October Experts Corner

Part of the appeal of Mass Innovation Nights is the more than ample opportunity for networking.  With that in mind, starting in October, we’re adding a new feature to our event.  We’re setting aside a corner of the venue (the back room off the ballroom) for one-on-one conversations with a group of volunteer experts who have committed to helping out our innovators, entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs.

One thing we’ve heard several times is that one thing the Massachusetts innovation community could do better helping out the newcomers.  There seems to be the perception (deserved or not) that we aren’t as free with our advice.  That young entrepreneurs don’t have  a circle of advisers whom they can call upon whenever they need a little guidance.  So, we’re going to create that network at Mass Innovation Nights, at least for some of you.  What do you need help with?

Our October 14 Experts (with thanks of course to the BIG group of people who helped to coordinate this gathering and to the people who have offered to be future experts):

• Teresa Kalinowsky, Accounting Management Solutions, Inc. has more than 20 years of hands-on experience in accounting and finance with in depth knowledge of core business operations and external reporting. Teresa has worked with early stage and publicly traded technology companies providing hands-on support with their financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow analysis, acquisition due diligence and integration analysis.
• VC Ready Law Group helps Boston-area entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses by providing legal and organizational guidance during the formative early stages of a company’s existence. We draw upon our experience working with dozens of start-up companies and venture capitalists to advise our clients on how to avoid many of the pitfalls start-ups face on their path from formation to obtaining venture capital financing.
• Branko Gerovac, CEO, Video in the Cloud, For over 25 years, Branko has led developments at the forefront of technology and market advances, and regularly produces game changing innovative products across the interplay of computing, communications, and media.  He has held senior executive positions, providing leadership in technology development, business planning, product development, and customer and partner relations.  Previous positions include: Chief Strategy Officer and Founding CEO, Blackwave Inc.; Vice President of Research and Chief Technology Officer, SeaChange Inc.; Associate Director, MIT Research Program on Communications Policy; Visiting Scientist, MIT Media Lab; FCC Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service (ACATS); Consulting Engineer, Digital Equipment Corporation.
• The Square Roots team at Square 1 Financial, Mark Loranger  — partners with entrepreneurs and their nascent companies to form the foundation of a banking relationship built to last through the full lifecycle of a growth oriented startup. By combining startup-focused banking services with extensive early stage domain expertise, Mark plays a key role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives these young companies towards their development goals and funding objectives.  Square 1 Bank is a full service commercial bank dedicated to providing tailored financial services to venture capital firms and the entrepreneurs that are seeking and have received venture capital investment. Backed by an experienced team, our knowledge and strong capital base provide a solid foundation to support our clients through all stages of growth.  Square 1 is active from coast to coast with offices in ten locations. For more information, we welcome you to our website,  or just give us a call—we’re here with answers.
• LaunchCapital — Heather Onstott and Tom Egan — LaunchCapital is dedicated to seed stage funding for all types of businesses. We combine the dedication, direct experience and organization of a traditional venture capital firm with added flexibility, focus and speed. Our industry agnostic investment approach includes two unique investment vehicles to address funding needs for a range of business models.
• Kevin Kosh — Based in Waltham and providing strategic media and analyst relations services for more than a decade, CHEN PR partners with companies ranging from rapidly growing startups such as Boston-Power and SpaceClaim to established market leaders that include Phase Forward and Sophos.

NaviSite will supply the onsite drinks and ice.  CHEN PR will be sponsoring the after-party at Biagio’s.  We’ll also have the team from the the MIT Enterprise Forum Auto-ID & Sensing Solutions group, who will have a table with info about their upcoming FREE event, the Auto-ID & Sensing Expo – Oct 27th at MIT, our media sponsor, Mass High Tech, AND our team of innovators for the month.