WhatsNext 2021 Panel Line-Up
10:45-11:00AM
Opening Remarks/Networking
We will kick-off WhatsNext 2021 with some opening remarks from Ballard Spahr partner, Greg Seltzer, followed by some networking time to get the day rolling .
11:00-11:45AM
Building a Brand
What is a brand identity? How do great startups harness their brand power to speak to customers, team members and investors? This panel of founders and investors will explore how “brand” plays into every aspect of the Startup Lifecycle: from protecting your idea, to scaling and raising capital. Hear from Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook of CookNSolo (Zahav), Shark Tank Alum companies Simply Good Jars and Snacklins, quickly growing jerky brand, Righteous Felon, and IP Lawyer, Jessica Watkins. Moderated by Anne Ryan of the Brownstein Group.
11:45-12:30PM
What Makes a Company Investible?
Scale. Grow. Raise Money? How do great companies make the leap from “friends and family rounds” to getting investments from institutional investors. Learn what institutional investors are looking for in a good portfolio company and how you can “sell” your venture to investors. Hear from investors from Red & Blue, Siddhi Capital, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and founders for TrueMade Foods and Goodr. Moderated by Shonterra Jordan, Comcast Counsel.
12:30-1:15PM
Dealing in Disruption
How do you deal with disruption in your industry? Want to stay ahead of the curve? Do you want to be the disruptor? Learn how and when to lead the pack and when to wait to see what unfolds. Hear from TIXR, Religion of Sports, and Q&A. Moderated by Dan Berkowitz.
1:15-2:00PM
Product/Market Fit
Product development is a long and winding road. Your product vision, range of products and market fit will inevitably shift and evolve. Our panel will
explore the pressure points of developing a product that is innovative while
still serving a market need. Hear from Product Directors and founders from Facebook, Crossbeam, InVision, and Guru as well as consultant Opeola Bukola. Moderated by Michelle Lee of Protocol Labs.
2:00-2:45PM
Bootstrapping and Scaling in a Regulated Environment
I want to start a business in a controlled industry, but I don’t want to spend
all my $$$ figuring out the legal hurdles. HOW?! Learn from founders, investors
and startup counsel in regulated industries about how they traverse the
landmines of regulated industries (#healthcare #fintech) without scaring
investors or getting in trouble. Hear from EarlyBird, Sunbit, NeuroFlow, and Strados Labs as well as Cigna Ventures. Moderated by John Devine and Mark Furletti of Ballard Spahr.
2:45-3:30PM
When Should I Raise (again)?
How much runway do you need between raises? That answer varies from company to company but there are certain times when you HAVE to raise and times and when you may choose other ways to float the Company. Strategize with founders and venture capitalists about how to time your raises to ensure you can scale comfortably and don’t dilute yourself and your team beyond market ranges. Hear from the experts from NEA, First Round Capital, FirstMark Capital, Silicon Valley Bank and the founder of Goody. Moderated by Kimberly Klayman of Ballard Spahr.
3:30-4:15PM
Successful Exits
So you think you are ready to sell your unicorn? Well, this is what you are in
for. An M&A transaction is different than your capital raises. Hear
from entrepreneurs who have exited, PE buyers and counsel about what it takes
to sell your business. Hear from the experts from DuPont, Tonka Bay Equity Partners, RBC Capital, and the founder of Crossbeam.
4:15-5:15PM
Celebrity Pitch Competition
Eight impressive start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch in front of our celebrity panel of professional athletes. Who better to judge a competition than our panel that has spent their lives competing at the top levels of their sports. They know pressure better than anyone and, with the support of a partner from NEA, are ready to give our entrepreneurs some real feedback! Judges: Jason Kelce (Professional Football Player), Thaddeus Young (Professional Basketball Player), Julie Foudy (Gold Medalist and Professional Soccer Player) with support from Colin Bryant (NEA Partner).
Check Out Some of Our Other Presenters
11:15-11:35PM
History of the Bass Guitar: From Blues to HipHop
Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus is a musician, facilitator, community advocate & an auditory story-teller. His work is based on helping others find the answers to the questions they pose within themselves by honoring multiple ways of thinking, acknowledging multiple ways of knowing & empowering multiple ways of learning. Bets is the bass guitar playing, songwriting aural story-teller in the nationally acclaimed, all-black rock band ill Fated Natives.
1:00-1:30PM
Cooking Demo with Chef Troy Guard
After opening multiple outposts in Hong Kong and Tokyo before landing in New York, Chef Troy Guard put down roots in Denver, CO. Troy opened his first restaurant, TAG, in 2009 fusing Colorado ingredients with the exotic flavors he enjoyed abroad. 12 years later, TAG serves as the flagship for his now diverse restaurant portfolio. TAG Restaurant Group is currently comprised of 14 restaurants representing eight concepts.
Guard was named one of the “Great Regional Chefs of America” by the James Beard Foundation. In addition to being awarded “Best Chefs America,” Troy Guard and TAG Restaurant Group have also received accolades such as Colorado Restaurant Association’s “Outstanding Professional Award”, 5280’s Top 25 Restaurants in Denver for both TAG and Guard & Grace, 5280 Best Chef Readers’ Choice 2016 and 2017, Eater Best Chef and Restauranteur of the Year and more.
1:35-1:55PM
Songwritter Spotlight: Son Little
Blending elements of acoustic blues, vintage soul, and conscious hip-hop into a mixture that's expressive yet deeply personal, Son Little is the alias of Aaron Livingston, a singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter who divides his time between his own music and collaborations with others. On his first album, 2015's Son Little, the music was a challenging mixture of soul and R&B grooves with a classic bent filtered through a production that mixed the elements like a hip-hop producer would assemble a beat. 2017's New Magic was recorded after Livingston toured the debut album with a live band, and he gave the material a more natural and organic sound. 2020's Aloha represented a middle ground, with Little playing nearly all the instruments but with an aim toward a naturalistic approach.
2:45-3:10PM
Guitar Lesson with Paul Green
Paul Green is a master teacher. He is responsible for changing the way that rock music is taught internationally. His knowledge, artistry, and experience provide his students with an education which far surpasses that of most music teachers. Paul, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is the founder of an international franchised corporation of music schools. He has produced music festivals, hosted a radio show, been the music director for the Woodstock Film Festival, helped in the production of two documentary films, tour managed/managed globally revered musical artists, performed in the national touring band “Gene Ween Does Billy Joel”, and worked with Michael Lang and Steve Vai on the opening of a college-level program.
Check him out as he teaches a couple lucky students!