THE CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR ENTREPRENEURS IN TEXAS
Founders Stories is a monthly series open to all entrepreneurs. From idea to exit or somewhere in the middle, we’ll talk with startup founders about what it takes to start a successful company!
Every month we’ll choose one founder to give their story– which includes their successes, failures and even the grey areas along the way.
This month, we will be featuring Jamie Catanach, Venture Associate at Capital Factory, and Bob Fabbio, CEO of eRelevance Corporation.
Jamie Catanach is a Venture Associate at Capital Factory where he sources companies for the Accelerator and Fund. A self proclaimed networking-nerd, he loves getting out into the community and meeting passionate entrepreneurs solving great challenges. Jamie’s previous experience includes working for an early stage startup, called VisibleThread, and Oracle. Originally from Pennsylvania, he enjoys skiing, camping, and trying different tequila’s.
Bob Fabbio is widely recognized as a visionary and serial entrepreneur. He founded and built multiple industry-leading healthcare and technology companies by identifying large emerging markets; gaining intimate knowledge of market needs; challenging conventional wisdom; and bringing targeted, innovative solutions to those markets.
Bob has functioned as a chief executive officer, board director and venture capitalist for over 30 years, with notable experience launching, funding, growing, advising, and operating innovative and category-creating companies. He has had a transformational impact on the software, systems technology and healthcare industries, resulting in the creation of over $1.5 billion of shareholder value at time of exit.
In recognition of his success building world-class businesses, Bob was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1997, recognized in the 1999 Digital South Magazine list of “Most Influential People In the South’s New Economy,” and in 2002 was named to the Forbes Midas List of the “Top 100 Technology Venture Investors (technology’s top 100 deal makers).” In 2013, he was inducted into the Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation Hall of Fame.
In 2006, Bob launched WhiteGlove Health, where he uniquely applied his technology background to address the many challenges found in the healthcare industry. Prior to WhiteGlove Health, Bob spent nearly six years in the venture capital industry with Austin Ventures and TL Ventures.
AGENDA
4:00 PM – Tour of Capital Factory
4:30 PM – Introduction
5:00 PM – Questions & Networking
ACCELERATOR
To apply for our next Accelerator, submit an application on AngelList!
INTERESTED IN A GENERAL CAPITAL FACTORY OVERVIEW?
This info session won’t be for you. Check out one of our monthly AMA events or reach out to our Sales & Community Manager, Melissa Schwartz, at MelissaSchwartz@capitalfactory.com to learn more about getting a membership.
Come talk about your startup, ideas, challenges, experiences, etc. Get feedback and advice from experienced entrepreneurs. Also, every month we invite an Austin startup to share their experience from their startup journey.
Founders Stories is a monthly series open to all entrepreneurs. From idea to exit or somewhere in the middle, we’ll talk with startup founders about what it takes to start a successful company.
Every month we’ll choose one founder to give their story— which includes their successes, failures and even the grey areas along the way.
This month, you’ll hear from Merrilee Kick founder and CEO of Buzzballz!
SPEAKER
Merrilee Kick is the CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion— the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery in the United States, located in Carrollton, Texas. BuzzBallz/Southern Champion makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin and bourbon. These are sold in 42 states and 7 countries in convenience stores, liquor stores, casinos, arenas and airlines. She is a winner of the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY’s Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women’s Award 2017 and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University.
AGENDA
6:00pm – Networking
6:30pm – Introduction
7:00pm – Questions & Networking
Welcome to Co-Founder Wanted Austin Meetup group by the tech^map!
If you are looking for Co-Founders or want to join an early-stage startup, this is the group for you. Since 2010, we are organizing pitch events for co-founders to network and those who want to work for a pre VC stage startup, or are looking to invest in one.
Everyone is welcome to our group! Software developers, UX designers, hardware architects, executives, and students looking for a more exciting and challenging opportunity, as well as angel investors and VCs looking for the next BIG thing in Austin. Come on in, join us!
Our meetups are always a great opportunity to meet engineering and creative talent from Austin, TX, to find out what is happening in the startup universe in Silicon Hills, and potentially to find your next partner or startup to join.
To list your company, post jobs, connect with others or find events going on signup to www.thetechmap.com. It is FREE!
Startup Grind is an event series and website designed to help educate, inspire, and connect local entrepreneurs. Each month we welcome a speaker who shares their story with our community and tells us what worked, what didn’t, and what they’ll do differently next time.
It’s an opportunity to learn from the best, network with other members of the startup community, and improve your chances of entrepreneurial success. For more information visit www.StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
iLEAP is bringing together the power of Dell Technologies’ Women in Action Group (WIA), the Business and Talent Acquisition to coach women on advocacy and self-promotion. We are inviting YOU, to join us for an exciting afternoon, where you will be empowered to further promote yourself and continue building your network of advocates. #iLEAP2019
Hosted in 25 cities across 5 continents, and culminating in a final competition and 3-day immersive educational boot camp in Silicon Valley, SoGal Foundation is excited to host the largest global startup pitch opportunity for women and diverse entrepreneurs worldwide. At each regional competition, startups will be judged by an all-star panel of investors who are committed to investing in early-stage startups. Pitch applications accepted on a rolling basis until August 1; apply now!
Finalists selected from each regional round will win a slot in our final global competition for guaranteed face-time with top venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, curated educational programming, unparalleled 1:1 mentorship, press exposure, and a chance to win investment capital. Over half a million (and counting) investment dollars have already been allocated to the final competition from our friends at SoGal Ventures and Draper U.
Founders Live is an unforgettable happy hour competition sweeping the country where up to five handpicked companies take the hot seat, with only 99 seconds to pitch their company and describe their value proposition in front of an eager audience. After the pitches and audience Q&A, the crowd will vote on a winner who will not only receive an award, but recognition from the crowd and also the opportunity to talk more about their product or service.
Bring your friends and coworkers, grab some food and drink, get to know your local entrepreneurs, and vote for what you think will be the next big thing… built in Austin.
GET YOUR FREE FOUNDERS LIVE ACCOUNT HERE.
Agenda:
6:30pm: Drinks, food, and networking
7:00pm: Pitches start
8:00pm: Networking
Improve your business acumen by taking the first-ever education program specifically designed for tomorrow’s business-minded technology leaders. The TBM Executive Foundation Course provides senior IT leaders and finance managers the essential knowledge that drives business transformation within IT by running a successful Technology Business Management (TBM) program. After taking the course, you will have the opportunity to get certified by the TBM Council, giving you the ability to further demonstrate your business savvy.
– The fundamentals of TBM, how it drives significant optimization and more effective management practices
– The essential tools of TBM, including the framework, taxonomy, model, and metrics
– How to build a TBM program in your organization, including essential roles, responsibilities and skillsets
– The four value conversations of TBM and their associated management metrics
– How to drive continuous improvement with TBM
– How to apply the tools and disciplines of TBM beyond IT, into business value chains
Celebrate the grand opening of The Cannon with Capital Factory’s Epic Office Hours! Epic Office Hours is a series of lighting speed mentoring sessions with serial entrepreneurs, corporate executives and investors. Attendees will receive a curated schedule of meetings based on various factors including stage and industry. This is an opportunity to connect with your local entrepreneurial community and receive valuable feedback on your venture.
Past mentors that have participated: Marc Nathan, Russell Hinds, Andrea Kalmans, April Beasley, Gordon Daugherty, Nick Kennedy, and more!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
-Capital Factory’s Mentor team will approve or deny your application within a few days of submission
-For those accepted, you will receive a curated schedule with whom you will be meeting a week before the event
-Please come prepared with questions and objectives for each of your meetings
HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15 MINUTES?
Don’t spend more than 5 minutes introducing yourself and explaining your business
Give concise answers to the Mentor’s questions
If you’re doing all the talking, you’re not learning anything
No Appointment Necessary
Stop by for a tour any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 4pm. We're located at 7th and Brazos in the middle of downtown Austin. Get Directions
