UVA Alumni Entrepreneurship Mini-Summit

Ideation & Action: UVA Alumni Entrepreneurship Mini-Summit
Friday, October 4, 2024
8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Deloitte, 1919 N Lynn St Suite 1500, Arlington, VA 22209

Every new venture begins with an idea, a spark of innovation with the potential to change industries and shape the future. This spark drives visionaries to action, turning concepts into reality, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities.

We invite you to join fellow alumni, UVA leaders, and industry experts for a series of dynamic conversations around startups, sustainable growth, and venture capital. We’ll also discuss how UVA is coordinating and amplifying its entrepreneurship efforts through UVA Innovates.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, established founder, investor, or someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll be inspired to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.

Program

8–8:55 a.m.

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

9–9:45 a.m.

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).

9:45–10 a.m.

15-minute break

10–10:50 a.m.

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

10:50–11 a.m.

10-minute break

11–11:50 a.m.

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

11:50–noon

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.

Noon

Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Eric Hunter (Associate Director, Alumni Career Engagement, UVA Alumni Association) will close out the session.

Special thanks to…

We are grateful to CAV Angels for their support of this event. We also thank the following partners for their thoughtful collaboration on Ideation & Action: UVA Alumni Entrepreneurship Mini-Summit:

UVA Alumni Entrepreneurship Mini-Summit

Program

Special thanks to…

Featured Alumni