A virtual speaker series connecting people, innovative ideas and ecosystems to inspire action within our attendees.

While COVID 19 drastically altered the events and program space in many ways, it has opened the virtual door enabling us to connect people who might not otherwise meet. We are using this platform to learn from each other, hear what others are doing to innovate and create to inspire us to act and take the next step to move a business, project or idea forward. We might commiserate together a little bit too, but in the end, we will leave with new connections, new ideas and maybe even a little hope in a time that can be awfully heavy.

Thriving Amidst A Pandemic: What Companies Around The World Are Doing To Beat The Odds in 2020

Mr. Riley will share the insight he has gained from 135 members of the GAN Network who serve over 13,000 startups from over 40 countries around the world. Participants will learn what startups are thriving amidst a global pandemic which will include industries that expanding, markets that are growing, investors that are infusing capital, and much more.

Bio

As the CEO of GAN and Managing Partner of GAN Ventures, Patrick Riley works to create opportunities, connections, and investments that help startups have the power to create and grow wherever they call home. GAN connects accelerators, startup studios, and corporate partners together so that they can go on to work with and support the next wave of global startups. GAN Ventures is the investment arm of GAN, providing seed-stage capital to startups around the world.

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Finding Purpose

In this session we will discuss how we (the founders of The Porter House KC) found purpose, and channeled it to help underserved entrepreneurs in the urban core of Kansas City.

Bio

Dan Smith, Co-Founder- The Porter House KC. Dan provides organizational leadership and direction for The Porter House KC. He is a native of Kansas City, Mo, and has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 18 years, he has started/owned/operated 5 businesses, including The Porter House KC. His personal mission is to build economic value, and purpose in the community that raised him.

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Building Innovation Scholars for now and the future

In the presentation, Dr. Terry Cyfers will give a brief history of the Innovation Scholar Program from its inception to its current iteration. Dr. Cyfers will then take a few moments to present the future destination of the Innovation Scholar program. Then the Innovation Scholars will present their experience as an Innovation Scholars by giving an overview of their duties, responsibilities, and current projects. The UC Innovation Team will leave time for questions at the end.

Bio

Terry serves as the Assistant Director of Innovation for the University of Charleston’s Wehrle Innovation Center. His focus is giving leadership and development in complex advanced level work in small business creation and expansion, minority business development, educational and training assistance, marketing and communication, business succession planning, export planning, and procurement assistance. Terry’s coaching and consulting practice has positively impacted over 300 entrepreneurs. Additionally, his clients have been featured in numerous publications both locally and nationally. His clients have also received numerous awards such as 2016 Veteran Owned Business of the Year, 2016 Small Business Champion of the Year, 2018 West Virginia Small Business of the Year and 1 st runner up nationally Small Business of the Year, and the West Virginia 2020 Small Business of the Year.

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