital Health, Consumer Technology Association
Catherine currently serves as Director, Digital Health at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), where she focuses on digital health policy and legislative advocacy. CTA is North America's largest technology trade association, representing more than 1300 members. Eighty percent... Read More →
avatar for Dimple Manghnani

Dimple Manghnani

General Counsel, [solidcore]
Dimple serves as the General Counsel at [solidcore], a fitness company founded in DC that specializes in strength-based reformer workouts designed to help people nationwide create the strongest versions of themselves.She leads the negotiation of all commercial leases and partnership... Read More →
avatar for Bill Sells

Bill Sells

Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs, SFIA
Bill SellsSr. VP for Government & Public Affairs ● Sports & Fitness Industry AssociationBill Sells has worked in national politics for 40 years. Sells joined the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) in 2005 to lead SFIA Government Relations at the federal and state level... Read More →
avatar for Brendan Sullivan

Brendan Sullivan

General Manager, Volt Athletics
Brendan Sullivan is the founder of ZAMA Health, a B2B healthcare software platform designed to support college athletes and fitness enthusiasts. In April 2024, ZAMA was acquired by Volt Athletics, which currently serves over two million people worldwide.Brendan started as an investment... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 11:25am - 12:00pm EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

11:30am EDT

Unlocking Growth: How Strategic Partnerships Fuel Profit and Purpose
Thursday October 24, 2024 11:30am - 12:10pm EDT
How can the right partnerships drive both profit and purpose? This panel will delve into the power of strategic partnerships and shared value, exploring how organizations can align financial success with social impact. Join us for a discussion with trailblazers from across the business impact ecosystem and learn how these leaders leverage partnerships and shared purpose to accelerate business growth with positive change.
Speakers
avatar for Njideka U. Harry

Njideka U. Harry

Global VP & Leadership Group Member, Ashoka
Njideka U. Harry is a Leadership Group Member and Global Vice President, Strategic Entrepreneurship Relationships at Ashoka. In this role, she oversees "Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur," an exclusive network of high-impact entrepreneurs who partner with Ashoka's most powerful social... Read More →
avatar for Dwayne Samuels

Dwayne Samuels

Co-founder/CEO, Samelogic
Dwayne Samuels is the Co-founder and CEO of Samelogic, a pioneering User Intent Platform that's transforming how product teams decipher and leverage user behavior. With over a decade of startup experience, Dwayne has successfully raised institutional VC funding and built innovative... Read More →
avatar for Sashti Balasundaram

Sashti Balasundaram

CEO, WeRadiate
Sashti began his career in Brooklyn, NY and expanded his skills in government and non-profit with 15 years of experience in organics waste management. WeRadiate advises governments and farmers to expand organics waste programs using compost data.
avatar for Lauren Hollis

Lauren Hollis

Program Manager, AWS
Lauren Hollis is a Program Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Social Responsibility and Impact.With a keen interest in the intersections of technology, health, sustainability, and business, Lauren works across teams to identify opportunities for process improvements and cross-functional... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 11:30am - 12:10pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

12:00pm EDT

How Companies are Building at the Intersection of AI, Healthcare, and Mental Health
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
The panel will explore how AI innovations are transforming healthcare, wellness, and mental health through improved diagnostics, personalized treatments, and operational efficiencies, while addressing challenges like ethics, data privacy, and regulation.
Speakers
avatar for Kaela Roeder

Kaela Roeder

Leader reporter, DC and Baltimore, Technical.ly
Kaela Roeder is the lead DC and Baltimore reporter at Technical.ly covering technology and entrepreneurship. She’s an award-winning journalist, previously working as a freelance reporter in the region. She was formerly the deputy editor at Street Sense Media, a local newspaper covering... Read More →
avatar for Saar Mahna

Saar Mahna

CEO, Banjo Health
Saar Mahna is the founder and CEO of Banjo Health, a company revolutionizing the healthcare space with AI-driven solutions for health plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBM). With prior experience in finance at RxAdvance and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Saar brings a deep understanding... Read More →
avatar for Michael Batista

Michael Batista

Managing Partner, Healthworx Studio
Michael Batista is the Managing Partner of Healthworx Studio. Joining Healthworx, a division of CareFirst BCBS, shortly after its inception as its first Director, Michael played a key role in its early development within the Office of the CEO, helping to evolve the organization into... Read More →
avatar for Bethlehem Belaineh

Bethlehem Belaineh

Founder & CEO, Theory AI
Bethlehem is the Founder and CEO of Theory AI,  a woman-owned consultancy firm based in Washington D.C. offering Management Consulting and Product/Software Development services. We serve a wide range of clients ranging from Government Technology firms to high-growth startups.
avatar for Nathan Peereboom

Nathan Peereboom

CEO and Co-founder, JotPsych
Nate Peereboom is the CEO and Co-founder of JotPsych, an AI-scribe that saves behavioral health clinicians 90% of their documentation time. JotPsych has scribed for 400,000+ patient encounters across the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Prior to starting JotPsych, Nate advised... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

12:00pm EDT

Lunch & Networking
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grab lunch at the Food Hall at International Square and head upstairs to the 5th floor for the Startup Showcase & Resource Expo or downstairs to the Conference Center for the Book Fair! Female Founder & Funder Author Signing!
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

12:30pm EDT

Book Fair! Female Founder & Funder Author Signing
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Meet with local female authors writing and publishing about all things entrepreneurship, startups and tech.
Speakers
avatar for Anar Umurzakova

Anar Umurzakova

Founder, Innova Portfolio, LLC
CEO at Innova Portfolio, LLC in the Greater Washington Area, has two decades of professional business experience in various organizations such as Accenture, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and GOPM consultancy. Presidential Scholar of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who... Read More →
avatar for Trish Barber

Trish Barber

Founder, 3WaysDigital
With over 30 years of experience in marketing, digital media, and tech, Trish supports transitioning B2B, B2G and non-profits when circumstances warrant a new approach, presentation, message or marketing team. She serves as Fractional CMO, consultant, or board member. She is also... Read More →
avatar for Jennie Blumenthal

Jennie Blumenthal

Co-Founder, Ellevoy
A former Fortune 100 exec turned entrepreneur, Jennie is passionate about helping leaders reach the next level of leadership on their own terms. After spending 25 years in Corporate America helping Fortune 500 companies manage multi-million dollar growth strategies, Jennie left her... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

12:50pm EDT

Investment Opportunities in the Mental Health and Wellness Space
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:50pm - 1:35pm EDT
Join former and current leading investors in the mental health and wellness space as they discuss key investment trends, what they look for in startups, and essential considerations for founders seeking funding.
Speakers
avatar for Sydney Cureton

Sydney Cureton

Johns Hopkins, Associate Director at JHU Investment Office
Sydney is an Associate Director of Investments for the Johns Hopkins University Endowment, focusing on private market investments. She previously held roles investing in growth-stage technology and healthcare businesses at Spectrum Equity and Jazz Venture Partners. Sydney began her... Read More →
avatar for Emily Zhen

Emily Zhen

Principal, Zeal Capital Partners
Emily Zhen is a principal leading the Health Equity investing vertical at Zeal Capital Partners. Zeal Capital Partners is a mission-driven venture capital firm that invests in high-growth, early-stage businesses scaling solutions across 3 categories: financial technology, health equity... Read More →
avatar for Tommy Barletta

Tommy Barletta

Managing Partner, Jones Point
With over 20 years of experience at the crossroads of financial markets, policy and politics, I founded Jones Point to provide strategic advisory services to companies and investors impacted by an ever-changing regulatory and legislative environment. I leverage my deep knowledge of... Read More →
avatar for Jeff Love

Jeff Love

Head of Product, Valur
Jeff Love is part of the founding team and Head of Strategy at Valur. Since graduating from Stanford University and Yale Law School, Jeff has served in a variety of consequential operations and legal roles, including as outside General Counsel and a business advisor to dozens of venture-backed... Read More →
avatar for Danish Munir

Danish Munir

Founder, GreyMatter Capital
Danish Munir is a healthcare entrepreneur and investor. Danish is Founding Partner at GreyMatter Capital, a VC firm dedicated to advancing innovation in mental, behavioral and brain health. Danish previously founded, and serves on Investment Committee for Watershed Ventures, a VC... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 12:50pm - 1:35pm EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

1:00pm EDT

Speed Networking Sessions
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Kay Rodriguez

Kay Rodriguez

Founder & CEO, Outerly
Kay Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Outerly, a startup that matches small groups of strangers for nature walks around their city. Outerly's mission is to tackle the loneliness epidemic by connecting people in nature. Before founding Outerly, Kay worked at Bain & Company, National... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

1:00pm EDT

Future of Brand, Marketing, and Influence in an AI-Driven World
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Moderators
avatar for Matt Anthes

Matt Anthes

Co-founder Upstart Factory + SVP Hatcher
I am an entrepreneur who has experienced both failure and a successful exit. I currently serve as a Techstars Mentor, helping founders navigate the startup ecosystem. With over 25 years in marketing at the intersection of technology and advocacy, my superpowers include digital strategy... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Brandon Andrews

Brandon Andrews

Cofounder - Gauge, Gauge
Brandon Andrews is co-founder of Gauge; an AI-driven mobile market research platform connecting brands to consumers and influencers to identify opportunities and avoid mistakes. As Senior Consultant at Values Partnerships he leads the company’s work on technology and entrepreneurship... Read More →
avatar for Sid Chakravarthy

Sid Chakravarthy

Founder and CEO, Vako AI
Sid Chakravarthy is the founder of Vako AI, a cutting-edge Gen AI platform designed to transform healthcare advocacy. With a background in technology and leadership, Sid has also founded StaTwig, recognized for their impact in global health and supply chain innovation. His work in... Read More →
avatar for Jordan Karp

Jordan Karp

Managing Partner, Advocators.ai/Adirondack Distilling Company Inc.
Jordan Karp is a passionate entrepreneur and business leader with a diverse background in business and logistics. He graduated with a BA from Tufts University and further honed his skills at Venture University. Jordan is the founder of an award-winning distillery, where he combines... Read More →
avatar for Reece Quinones

Reece Quinones

Executive Vice President and Sr. Creative Director, The Hatcher Group
I make great ideas happen. I am inspired by people, questions, and problems and am always at the ready to come up with a solution. I believe management, marketing, and design are all about clear communication. My brand is my creativity, my drive, and my ability to strategize. By leveraging... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

1:30pm EDT

Kick Off: Female Founder & Funder Track
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:30pm - 1:40pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Casey Williams

Casey Williams

Principal, Fenway Summer
Casey is a Principal at Fenway Summer, a VC firm focused on early stage fintech investments. Casey leads the firms' early stage investments and the venture build initiative, helping to develop and launch new businesses in financial services.Casey is also the Head of Operations and... Read More →
avatar for Kay Rodriguez

Kay Rodriguez

Founder & CEO, Outerly
Kay Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Outerly, a startup that matches small groups of strangers for nature walks around their city. Outerly's mission is to tackle the loneliness epidemic by connecting people in nature. Before founding Outerly, Kay worked at Bain & Company, National... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Koretsky

Rachel Koretsky

Founder & CEO, Upace & DC Startup & Tech Week
Rachel Koretsky is the Founder and CEO of Upace: the #1 Mobile App for member experience and reservations platform for recreation centers specializing in JCCs, YMCAs and Parks & Recreation. She has directly supported hundreds of recreation centers to transition to utilizing technology... Read More →
avatar for Seema Alexander

Seema Alexander

Co-founder & President, Virgent AI + DC Startup & Tech Week
Seema Alexander is a dynamic force in business, leveraging over two decades of experience to guide entrepreneurs and CEOs toward growth at the intersection of brand repositioning, innovation, and community.As Co-Founder and President of Virgent AI, she is at the forefront of AI innovation... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:30pm - 1:40pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

1:35pm EDT

Components of a Winning Startup Culture & Team
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:35pm - 2:15pm EDT
Learn from successful founders how to build a winning early stage
startup team!
Moderators
avatar for Adam Phillips

Adam Phillips

Managing Director, Techstars
Adam H Phillips is the Managing Director of two Techstars Accelerators, Washington DC (powered by JP Morgan and Equitech in Baltimore), where he looks for early stage ventures to fund and grow. He is the former Founding Managing Director at MoxE, a non-profit based out of Chicago... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Joshua Reid

Joshua Reid

Founder & CEO, LunchTable Inc.
Joshua Reid: Visionary Entrepreneur and InnovatorJoshua Reid, a native of Albany, New York, has transformed his inner-city upbringing into a journey of entrepreneurial success. A scholar-athlete from Bishop Maginn High School, Josh pursued Electrical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic... Read More →
avatar for Naya F. Powell

Naya F. Powell

Founder/CEO, Utopia Global Wellness
As an award-winning CEO of Utopia Global Wellness, B2B SaaS digital health platform, Naya F. Powell is at the forefront of transforming workplace well-being. By addressing the urgent challenges of mental health and burnout, Utopia Global Wellness provides organizations with access... Read More →
avatar for Karen Gordon

Karen Gordon

Founder, InnoFig
Karen Gordon is a Fractional CRO and consultant who helps CEOs build revenue-driving strategies and teams with measurable, scalable impact.Karen has over 15 years of experience in building and scaling successful startups. Most recently she worked with two technical co-founders to... Read More →
avatar for Hadeel Al-Tashi

Hadeel Al-Tashi

SHRM Labs Manager, SHRM
Hadeel is the Manager of SHRM Labs. They are the innovation lab and venture capital arm of SHRM, the largest Human Resources network in the world. They are leaders, experts, innovators, strategic partners, and investors that are shaping the future of work. Their mission is to inspire... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:35pm - 2:15pm EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

1:40pm EDT

Inside Baseball: Building a Financial Model as a Founder & Breaking it as a VC
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:40pm - 2:10pm EDT
If you’ve ever been asked to share your financial model with a potential investor, especially at an early stage, it can feel like being asked to solve a puzzle with some of the most important pieces missing. This session gives you those critical pieces, and helps you put them together to see what a successful financial model actually looks like, and what an investor actually does to analyze it once it’s in their hands.
Speakers
avatar for Alex Mcleod

Alex Mcleod

CEO, Parlay Finance
A 3x tech founder and advocate for underserved communities, Alex's mission is to create pathways for immigrant, veteran, and women entrepreneurs to access capital.
avatar for Casey Williams

Casey Williams

Principal, Fenway Summer
Casey is a Principal at Fenway Summer, a VC firm focused on early stage fintech investments. Casey leads the firms' early stage investments and the venture build initiative, helping to develop and launch new businesses in financial services.Casey is also the Head of Operations and... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:40pm - 2:10pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

1:50pm EDT

All Rights Reserved: Protecting IP in the AI Era
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
In a world where AI is transforming how we create, innovate, and conduct business, protecting intellectual property (IP) is more important—and complex—than ever before. This panel will challenge entrepreneurs, startups, and creators to take stock of the IP they currently have or plan to create, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.

Panelists, including attorneys and IP experts, will discuss traditional methods of protecting and monetizing IP and explore how AI is both improving and disrupting these processes. With the rapid evolution of generative AI, businesses must rethink how they safeguard their innovations, from tech products to creative works.

Real-world court cases and recent headlines will provide context, giving audience members an understanding of the current legal landscape. Panelists will also share their insights on how AI has influenced their work across various industries and stages of growth, offering predictions on how AI will continue to impact IP protection in the future.
Moderators
avatar for Ambur Smith

Ambur Smith

Founder + Managing Attorney, The Law Office of Attorney Ambur C. Smith PLLC
Ambur C. Smith, Esq. is the Founder and Managing Attorney of the Law Office of Attorney Ambur C. Smith PLLC. Her clients are startups, nonprofits, and creatives across the sports, entertainment, fashion, tech and wellness industries. On any given day, she helps protect their billion... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Gayle

Amanda Gayle

Owner/Managing Attorney, Self Made Law PLLC
Amanda Gayle, Esq. is the owner and managing attorney of Self Made Law, a business, entertainment and intellectual property law firm representing entrepreneurs, creatives and artists to ensure their businesses are built to last, scale and thrive. Founded in Brooklyn, New York in... Read More →
avatar for Chris Bennett

Chris Bennett

Founder / Attorney, T-I-L-Group, Benefit Corporation
Christopher (Chris) Bennett, Founder / Attorney, T-I-L® (Technology-Innovation-Law LLC, and T-I-L-Group Benefit Corporation)As the founder of T-I-L®, Chris Bennett pioneered a social impact law venture, revolutionizing access to intellectual property rights (IPR) for the underrepresented... Read More →
avatar for Mike Toner

Mike Toner

Head of Marketing, EyeLevel
Michael Toner is a seasoned marketing executive and entrepreneur with a strong track record in leading cutting-edge technology initiatives. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at Threedium, a 3D and AR tech company partnering with major global brands, where he played... Read More →
avatar for Nina Archie

Nina Archie

Program Innovation Management, U.S. Department of State
Nina Archie is a professional with extensive experience in dual-use technology and intellectual property. She founded Innovator Connector, a consultancy focused on aiding startups and small businesses in technology commercialization, securing non-dilutive funding, and guidance to... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 1:50pm - 2:30pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

2:10pm EDT

GTM Strategy for Startups: Crafting Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:10pm - 2:40pm EDT
Crafting your ideal customer profile (ICP) is a crucial first step in identifying customers who are experiencing the problem you solve and are willing to pay for your solution. In this workshop, participants will learn what an ICP is, how to create one, and how to use it to strengthen their Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy. While open to all, this session is especially valuable for B2B startups seeking a data-driven approach to finding their best-fit customers.
Speakers
avatar for Catherine Forrest

Catherine Forrest

Technology and Entrepreneurship Program Specialist, Co-Founder, Technology & Entrepreneurship Program Specialist, InnovateDMV at US Ignite Co-founder of eazy
Catherine is an entrepreneur with experience in GTM strategy, information and operations systems design, venture capital, and digital twin modeling. At 22, she launched her first startup in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate. As the Technology... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:10pm - 2:40pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

2:20pm EDT

Swipe Left or Swipe Right: Dating Advice for Entrepreneurs in the DMV
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:20pm - 3:00pm EDT
Swipe Left or Swipe Right: Dating Advice for Entrepreneurs in the DMV is an excellent panel topic that addresses a crucial aspect of entrepreneurs' lives often overlooked in business discussions. This engaging and relatable subject will resonate with entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey, offering valuable insights into balancing personal relationships with professional ambitions.

The panel brings together a diverse group of experts with firsthand experience in navigating the complexities of dating and relationships while building successful businesses. Their varied backgrounds and expertise will provide a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face in their romantic lives.
Speakers
avatar for Naza Shelley

Naza Shelley

Founder & CEO, CarpeDM
Naza Shelley, Esq. is the Founder and CEO of CarpeDM, a tech-enabled matchmaking service and dating app uniquely designed to help professional black women find love.
avatar for Paul Bashea Williams

Paul Bashea Williams

Founder & Owner, Hearts In Mind Counseling
Paul Bashea (Bah-Shay) Williams, LCSW-C, LICSW owner and operator of his private practice, Hearts In Mind Counseling where he specializes in individual counseling, corporate coaching, as well as marriage, family and couples counseling. He provides therapy to clients ages 7 – 73... Read More →
avatar for Tara Gates Williams

Tara Gates Williams

Founder/CEO, TGW UNIFIED
Tara Gates Williams is an award-winning entrepreneur, global brand expert and CEO of TGW UNIFIED, LLC. As a creative branding strategist, she specializes in working with entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, licensed mental health experts, school systems, and athletes. As... Read More →
TL

Tamara La' Croix

Emerging Technology Founder, Matchmaker - AfterHello
avatar for Howard R. Jean

Howard R. Jean

Founder, Black Meta Agency
As the CEO of BMA, Howard leads a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering 1,000,000 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) citizens and women to excel in this ever-evolving field within the next five years.
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:20pm - 3:00pm EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

2:35pm EDT

How Businesses & Industries are Using AI Right Now to Scale
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:35pm - 3:10pm EDT
Moderators
avatar for Marcy Ewald

Marcy Ewald

COO, ThinkNimble
Marcy Ewald is COO and co-founder at ThinkNimble, and a former executive at an exited startup, Aspire. Marcy now works with founders to create successful businesses built with great technology, regardless of founders' technical background. She created the product processes and coaching... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Eric Brown Jr.

Eric Brown Jr.

CEO, ELVTE Coaching and Consulting
Eric Brown, Jr. empowers leaders to cultivate cultures that harness emerging technology for real-world impact. As Founder and CEO of ELVTE Coaching & Consulting, he guides organizations in leveraging Generative AI, Cloud Computing, and Extended Reality, crafting solutions that optimize... Read More →
avatar for Bethlehem Belaineh

Bethlehem Belaineh

Founder & CEO, Theory AI
Bethlehem is the Founder and CEO of Theory AI,  a woman-owned consultancy firm based in Washington D.C. offering Management Consulting and Product/Software Development services. We serve a wide range of clients ranging from Government Technology firms to high-growth startups.
avatar for Khuram Zaman

Khuram Zaman

CTO, University Startups
Khuram Zaman is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of University Startups, where he leads the development of custom generative AI solutions built on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks to help underserved communities with personalized pathways to greater college and career... Read More →
avatar for Haroun Ansari

Haroun Ansari

CTO, Pam
Haroun Ansari is the Co-Founder and CTO of Pam AI, a company transforming how businesses manage customer service with AI-powered receptionists. Previously, Haroun served as Head of Software Engineering at CareJourney, where he leveraged AI technologies to significantly boost team... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:35pm - 3:10pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

2:40pm EDT

Curious Calendar Game
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:40pm - 3:10pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Coach Coco

Coach Coco

Workplace Wellness Coach, Founder, Adjunct Professor, Keynote Speaker, Coach with Coco
Wellness Coach | Keynote Speaker| Adjunct ProfessorCoach Coco was 278 lbs. at her heaviest, uncomfortable in her body and saying no to too many moments in life. To live her happiest life, she made wellness her top priority, changed her mindset and now she helps other people do the... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 2:40pm - 3:10pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:00pm EDT

Shark Tank Business Pitch Reviews with Casting Consultant Brandon Andrews (Approved Applications Only)
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Join Shark Tank Casting Consultant Brandon Andrews for office hours in DC during DC Startup & Tech Week. Pitch your business, get real time feedback & submit for the next season of Shark Tank.

Applications are open until Sunday, Oct 20 at 12 PM​
Interviews will take place between 3-4:30 PM on Thursday, Oct 24
Exact details and location will be sent to those selected to interview.

​Ready to take your shot?
Apply now! Link to application form: https://lnkd.in/e86F4Kt7
Speakers
avatar for Brandon Andrews

Brandon Andrews

Cofounder - Gauge, Gauge
Brandon Andrews is co-founder of Gauge; an AI-driven mobile market research platform connecting brands to consumers and influencers to identify opportunities and avoid mistakes. As Senior Consultant at Values Partnerships he leads the company’s work on technology and entrepreneurship... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Invite-Only 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:05pm EDT

Equity Crowdfunding a Venture Capital Alternative Workshop
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Venture capital funding has slowed amidst high interest rates, stubborn inflation, and some high-profile busts. Recent reports indicate startups have begun looking for alternatives to the conventional Seed-to-Series A pathway. One promising alternative amid the VC drought is Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF or equity crowdfunding). Reg CF allows startups to take investment from the public as well as accredited investors. According to Crowdfund Capital Advisors, which curates Reg CF data, in August 118 new issuers posted offerings, 42 were launched by women and/or minority issuers. Furthermore, 31% of successfully funded deals had a woman and/or minority founder, emphasizing crowdfunding's potential for diverse founders. Further, 107 deals closed in August. 72% of those hit their minimum funding target and received $38.8 million in aggregate investment. Join us for a panel discussion as we explore this exciting new funding pathway that founders can use in conjunction with or as an alternative to VC funding.
Speakers
avatar for Lawrence Bard

Lawrence Bard

Partner, Co-Chair of the NEXT Group, Co-Chair of the securities law practice at firm, Shulman Rogers, P.A.
Larry Bard is a highly regarded business attorney whose clients depend on his guidance in corporate finance and securities law matters, including public and private offerings, venture capital transactions, crowd funding’s and other financing transactions. He advises companies on... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Studio By Tishman Speyer 900 19th St NW 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006

3:10pm EDT

The Newlywed Game: Female Founder & Funder Edition
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:10pm - 3:30pm EDT
The Newlywed Game reveals how much newly married couples actually know about one another, and today we’re turning the tables and making it about how well founders & funders actually know one another! Tune in to see how well these teams can answer questions about their teammates, and also to learn more about what the relationship between a founder and their investor actually looks like.  
Speakers
avatar for Tara Palacios

Tara Palacios

Director, Small Business, Arlington Economic Development, BizLaunch
Tara Palacios is the Director of BizLaunch, an award-winning division within AED that assists small businesses and entrepreneurs in Arlington County.Tara joined Arlington County in 2001 and founded the BizLaunch program in 2002 to help diverse entrepreneurs successfully launch, grow... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Friedlander

Lisa Friedlander

CRO, NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers/Citrine Angels
Lisa Friedlander is an attorney, entrepreneur, investor, and a strategic advisor/mentor to numerous startups. After practicing corporate and telecommunications law for 15+ years in both large and small firms, as well as serving in a VP General Counsel role for a satellite telecom... Read More →
avatar for Julie Melnick

Julie Melnick

CEO, SkySquad
Julie is the founder and CEO of SkySquad. Julie started SkySquad due to her own need for an extra set of hands at the airport with her toddler and baby. Today, SkySquad has helped over 85,000 travelers enjoy a better, easier airport experience. Located in 5 airports, and partnered... Read More →
avatar for Susannah Burrage

Susannah Burrage

Head of Portfolio Management, Zeal Capital Partners
Susannah Burrage is Head of Portfolio Management at Zeal Capital Partners. In her role, Susannah focuses on post-investment value creation, strategically and efficiently deploying time and follow-on capital to drive growth and minimize downside risk for each portfolio company and... Read More →
avatar for Tina Keshani

Tina Keshani

Cofounder & CEO, Seven Starling
After spending over a decade working at high growth consumer startups (most notably Warby Parker), Tina’s experience lies in scaling high growth startups and building customer-centered digital care experiences. She led the launch of Warby Parker’s optometric telemedicine service... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:10pm - 3:30pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:10pm EDT

Product Development in the Age of AI
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:10pm - 3:45pm EDT
As AI rapidly transforms industries, the way we develop products must evolve to keep pace with technological advancements. This panel will explore how AI is revolutionizing product development, from ideation and design to prototyping and deployment. Expert panelists will share insights on leveraging AI to streamline processes, enhance creativity, and accelerate time-to-market for new products.

Key topics include:

• How AI is being integrated into the product development lifecycle to boost efficiency and innovation.
• Challenges and opportunities in building AI-driven products that solve real customer needs.
• Case studies from startups and established companies on AI-enabled product successes and lessons learned.
• The role of AI in personalization, predictive analytics, and continuous product improvement.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching your first product or scaling an established business, this panel will provide actionable strategies for navigating product development in an AI-driven world.
Moderators
avatar for Marcus Finley

Marcus Finley

Chief Solution Officer, Virgent
Marcus Finley is an accomplished technologist and digital visionary who blends expertise in technology, business strategy, and leadership. With a foundation in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University, Marcus has successfully managed over $15 million in tech projects... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Paul Murphy

Paul Murphy

CEO, 3Advance
Paul helps aspiring entrepreneurs become successful tech founders. 🚀 CEO, 3Advance (Digital Product Studio) 🎙️ What’s Appening (Podcast & Newsletter) 📈 Meta & Adventure Fund, Digital Irish Venture Fund... Read More →
avatar for Swathi Young

Swathi Young

CTO, Allwyn Corp
Swathi Young is an international keynote speaker, blogger, community-builder, and an award-winning Chief Technology Officer of Allwyn Corporation, where she leads technology and AI/ML implementations at federal and commercial organizations. She has led over 100+ digital projects globally... Read More →
avatar for Prema Roman

Prema Roman

Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Rotational Labs
Prema Roman is a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Rotational Labs and an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University. She has a proven track record of building high quality software applications and data products across several sectors including financial services, e-commerce... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:10pm - 3:45pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:30pm EDT

Beyond Venture Capital: Finding the right type of investment capital to fund your business
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:30pm - 3:50pm EDT
While venture capital funding is certainly the most publicized form of investment capital, it isn't a good fit (or option) for all companies. In this session, Alisha will explore alternate ways founders can fund their business and share some of the common missteps she sees founders make in the fundraising process.
Speakers
avatar for Alisha Griffey

Alisha Griffey

Founder & CEO, Daintree Capital
Alisha Griffey spent over a decade as COO/CFO of several high-growth companies, helping to position them for successful exits either through private sale or IPO. During her time as a start-up operator, Alisha saw firsthand the lack of diversity in both the founders and types of... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:30pm - 3:50pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:30pm EDT

Breaking Barriers: The Truth About Therapy, Executive Coaching, and Unlocking Your Full Potential
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Join us for an interactive and engaging session where a licensed therapist and an experienced executive coach debunk common myths about personal and professional development. In this dynamic back-and-forth discussion, they’ll answer live questions from the audience, explore the differences between therapy and coaching, and provide real-world insights into how each approach can support mental health, career success, and overall well-being. Whether you're curious about seeking help or want to optimize your leadership skills, this session offers valuable takeaways for both personal and professional growth
Speakers
avatar for Liz Kelly

Liz Kelly

psychotherapist and author, self-employed
Liz Kelly, LICSW, is an author and psychotherapist in private practice living in the Washington, DC, metro area. She specializes in helping busy professionals create meaning, reduce stress, cope with grief and loss, and live more intentionally. She is the author of "This Book Is Cheaper... Read More →
avatar for Adam Mutschler

Adam Mutschler

Co-Founder, Arch Pet Food
Adam is a seasoned leader and coach with over 11 years of experience in transforming organizations and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs. He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer at Arch, a Techstars-backed startup that is creating a gateway to new proteins for pet health and environmental... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center (Board room) 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:50pm EDT

Coffee, Stretch & Networking Break!
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:50pm - 4:00pm EDT
Let's take a break! Take some time to stretch, grab a drink, and network with other attendees.
Speakers
avatar for Casey Williams

Casey Williams

Principal, Fenway Summer
Casey is a Principal at Fenway Summer, a VC firm focused on early stage fintech investments. Casey leads the firms' early stage investments and the venture build initiative, helping to develop and launch new businesses in financial services.Casey is also the Head of Operations and... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:50pm - 4:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

3:50pm EDT

Fireside Chat with Erin Reddick, CEO of BlackChatGPT: Is AI Destined to Be Biased? What Every Founder Must Know to Build Ethical AI
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:50pm - 4:20pm EDT
Join Erin Reddick, CEO of BlackChatGPT, as she delves into the critical issue of bias in AI systems. This conversation will unpack whether bias is an inevitable part of AI and what founders need to be aware of when building AI-driven products. With real-world examples and expert insights, Erin will explore how bias arises, the ethical implications, and what actionable steps can be taken to mitigate it. This session is a must for any leader aiming to develop fair, responsible AI solutions while staying on the cutting edge of innovation.
Speakers
avatar for Erin Reddick

Erin Reddick

Founder, ChatBlackGPT
Erin Reddick, AI Developer and Founder of ChatBlackGPT, has carved a notable path in the technology industry. Her career encompasses significant roles at major tech companies including Meta, Microsoft, and AWS. Reddick's most impactful contribution to the field is the creation of... Read More →
avatar for Howard R. Jean

Howard R. Jean

Founder, Black Meta Agency
As the CEO of BMA, Howard leads a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering 1,000,000 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) citizens and women to excel in this ever-evolving field within the next five years.
Thursday October 24, 2024 3:50pm - 4:20pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

4:00pm EDT

Pitch Party – Female Founder Pitches
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:00pm - 4:25pm EDT
Startup founders are used to their pitch being put to the test, but in this session we put investors in the hot seat as well. Four impressive female founders will pitch their companies to a panel of four female investors, and then turn the tables and make the investors pitch to them! Listen in to learn more about local female-founded startups and to get an inside look at how the pitch process actually works.
Speakers
avatar for Kay Rodriguez

Kay Rodriguez

Founder & CEO, Outerly
Kay Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Outerly, a startup that matches small groups of strangers for nature walks around their city. Outerly's mission is to tackle the loneliness epidemic by connecting people in nature. Before founding Outerly, Kay worked at Bain & Company, National... Read More →
avatar for Kirsten Tucker

Kirsten Tucker

Founder/Ceo, ItinAFairy
Kirsten Tucker, the visionary CEO of ItinAFairy, began her career in healthcare, focusing on Nuclear Medicine and Public Health. Her deep understanding of the impact of stress on well-being inspired her to seek solutions beyond traditional healthcare. Driven by a passion for travel... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Katie Cleasby

Dr. Katie Cleasby

CEO/Founder, Recspert
Dr. Katie Cleasby, Ed.D., is the founder and CEO of Recspert, a transformative platform designed to streamline access to recreational programs for families and communities. She is an Ironman athlete with a background in education and leadership, Katie has leveraged her passion for... Read More →
avatar for Abigail Malin

Abigail Malin

Senior Associate, Motley Fool Ventures
Abi joined the Motley Fool in 2015, first working on the investing newsletter business, providing research on public equities. In 2020, she joined Lakehouse Capital, a Sydney, Australia-based hedge fund operating a global growth strategy and an Australian and New Zealand small cap... Read More →
avatar for Genevieve Bellaire

Genevieve Bellaire

Founder + CEO, Realworld
Genevieve is the Founder and CEO of Realworld, an AI-driven solution to navigate adulthood and its life moments. A lawyer by training, Genevieve began her career at Goldman Sachs and started Realworld to help young adults navigate decisions around personal finance, health care, and... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:00pm - 4:25pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

4:00pm EDT

Founders Forum: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
This support group provides a confidential and collaborative space for founders to connect, share experiences, and support one another through the challenges of building and scaling businesses. Discussions will focus on topics like fundraising, team management, balancing personal well-being, overcoming setbacks, and navigating legal and regulatory hurdles. The group aims to foster a community where founders can gain valuable insights, share practical advice, and find solidarity in the entrepreneurial journey.

NOTE: This session is limited to the first 10 people that arrive. Any participants who arrive later can observe.
Speakers
avatar for Coach Coco

Coach Coco

Workplace Wellness Coach, Founder, Adjunct Professor, Keynote Speaker, Coach with Coco
Wellness Coach | Keynote Speaker| Adjunct ProfessorCoach Coco was 278 lbs. at her heaviest, uncomfortable in her body and saying no to too many moments in life. To live her happiest life, she made wellness her top priority, changed her mindset and now she helps other people do the... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center (Board room) 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

4:25pm EDT

Pitch Party – Female VC Pitches
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:25pm - 4:50pm EDT
Startup founders are used to their pitch being put to the test, but in this session we put investors in the hot seat as well. Four impressive female founders will pitch their companies to a panel of four female investors, and then turn the tables and make the investors pitch to them! Listen in to learn more about local female-founded startups and to get an inside look at how the pitch process actually works.
Speakers
avatar for Casey Williams

Casey Williams

Principal, Fenway Summer
Casey is a Principal at Fenway Summer, a VC firm focused on early stage fintech investments. Casey leads the firms' early stage investments and the venture build initiative, helping to develop and launch new businesses in financial services.Casey is also the Head of Operations and... Read More →
avatar for Tahira Dosani

Tahira Dosani

General Partner, ResilienceVC
Tahira Dosani is the co-founder and Managing Partner of ResilienceVC, an early stage venture capital fund investing in fintech startups that build financial resilience for American consumers and small businesses. She has been investing in seed-stage fintech for over 15 years, has... Read More →
avatar for Islindy Merius

Islindy Merius

Operating Partner, Passbook Capital
Islindy Merius is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience spanning venture capital, corporate law, and business development across multiple global markets. She is an Operating Partner at Passbook Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage founders from... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:25pm - 4:50pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

4:30pm EDT

Meet the AI Robots
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Ujjwala Kashkari

Ujjwala Kashkari

Co-founder, Artiligent Inc.
Ujjwala is the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Artiligent, where she is on a mission to make robots an essential part of business life in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Artiligent operates a cutting-edge robotics research lab that specializes in developing custom robots... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
International Square: 5th Floor 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

4:50pm EDT

Coffee, Stretch & Networking Break!
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:50pm - 5:00pm EDT
Let's take a break! Take some time to stretch, grab a drink, and network with other attendees.
Speakers
avatar for Casey Williams

Casey Williams

Principal, Fenway Summer
Casey is a Principal at Fenway Summer, a VC firm focused on early stage fintech investments. Casey leads the firms' early stage investments and the venture build initiative, helping to develop and launch new businesses in financial services.Casey is also the Head of Operations and... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 4:50pm - 5:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

5:00pm EDT

Story Hour: What Women Do Better
Thursday October 24, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
So often the narrative around women founding companies or becoming investors is focused on the challenges and problems with the system as a whole. While these issues are important, and merit discussion and solutions, what gets lost are the ways that female founders and funders harness their unique abilities, perspectives, and purposes to make the world better through tech and innovation. In this session, hear from three women about their successes, struggles, and hopes for the future.
Agenda: 
- 5 min – intro to the session & bios of each of the speakers
- 15 min – Kay story
- 15 min – Stephanie story
- 15 min – Cameron story
- 10 min – Q&A
Speakers
avatar for Kay Rodriguez

Kay Rodriguez

Founder & CEO, Outerly
Kay Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Outerly, a startup that matches small groups of strangers for nature walks around their city. Outerly's mission is to tackle the loneliness epidemic by connecting people in nature. Before founding Outerly, Kay worked at Bain & Company, National... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Campbell

Stephanie Campbell

Co-Founder and General Partner, The Artemis Fund
Prior to founding The Artemis Fund, Stephanie Campbell served as the Managing Director of the Houston Angel Network, one of the most active angel groups in the nation. Her work at HAN helped her create a national network of angel groups and venture funds with which to co-invest. Stephanie... Read More →
avatar for Cameron Hardesty

Cameron Hardesty

Founder & CEO, Poppy
Cameron's path to Poppy actually started in the basement of The White House. She had a great job, but was longing for more creativity in her life and so she started volunteering in The White House Flower Shop, learning floral design from Chief Floral Designer, Laura Dowling.Igniting... Read More →
Thursday October 24, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
International Square Conference Center 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

6:00pm EDT

Celebration of Women in Tech Happy Hour
Thursday October 24, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Join us for an evening celebration of women in the tech community in DC. Enjoy food, drink, and great company, in addition to a few activitites and surprises you don't want to miss!
Thursday October 24, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
International Square: Rooftop! 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
 
Friday, October 25
 

9:00am EDT

Morning Coffee & Networking
Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Join us for a lovely morning with coffee and networking with DC's service-based ecosystem, founders, operators, VC's and ecosystem players.

Coffee will be provided.
Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

9:00am EDT

Founder + Developer Networking Coffee Hour
Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Join us for a relaxed and engaging networking coffee hour designed to connect founders and developers. Whether you're a founder looking for the perfect development partner to bring your vision to life, or a developer seeking new opportunities, collaborations, or projects, this event is for you!
Over coffee, you'll have the chance to:
- Meet and mingle with potential development partners or employers
- Share your ideas, projects, and expertise
- Explore new opportunities for collaboration in the tech space
Come ready to exchange insights, build relationships, and take the first steps toward new partnerships. Whether you're brewing up your next big idea or looking for talented developers to join your team, this is the perfect setting to connect over coffee and conversation.
Friday October 25, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:00am EDT

Inclusive Innovation and Equity Impact Fund Awardees
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:10am EDT
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), in partnership with 1863 Ventures, announces the Round 3 awardees of the Inclusive Innovation and Equity Impact Fund. This round provided a total investment of over $1 million to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Speakers
TD

Tsjenna Daley

Senior Tech, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Government of the District of Columbia
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:10am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:00am EDT

Your Business Breakthrough: Balancing Happiness and Scale to Drive More Impact & Profit
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Self Reflection. Goal Setting. New Year’s Resolutions. At some point each of us has experimented with these and more often than not, struggled through the exercise or, been left with results we couldn’t action, or couldn’t sustain action against. 90% of personal development work done at organizations is wasted. And personal goal setting, especially New Year’s Resolutions, are more Punch Line than North Star.

Why?

“Happy, Proud, Not Yet Satisfied” is a re-imagination of this work, and the premise is beautifully simple. The reason many of us struggle to self-reflect and struggle to set goals and resolutions we persist against, is because we never take the time to lock-in what matters to us before building our “to do” list. Every goal setting and list building exercise starts with what we’ve missed. With what we need to do better. With what we want to change. So we start at the base of the mountain we want to climb with no momentum, only, increased burdens and expectations.

This exercise is different. In ~15 minutes, the framework deliberately guides you through states of mind like “Happy”, and “Proud” (not prideful, but proud) to break any negativity bias you may have and put you in a positive state of mind. With an authentic understanding of what made you smile, what made you beam, what made you happy; what made you feel accomplished, what made your confidence grow, what amazing events happened because you were party; you have unpacked from the journey you just took and taken time to lock in what matters most to you before you set about identifying what you want to do next.

First, Happy.
Second, Proud.
Then, after a deep breath, Not Yet Satisfied.

If you’re looking for a new, faster, nimbler, and more personally energizing way of approaching goal setting, this is the session for you.
Speakers
avatar for Suneet Bhatt

Suneet Bhatt

Founder / Adjunct Lecturer of Purpose, My Authentic Story / Rutgers University
Suneet is the Founder of My Authentic Story, where he helps professionals, students, and anyone who’s curious “Unearth, frame, share and live their purpose”. He’s adapted his framework and approach to a course titled “Find and Evolve your Purpose” he now teaches at Rutgers... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:00am EDT

Dual-Use Ventures: Identifying the Right Time for Private Investment
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:40am EDT
Join Us for a Discussion on Dual-Use Ventures: Identifying the Right Time for Private Investment. This session will feature investors who specialize in identifying when dual-use startups are ready for private venture investment—and when they may not be. Discover what investors look for in dual-use ventures and how to avoid common pitfalls. Don't miss this chance to position your innovation for optimal investment opportunities!

Speakers
avatar for Dustin Dunbar

Dustin Dunbar

Senior Investment Associate, Virginia Venture Partners | VIPC
Senior Investment Associate focused on investing in the most promising Virginia-based tech companies and nurturing tech startups through their critical early stages of development. US Army Veteran.
avatar for Zach Beecher

Zach Beecher

Partner & Head of Growth, America's Frontier Fund
Zach Beecher is a founding member and Partner & Head of Growth at America’s Frontier Fund.Previously, he served as Director of Operations at Healthworx, the corporate innovation arm of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, where he drove the synthesis of operations and strategy across... Read More →
avatar for David Miller

David Miller

Chief Technology Officer, Innovation Ventures Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
David Miller Interim CTO @ FBI | Futurist | Product Leader | Entrepreneur | Investor | Driving change for good
avatar for Josh Weed

Josh Weed

General Partner, Veteran Ventures Capital
Josh is the Senior Director at Veteran Ventures Capital and a member of the investment committee. Josh is a dynamic executive with proven results leading operations, finance, corporate services, budgeting, and accounting organizations in both the public and private sector. Before... Read More →
SG

Seda Goff

Flintlock Ventures
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:40am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Crystal) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:00am EDT

Legal Essentials 101 for Startups
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Speakers
avatar for Ibrahim A Moiz

Ibrahim A Moiz

Managing Partner, NOVA Business Law Group, LLP
Ibrahim is NOVA Business Law Group LLP's Managing Partner and a partner in the commercial transactions group focusing on business formation, corporate governance, commercial transactions, and commercial and residential real estate. Ibrahim sits as Outside General Counsel to many companies... Read More →
avatar for Brandon Okes

Brandon Okes

Counsel, NOVA Business Law Group, LLP
Brandon Okes is a Counsel at NOVA Business Law Group, LLP. He focuses his practice on the needs of early and growth stage companies.Brandon has a 360-degree view of the startup ecosystem. He represents startups themselves, from their inception through exit, and all stages in between... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Eaton Hotel 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:00am EDT

Collaborative Futures: Leveraging AI for Social Impact in Public and Nonprofit Spheres
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Collaborative Futures: Leveraging AI for Social Impact in Public and Nonprofit Spheres will feature a discussion of leading impact strategists, as they explore collaborative approaches— to how nonprofits and government agencies can maximize the benefits of AI technologies and develop strategies tailored for social good.
Speakers
avatar for Joe Paul

Joe Paul

Optima Impact
avatar for Andrew Patricio

Andrew Patricio

chief data and AI officer, UnidosUS
Andrew Patricio is the Principal, Data and Analytics at UnidoszUS where he leads our transformation to being a true data driven enterprise. He has improved data effectiveness by replacing manually intensive efforts with tools that allow programs to track and report on data in a more... Read More →
avatar for Ariel Goldin

Ariel Goldin

Director of Client Relations, Goldin Group CPAs
Ariel is the Director of Client Relations at Goldin Group CPAs, where he has worked for the past five years. A licensed CPA in Maryland, Ariel specializes in creating customized service solutions for nonprofit organizations by blending technology and outsourced financial services... Read More →
avatar for Mason Gunter

Mason Gunter

Senior Investment Manager, Elemental Impact
Mason Gunter is a climate investor at Elemental Impact, residing in his hometown of Washington, DC. He is passionate about innovation in deep tech, climate tech, and their intersection to improve the human experience and create a sustainable and more equitable world in honor of his... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Eaton Hotel 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:10am EDT

The Mocktail Movement: Shaking Up the Beverage Industry
Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 10:30am EDT
In this fireside chat, we’ll discuss the growing trend of non-alcoholic beverages, how Mocktail is leading the movement, and what it means for the future of social drinking culture. Hear directly from Mocktail founder Pauline Idogho about her journey and what’s next for her rapidly expanding brand.


Speakers
PI

Pauline Idogho

Founder, Mocktail Club
Friday October 25, 2024 10:10am - 10:30am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

10:15am EDT

Future of Cannabis: Insights from Founders and Funders in Cannabis Panel
Friday October 25, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
This track is designed for individuals interested in the landscape of capital raising in the cannabis industry, offering insights into what institutional funds seek in a robust cannabis business, essential do's and don'ts in the cannabis investment realm, and the latest trends and insider perspectives that will empower you to enhance your investment strategy and achieve new levels of success.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Dellapenta

Paul Dellapenta

Vice President, FVCbank
avatar for Eduardo Cabral

Eduardo Cabral

Senior Analyst & Consultant, Triple Beam Advisors
Eduardo Cabral is a consultant with Triple Beam Advisors and founder of Worker Solidarity Capital. He brings a unique background blending venture capital, cooperative finance, and community organizing. Previously, he led the corporate development for Obran Health, from inception to... Read More →
avatar for Tracey Lancaster Miller

Tracey Lancaster Miller

Executive Vice President, Peake ReLeaf
Tracey Lancaster Miller is the Executive Vice President, founding member and owner-operator of Peake ReLeaf, a cannabis dispensary in Rockville, Maryland. She has been appointed by the Governor to the state’s Advisory Board for Medical and Adult Use Cannabis and is also the Past... Read More →
avatar for Todd Hughes

Todd Hughes

Co-Founder, BCB Mastermind
Todd is a fearless visionary, established engineer, and the founder of EntreVation LLC, a business incubator and accelerator. Todd has more than 10 years of organizational management experience at the Department of Energy where he manages a $150 million portfolio of research and development... Read More →
avatar for IGNITE Coach Ron Mitchell

IGNITE Coach Ron Mitchell

Partner and Founder, BEM ENTERPRISES LLC
Ignite Coach Ron Mitchell is an American businessman U.S. Army veteran, philanthropist, entrepreneur, lecturer, artist, author, a champion for diversity and inclusion, and a steward of culture, the environment, equity, and education. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University... Read More →
avatar for Bethany Frick

Bethany Frick

CEO, District Cannabis
I am passionate about the success of those around me and contributing to the growth of great innovative companies. I flourish in environments that are entrepreneurial in spirit and foster collaborative decision making.
Friday October 25, 2024 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:00am EDT

Welcome Remarks
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:05am EDT
Speakers
avatar for Chris Frew

Chris Frew

Founder / CEO, BioBuzz Networks, Inc.
Chris is the Founder of BioBuzz Networks, Inc, a life science talent community and hiring platform, and CEO of Workforce Genetics, LLC (WGx), a prominent life science recruitment firm. Previously serving as the Vice President of Sales at Breezio, a leading innovator in cloud-based... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:05am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:00am EDT

From Startup to Scale Up in Government Contracting – Lessons from the Trenches
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:40am EDT
This session provides an intimate and candid discussion with founders and leaders who have successfully scaled their government innovation ventures. The conversation will focus on growth challenges, opportunities for tech companies in government contracting, strategies for engaging with government stakeholders, and scaling operations to meet the demands of large contracts. Attendees will gain valuable insights from seasoned professionals on navigating the complexities of government contracting.
Moderators
avatar for Sybongile Cook

Sybongile Cook

Director of Destination Development, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Sybongile has held multiple senior roles within the DC Executive Office of the Mayor in leading teams to address financial capability, food deserts, startup capital for diverse founders, business incentives, makerspaces, and local small business retail and office market. She has directed... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Adrian Rich

Adrian Rich

CEO, Simple Technology Solutions
Adrian founded Simple Technology Solutions in 2013 and serves as the CEO today. “STS” has historically and continues to be an IT solutions provider specializing in assisting government agencies transition intricate software applications from traditional data centers to commercial... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Benjamin Harvey

Dr. Benjamin Harvey

Founder and CEO, AI Squared
Dr. Benjamin Harvey is CEO and Founder of AI Squared. Applying his esteemed academic training and career experiences, Dr. Harvey uncovered a problem while working at NSA that led to a solution, AI Squared. AI Squared is an AI platform that empowers users to accelerate both predictive... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Rosenthal

Lisa Rosenthal

CEO, Mayvin, Inc.
Lisa Rosenthal is the CEO and co-founder of Mayvin – a $100M technical and knowledge-based services government contractor. Through her focus on innovation in corporate culture and strategic leadership, Mayvin has achieved significant growth by penetrating markets through a diversified... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:40am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Salon) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:00am EDT

The State of the Cannabis Market in the DMV
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Join us for a candid discussion on the current state of cannabis in the District of Columbia. Our expert panelists will delve into the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities surrounding the cannabis industry in the nation's capital. From regulatory updates to consumer trends, we'll explore the evolving landscape and discuss the future of cannabis in DC. Don't miss this informative and engaging panel chat!
Speakers
avatar for Robert Martin

Robert Martin

Founder, DCC
Originally from Atlanta, Ga, Robbie has called DC home for the last 8 years. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he held roles in sales, finance, operations, and marketing. When DC began expanding its medical cannabis program, he jumped at the opportunity to combine his passions... Read More →
avatar for Colin Fraser

Colin Fraser

founder, upling
At Upling, we are devoted to upholding an environment where inclusion, equality, community, and diversity are valued and appreciated. We recognize that community is built in our DNA and that’s why it takes all kinds of people and perspectives to produce great ideas that shape our... Read More →
avatar for Allison Siegel

Allison Siegel

CEO, CULTA
Allison Siegel is the CEO of CULTA, a vertically integrated Maryland cannabis company. She was previously President of Next Day Blinds, the dominant window covering company in the Mid-Atlantic. A Maryland- based vertically integrated company, they excelled in selling, manufacturing... Read More →
avatar for Linda Mercado Greene

Linda Mercado Greene

Owner/CEO, Anacostia Organics
I am the Owner/CEO of Anacostia Organics, the first DC licensed medical cannabis dispensary East of the River in Historic Anacostia, opening our doors for business January 24, 2019. My daughter, Tamia Harper, Director/GM, and I are one of only 3 black mother and daughter owners/operators... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:00am EDT

Using Design Thinking and the Lean Startup Methodology to Create Your Startup
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
As Albert Einstein said:

“If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”

This workshop is designed for those who are interested in the formation and growth of startups, specifically about ideation: how to best understand and put to use both Design Thinking and the Lean Startup methodology. As Einstein said, it’s really all about finding a real problem to solve because, without it, you’re simply creating a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist. Both Design Thinking and the Lean Startup methodology take a lot of the risk out of any idea you might have and using them will help you build a more successful entrepreneurial enterprise.

In this workshop, instead of talking about how to build a true (and very long) business plan, which VCs will never read, unfortunately, we will focus on how to create the crucial business model elements that go into creating a successful business and that can be incorporated into an investor deck, which VCs will read (a model investor deck that is standard with all investors will be shown, discussed, and distributed to all participants).

Such business model elements include:

o Customer (the problem) and product (the solution) exploration and validation through customer interviews
o Basic market sizing
o Creating customer personas
o Use of the Lean Canvas
o Creating a positioning statement
o Competitive analysis
o A marketing plan, including the “4 Ps”
o Building a low-fidelity prototype/minimal viable product (MVP), and
o Creating a basic pro forma

In short, learning (or refreshing your memory) on these entrepreneurship fundamentals will help you understand/identify a need/problem, help you vet product ideas, and will raise your odds of success.
Speakers
avatar for Professor Tom Kohn

Professor Tom Kohn

Senior Professorial Lecturer, American University's Kogod School of Business
Two-time CEO, now social impact executive director and college professor, focused on helping organizations -- both for profit and nonprofit -- create value for their stakeholders. At American University's Kogod School of Business, teaches MBAs and other graduate-level students... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Barnett-Aden) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:05am EDT

Fireside Chat: The Outlook for Life Science Innovators in the DMV
Friday October 25, 2024 11:05am - 11:35am EDT
In the latest rankings from Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, the Biohealth Capital Region (BHCR) had moved up to No. 3 on its list of the top biopharma clusters in the United States. In considering public and private funding, lab space, and life science jobs, our region trails on Boston and the Bay area. Rachel Rath, the newly appointed head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS @ Washington, discuss how this growth and higher profile for the DMV creates both opportunities and challenges for early-stage life science startups and where they can turn to take their next key steps to grow and develop.
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Rath

Rachel Rath

Head, JLABS @ Washington, DC, Johnson & Johnson
Rachel is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing all operational activities for JLABS @ Washington, DC. Her responsibilities include P&L management, external engagement, innovation sourcing, portfolio management, and operational excellence in collaboration... Read More →
avatar for Vic Suarez

Vic Suarez

Founder & Principal Growth Partner, BluZoneBio
Vic Suarez, Colonel (Ret), US Army, MS, PMP, CMRP, is the Founder and Principal Growth Partner of Blu Zone Bioscience & Supply Chain Solutions, LLC. Blu Zone Bio assists biotechnology and life science supply chain organizations in accelerating growth and expanding domestic biomanufacturing... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:05am - 11:35am EDT
Eaton Hotel (Salon) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:30am EDT

Scaling Innovation: The Formula Behind Growing and Scaling Your Tech Company in the DMV
Friday October 25, 2024 11:30am - 12:10pm EDT
Join industry leaders as they dive into the strategies and lessons learned from scaling successful tech companies in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. This insightful panel features Jennifer Taylor, President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, Kevin Morgan, an experienced entrepreneur, tech leader and Board Chair at DCTAV, and Kelly Schulz, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council.

Together, they will share practical advice, challenges they've faced, and the key ingredients for fostering innovation and scaling in the tech ecosystem of the DMV.

Whether you’re a startup founder or tech executive, this session will provide actionable insights to drive growth and success for your company.
Moderators
avatar for Tien Wong

Tien Wong

CEO, CONNECTpreneur
Mr. Tien Wong is a tech investor, entrepreneur, and CEO. He is Chairman & CEO of Opus8, Inc., a private investment and advisory firm investing in exceptional life science and tech enabled services companies, as well as specializing in raising capital for promising tech companies and... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Taylor

Jennifer Taylor

President and CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council
Jennifer Taylor is President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), where she leads one of the largest regional technology councils in the nation with a mission to accelerate innovation and promote world class workforce development. NVTC is the trade association... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Morgan

Kevin Morgan

Founding Member & Board Chair, DC Tech & Venture Coalition
Kevin Morgan is a dedicated leader in the DC tech and innovation space, serving as Board Chair and Founding Member of the DC Tech & Venture Coalition and Vice President of Tech Sector Attraction and Retention at the Washington DC Economic Partnership. As a COO and entrepreneur, he... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Schulz

Kelly Schulz

CEO, Maryland Tech Council
Kelly Schulz is a mother, wife, successful small business owner, and served seven years in Governor Hogan’s administration as the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Commerce. She currently serves as the CEO of the Maryland Tech Council.
Friday October 25, 2024 11:30am - 12:10pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:40am EDT

Fireside Chat: The Impact of AI on Life Sciences and Healthcare Innovation
Friday October 25, 2024 11:40am - 12:10pm EDT
Join us for an engaging fireside chat as we explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping life sciences and healthcare. Monica Lopez, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Cognitive Insights for Artificial Intelligence, has spent over a decade at the forefront of innovation and working to build a responsible future with AI-enabled technologies, including in life sciences and healthcare. This conversation will delve into the transformative power of AI in reshaping the future of healthcare, from drug discovery to personalized medicine, clinical support and hospital operations. Dr. Lopez will share insights into AI-driven advancements, ethical considerations, and provide thought provoking perspectives for entrepreneurs and innovators working to develop new technologies applying AI in the healthcare landscape.
Speakers
avatar for Monica Lopez

Monica Lopez

CEO, Cognitive Insights for Artificial Intelligence
One of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics, Dr. Monica Lopez is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cognitive Insights for Artificial Intelligence where she advises on responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and risk management and governance. Previously, she co-founded and led as CEO... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:40am - 12:10pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Salon) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:45am EDT

Growth Strategies for Dual Use Technologies: Navigating Government and Commercial Market Opportunities
Friday October 25, 2024 11:45am - 12:25pm EDT
This panel will explore the unique benefits and opportunities of developing dual-use technologies that serve both government and commercial markets. The discussion will focus on securing venture-backed funding and government contracts, offering insights into the investment landscape and strategies for growth in both sectors. The session will provide insights on access to capital, including government programs and private investment sources, and discuss how both government and venture-backed funding can accelerate growth. The panel will also cover strategies for scaling dual-use innovations and the role of enterprise Corporate Venture Capital, emphasizing the importance of positioning dual-use technologies to succeed in both government and commercial markets.
Moderators
avatar for Nina Archie

Nina Archie

Program Innovation Management, U.S. Department of State
Nina Archie is a professional with extensive experience in dual-use technology and intellectual property. She founded Innovator Connector, a consultancy focused on aiding startups and small businesses in technology commercialization, securing non-dilutive funding, and guidance to... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Julius Maina

Julius Maina

Legislative Affairs Specialist/Capital Access Advisor, Minority Business Development Agency
Julius currently serves as a Legislative Affairs Specialist/Capital Access Advisor for the Minority Business Development Agency. Prior to this role, Julius worked at 1863 Ventures as the Director of Community, Techstars DC as an Investment Associate and gener8tor as Chief of Staff/Director... Read More →
avatar for Natasha Ahmed

Natasha Ahmed

Director Corporate Development, Epirus
Natasha Ahmed is an investor and macroeconomist, currently leading corporate development at Epirus. Previously, she spearheaded space and dual-use investments at a late-stage private equity firm Disruptive, and led the space portfolio at an accelerator focused on early-stage startups... Read More →
avatar for Emily McMahan

Emily McMahan

Co-Founder and General Partner, AIN Ventures
I love investing, working with startups, and connecting people, technologies, and companies for good. I am a Co-Founder/General Partner of AIN Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund investing at the intersection of dual-use and deep technology, as well as in military-veteran-led startups... Read More →
avatar for Brandon Leibowitz

Brandon Leibowitz

Program Director, Starburst
Brandon Leibowitz is an experienced Program Director, specializing in startup product strategy and acceleration. He currently leads the IAI Catalyst Startup Accelerator Program at Starburst, focusing on driving growth and investment for early-stage technology startups in the aerospace... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:45am - 12:25pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Crystal) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

11:45am EDT

Startup Success: Navigating the Early-Stage Cannabis Industry
Friday October 25, 2024 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Discover the essential steps to launch a successful cannabis startup, leveraging data-driven tools to establish a solid foundation and structure for the industry's plant-touching and non-touching businesses.
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Crandall

Jonathan Crandall

Owner, Green Theory
Jonathan, a DC local and owner of Green Theory, spearheaded the first successful transition from I-71 to a licensed medical dispensary in DC. With a marketing degree from Radford University and years of experience in the DC cannabis market, Jonathan entered the I-71 space in 2017... Read More →
avatar for Derrick Frost

Derrick Frost

SVP Operations & Private Wireless, Kajeet
Senior technology executive with a proven track record of successfully building and growing new products and services, managing business growth and achieving business process improvements. Strategically focused with strong leadership and communication skills and very effective at... Read More →
avatar for Keisha Reed

Keisha Reed

CEO, The Connected Ecosystem
Keisha J. Reed is a digital media strategist located in Baltimore, MD.She is the founder of The Connected Ecosystem a full-service agency that specializes in sustainable community building, digital strategy, and talent management. Explore Maryland Cannabis, a membership community... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Scott

Lisa Scott

CEO/Owner, Bud Appetit Edibles
avatar for Barry Doyle

Barry Doyle

Founder and CEO, Embers
CEO of vertically integrated DC Medical Cannabis Licenses (Retail, Cultivation, and Manufacturing).
avatar for Evelyn Lachapelle

Evelyn Lachapelle

Founder, The Weed Lady
Evelyn LaChapelle's transformative journey began in 2013 when she faced adversity, leading to her conviction on three charges related to a minor role in a marijuana distribution operation. Despite enduring an 87-month prison sentence during this challenging period, Evelyn emerged... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

12:00pm EDT

Lunch & Networking
Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Join us for a delightful lunch hour during the conference. Refuel and connect with fellow attendees while enjoying a delicious meal. It's the perfect opportunity to network and discuss the day's insights in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.

Given DC Startup and Tech Week is a community based event, we do our try to partner with local food vendors to provide a portion of the food. Food is on a is first come first serve basis.
Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

12:45pm EDT

Cannabis Tech Revolution: AI, LLMs, and Beyond Panel
Friday October 25, 2024 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Explore the game-changing power of artificial intelligence and the groundbreaking possibilities of language modeling and data in the cannabis industry. This track offers a unique opportunity to delve into the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of cannabis technology. Join industry leaders, innovators, and pioneers as they unveil revolutionary solutions, provide exclusive insights, and spark creativity with the endless potential of tech-driven cannabis innovation.
Moderators
avatar for Colin Fraser

Colin Fraser

founder, upling
At Upling, we are devoted to upholding an environment where inclusion, equality, community, and diversity are valued and appreciated. We recognize that community is built in our DNA and that’s why it takes all kinds of people and perspectives to produce great ideas that shape our... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Carlo Manabat

Carlo Manabat

Founder, Kuya
Carlo Manabat is the founder of Kuya, a customer data platform for the cannabis industry. His mission is to enhance the accessibility and user-friendliness of data. His passion for addressing significant challenges is informed by his experience with companies such as Sony, Microsoft... Read More →
avatar for Caroline Crandall

Caroline Crandall

CEO, Green Theory
Caroline earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, with a focus on science and technology, and has proudly called DC home ever since graduating. After nearly a decade in the corporate tech world—first at Deloitte and then leading the Newsroom Analytics team at... Read More →
avatar for Munir Haque

Munir Haque

VP, Cure8
Munir is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced cannabis technology experts in North America. He specializes in retail technology and security and has worked closely with cannabis retailers to design, set up, and manage over 100 dispensaries in the last few years.One thing... Read More →
avatar for Tyler Spence

Tyler Spence

Sales Director, Solink
An accomplished leader in the cannabis industry, who began their career in the early Canadian market and have since leveraged that experience to navigate both early-stage and mature state markets across the United States.
avatar for Erica Loftin

Erica Loftin

Sr. Account Executive, Dutchie
Erica Loftin is a Senior Account Executive at Dutchie, the cannabis industry's leading operations and compliance technology provider. Having worked in over 10 states and launched over 200 stores, Erica brings a depth of knowledge on how to open and operate a sustainable business in... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

1:00pm EDT

Shark Tank Startup Success Stories: Scaling from Pitch to Profit-- The DMV Edition
Friday October 25, 2024 1:00pm - 1:40pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Dawn Myers

Dawn Myers

CEO Founder, Richualist
Dawn Myers is an innovator, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in tech. As the Founder and CEO of Richualist, Dawn has revolutionized the hardware, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and retail spaces with her invention, The Mint—a groundbreaking solution designed specifically... Read More →
avatar for Krista Woods

Krista Woods

Director of Stink Operations, GloveStix LLC
avatar for Brandon Andrews

Brandon Andrews

Cofounder - Gauge, Gauge
Brandon Andrews is co-founder of Gauge; an AI-driven mobile market research platform connecting brands to consumers and influencers to identify opportunities and avoid mistakes. As Senior Consultant at Values Partnerships he leads the company’s work on technology and entrepreneurship... Read More →
avatar for Brett Thompson

Brett Thompson

CEO, Pork Barrel BBQ
Brett Thompson is the co-founder and CEO of Pork Barrel BBQ, an award-winning barbecue sauce and rub company recognized for its high-quality products and authentic flavors. Under his leadership, Pork Barrel BBQ has grown from a backyard hobby to a nationally recognized brand, earning... Read More →
avatar for Ehime Eigbe

Ehime Eigbe

CEO, SWEETKIWI HOLDINGS
Ehime is a Tuck Executive Education at Darmouth Alumni, a McKinsey Black Executive Leader, a Visa grant recipient, a Sara Blakely X Spanx Grant Recipient, Acumen 2021 West African Fellow, the winner of the Black Girls Venture DC pitch competition and winner of the California Milk... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 1:00pm - 1:40pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

1:00pm EDT

Innovating at a Distance: How to Lead Remote R&D Teams
Friday October 25, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
This session provides a thorough overview of managing distributed development teams using the Scrum agile methodology. It starts with an introduction to Scrum, the framework supports self-organizing teams that progress through month-long sprints and manage requirements through a product backlog. The presentation highlights the challenges of managing geographically dispersed teams, emphasizing the importance of trust, shared language, and accurate market representation for developers. Key operational setups discussed execution strategies focus on the active involvement of product owners and scrum masters, who ensure alignment and adherence to agile practices through regular updates and scrum sessions. The session also covers requirement handling, testing protocols, and deployment strategies, automated testing and clear definitions of project completion stages to streamline development cycles and enhance productivity in a distributed team environment.
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Chashper

Jonathan Chashper

CEO, Product Savvy Consulting
Jonathan Chashper combines over two decades of experience with a seasoned background and a passion for innovation. As the founder of Product Savvy Consulting, he has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to plan, build, and launch high-profile software solutions. His significant... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Eaton Hotel 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

1:05pm EDT

Lessons Learned & Best Practices with Startups & Government Partnerships
Friday October 25, 2024 1:05pm - 1:30pm EDT
Join us for an in depth conversation with Black Gov Tech for tech startups and entrepreneurs who are looking to break into the government sector and work with the government. You'll gain actionable insights on how to get your startup noticed by public agencies. The discussion will highlight best practices, recruiting top tech talent. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or looking to expand your startup’s reach, this session will arm you with the strategies you need to grow your business through government partnerships.


Speakers
avatar for Ryaan Boyd

Ryaan Boyd

Founder, Black Gov Tech
Focused on servant leadership, Ryaan Alexander Boyd is the founder of Black Gov Tech and a Tech Program Manager for federal software development contractors.He began his career at Oracle in business development for the public sector then transitioned into product management at Accenture... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 1:05pm - 1:30pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Crystal) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

1:15pm EDT

The Quest for Resources: Unlocking Opportunities for Life Sciences Startups
Friday October 25, 2024 1:15pm - 2:10pm EDT
For early-stage innovators in life sciences, securing resources can be a game-changer. And if you're a start-up co-located in the Nation’s Capital, you're sitting on a goldmine of opportunities right in the DMV! What does it mean to have direct access to these unique opportunities, and how can you leverage them to fuel your company’s growth? Funding from local and national sources offers a critical pathway to extend your runway and hit key milestones. In this dynamic panel discussion, experts from the U.S. Government and industry veterans share practical insights on navigating the complexities of these opportunities. Learn how to identify the best local and national funding sources, craft compelling applications, and position your company to tap into available resources—all while accelerating innovation in healthcare and beyond. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking your next big break or an industry professional looking to understand how to make the most of available resources, this session promises actionable strategies and real-world examples that could reshape your approach to funding – DMV style.
Moderators
avatar for Luis Gutierrez

Luis Gutierrez

Executive in Residence, BioHealth Innovation Inc
Luis T. Gutierrez, Jr. serves as • Executive in Residence with BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI)• Chief Operating Officer of Solaxa Inc. • Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His previous roles include:• CCO of Veranex, a provider of a full... Read More →
Speakers
AS

Ashim Subedee

Director, Catalyst Office at BARDA DRIVe, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
avatar for Sara Adams

Sara Adams

Director of Business Attraction & Expansion, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)
Sara currently serves as the Director of Business Attraction & Expansion on the Business Development team at DMPED. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs that encourage domestic and international businesses to relocate, grow, and... Read More →
avatar for Amy Adams

Amy Adams

Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University
As Executive Director of George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation, Amy Adams is responsible for nurturing and advancing biohealth research and innovation interests of more than 300 faculty and thousands of students who represent a broad range of academic disciplines... Read More →
avatar for Deborah Hemingway

Deborah Hemingway

Managing Partner, Ecphora Capital
Dr. Deborah Hemingway is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital, a medtech venture capital firm in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, Dr. Hemingway has profound involvement in the entrepreneurial landscape, having founded, funded, and/or held board positions for 53 startup... Read More →
avatar for Jack Miner

Jack Miner

CIO, TEDCO
I am a leading-edge, results-driven leader for venture-stage technology start-up companies with a deep understanding and affinity for the Venture Capital industry. I successfully partner with Research & Development, strategic investors, and investment colleagues to create and communicate... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 1:15pm - 2:10pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Salon) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

1:30pm EDT

Cultivating Global Innovation Ecosystems Through Public-Private Partnerships
Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Join us for an insightful conversation with Thomas Debass, Managing Director of the Office of Global Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State, as he discusses the vital role of public-private partnerships in fostering innovation ecosystems. This keynote will explore how the U.S. Department of State amplifies the efforts of entrepreneurs and startups worldwide by nurturing collaborations across academia, accelerators, investors, nonprofits, and corporations. Attendees will gain insights into initiatives that bolster climate-focused startups and learn how strategic partnerships drive both innovation and social impact.
Speakers
avatar for Nina Archie

Nina Archie

Program Innovation Management, U.S. Department of State
Nina Archie is a professional with extensive experience in dual-use technology and intellectual property. She founded Innovator Connector, a consultancy focused on aiding startups and small businesses in technology commercialization, securing non-dilutive funding, and guidance to... Read More →
avatar for Thomas Debass

Thomas Debass

Managing Director, Office of Global Partnerships, U.S. Department of State
A senior executive with extensive experience and networks in tech/innovation, finance, development, media, foresight, and public-private partnership.
Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Crystal) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

1:30pm EDT

Branding in Cannabis: Strategies to Thrive in a Competitive Market Panel
Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Explore how top cannabis brands are forging genuine connections with consumers, utilizing the art of storytelling, and crafting memorable experiences that stand out in a competitive marketplace. Hear from industry experts, thought leaders, and marketing innovators as they reveal their strategies for success and introduce groundbreaking methods to boost brand recognition and enhance customer engagement in the cannabis industry.
Speakers
avatar for Manelle Nunez Martino

Manelle Nunez Martino

Brand Development, M&A, Marketing & Sales Leader, High-Growth Startups | Retail, Cannabis, SaaS / Technology
My background blends extensive experience elevating brand performance through operational excellence, sales and marketing leadership, and revenue growth. My expertise lies in launching, scaling, and fundraising rapidly growing startups across multiple industries. As a leader, I place... Read More →
avatar for Hannah Perry

Hannah Perry

CEO/Consultant, Baddie Solutions LLC
With over 20 years of experience in the retail and hospitality sectors, I have established myself as a dynamic force in customer service excellence and operational strategy. For the past six years, I have specialized in consulting, focusing on customer service training, product knowledge... Read More →
avatar for Dave Tart

Dave Tart

Sr. Marketing Manager, Curaleaf
Dave Tart is a Senior Marketing Manager at Grassroots, where he combines his passion for cannabis with strategic marketing expertise. A certified Ganjier, Dave is dedicated to the intricacies of cannabis genetics and connoisseurship, helping to elevate the understanding and appreciation... Read More →
avatar for Paige Danielle Kelly

Paige Danielle Kelly

Marketing Manager, TerrAscend
Paige Kelly is the Retail Marketing Manager for the Apothecarium Dispensaries in Maryland, where they lead customer engagement strategies and brand development.With over six years of experience in cannabis retail marketing, Paige specializes in increasing customer loyalty, and retention... Read More →
avatar for Brytany Melville

Brytany Melville

President, Forte Operations
Brytany Melville is the President of Cannabis Dispensary Consulting Agency, Forte Operations. With 17+ years of entrepreneurial and high-volume retail experience, she began her cannabis career in 2018 with opening the very first legal dispensaries in Canada. Through her work, she... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

2:00pm EDT

Building AI Agentic Workflows and Automations on AWS (Laptop Required) - No AI/ML Experience is Necessary
Friday October 25, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
This workshop is designed for builders ready to create Agentic Workflows on AWS. Agentic Workflows enable large language models (LLMs) to act autonomously, performing tasks or providing assistance on behalf of users.

In this workshop, you'll learn to:
- Leverage capabilities in Amazon Bedrock to create both chatbot and non-chatbot workflows
- Incorporate features such as code interpreter and long-term memory
- Use Amazon Q Developer to assist in coding and debugging
This is an intermediate level workshop targeted at software developers. Familiarity working with VScode, using the terminal, and Python coding is helpful. No AI/ML experience is necessary.
Speakers
avatar for Banjo Obayomi

Banjo Obayomi

Senior Developer Advocate, AWS
Banjo is a Senior Developer Advocate at AWS, where he helps builders get excited about building solutions. Banjo is passionate about building with generative AI and has started a meetup, newsletter and open-source projects. When not building the next big thing, Banjo likes to relax... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

2:15pm EDT

The Life Science Innovators’ Showcase
Friday October 25, 2024 2:15pm - 2:55pm EDT
Launching a business can be rewarding but can also be complex and difficult. Launching a life science startup has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. Join us at DC Start Up Week as four executives of four burgeoning life science companies share the lessons from their journeys and what fellow innovators can do to prepare to launch their own biotech or MedTech companies.
Moderators
avatar for Scott T. Shepherd

Scott T. Shepherd

Innovation Activation Manager, Johnson & Johnson
An accomplished tech marketing and communications executive, Scott T. Shepherd serves as Innovation Activation Manager for Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS @ Washington, DC, providing life science startups and innovators with the resource and connections to grow and reach their... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Charles Cathilin

Charles Cathilin

CEO / Co-Founder, Polaris Genomics
avatar for Arvin Gouw

Arvin Gouw

CEO, Bacchus Therapeutics
Arvin Gouw is the founding CEO of Bacchus Therapeutics, which develops small-molecule inhibitors of cancer metabolic pathways based on his findings at Stanford when he was an instructor in the oncology department. His work has been supported by the entrepreneurship program of SPARK... Read More →
avatar for Cayce Dorrier

Cayce Dorrier

Head of Nonclinical and Discovery, VerImmune
Cayce is the Head of Nonclinical and Discovery at VerImmune, which seeks to transform the lives of patients through the development of highly effective virus-inspired medicines. Prior to VerImmune Cayce was a postdoctoral fellow at the NIH and has a research background in Pharmacology... Read More →
avatar for Ekaterina Vert-Wong

Ekaterina Vert-Wong

Executive Leader and Founder, Self-employed
Ekaterina is seasoned Biotech leader, who has successfully worked to drive six products through clinical development to commercialization: FreeStyle Libre®, BioThrax®, Saphnelo®, Kymriah®, Medical countermeasures against Ebola Sudan and Marburg diseases used to stop recent outbreaks.Ekaterina... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 2:15pm - 2:55pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Salon) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

2:15pm EDT

From Risk to Reward: Unlocking Startup Growth and Scaling Strategies
Friday October 25, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Colin Fraser

Colin Fraser

founder, upling
At Upling, we are devoted to upholding an environment where inclusion, equality, community, and diversity are valued and appreciated. We recognize that community is built in our DNA and that’s why it takes all kinds of people and perspectives to produce great ideas that shape our... Read More →
avatar for Mariam Nusrat

Mariam Nusrat

Founder, Breshna.io
Mariam Nusrat is the Founder of GRID - Gaming Revolution for International Development, a tech start-up that aims to unleash the power of no code for video games. The team has built Breshna.io, a platform that creates purposeful web3 video games with no-code & lightning speed. To... Read More →
avatar for Diego Mariscal

Diego Mariscal

CEO, Founder, 2Gether International Inc.
A trailblazer at the intersection of disability advocacy and entrepreneurship, Diego Mariscal is the Founder and CEO of 2Gether-International, the leading startup accelerator run by and for disabled entrepreneurs. Diego has overseen strategic collaborations with governmental organizations... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

2:15pm EDT

Policy, Compliance, and Finance: Navigating Cannabis Regulations Panel
Friday October 25, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Whether you're a policymaker, compliance officer, finance professional, or cannabis entrepreneur, this track offers invaluable insights, actionable strategies, and expert guidance to help you navigate the complex intersection of policy, compliance, and finance in the cannabis industry.
Speakers
avatar for Shanita Penny

Shanita Penny

Founder/Principal, Budding Solutions
Internationally recognized management consultant with 20 years of experience helping Fortune 500 companies and startups solve complex issues and improve business performance. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills coupled with a demonstrated record of building and maintaining... Read More →
avatar for James Gibbons

James Gibbons

Founder/Wealth Manager, Alpha Pointe Capital
Early Influence and Start- Jim Gibbons was inspired by his father’s advice during the 1987 stock market crash, leading him to begin his career as a financial advisor in 1998.Investment Philosophy- In his early career, Jim established his investment philosophy called “Invest in... Read More →
avatar for Rodney Holcombe

Rodney Holcombe

Vice President, Public Policy, LeafLink
Rodney Holcombe is the Vice President of Public Policy at LeafLink, a non-plant touching cannabis technology company that manages $5 billion in annual orders across its business-to-business platform. Prior to joining LeafLink, Rodney was the New York State Director for Criminal Justice... Read More →
avatar for Ambur Smith

Ambur Smith

Founder + Managing Attorney, The Law Office of Attorney Ambur C. Smith PLLC
Ambur C. Smith, Esq. is the Founder and Managing Attorney of the Law Office of Attorney Ambur C. Smith PLLC. Her clients are startups, nonprofits, and creatives across the sports, entertainment, fashion, tech and wellness industries. On any given day, she helps protect their billion... Read More →
avatar for Nathaniel Hicks Jr

Nathaniel Hicks Jr

Vice President of North East Territories, Cannas Capital LLC
Nathaniel Hicks, Jr, Vice President of Cannas Capital Insurance Firm, is the proud founding Board Member of Maryland Cannabis Equity Collective, a grassroots non-profit aimed to educate POC in entrance into cannabis entrepreneurship. With nearly 10 years of experience in Maryland’s... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

2:55pm EDT

Closing Remarks by Rachel Rath, Johnson & Johnson, Head of JLABs @Washington DC
Friday October 25, 2024 2:55pm - 3:00pm EDT
Moderators
avatar for Scott T. Shepherd

Scott T. Shepherd

Innovation Activation Manager, Johnson & Johnson
An accomplished tech marketing and communications executive, Scott T. Shepherd serves as Innovation Activation Manager for Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS @ Washington, DC, providing life science startups and innovators with the resource and connections to grow and reach their... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Rath

Rachel Rath

Head, JLABS @ Washington, DC, Johnson & Johnson
Rachel is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing all operational activities for JLABS @ Washington, DC. Her responsibilities include P&L management, external engagement, innovation sourcing, portfolio management, and operational excellence in collaboration... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 2:55pm - 3:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

3:00pm EDT

DCSTW24 Early Stage & Growth Stage Pitch Competition
Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
Join us for our annual pitch competition where 10 startups battle for cash and in kind prizes within two categories: early stage and growth stage.

Each startup will have 3 minutes to pitch and 2 minutes of questions from the judges.

We will be announcing the pitch competition finalists in the coming days! Stay tuned!
Speakers
avatar for Rick Gilchrist

Rick Gilchrist

Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vannadium
Rick Gilchrist is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and the CEO of Vannadium, a deep tech company that's redefining data. With a deep understanding of the digital economy and a commitment to data ownership and control, Rick has positioned Vannadium at the forefront of the Web3 revolution... Read More →
avatar for Asrorjon Shukurov

Asrorjon Shukurov

CEO, KLEENUP
Fueled by the American Dream, which was vividly portrayed by Hollywood, I arrived in the United States from Uzbekistan in 2005 with just $200 in my pocket and a bag of clothes. Chasing that dream led me into tough, almost exploitative jobs, but I never gave up. With hard work and... Read More →
avatar for Justin Ayars

Justin Ayars

Founder & CEO, EqualityMD, Inc.
I’m a former healthcare trial lawyer turned healthtech entrepreneur. I’m a 15-year serial entrepreneur with the mind of a philosopher, heart of a poet, and spirit of a starship captain. Curiosity is my true North Star. I’ve been building equalityMD my entire life by showing... Read More →
avatar for Daniel Nothaft

Daniel Nothaft

CEO, Uplift Geosystems
I'm passionate about building practical solutions to environmental problems. These problems are not just about science and engineering: they're inextricably linked to justice, health, and every other aspect of human existence. I'm energized to be alive at a time when societies across... Read More →
avatar for Destiny Wesley

Destiny Wesley

Founder, Detach. Sustain. Reverse
Destiny Wesley’s vision extends beyond her academic achievements in Business and Fashion. Wesley is designing her own fashion line, DSR (Detach Sustain Reverse), An e-commerce platform using textile technology to design and sell modular, and tailored athlesiure apparel. Wesley’s... Read More →
avatar for Jay Polaki

Jay Polaki

CEO / Founder, HR Geckos
As the Founder and CEO of HR Geckos, Jay Polaki brings 25+ years of global experience leading and transforming HR functions across diverse industries. Jay’s mission is to automate HR processes while keeping the human touch and focusing on what matters most—people. Jay loves to... Read More →
avatar for Gautham Pasupuleti

Gautham Pasupuleti

CEO and Managing Director, Biodesign Innovation Labs
Gautham Pasupuleti is the CEO & Managing Director of Biodesign Innovation Labs. He leads a team of Engineers, Researchers, Doctors, Designers, Domain experts and public health professionals as part of development of innovative and affordable critical care medical devices that can... Read More →
avatar for Karen Goodman Maschi

Karen Goodman Maschi

Founder | CEO, Veza Innovations
Karen Goodman Maschi is the Founder and CEO of Veza Innovations. Karen spent the past two decades as an Executive Producer running operations for multi-million dollar, publicly traded companies, such as Ogilvy & Mather and Viacom. Now a mother and inventor, she brings proven execution... Read More →
HK

Haiya Kofler

Host & Reporter — NWSL, MLS, USWNT
Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

4:15pm EDT

Turning Failure Into Growth
Friday October 25, 2024 4:15pm - 4:45pm EDT
Stay tuned as we announce our closing inspiring & powerful keynote of the week!
Speakers
avatar for Greg Vetter

Greg Vetter

CEO / Founder, Alta Fresh Foods and Homegrown Brands
Gregory Vetter is an innovator and disrupter in the “clean food” movement. His first venture, Tessemae’s All Natural broke the rules of the sleepy salad dressing category by using real ingredients and shunning gums and flavor substitutes. He subsequently founded Alta Fresh Food... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 4:15pm - 4:45pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

4:45pm EDT

Announcement of Pitch Competition Winners & Closing Remarks
Friday October 25, 2024 4:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Greg Vetter

Greg Vetter

CEO / Founder, Alta Fresh Foods and Homegrown Brands
Gregory Vetter is an innovator and disrupter in the “clean food” movement. His first venture, Tessemae’s All Natural broke the rules of the sleepy salad dressing category by using real ingredients and shunning gums and flavor substitutes. He subsequently founded Alta Fresh Food... Read More →
Friday October 25, 2024 4:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

5:00pm EDT

Closing Happy Hour Bash: Celebrate, Connect, and Unwind on the Rooftop, Wild Days!
Friday October 25, 2024 5:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
Cap off an incredible week at the DC Startup & Tech Week with the Closing Happy Hour Bash—the ultimate celebration for founders, tech leaders, investors, and innovators! This is your chance to relax, toast to new connections, and reflect on a week of inspiration, learning, and growth. Network in a laid-back atmosphere, build lasting relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs, and spark new collaborations.

Whether you’re celebrating a week of big wins, making plans for your next venture, or simply enjoying the vibrant startup energy, this is the perfect way to close out the week.

Drinks, great vibes, and unforgettable conversations await—don’t miss out!

First 100 attendees receive a drink ticket, then cash bar! Light appetizers will be provided.
Friday October 25, 2024 5:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
 


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