Ventureprise Leadership
Ventureprise, Inc., is a non-profit organization anchored at UNC Charlotte. Its board of directors has been structured to represent the stakeholders for the expanded regional mission. The fifteen directors represent entrepreneurs, investors, business, government, research, and higher education including two ex-officio UNC Charlotte leaders. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx serves as an honorary director. The 2012-13 board chairperson, Douglas Dawson, is the first entrepreneur to serve in that capacity. His company, Optinfo, grew and prospered at the Ben Craig Center and was subsequently acquired. Mr. Dawson is also the first UNC Charlotte graduate to serve as the organization’s chairperson. An Advisory Board will be established that includes experienced entrepreneurs, investors, professional advisors, and others with the expertise to serve as mentors and to guide the organization’s Douglas Dawson programs. The Ventureprise staff is led by its president, Paul Wetenhall. He has extensive experience as a corporate manager, software entrepreneur, economic development leader, and entrepreneur educator. Prior to joining the Ben Craig Center in 2008, he served as the president of the non-profit High Tech Rochester Inc.
Ventureprise Involvement
The Ventureprise team will continue to operate the Ben Craig Center business incubator serving startup Paul Wetenhall and growth stage entrepreneurs. The new student incubator will welcome UNC Charlotte students seeking to launch promising businesses. Programs such as Venture Knowledge, Commercialization Knowledge, and the Charlotte Venture Challenge will continue to engage researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Ventureprise will work closely with community partners to communicate public policy through events and digital communication and to define the region’s entrepreneurial strategy. Visit the new Ventureprise website to learn about specific programs and stay current by subscribing to the e-newsletter. Prospective clients, mentors, and sponsors are invited to connect by contacting the Ventureprise team via phone or email. Ventureprise, Inc. Ben Craig Center 8701 Mallard Creek Rd. Charlotte, NC 28262
millennial
32
2012
704 548-9113 info@ventureprise.org www.ventureprise.org
Ventureprise 2012 Board of Directors Dr. Charles E. Bamford Professor, Queens University of Charlotte Douglas M. Dawson President, WanderPoint Ronald Elmore Managing Director, Milestone Partners, LLC Louis J. Foreman CEO, Enventys, LLC Elizabeth A. Hardin Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, UNC Charlotte Leroy Hill, Jr. President & CEO, Yorel Integrated Solutions Rajeev Kulkarni Vice President, Global Engineering, 3D Systems, Inc. Marcus Lee Partner, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC Harrison L. Marshall, Jr. Partner, McGuire Woods, LLP Robert Morgan President, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Patrick T. Mumford Director, City of Charlotte Stephen E. Sellers Managing Director, Sockwell Partners Dr. Robert G. Wilhelm Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development UNC Charlotte Honorary Director Anthony Foxx, Mayor, City of Charlotte