USF CONNECT
7th Annual BEAT Program
Date: November 20, 2019
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: USF CONNECT - Research Park - Discovery Hall (formerly Galleria)
3802 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612
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| Time | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Registration | Breakfast | Innovation Expo | |
| 9:10 AM | Welcome Remarks | |
| 9:15 AM |
Panel - Diversity & Inclusion in Entrepreneurship (Discovery Hall)
|
|
| 10:45 AM |
Break |
|
| 11:00 AM |
Keynote - "Creating The Future for Your Family, Your Community, and the World" (Discovery
Hall) |
|
| 12:00 PM |
Lunch | Innovation Expo |
|
| 1:00 PM |
Student Pitch Competition - Final 3 (Discovery Hall) |
|
| 1:45 PM | Break | |
| 2:00 PM | Tech & Bio Pitch Competition - Final 3 (Discovery Hall) | |
| 2:45 PM |
Q&A - Behind the Startup (Discovery Hall) |
|
| 3:00 PM | Closing Statement | Announcement of Pitch Winners | |
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Byron C.
Clayton
CEO of Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing
Dr. Clayton currently serves as the CEO of Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) located in Pittsburgh. Previously he worked as the CEO of Research Park Corporation, which consisted of a mini-foundation, technology incubator, entrepreneurial service provider, nonprofit venture firm and a workforce development organization. In prior years, Dr. Clayton led Ohio-based innovation clusters in flexible hybrid electronics, advanced energy and water technologies where he worked closely with start-ups, industry leaders, federal and state agencies, research institutions and community colleges. In addition, he has over 25 years of experience in the private sector where he led the development, commercialization and implementation of advanced manufacturing systems and software for various industries.
B.E.A.T Panel- Diversity & Inclusion in Entrepreneurship
Moderator: Dr. Richard Munassi, MD, MBA- Cohort Director, Tampa Bay Wave.
Dr. Richard Munassi MD MBA is the co-founder of Blackfin Technology Partners, Cohort Director at the Tampa Bay Wave Accelerator program, and an advisor/mentor for multiple other national and regional entrepreneurship programs (including MassChallenge, Guidewell/Florida Blue, NSF I-Corps, and more). He also sits on the Advisory Board for SXSW Pitch, and is part of the NASA iTech team which specializes in helping identify commercial technologies to utilize in the space program. Dr. Munassi has coached dozens of startup companies across multiple verticals, and specializes in CEO coaching, high level strategic planning, business development, and marketing and messaging.
James Faison- Founder of the Mainframe Inc.
James Faison is the Founder of The Mainframe Inc., a Tampa based not-for-profit organization focused on launching and growing the professional careers and entrepreneurial endeavors for Black technology talent. A lifelong lover of all things tech, James' motivation for the Mainframe came from the realization that Tampa Bay was void of an established ecosystem in the African-American tech community. James has quickly carved out a niche in his entrepreneurial endeavor(s), garnering support nationally and internationally. His work with The Mainframe also granted him acceptance into the invite-only training program for emerging leaders, led by 500 Startups and Stanford University- VC Unlocked.
Simi Ranajee- CEO/Founder of IMISCO
Dr. Simi Ranajee is an award winning speaker, author and founder/CEO of IMISCO. An organization that IMpacts ISsues COllaboratively. Dr. Ranajee brings more than 25 years of experience in leadership and diversity training, marketing, business development, communication, and strategy. She has worked with a wide range of clients and industries during various phases of their life cycle from start-ups to well established organizations addressing epidemics and new products.
Yanina Rosario- Associate Director, Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.
Yanina Rosario is an associate director and business consultant for the Florida SBDC at USF. Rosario provides business owners with one-on-one expertise for optimizing business performance through marketing, strategic business planning, and business certification. She also teaches the Women/Minority/Disables Veteran-Owned Certification seminar. As an associate director for the center, Rosario is responsible for outreach. This involves educating the community, establishing partnerships and working on special projects.
Avril Stinson- Director, Minority Business Accelerator & Economic Inclusion at The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
Avril Stinson, seasoned in investor and sponsor relations, brings years of investor relations and sponsor engagement knowledge to the Greate Tampa Ba Chamber of Commerce. Stinson is passionate about powerful community support development in addition to networking, programming and strategic leadership within organizations. Prior to joining the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce as Director of the Minority Business Accelerator & Economic Inclusion. Stinson previously worked at Tampa Wave as Director of Development and at the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation as an Investor Relations Director.