Presentations
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Discussing the SpaceX Starship IFT4 Test Flight with Mach33 Financial Group
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This morning, Aaron Burnett and the Mach33 Financial Group team hosted an engaging live audio chat following the thrilling SpaceX Starship IFT4 test flight. We covered numerous topics, including flap heating, roll control thrusters, and increased stringers for rigidity. We discussed the experimental nature of Starship, its impacts on the industry, and the utility of…
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Leading the U.S. Dept. of State International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training
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Last week I led 16 international business leaders in the IVLP Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training seminar at the Posner Center for International Development. The seminar, hosted by World Denver on May 23, 2024, covered the roles of government, private enterprises, professional organizations, and universities in fostering entrepreneurship. Participants explored how innovations are adopted across…
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Teaching the IREX Young Leaders of the Americas VC Funding Seminar
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Today I served as the principal VC educator for a seminar with Blue Mesa Ventures, guiding 120 Central and South American entrepreneurs. The seminar, part of a U.S. Department of State-funded IREX fellowship, covered U.S. venture positioning, engagement strategies with VC firms, typical investor inquiries, and business differentiation.
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Why I Fly – Ignite Denver 39
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At Ignite Denver 39, a speaker shared insights into solo flying single-engine aircraft, emphasizing unexpected reasons behind this choice. The fast-paced presentation involved a 5-minute slot, 20 automatically advancing slides, and gratitude expressed to the production team and fellow speakers.
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Teaching the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Startup Investor Pitch Workshop
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Today, I led a Startup Investor Pitch Workshop for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative alongside entrepreneurs Don Novak and Danny Effron. During a three-hour session, we coached 12 entrepreneurs from the Americas on their pitches, covering topics like storytelling, value proposition, and handling rejection. The workshop included interactive individual and group sessions, culminating…
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Judging the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program Eastern European Startup Pitches
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This week I served as a lead judge at the US State Department’s YTILI Fellowship Program Eastern European startup pitch event. I observed impressive pitches by entrepreneurs from 36 countries. The program provides intensive entrepreneurship and leadership training. Ukrainian startup Uff, led by Alona Prenkovska, won, advancing to the next round in Washington DC. Supporting…
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Teaching Global Innovation Catalyst’s iX Online October Program Fundraising and Ownership Workshop
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Recently, I was honored to teach the Global Innovation Catalyst’s iX Online October 2021 Program Fundraising and Ownership Workshop for a great group of global entrepreneurs: Webinar 11: Fundraising and Ownership | GIC iX Online October 2021 Program – January 13, 2022 The Global Innovation Catalyst (GIC) Innovation Execution (iX) Program takes participants through the…
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Speaking on Entrepreneurship with the Russian CIEE Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program
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Thanks to the Russian CIEE Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program for having me speak with them about startup investing and entrepreneurship. Looking forward to hearing the business pitches at the end of the program. Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program Program description This virtual exchange program for Russian and American…
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Judging Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitches.. in an Elevator!
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Going up? We sure were at the Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitch Event. I stood in an elevator in downtown Denver and listened to short 1 minute pitches from emerging startups.. super fast, super fun. I also had a chance to introduce Boomtown, and speak a bit about how we work with founders. GAN, a…
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Reverse Pitching Boomtown at Denver Startup Week
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This week, I was happy to pitch Boomtown Accelerators at the Denver Startup Week Reverse Accelerator Pitch Session. Thanks GAN for hosting, and for all of the great questions from the audience. GAN is a highly-curated community of accelerators, partners, and investors who all share a collective purpose of creating opportunities for startups around the…
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Mentoring German Marshall Fund YTLI Fellows
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This week, I was proud to spend a bit of time working with a group of international entrepreneurs participating in the German Marshall Fund of the United States Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship, supported by the U.S. Department of State. We discussed: The quick expansion of the Denver/Boulder area entrepreneurship landscape and opportunities for…
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Leading the Montreal StartupFest 2019 “Startup Accelerator Communities” Roundtable Discussion
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At Montreal StartupFest 2019, I led a roundtable discussion on Building Startup Accelerator Communities, accompanied by industry colleague Tariq Haddadin of Techstars. Thanks to the StartupFest team for putting on a solid event! Discussion Notes: Montreal StartupFest 2019 – Building Startup Accelerator Communities Roundtable Discussion Led by Jeffrey Donenfeld of Boomtown Accelerators and Tariq Haddadin…
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Guiding discussion on Startup Network Building at Montreal StartupFest
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This year at Montreal StartupFest, I hosted a discussion with startup accelerator and venture investment leaders on startup network building, alumni services, and dealflow community. Thanks to Montreal StartupFest for a solid event. Startupfest is the leading startup event in Canada. Founded in 2011, it has become the annual gathering at which entrepreneurs, investors, makers,…
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Keynote – “Startup Investing in the United States” at Kazakhstan’s GoViral Conference
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During the June 2019 GoViral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I gave the keynote speech on Startup Investing in the United States. Featured on: Instagram – GoViral.kz, Facebook – GoViral.kz, Facebook – US Embassy Kazakhstan Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business,…
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Forbes KZ – Making the connection between US and KZ investors
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I had a wonderful time speaking with journalist Ulyana Salapaeva writing for Forbes Kazakhstan about making the connecting between US and KZ investors. In summary, I feel that there are a ton of options for Kazakh startups to approach US investors. It’s important to understand the mindset of the US investor, fully realize the type…
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Discussing Kazakh startups going international at GoViral Almaty
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On Day 1 of GoViral in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I participated in an engaging panel discussion covering details, nuances, and issues with Kazakh startups appealing to an international audience. Thanks for a solid discussion, panel! Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and…
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How to position your startup for investors – GoViral KZ Interview
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I had a solid discussion about how to position your startup for investors during GoViral.kz in Almaty, Kazakhstan with U.S. Embassy Tashkent Information Officer Susannah Wood. Thanks for the awesome discussion! Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business, and technology to…
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Interviewing on How Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors at GoViral.kz
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Aliya Shaikhina and I sat down during the Go Viral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan to discuss how Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors, #entrepreneurship, #investing, #technology, and Boomtown Accelerators. Thanks for your time Aliya, and thanks to the U.S. Consulate Almaty for hosting me at GoViral.kz! Go Viral is an international festival sponsored…
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Discussing Where Traditional and Digital Nomads Meet at GoViral Almaty
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Thanks to GoViral Organizers and my amazing conference colleagues Rolf Potts, Gani Abadan, Daniyar Amanaliyev, and Saken Nigma for an engaging panel discussing long term travel, working remotely, and the changing landscape of digital productivity. Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media, culture, business,…
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Mentoring Startups from Emerging Markets at Seedstars World Summit 2019
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I’m proud to have spent an action-packed week mentoring startups from global emerging markets at part of the Seedstars 2019 World Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland on behalf of Boomtown Accelerators (where I currently serve as Investment Director) It’s always a pleasure to connect with founders from across the globe, trade ideas, and teach them about…
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Discussing life in Antarctica on REN TV Russia’s “The Riddles of Humanity”
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This week, I appeared on REN TV Russia’s adventure show “The Riddles of Humanity”, Episode 255 to discuss life at the South Pole, Antarctica. Skip to minute 12 of the clip for my segment. My part of the segment covers (Google Translated from Russian: “Why is Antarctica called white Mars? How do people survive in…
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Mentoring startups at the Seedstars CEE Summit
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In December 2018, I was honored to mentor startups and speak at the Seedstars CEE Summit. Meeting with leading edge entrepreneurs in the CEE region was an inspiring project, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with this engaging group. A few of the key topics covered included: Key considerations for CEE startups appealing…
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Pitching Boomtown at the University of Colorado’s Tech Transfer Office Accelerator Seminar
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Today I had the opportunity to speak to a group of grad students and early entrepreneurs about the details of the startup accelerator and incubator ecosystem in Boulder. I was joined by industry colleagues from Innosphere, Rockies Venture Club, Boulder Small Business Development Center, and CatalyzeCU. Boomtown Accelerator is currently accepting applications.
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Mentoring Startup Summer Pitch Night
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This week, I was pleased to mentor Startup Summer Pitch Night with Silicon Flatirons, at the Boomtown Accelerators office. What a great set of teams! Pleasure working with Sarah Phillips of Boulder Bits. Startup Summer 2018 concludes with a pitch competition, where students from the program pitch their unique startup ideas. This summer, students have interned at local tech startups and built their…