Entrepreneurship Mini-Summit

Ideation & Action: UVA Alumni Entrepreneurship Mini-Summit
Friday, October 4, 2024

Every new venture begins with an idea, a spark of innovation with the potential to change industries and shape the future.

UVA leaders, and industry experts recently gathered for a series of dynamic conversations on startups, sustainable growth, and venture capital, as well as discussions on how UVA is coordinating and amplifying its entrepreneurship efforts through UVA Innovates.

Thanks to all who attended!
Check back soon for information on the next Mini-Summit.

Stay Connected

**Get to Know Keynote Speaker Reggie Aggarwal (Com ’91)**
We caught up with Reggie at the Mini-Summit to discuss the UVA experiences that prepared him to later build Cvent, some lessons learned along his entrepreneurial journey, and more.

**Continue Growing Your Network**
Our nine Alumni Professional Networks (APNs) are industry-aligned communities that help Hoos make connections, find new opportunities, and engage in industry-focused programming. You can also create an account on Wahoo Connect, the online directory for UVA Alumni.

**Follow us on social media**
We’d love to stay in touch! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and X @uva_alumni for Alumni Association updates, and tag us for a chance to be featured on the Alumni Association account.

**Support the Alumni Association**
There are a variety of ways to support the Alumni Association, from giving to the Annual Fund to donating to any of our more than 250 scholarships to becoming a Contributing Member. Your gift of any size will make more hoo-rah-ray happen: stronger connections, bigger and better events, more inclusive programs and services, and everything in between.

Program

Registration and Networking

After registering, attendees are invited to enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast, with ample time for pre-session networking.

Welcome & introduction of Keynote Speaker

Alumni Association President & CEO, Lily West (Darden ’12; President & CEO, UVA Alumni Association) will open the Mini-Summit with a very special welcome and introduction of Keynote Speaker, Reggie Aggarwal (Com ’91; CEO & Founder, Cvent).

Session 1

Panel Discussion: Early Adoption, Scaling, and…: Creating Sustainable Growth for Your Startup

Hear from founders and industry experts as they share strategies for turning innovative ideas into tangible successes. From navigating initial market entry and scaling operations effectively, to making data-driven decisions and overcoming common challenges, you’ll gain insight into strategies for thriving in a competitive landscape and creating sustainable growth for your startup. This session is presented in partnership with The Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology and Deloitte.

Speakers:

Carlos Bortoni (Darden ’19; Sr. Director, Global Tech Strategy, Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology), Introducer
B.J. Wiley Williams (Col ’00; CEO & Founder, SoHookd), Moderator
Christian Duffus (Darden ’00; Founder & CEO, Fonbnk), Panelist
Jack Fitzsimmons (Engr ’12; VP of Product Strategy, Deloitte), Panelist
Susan Tynan (Col ’98; Founder & CEO, Framebridge), Panelist

Session 2

Panel Discussion: The Capital Behind the Concept: An Inside Look from VCs on Startups and Raising Capital

Leaders in venture capital will provide a unique perspective on navigating the intricate VC landscape to fuel growth. As they share insight into the critical steps to secure funding, expectations at each funding round, and strategies for building investor relationships, you’ll gain an exclusive view of what it takes to attract venture capital and propel your startup to success. This session is presented in partnership with CAV Angels and UVA Engineering.

Speakers:

David Chen (Darden ’06; Assistant Dean for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships, UVA Engineering), Introducer
Yoshi Maisami (Engr ’05; Founder, Varsity VC), Moderator
Rich Diemer (Com ’80; Co-founder, Managing Director, Board Presider & Treasurer, CAV Angels), Panelist
Dayna Grayson (Engr ’99; Co-founder & General Partner, Construct Capital), Panelist
Tom Roberts (Com ’89, Darden ’95; General Partner, Harbert Growth Partners), Panelist

Session 3

UVA Innovates

With a strong culture of entrepreneurship infused throughout schools, programs, centers, and curriculum, UVA launched UVA Innovates in October 2023 to coordinate and amplify the many entrepreneurship activities across Grounds. Mike Lenox (Engr ’93, ’94; Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business Administration, University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and Special Advisor to the Provost on Entrepreneurship), will discuss UVA Innovates and the coordination of entrepreneurship activities across Grounds. This session is presented in partnership with UVA Innovates.

Special thanks to…

We are grateful to CAV Angels for their support of this event. CAV Angels is a non-profit network composed of UVA alumni, faculty, parents, students, and friends of the University whose mission is:

To be recognized as one of the most esteemed and effective angel groups in the country.
To catalyze UVA alumni’s engagement in burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystems and mobilize the highest levels of investment in the most promising early-stage companies through tailored educational programming, hands-on student engagement, and curated access to robust and proprietary deal flow.

Our Purpose

We at CAV Angels have a lofty goal that can only be achieved with your participation and support: “Elevating the entrepreneurial ecosystem for UVA alumni by educating, connecting, funding, and mentoring the extended UVA startup community.” Though CAV Angels is not directly affiliated with or endorsed by UVA, we are focused on helping our fellow alumni.