Category: Thought Leadership
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Colorado Space Roundup: Challenges and breakthroughs shaping humanity’s journey to the Moon and beyond
Recent and ongoing technological, business, and policy innovations are paving the way for enhanced, more productive, and farther reaching human presence in space, on the Moon, and beyond. Today I had the opportunity to attend and connect with fellow industry professionals at the “Lunar and Beyond” panel during the 21st annual Colorado Space Roundup, organized…
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Leading the Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching Workshop at the NASA/Starburst Aerospace Space-H Accelerator
Thanks to the teams at Starburst Aerospace, NASA’s Human Research Program, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), Methuselah Foundation, and Microsoft Federal for hosting me to lead the inaugural Space-H Space Health Accelerator cohort in a workshop on the nuances of Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching.
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Leading the U.S. Dept. of State International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training
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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Spacecraft Power System Development Startup Amplified Space Pitches at Angel Capital Summit
This week, spacecraft power system development startup Amplified Space‘s CEO Jerome Hittle pitched the company at the Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit, as part of the Rockies Space Fund Aerospace Track. I’ve been working with Jerome and the team as a mentor and coach for the last couple of weeks, and was proud that…
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Rockies Space Fund Aerospace Panel Notes – Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit
The blog post discusses a panel on aerospace investing at the Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit, focusing on the shift towards more commercial opportunities in aerospace, despite traditional perceptions of it being government-centric. Experts highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships, debunked misconceptions deterring investment, and emphasized the role of non-dilutive funding like SBIR. They…
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Why I Fly – Ignite Denver 39
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
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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How To Pack For A Galapagos Cruise Adventure
Last week, I spent time with a few very wonderful friends aboard a small expedititon cruise ship in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Throughout the trip, I was proud to show off my meticulously selected gear. Here’s a general summary of what I brought…
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Speaking on Entrepreneurship with the Russian CIEE Russia Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Virtual Exchange Program
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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The World’s Best Startup Innovators and Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship and innovation are everywhere, in every country, across all people, around the globe. During my time working with Boomtown Accelerators on finding, selecting, and supporting seed-stage entrepreneurs, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved with innovation around the world – interviewing founders who have applied for a Boomtown program, discussing emerging technology and investment…
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Speaking with Terawatt career coaching about the power of the entrepreneur and venture investing
This month, I had the opportunity to speak with career coaching firm Terawatt founder Francie Jain about my views on venture investing and the future of technology and entrepreneurship. It was a pleasure speaking with Francie, and I’m honored to join the team of business leaders profiled on the site. Read the full interview on…
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Keynote – “Startup Investing in the United States” at Kazakhstan’s GoViral Conference
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
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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How to position your startup for investors – GoViral KZ Interview
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
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 International Investing and Russian Startups on The Syndicate Podcast
This week, I had the pleasure of recording an interview with Matt Ward of The Syndicate Podcast: “The Russian Startup Scene and What Founders and VCs Need to Know with Jeffrey Donenfeld of Boomtown Accelerator” Listen to me on The Syndicate Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, RSS, Direct Here’s what I discuss with Matt on the…
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How to move your startup to the USA and get accepted by a top US startup accelerator…
Building your company in the United States can be a great idea – we have resources, expertise, and a quickly growing startup and entrepreneurship industry. In my role as Investment Manager at Boomtown Accelerator in Boulder, Colorado, I review a wide variety of applications to the Boomtown Accelerator Program from startups all over the world,…
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9 Countries, 1 Month, 1 Small Backpack. Here’s How I Did It.
The past month I’ve been traveling in Europe, attending a number of industry conferences, and working remotely. I hit 9 countries on my journey, ranging from the warm and comfortable surrounds of Lisbon, Portugal to sketchy divided border towns of Kosovo and Serbia to frozen arctic dreamlands of Iceland in the dead of winter –…
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South Pole Rescue Mission Reported on NBC’s Today Show
There’s a rescue mission happening at the South Pole, Antarctica – and the NBC Today Show interviewed me for their report. https://youtu.be/B_9FiOoJk9o Learn more on my time in Antarctica (On my YouTube Channel – Will be replaced with official Today Show YouTube Channel link when they get around to uploading it themselves)
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Don’t Follow Your Passion
Contrary, and solid advice. Can’t help but agree. via Don’t Follow Your Passion – YouTube
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Leadership on the High Seas – Dawn Riley at the America True
Leadership is a critically important factor affecting any team or group venture. In this paper, I analyze the leadership and management style of Dawn Riley, CEO and Captain of the America True Sailing Team, as she guides her team to race for the 1999 America’s Cup. Dawn Riley Case Abstract Dawn Riley is the CEO/Captain of…
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Application Essays and Starting My MBA at University of Denver
Starting this spring, I’ll be attending the University of Denver Daniels College of Business Executive MBA Program in order to earn my Master of Business Administration graduate degree. It’s an 18-month long program, in a small cohort experienced professionals. Applying for MBA programs, and making my ultimate selection was not an easy process. I took both…
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My Personality Is “The Commander” (ENTJ)
According to personality measurement site 16 Personalities, my personality is ENTJ, “The Commander”. A few excerpts from their explanation of my personality profile: ENTJs are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. But…
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Interviewing to become one of the two new Columbia Directors of Toughness
This morning, I had a great time interviewing in NYC with the Columbia Sportswear team for the new position of “Director of Toughness“. I was actually expecting a more formal sit down meeting room interview, but what I found was a casting-session style panel, with lots of lights and cameras. Talking with the Columbia crew…