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In this such a detailed explanation in relation to 2014 rice alliance energy and clean technology venture forum participating speakers.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Louis Albanese
Investment Manager
Louis Albanese is an investment manager at
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco. SAEV is responsible for identifying
technology investments of strategic
importance in the areas of upstream oil and
gas, downstream oil and gas and value-
added products, renewable energy, energy
efficiency and water. Before joining SAEV,
Louis was in charge of operations and
finance at Exec Inc., an on-demand services
start-up based out of San Francisco.
Previously, he worked in corporate
development and strategy at First Solar,
where he was responsible for strategic
acquisitions and internal consulting projects
for the solar panel manufacturer. He
started his career in industrials investment
banking at Merrill Lynch based out of New
York and Hong Kong. He graduated cum
laude from Claremont McKenna College
with a B.A. in Financial Economics.
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures US
aramcoventures.com
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures is the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil
company. We seek to invest in great
entrepreneurs commercializing
breakthrough technologies which are
applicable in Saudi Aramco’s operations.
Our investments are focused in the
following industry sectors: upstream oil
& gas; downstream oil & gas and value-
added products; renewable energy;
energy efficiency and water. Via our
global investment teams in Dhahran, the
USA, and Europe, we invest worldwide in
companies from seed stage to growth
venture capital. Our target investment
size ranges from $1-$30 million per
company, depending on the stage of
development, scale of the opportunity,
strategic relevance, and capital intensity.
Kemal Anbarci
Vice President & Managing Executive
Kemal Anbarci is the vice president and
managing executive for Chevron
Technology Ventures. He is responsible for
oversight of all venture capital activities in
Chevron and using venture capital as a
conduit to integrate new technology
solutions into company operations. During
his more than 22 years with Chevron, Kemal
has held a variety of upstream
responsibilities in field development,
reservoir engineering, corporate and
strategic planning, non-operated joint
venture management, business
development and technology management.
He earned a master’s degree in operations
research and holds a doctorate and
master’s in petroleum and natural gas
engineering from Pennsylvania State
University. He also holds an MBA from the
University of California, Irvine, and a
bachelor’s in petroleum engineering from
Middle East Technical University, Ankara,
Turkey.
Chevron Technology Ventures
chevron.com/ctv
Chevron Venture Capital identifies
companies working on advances that
could strengthen our core operations or
lead to new growth opportunities. While
we strive to be among the first to take
advantage of important innovations, we
also look for superior financial returns.
We can invest in a company at any phase
in the development cycle – from
providing early-stage seed investment to
offering capital for full-scale
commercialization.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Ross Baird
Executive Director
Ross Baird developed the Village Capital
concept in 2009, and has led the
development of programs worldwide.
Before launching Village Capital, he worked
with First Light Ventures, a seed fund
focused on impact investments. Prior to
First Light, Ross worked on the
development of four education-related
start-up ventures: the Indian School Finance
Company in Hyderabad, India, the National
College Advising Corps in Chapel Hill, North
Carolina, and two ventures using
technology to promote civic participation.
He has a MPhil from the University of
Oxford, where he was a Marshall Scholar,
and a BA from the University of Virginia,
where he was a Truman Scholar and a
Jefferson Scholar.
Village Capital
vilcap.com
Village Capital uses the power of peer
support to build investment ready
companies that can change the world.
Through our unique peer-driven business
acceleration program--in which
entrepreneurs themselves decide which
innovations receive funding--we have
served over 300 ventures worldwide,
building disruptive solutions in energy,
environmental sustainability, agriculture,
health, financial services, and education.
To date, Village Capital has launched 22
programs with partners, invested over $2
million in 32 enterprises, and leveraged
$40 million in follow on capital post-
program. The ventures Village Capital
has supported have created 5,000 jobs
and served 4 million customers around
the world.
Russ Capper
Co-Founder
Russ Capper has led multiple companies
from concept formation to execution,
expansion and exit. After a 12-year stint
with IBM in the ’80s and equity stakes and
leadership positions at Techtron Inc. and
Document Services Inc., both of which he
sold, Russ founded eRealty.com, which
became the country’s first online brokerage
displaying full MLS data online. Prudential
acquired eRealty in 2004. In 2005, Russ
launched The BusinessMakers, a radio show
and web-based magazine that showcases
entrepreneurs, and in 2011 he also
launched The EnergyMakers Show.
The BusinessMakers Radio Show
thebusinessmakers.com
Founded on June 6, 2005, The
BusinessMakers radio show and web site
feature the very personal business
stories of entrepreneurs, from early
stage start-ups, to billionaire
octogenarians and all the way to big
company intrapreneurs. Their stories are
incredible, amazing and inspiring. Show
hosts Russ Capper and John Beddow,
along with Kelsey Ruger, Erica O’Grady,
Katie Laird and Kenn Stearns, interview
guests who discuss the challenges, the
obstacles, and the thrill of starting and
growing a business. If you would like
more information on The
BusinessMakers, want to nominate a
guest or make comments, you can reach
us at thebusinessmakers.com
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Dan Carter
Investment Director
Daniel Carter is Investment Director at
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, serving
Saudi Aramco’s corporate venturing
activities. He has financed energy
companies --venture and mature-- since the
1990's with a proven track record of exits
and IPOs. Previously, Daniel was Principal at
Conduit Ventures and prior to that Vice
President at Salomon Smith
Barney/Citigroup. Daniel is on the Investor
Advisory Board of DOE’s National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a
Council Member of NASA & Nike’s
Launch.org and Board member of London
Business School Energy Club and holds
degrees from Columbia University, London
Business School, Georgetown University
and University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures US
aramcoventures.com
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures is the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil
company. We seek to invest in great
entrepreneurs commercializing
breakthrough technologies which are
applicable in Saudi Aramco’s operations.
Our investments are focused in the
following industry sectors: upstream oil
& gas; downstream oil & gas and value-
added products; renewable energy;
energy efficiency and water. Via our
global investment teams in Dhahran, the
USA, and Europe, we invest worldwide in
companies from seed stage to growth
venture capital. Our target investment
size ranges from $1-$30 million per
company, depending on the stage of
development, scale of the opportunity,
strategic relevance, and capital intensity.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Kirk Coburn
Founder & Managing Director
Kirk Coburn is an entrepreneur and active
investor who founded three successful
companies before starting SURGE, the
world's leading energy seed fund and
mentor-driven accelerator. Under Kirk’s
leadership and direction, SURGE has
recruited over 150 industry leaders,
scientists, investors, policymakers,
customers, and entrepreneurs. SURGE has
raised three funds and invested in 34
energy technology companies in its first
three years. Since inception, SURGE Alumni
have raised more than $30 million in
funding and landed critical pilots and
customers with many of the largest energy
companies. Coburn is also personally the
most active, early-stage energy investor.
Prior to leading SURGE, Coburn created and
was CEO of Chief Outsiders (acq. 2010), a
Houston-based company with offices in
Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York.
Additionally, Coburn launched The PGA
TOUR Network on Sirius XM (acq. by SIRI)
and founded Pure Golf, a leading provider
of golf, tennis, and outdoor programming to
the satellite radio industry. Coburn
received his MBA and BBA in finance and
accounting from the University of Texas at
Austin. Outside of work, Coburn serves as
an ambassador to the Texas Children's
Hospital and is a supporter of the Rice
Alliance. Coburn is an ultra-endurance
runner (whom has completed the Leadville
Trail 100), open-water swimmer, active
standup paddle boarder in both Galveston
and Nantucket, competitive golfer, and
seventh-generation Texan. He spends his
free time indulging in these activities with
his wife and children.
SURGE Accelerator
surgeaccelerator.com
SURGE Accelerator is the leading seed
fund and mentor-driven accelerator that
identifies, invests in, and enables
entrepreneurs who are solving the
world's energy problems using
technology. SURGE now ranks amongst
the top 10 accelerators in the United
States. SURGE participants have raised
$30M in funding, landed more than 75
enterprise customers, and created more
than 200 jobs. Based in Houston, Texas,
"The Energy Capital of the World,"
SURGE hosts an intensive 4-month boot
camp to identify leaders, validate
business models, raise capital, and
connect its companies to the global
energy ecosystems. SURGE has recruited
more than 150 of the world's top
scientists, engineers, executives,
entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and
angel investors in the energy industry to
serve as mentors. For more information,
visit surgeaccelerator.com and follow
SURGE on Twitter, Like us on Facebook,
and follow us on LinkedIn. Media
Contact: 832.214.0959 ext. 212,
[email protected]
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
George Coyle
Manager, Investments
George Coyle leads ConocoPhillips
Technology Ventures’ venture capital and
Energy Technology Ventures JV investing
activities. He is focused on accelerating the
commercialization of technologies that
improve the performance of ConocoPhillips.
George is a director or observer on the
boards of Blue Spark Energy, Ciris Energy,
Foro Energy, Lance Energy Services, Oxane
Materials, Skyonic, Ziebel, and Zilift. Other
portfolio companies include BiSN, drillMap,
Lux Assure, Modumetal and Saltworks
Technologies. He has over 25 years of
experience in E&P and technology
commercialization, including being
President and CEO of a venture capital-
backed company developing and
manufacturing composite pipe for the
offshore and deepwater O&G markets.
George worked 19 years with Chevron,
starting as a geophysicist and holding
positions of increasing responsibility in
business and strategic planning,
information technology, asset
management, new ventures and corporate
venture capital. George has a BS in Earth
Sciences from the University of New
Orleans, an MS in Geology (Geophysics
option) from the University of Kansas and
an MBA from Tulane University.
ConocoPhillips Technology Ventures
conocophillips.com
ConocoPhillips Technology Ventures is
the corporate venture capital arm of
ConocoPhillips; the world’s largest
independent Exploration & Production
company based on production and
proved reserves. Our objective is to find
and help commercialize the most
impactful energy technologies being
developed by entrepreneurs that can
improve the performance and
sustainability of the company’s global
operations. ConocoPhillips Technology
Ventures is comprised of three teams
working together to achieve this
objective: the Investments team makes
venture capital investments in top-tier
start-ups; the Technology Integration &
Commercialization team works with
start-ups to help them secure contracts
with ConocoPhillips; and the Projects and
Engineering team helps start-ups execute
pilot projects with the company’s
operating businesses.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Sean Ebert
Principal
Sean Ebert is a Partner with Altira Group,
LLC, which is focused on upstream oil & gas
technology and advantaged service
company investments. Prior to Altira, Sean
was a Principal in Booz Allen's energy
practice, where he advised energy
companies and private equity firms on a
broad set of 'frontier energy' strategic
issues, including portfolio strategy,
technology, new business model
development and capital investment
decisions. Prior to Booz Allen, he was the
CEO of the energy technology related start-
up company, Foresight. Sean is currently a
member of the Board of Directors for three
Altira portfolio companies – Infrastructure
Networks, Accelergy, and Austin
Geomodeling, and previously was a board
member of Syntex Solutions which was sold
to IHS in 2010 and TransZap which was sold
to Accel-KKR in 2014.
Altira Group
altiragroup.com
Investor of Choice in Oil and Gas
Technologies and Services. • Legacy of
Successful Investing in Oil & Gas
Technology for Two Decades – Six funds,
invested over $1 billion with partners in
over 50 portfolio companies. • Exclusive
Industry Partnerships – Fund investors
include a select group of US super
independent oil and gas companies –
enabling collaboration with our
companies and accelerating their
success. • Industry Insiders, Value-Add
Investor – Deep background in oil and
gas, 60 years of combined experience
building businesses and investing in
energy technology, broad industry
networks. Altira makes $5-30 million
investments in advantaged oil and gas
service & technology companies. Typical
investments are in venture / growth
equity stage companies with revenue,
offering a clear sight to profitability.
Altira prefers to be the lead investor,
taking impactful investment positions to
help management drive company
success. Our investment team's
straightforward, collaborative style
makes Altira a valued partner for
entrepreneurs and portfolio companies
alike. This, together with our industry
partners, domain expertise, global
network of subject matter experts and
connections with major players in the
energy sector adds up to a very different
experience than you'll have with other
venture capital firms. Altira has earned a
reputation for doing more – going
further to do what it takes in order to
successfully grow companies. Once our
rigorous due-diligence requirements
have been satisfied, we're right there
with you, rolling up our sleeves,
leveraging our expertise and resources to
translate your innovative ideas into
reality.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Victor Elgohary
Co-Founder
Victor Elgohary is one of the founding
members of the Texas Halo Fund which
invests alongside strong angel groups and
venture partners from across the country.
The fund focuses on industry sectors in
which our members have deep expertise
and experience. The fund invests in
companies that that in three to seven years
can attain enterprise values between $30
million and $100 million on a minimal
capital investment. In addition to running
the fund, Victor maintains a full CPA and
legal practice representing clients in the
energy, manufacturing, retail, health care,
and service industries. For more than 25
years, he has provided his small-business
and Fortune 500 clients with advice on
various legal matters, financial analysis and
valuation, business process optimization
and corporate strategy development.
Victor holds a bachelor’s degree in
mechanical engineering from Rice
University, an MBA from the University of
Houston, and a law degree from the South
Texas College of Law.
Texas Halo Fund
texashalofund.com
The Texas Halo Fund is a Texas Angel
sidecar fund powered by the Houston
Angel Network. It is interested in early-
stage companies, with principal
operations in Texas. A company must
be organized as a corporation, and must
raise at least $150,000 in committed
capital from Angels from an organized
group, in order to be eligible for
consideration by the Fund. The Fund
seeks deals which will achieve an internal
rate of return for the Fund of 25 per cent
or more, and will provide full liquidity for
the Fund within eight years.
Kraettli Epperson
Managing Director
Kraettli has 20 years of experience leading
information technology companies. He co-
founded and currently serves as CEO of R7
Solutions, which provides software-as-a-
service data analysis and management
solutions for oil and gas E&P,
telecommunications, and rail and pipeline
right-of-way. Houston METRO’s land assets
and rail development are managed in the
company’s GeoIntelis product. Previously,
he co-founded Questia Media, the world’s
largest digital academic library, acquired by
Cengage Learning in 2010. Kraettli has
served on the board of the Houston Angel
Network and is the managing director of
JumpPhase Ventures, which operates the
LaunchOklahoma accelerator in Oklahoma
City. He also co-founded the VentureSpur
accelerator, now based in Dallas. Kraettli is
a graduate of Rice University and created
the university’s first undergraduate
entrepreneurship class as an adjunct
lecturer in 2001.
JumpPhase
jumpphase.com
JumpPhase Ventures is a full-stack
venture development lab that takes a
hands-on approach to product design,
strategy and growth. Whether
transforming an existing business or
starting a new one, JumpPhase provides
strategy, business development, MVP
and full product development, channel
navigation, growth hacking and capital
formation services.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Martha Goodell
Investor
Martha Goodell is a member of Hyde Park
Angels and has a background in new
venture investing, clean-tech innovation,
and management consulting. Hyde Park
Angels is one of the most active angel
investment groups in the Mid-West.
Martha is based in Chicago and is a
specialist in investment and innovation in
energy and the environment. She also has
an M.S. in Energy Analysis and Policy from
the Nelson Institute for Environmental
Studies at the University of Wisconsin and
an M.B.A. in finance from the University of
Illinois.
Hyde Park Angels
hydeparkangels.com
Hyde Park Angels (HPA) is a Chicago-
based angel investor network that makes
seed and early-stage investments in
businesses, primarily in the Midwest, in a
wide variety of industry sectors. These
include technology, health care, business
and financial services, and consumer and
industrial products. HPA’s members
include current and former corporate
executives, entrepreneurs, and venture
capitalists who offer domain expertise,
strategic advice and coaching to HPA’s
portfolio companies. It is affiliated with
the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship
at the University of Chicago Booth School
of Business.
Bill Griesinger
Senior Vice President, Venture Banking
Bill Griesinger has over 23 of years’
diversified Commercial Finance and
Commercial Banking experience, including
15 years in Technology Lending.
Experienced business development and
credit professional currently engaged in a
senior business development role providing
growth capital financing and bank services
to development and growth stage venture
capital backed technology companies.
Technology sectors served include,
software/IT, semiconductor, and energy
services technologies, among others.
Proven business development professional
with strong credit analysis, risk assessment
and underwriting skills across multiple
industries; Loan structuring, restructuring
and portfolio management. Loan Workout
experience including loan restructuring,
Chp. 7 /Chp 11 bankruptcy workouts, and
facilitating liquidations and M&A activity;
Extensive experience negotiating terms of
lender legal agreements.
Square 1 Bank
square1financial.com
Square 1 Bank specializes in providing
financial services to entrepreneurs and
venture capitalists. We help growing
companies and their investors navigate
financial obstacles by providing access to
funds and expertise. Our customized
product offerings and unrivaled team of
banking specialists provide a banking
experience designed exclusively for you.
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we have
experienced what it takes to make a
dream reality.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Laurence Hayward
Investment Partner
Laurence K. Hayward is a partner at
Independence Equity, an early-stage
venture fund that invests in technologies
that promote the efficient use of resources.
The fund launched in 2011 and has invested
in 7 companies to date. Hayward is co-
founder of Cornerstone Angels, a network
of accredited investors that has invested in
40 companies since 2006. He is also
founder/CEO of VentureLab (started 2003),
an organization that helps incubates new
ventures. Previously, he was President of
Vcapital.com, an internet start-up that
matched entrepreneurs with investors,
acquired in 2002. Hayward has been
forming, investing in and advising start-ups
since 1999 following 8 years at Arthur
Andersen in the Emerging Company
Services practice. Hayward volunteers as
Board Member of the Ecomyths Alliance, a
mentor for the Chicagoland Entrepreneur
Center, and regularly supports regional
Universities as speaker, judge and mentor.
He also serves of the Boards and Advisory
Boards of several portfolio companies. He
is a graduate of the Joint MBA/BS program
at the University of Illinois in Champaign
Urbana and hold Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Independence Equity
independence-equity.com
Independence Equity is an early-stage
venture capital fund focused on
technologies that improve resource
efficiency. These include technologies
that reduce input costs such as raw
materials, energy and labor. They
improve yield in production processes or
decrease waste or scrap. The fund’s
interests comprise sectors such as
material science, industrial innovation
(e.g. additive manufacturing), and clean
technologies (“cleantech”). The Fund
invests in early-stage, commercial-ready
technologies. We invest anywhere within
the U.S., but prefer regions that are
currently underserved by venture capital.
We initially invest between $500K and
$1MM with the objective of holding
capital in reserve for follow-on
investments.
Hayden Hill
Member & Investor
Houston Angel Network
houstonangelnetwork.org
The Houston Angel Network (HAN) is the
oldest and most active angel network in
Texas and the 3rd most active in the
USA: Its members have invested more
than $45.8M in 135 deals since its
inception in 2001. In 2013, HAN
members invested $8.7M in 33 deals and
$11M in 51 companies in the first half of
2014. The typical HAN member is an SEC-
accredited investor seriously interested
in providing capital to early stage
companies.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Kelly Hill
Director
Kelly Hill has founded several for-profits
and several non-profits in Austin. Her most
recent projects are Hill Country Angel
Network and a new, private life science
incubator. Her goal is to connect savvy
entrepreneurs with smart Hill Country
investors that are seeking deals in
innovative tech companies as well as
traditional investment opportunities. She
judges for Global Business Plan
Competitions at U.T., Baylor and Rice
University in areas of renewable energy,
clean energy, high tech, life
science/biotech/medical devices, computer
hardware, software, oil and gas, real estate,
gaming, entertainment and consumer
goods. Member of Austin Technology
Council, TeXchange, ACA, Gust, AngelList,
Women of Visionary Influence, Lean Start
Up. She lives in Austin with her daughter
and enjoys bike riding, paddle boarding,
scouting out new food and live music
venues and volunteering at the Animal
Shelter and Lake Hills Church.
Hill Country Angel Network
hillcountryangelnetwork.com
Hill Country Angel Network & Venture
Management Partners and we are
connecting the Hill Country’s smart
money with promising new start-up
companies. We are seeking innovative
fledgling companies with high-growth
potential in the areas of Biotechnology,
Business Products, Clean Energy,
Computers and Peripherals, Consumer
Products, Education, Electronics /
Instrumentation, Fashion, Financial
Services, Food and Beverage, Gaming,
Healthcare Services, Industrial/Energy,
Internet / Web Services, IT Services,
Lifestyle, Marketing / Advertising, Media
and Entertainment, Medical Devices and
Equipment, Mobile, Networking and
Equipment, Retailing / Distribution,
Software, Sports, and Travel.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Mitch Jacobson
Co-Director
2014-08: Mitch has been a leader in
bringing together government, industry,
academia, utility and community interests
to organize and shape a Clean Technology
and Clean Energy Cluster in Central
Texas. He is the Co-Director of the Clean
Energy Incubator at the University of Texas
at Austin. Since 2009 he has served as the
lead advisor to Austin Technology Incubator
(ATI)’s clean energy companies. Mitch
serves as Chairman of the Board of the
CleanTX Foundation our cluster
development organization for clean
technology in Central Texas. He is also the
Regional Director for The Clean Tech Open
South Central Region, Board member for
SXSW Eco, Clean Energy Alliance, The
Environmental Sciences Institute at UT
Austin, Nature Conservatory, The Texas
Renewable Energy Industry Association, The
Austin Young Chamber and the Texas
Foundation of Innovation &
Commercialization. Prior to diving into the
Clean Energy World, Mitch was in the
Computer / IT industry for 25
years. He founded of Eyes of Texas
Partners angel investment group, a network
of angel investors in Texas that invested in
companies developing innovative products
and services in the region. He was the VP of
Sales for Tech Data Corporation and
Director of Sales, European expansion and
ROW expansion for Dell for many
years. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife
Janna, daughters Sheila and Hailey and son
Jarrod.
ATI Clean Energy Incubator
ati.utexas.edu
Founded in 2001, our Clean Energy
Incubator (CEI) is one of the longest-
established energy and clean tech
incubators in the United States. This is
appropriate: our parent institution, the
University of Texas, does more energy
research than any other university in the
world.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
John Egil Johannessen
Investment Manager, Houston
John Johannessen has been with Statoil
Technology Invest since 2007, working with
strategic technologies across the value
chain, focusing primarily on exploration and
reservoir and drilling and well technologies.
In 2013 he relocated from Norway to Texas
to set up Statoil Technology Invest in
Houston. Previously, he held various
positions in Statoil, and he started his
career as a management consultant in
Accenture in 2001. He has a bachelor’s
degree in marketing from the University of
Strathclyde.
Statoil Technology Invest
Statoil is an international energy
company with approx. 23,000 employees
and operations in 36 countries. Building
on 40 years of experience from oil and
gas production on the Norwegian
continental shelf, we are committed to
accommodating the world’s energy
needs in a responsible manner, applying
technology and creating innovative
business solutions. Statoil’s main North
American assets are Deepwater GoM, US
Onshore (Marcellus, Bakken, Eagle Ford),
East Coast Canada and Canadian Oil
Sands.
Akira Kirton
Commercialization Director
Akira Kirton is Commercialisation Director
for BP Ventures. BP Ventures makes
strategic investments in companies with
distinctive technology that aligns with BP
core businesses. Akira brings experience in
global technology and business
development having worked across Europe,
US, and Asia. Akira sits on the board of a
number of companies in the BP Ventures
Portfolio, with a particular focus on the
carbon utilization arena and aligned to BP’s
gas value chain development. Akira holds a
Masters in Chemical Engineering from
Imperial College London and a BSc in Law
with Management from the University of
London International Programme. Akira is
an IChemE Innovation Award Winner 2008,
and a European-US Marshall Fellow.
BP Ventures
With BP’s need to identify, accelerate
the development of and access to new
technologies and new markets, BP
Ventures seeks and finds technology
entrepreneurs who are working at the
frontiers of their fields – across the
entire energy spectrum. With
investments spanning the BP Group in oil
and gas, biotech and bioenergy, energy
efficiency and storage as well as carbon
management, BP Ventures has invested
over $220 million since 2007
collaborating and partnering with more
than 70VC and CVC groups. CASTROL
INNOVENTURES: Castrol InnoVentures,
part of BP’s Castrol lubricants division, is
building new businesses to shape
Castrol’s future beyond lubricants. We
do this through a combination of venture
investments, partnerships and projects.
Our focus is on: smart mobility, next-
generation engineering, intelligent
operations and Responsible Castrol,
which includes hybrid and EVs, waste oil
and industrial waste treatment and bio-
lubricants.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Tim Klitch
Managing Director -- Technology and Life
Sciences –- Texas; Austin Market President
As the Managing Director of the Texas
Region of Comerica Bank’s Technology and
Life Sciences Division, Tim Klitch manages
an experienced group of senior lenders and
support staff serving Central / Southwest
U.S. markets from offices in Austin, Dallas
and Houston. This group originates and
manages credit and depository
relationships with over 200 technology
companies, ranging from early-stage,
venture-backed, pre-revenue start-ups to
late stage public companies with borrowing
needs in excess of $200 million. Lending
activities include working capital,
recapitalizations, leveraged buyout,
equipment financing, and growth capital
financing. The group also handles
corporate retirement plans, securities
investments and ancillary financial services
for its customers. Before joining Comerica
Bank’s predecessor Imperial Bank in 2000,
Tim was the Finance Manager for the Texas
Region and manager of technology training
for Merrill Lynch Business Financial
Services, Inc. His 30 years of industry
experience includes serving as vice
president of commercial real estate
commercial / technology lending for JP
Morgan Chase Bank. A former world-ranked
and distinguished collegiate Division I tennis
player, Tim holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration from
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Comerica
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a
financial services company
headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and
strategically aligned by three business
segments: The Business Bank, The Retail
Bank, and Wealth Management.
Comerica focuses on relationships, and
helping people and businesses be
successful. In addition to Texas,
Comerica Bank locations can be found in
Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan,
with select businesses operating in
several other states, as well as in Canada
and Mexico. Comerica reported total
assets of $65.7 billion at March 31, 2014.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Victor Liu
President, Hunt Energy Enterprises
Victor Liu is president of Hunt Energy
Enterprises where he leads Hunt’s energy
technology venture development and
investment business. Prior to leading HEE,
Liu was a vice president for Hunt Power
where he helped develop Hunt’s InfraREIT
business. Before joining Hunt Power in
2006, Liu was active in high tech venture
capital as a general partner with Vortex
Partners from 2000 to 2005, and Sevin
Rosen Funds from 1999 to 2000. As a
venture capitalist, he was active in internet
infrastructure and wireless investment
decisions that included Cyneta Networks
(acquired by Tektronix), Navarro Networks
(acquired by Cisco Systems), ipMobile
(acquired by Cisco Systems), RealManage
and GlobeRanger. Before his venture capital
career, Liu worked in new product and new
business commercialization as director of
business development for Cyrix Corporation
(acquired by National Semiconductor), and
as a product manager at Texas Instruments
in the digital light processing business. Liu
earned an MBA from Harvard Business
School and a BA from Southern Methodist
University.
Hunt Energy Enterprises
huntenergyenterprises.com
Hunt Energy Enterprises continues the
legacy of Hunt’s entrepreneurship in
energy and recognizes both the
opportunities and challenges of today’s
energy environment. As such, Hunt
Energy Enterprises looks to leverage its
operations and knowledge to invest in
and create new energy companies and
partnerships with entrepreneurs in both
the conventional petroleum business and
cleantech power, as together we build
great energy enterprises.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
MaryAnne Maldonado, B.B.M., M.B.A.
Vice President & Managing Director, Energy
Maryanne Maldonado is Vice President,
Managing Director of HTC Energy, and
Director of Client Services at the Houston
Technology Center (HTC), a Houston based
technology business accelerator and the
largest technology business incubator in
Texas. In this capacity, Mrs. Maldonado
guides the strategic direction and a team of
energy executives and professionals to
provide strategic, tactical, and operational
guidance, as well as investment-related
advice to early stage companies developing
innovative technologies with applications in
the energy industry. She also oversees the
Client Acceleration Team. Under Mrs.
Maldonado’s leadership, HTC Energy has
grown to over 25 energy technology clients,
and she has brought to the organization
nearly half a million dollars in annual
support by integrated energy and service
companies. A native of North Carolina,
Maldonado holds a Masters of Business
Administration and a Bachelor of Science
degree from LeTourneau University in
Longview. Texas. She is married with two
adult children and three beautiful
grandgirls. She enjoys marathon running,
long distance cycling, and looking for the
next big challenge!
Houston Technology Center
houstontech.org
Named by Forbes' as one of "Ten
Technology Incubators Changing the
World," and as one of "Twelve Business
Incubators Changing the World," the
Houston Technology Center is the largest
technology business incubator and
accelerator in Texas, advancing the
commercialization of emerging
technology companies in the greater
Houston area. HTC serves as the nexus of
new ideas, technological innovation, and
entrepreneurship.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Kala Marathi
Kala Marathi is the Executive Director of
Innovation at the C.T. Bauer College of
Business at the University of Houston, as
well as Managing Director of the Cougar
Venture Fund. She is also COO of Terrapin
Stone, an investment firm that focuses on
income producing assets. In her role as
Managing Director of the Houston Angel
Network, Kala has facilitated over $30M in
investments in 85 deals. She has more than
20 years of operating and financial
experience. Kala was formerly with Reliant
Energy where she was a founding member
of the corporate venture group, Reliant
Energy Net Ventures. At Reliant, she led
several smart grid pilots and technology
initiatives, and launched a subsidiary called
Texas Star Energy. She also has extensive
experience in strategy and corporate
finance with such firms as the Continental
Airlines and Chase. Kala is a Director in the
Texas Lyceum. She has also served on the
Board of Directors of Texchange and the
National Association of Women MBAs
(Houston Chapter), as well as on the
Advisory Board of the National Angel
Education Foundation. Kala has B.A. in
Japanese and Economics from Wellesley
College, and an MBA from the Amos Tuck
School of Business at Dartmouth College.
UH Cougar Venture Fund
bauer.uh.edu/cvf
The Cougar Venture Fund is the early
stage venture capital fund of the
University of Houston’s Bauer College of
Business. Through this fund, students
enrolled on Bauer’s Venture Capital
Investment course gain knowledge and
experience in how to analyze and invest
in early stage technology companies.
During this process, the students work
with an advisory board of entrepreneurs,
angel investors, and venture capitalists.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Chuck McCoy
Founder & Executive Director
Chuck began 25 years in the software
business in Arthur Andersen’s Tulsa office in
1978. Between 1992 and 2006 Chuck has
worked as an independent product
developer for large companies such as
AT&T, E-Systems, and MCI. His accounting
background, combined with years of face-
to-face selling, resulted in being engaged to
help grow businesses by M&A transactions
or rolling-out new products. The end of his
technical career marked the beginning of
his focus on new venture development.
Chuck spent a year as Director of
Commercialization Programs at the North
Texas RCIC. In 2008, he founded the North
Texas Angel Network (NTAN) which is
comprised of a group of 60 disciplined
entrepreneurs investing in mostly Texas
deals. Chuck holds a BBA from Oklahoma
City University, an MS (Economics) from
Oklahoma State University, and is a veteran
of the US Army (A Battery, 6th Battalion,
33rd Field Artillery, 1968).
North Texas Angel Network
northtexasangels.org
The North Texas Angel Network is a
member-led group of disciplined
entrepreneurs. The members are
entrepreneurs or other business leaders
who have made good money by taking
smart risks. Membership is by invitation
to accredited investors. Individual
members make individual decisions
about which entrepreneurs to trust with
their hard earned dollars. We seek very
high potential and may accept very high
risk. We help build good companies, one
at a time. The goal of these investments
is a cash exit that delivers wealth to the
entrepreneur and appropriate returns to
the early investors. Our opportunity
evaluation process is formal, transparent
and rigorous.
Ed Mello
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Ed has thirty years of leadership and
executive experience in successful start-
ups, major corporations and venture
investing. Prior to co-founding Cypress
Growth Capital in 2010, he served as Chief
Operating Officer and Managing Partner of
CSC Consulting, a $700M, 3000-employee
division of Computer Sciences Corporation
(CSC). Ed was also an early employee and
senior executive of Viant, a pioneering
Internet services company that had a
successful IPO. Ed was also President of
nGenera (now Moxie Software), an Austin-
based, venture-backed software and
services company. Ed began his business
career at EDS after serving as an officer in
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is a
graduate of the University of Notre Dame
and is an active member of the Irish Angels,
Notre Dame's angel investing and
entrepreneur mentoring organization.
Cypress Growth Capital
cypressgrowthcapital.com
Cypress Growth Capital, LLC is an
investment firm providing growth capital
to emerging and expansion stage
companies in the Southwest United
States. Our firm makes investments using
an innovative royalty-based financing
approach pioneered by our Senior
Advisor, Arthur Fox. Royalty-based
growth capital provides entrepreneurs
and business owners with an attractive
alternative to traditional equity and debt
instruments. Our firm invests primarily
in technology-enabled business services,
software and information-based
companies. We are one of the first and
largest royalty based growth capital firms
in the country.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Henk Mooiweer
GameChanger
Henk has 24 years of Shell experience, with
a robust R&D and innovation background
and strong commercial skills in business
development and strategy of alternative
energy businesses. He successfully
managed the development of multiple
complex business opportunities and many,
often unconventional, external
partnerships. Henk thrives in a hectic
environment where passionate people,
unusual ideas, innovation challenges and
uncertainty benefit from creative and
pragmatic approaches.
Shell GameChanger
shell.com
Shell GameChanger connects with any
innovator and creative community to
identify and nurture unproven ideas that
have the potential to drastically impact
the future of energy. The programme
was founded in 1996 and has been
designed to prove the technical and
commercial viability of an idea quickly
and affordably. To date, GameChanger
has worked with over 1500 innovators
and turned more than 100 ideas into
reality. We seek unproven ideas that
have the potential to drastically impact
the future of energy. We listen to any
innovator, especially if they have ideas
that are unproven and unusual. We
cooperate with innovators to prove the
viability of their ideas quickly and
affordable. Our team of professionals
are ready to listen to your unproven and
unusual ideas. We review proposals and
make a decision within days. If your
proposal meets our criteria, we will
contact you straight away to discuss
working together for success.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Jim Pendleton
President & Chairman
Jim Pendleton has been an entrepreneur
for most of his life and knows starting a
business takes “long hard work and hours
with limited capital.” He believes
entrepreneurs are the “backbone of our
nation,” so he and a small group of local
business owners have joined forces to help
others. Pendleton is president and
chairman of the Tyler Texas Angel Network,
a group of seasoned entrepreneurs looking
to invest in start-up companies that are
struggling for funding. Pendleton, 73, has
owned a natural gas equipment company
for 40 years, following in the
entrepreneurial footsteps of his father, an
electrical contractor. He grew up in Dallas
and studied engineering at Southern
Methodist University before moving to
Tyler about 30 years ago. Pendleton said he
has done four or five start-up companies,
and they are an “absolute nightmare
struggle.” Now after decades of owning a
business, he wants to help others starting a
company.
Tyler Texas Angel Network
tylertexasangelnetwork.com
Tyler Texas Angel Network (TTAN) is a
group of accredited investors, based in
the Tyler, Texas area, that are looking for
early stage companies with great
products and bright futures. We are
interested in companies with innovative
products or businesses with a potential
for rapid growth within a sizable market.
We are looking for companies that need
to expand to the next level and need
investors to help grow your company
and achieve the success you deserve. In
general we do not invest in real estate,
oil and gas or restaurant deals. The
company should have a credible growth
pathway to an eventual exit for the
investors, such as IPO or acquisition. Our
group includes successful entrepreneurs
and business professionals who love to
invest in innovative products, as well as
offer their considerable experience and
expertise in growing companies.
Alex Rozenfeld
Venture Principal
Alex Rozenfeld is a venture principal at Shell
Technology Ventures LLC and was one of
the founding team members. He is
responsible for Shell Technology Ventures’
investments globally in several of Shell’s key
focus areas, developing technology
companies that create strategic value and
significant leverage for Shell’s energy
assets. Alex has worked extensively
internationally for Shell, including in The
Netherlands and Russia. Highlights include
GameChanger (Shell’s “angel capital”
group) and business development of gas
monetization technologies. Prior to Shell,
Alex worked with several energy VCs, and
managed power business development at
Texaco. He is an active member of the
Houston Angels Network, Rice Alliance for
Technology and Entrepreneurship and HTC.
Alex received his bachelor’s from Princeton
University. Alex also has an MBA from the
MIT Sloan School.
Shell Technology Ventures
shell.com
Shell Technology Ventures (STV) is the
corporate venturing arm of Shell. STV is
focused on accelerating deployment of
new technologies for Shell by acting both
as an investor and development partner
in technology companies that are
developing promising technologies in the
field of oil & gas and renewable energy.
STV invests start-up or growth capital in
specific technologies that support and
improve Shell’s global operations. Over
the next six to eight years, STV plans to
invest several hundred million dollars in
promising technology solutions that have
a strategic fit with technology demands
in our businesses.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Art Schroeder
President
Art Schroeder is CEO of Energy Valley Inc.
providing money, marketing and
management to advance energy-related
technologies. Art has more than 30 years’
experience in operations, engineering,
construction, corporate strategy and crisis
management, and technology development
and commercialization. During the last 15
years Energy Valley has executed on more
than 100 projects ranging in size from
$250k - $5M+ and assisted clients ranging
from global integrated oil companies to
numerous small start-ups. Art sits on a
number of corporate, professional, and civic
boards and has published and / or
presented over 100 technical papers. Art
graduated from Georgia Tech with
bachelor’s and master’s in chemical
engineering and from the University of
Houston with an MBA.
Energy Valley, Inc.
energyvalley.net
Our primary business is to identify and
develop market opportunities within the
upstream energy segment and
commercialize / grow technologies by
providing: Strategic advice and business
planning / management support; Market
analysis and entry strategies & techno-
economic evaluations; Assistance with
commercialization strategies, alliances,
partnerships and acquisitions; and
Project management. Our core
competencies include: Techno-economic
evaluations of new technical concepts
and adaptation of existing technologies
for re-deployment to oil & gas sector;
Project management; and Systems
engineering and analysis with emphasis
on sub-sea processing and integrity
management and system reliability.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Chris Scotti
Operations
Chris Scotti runs the day to day operations
of the Aggie Angel Network. His duties
include screening and coaching companies
prior to pitching to the Network’s investor
members. Chris has a history as both an
elected official and entrepreneur, who is
dedicated to helping coach companies and
foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in
Aggieland. Chris came to College Station to
attend Texas A&M University but ended up
starting a business and making the area his
permanent home. He founded in 1995, and
ultimately sold in 2006, the IT services
company, AgniTEK, which won 3 Newman
10 and an Aggie 100 Award for fast growth.
He then devoted his business skills & spirit
of entrepreneurship to help the Center for
New Ventures & Entrepreneurship launch
Aggies in Business. AiB is a student run &
led business consulting & property
management company associated with the
Mays Business School at Texas A&M that
teaches students how to start and run a
company through hands on practice. He
was elected to the College Station City
Council in 2005 for a 3 year term and
remains active in politics. Chris is married
to Hayley, a local Realtor, and they have a 5
year old son, Thomas.
Aggie Angel Network
aggieangelnetwork.com
The Aggie Angel Network (AAN) is a not-
for-profit corporation dedicated to
providing quality early-stage investment
opportunities for accredited angel
investors, and to assisting early-stage
high-growth potential technology
companies with fundraising and advisory
services. We are a network of accredited
investors who invest directly into
promising entrepreneurial businesses in
return for stock in the companies. The
Center for Venture Research estimates
that U.S. angel investors invested $19
billion in 55,000 deals (about 35,000
small businesses) in 2008. The Aggie
Angel Network is actively seeking to
invest in great startup companies. In
addition to money, the AAN brings
connections, market knowledge,
mentoring and operational excellence to
early-stage entrepreneurs with
disruptive technologies. Let us help you
to turn your vision into reality.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Jim Sledzik
Senior Partner and President
Jim Sledzik, senior partner and president of
the U.S. office of Energy Ventures, has more
than 25 years of experience in the
worldwide oil and gas industry. Sledzik
currently serves on the board of directors of
six portfolio companies: HICOR, OsComp
Systems, Oxane Materials, Wireless Seismic,
Ingrain and Acoustic Zoom, and has
previously served on the boards of Stingray,
Arkex and ffA. Prior to his current position
with Energy Ventures, Sledzik served as the
Global Marketing & New Technology
Director and Vice President of Multiclient
Services for WesternGeco and as a Global
Account Director for Schlumberger. He
holds an MBA in International Business,
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of
Business, University of Pittsburgh and a
B.Sc. in Geosciences, Pennsylvania State
University.
Energy Ventures
energyventures.no
Energy Ventures is an independent
private equity dedicated to innovative
upstream oil and gas technologies. From
initial investment to exit, we partner
with our portfolio companies to ensure
the most effective use of capital and
talent. Our method is proven by our
record: since inception in 2002 we’ve
seen more than 4,000 deals, made thirty-
seven investments and successfully
exited fifteen companies. Energy
Ventures’ fund managers, partners and
advisors come from oil and gas
backgrounds, giving them a true
understanding of the industry and its
technology needs. Headquartered in
Stavanger, with offices in Houston and
Aberdeen, in addition to a global
operating partner base, Energy Ventures
is located where the energy industry and
technology innovations thrive.
Cory Steffek
Corporate Venture Capital
Cory Steffek is the managing director of
North American Venture Capital at Saudi
Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco. He is responsible for identifying
technology investments of strategic
importance in the areas of upstream oil and
gas, downstream oil and gas and value-
added products, renewable energy, energy
efficiency and water. Before joining SAEV,
Cory was in corporate development and
strategy at First Solar, where he was
responsible for strategic investments and
acquisitions with emphasis on new
technologies and products. Prior to First
Solar, Cory was at the Altira Group, an
energy-focused venture capital firm, where
he led investments in a broad range of
energy technology companies. He holds a
doctorate in materials chemistry from the
University of Michigan and an MBA from
The Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University.
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures US
aramcoventures.com
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures is the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil
company. We seek to invest in great
entrepreneurs commercializing
breakthrough technologies which are
applicable in Saudi Aramco’s operations.
Our investments are focused in the
following industry sectors: upstream oil
& gas; downstream oil & gas and value-
added products; renewable energy;
energy efficiency and water. Via our
global investment teams in Dhahran, the
USA, and Europe, we invest worldwide in
companies from seed stage to growth
venture capital. Our target investment
size ranges from $1-$30 million per
company, depending on the stage of
development, scale of the opportunity,
strategic relevance, and capital intensity.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Rebecca Taylor
Venture Principal
Rebecca Taylor is a venture principal with
Shell Technology Ventures (STV), the
corporate venture capital arm of Royal
Dutch Shell. Her role at STV includes
identifying, vetting, selecting and mentoring
startups selected for investment. Rebecca
has been a founder, advisor and investor in
startups for 25 years and has advised the
U.S. Department of State on
entrepreneurship.
Shell Technology Ventures
www.shell.com
Shell Technology Ventures (STV) is the
corporate venturing arm of Shell. STV is
focused on accelerating deployment of
new technologies for Shell by acting both
as an investor and development partner
in technology companies that are
developing promising technologies in the
field of oil & gas and renewable energy.
STV invests start-up or growth capital in
specific technologies that support and
improve Shell’s global operations. Over
the next six to eight years, STV plans to
invest several hundred million dollars in
promising technology solutions that have
a strategic fit with technology demands
in our businesses.
Dan Watkins, PhD
Managing Director
Dan Watkins is the co-founder and
Managing Director of Mercury Fund, a
venture capital firm investing in seed and
early-stage Software and Physical/Life
Science startups. He has served in a number
of operational roles in both Physical and
Life Science startups including GlycosBio
(industrial biotechnology), Illumitex
(specialty LEDs) and Deep Imaging (novel
geological imaging for subsurface fluids).
Dan received his B.S. from Rice University
and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie
Mellon University, all in Materials Science.
Dan serves on the advisory boards of
Northwestern University’s Innovation and
New Ventures Office (INVO), the University
of Michigan’s Venture Center Council and
BioHouston. Dan is also the co-founder of
the Rice Alliance for Technology and
Entrepreneurship.
Mercury Fund
mercuryfund.com
Mercury Fund is a seed-stage venture
capital firm that makes equity
investments in compelling and novel
software and science-based startup
opportunities. Mercury partners with
extraordinary entrepreneurs to build
globally competitive businesses, focusing
on technology innovation originating in
the U.S. Midcontinent. Our firm has a
particular interest in startups associated
with seed accelerators, incubators and
universities. We frequently invest prior
to the formation of a business plan or
complete management team. Since
inception in 2005, Mercury Fund has
become one of the most active seed-
stage venture firms in the Midcontinent,
becoming a “go-to” fund for
entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of
idea generation, company formation,
and market execution.
doc_171318742.pdf
In this such a detailed explanation in relation to 2014 rice alliance energy and clean technology venture forum participating speakers.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Louis Albanese
Investment Manager
Louis Albanese is an investment manager at
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco. SAEV is responsible for identifying
technology investments of strategic
importance in the areas of upstream oil and
gas, downstream oil and gas and value-
added products, renewable energy, energy
efficiency and water. Before joining SAEV,
Louis was in charge of operations and
finance at Exec Inc., an on-demand services
start-up based out of San Francisco.
Previously, he worked in corporate
development and strategy at First Solar,
where he was responsible for strategic
acquisitions and internal consulting projects
for the solar panel manufacturer. He
started his career in industrials investment
banking at Merrill Lynch based out of New
York and Hong Kong. He graduated cum
laude from Claremont McKenna College
with a B.A. in Financial Economics.
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures US
aramcoventures.com
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures is the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil
company. We seek to invest in great
entrepreneurs commercializing
breakthrough technologies which are
applicable in Saudi Aramco’s operations.
Our investments are focused in the
following industry sectors: upstream oil
& gas; downstream oil & gas and value-
added products; renewable energy;
energy efficiency and water. Via our
global investment teams in Dhahran, the
USA, and Europe, we invest worldwide in
companies from seed stage to growth
venture capital. Our target investment
size ranges from $1-$30 million per
company, depending on the stage of
development, scale of the opportunity,
strategic relevance, and capital intensity.
Kemal Anbarci
Vice President & Managing Executive
Kemal Anbarci is the vice president and
managing executive for Chevron
Technology Ventures. He is responsible for
oversight of all venture capital activities in
Chevron and using venture capital as a
conduit to integrate new technology
solutions into company operations. During
his more than 22 years with Chevron, Kemal
has held a variety of upstream
responsibilities in field development,
reservoir engineering, corporate and
strategic planning, non-operated joint
venture management, business
development and technology management.
He earned a master’s degree in operations
research and holds a doctorate and
master’s in petroleum and natural gas
engineering from Pennsylvania State
University. He also holds an MBA from the
University of California, Irvine, and a
bachelor’s in petroleum engineering from
Middle East Technical University, Ankara,
Turkey.
Chevron Technology Ventures
chevron.com/ctv
Chevron Venture Capital identifies
companies working on advances that
could strengthen our core operations or
lead to new growth opportunities. While
we strive to be among the first to take
advantage of important innovations, we
also look for superior financial returns.
We can invest in a company at any phase
in the development cycle – from
providing early-stage seed investment to
offering capital for full-scale
commercialization.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Ross Baird
Executive Director
Ross Baird developed the Village Capital
concept in 2009, and has led the
development of programs worldwide.
Before launching Village Capital, he worked
with First Light Ventures, a seed fund
focused on impact investments. Prior to
First Light, Ross worked on the
development of four education-related
start-up ventures: the Indian School Finance
Company in Hyderabad, India, the National
College Advising Corps in Chapel Hill, North
Carolina, and two ventures using
technology to promote civic participation.
He has a MPhil from the University of
Oxford, where he was a Marshall Scholar,
and a BA from the University of Virginia,
where he was a Truman Scholar and a
Jefferson Scholar.
Village Capital
vilcap.com
Village Capital uses the power of peer
support to build investment ready
companies that can change the world.
Through our unique peer-driven business
acceleration program--in which
entrepreneurs themselves decide which
innovations receive funding--we have
served over 300 ventures worldwide,
building disruptive solutions in energy,
environmental sustainability, agriculture,
health, financial services, and education.
To date, Village Capital has launched 22
programs with partners, invested over $2
million in 32 enterprises, and leveraged
$40 million in follow on capital post-
program. The ventures Village Capital
has supported have created 5,000 jobs
and served 4 million customers around
the world.
Russ Capper
Co-Founder
Russ Capper has led multiple companies
from concept formation to execution,
expansion and exit. After a 12-year stint
with IBM in the ’80s and equity stakes and
leadership positions at Techtron Inc. and
Document Services Inc., both of which he
sold, Russ founded eRealty.com, which
became the country’s first online brokerage
displaying full MLS data online. Prudential
acquired eRealty in 2004. In 2005, Russ
launched The BusinessMakers, a radio show
and web-based magazine that showcases
entrepreneurs, and in 2011 he also
launched The EnergyMakers Show.
The BusinessMakers Radio Show
thebusinessmakers.com
Founded on June 6, 2005, The
BusinessMakers radio show and web site
feature the very personal business
stories of entrepreneurs, from early
stage start-ups, to billionaire
octogenarians and all the way to big
company intrapreneurs. Their stories are
incredible, amazing and inspiring. Show
hosts Russ Capper and John Beddow,
along with Kelsey Ruger, Erica O’Grady,
Katie Laird and Kenn Stearns, interview
guests who discuss the challenges, the
obstacles, and the thrill of starting and
growing a business. If you would like
more information on The
BusinessMakers, want to nominate a
guest or make comments, you can reach
us at thebusinessmakers.com
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Dan Carter
Investment Director
Daniel Carter is Investment Director at
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, serving
Saudi Aramco’s corporate venturing
activities. He has financed energy
companies --venture and mature-- since the
1990's with a proven track record of exits
and IPOs. Previously, Daniel was Principal at
Conduit Ventures and prior to that Vice
President at Salomon Smith
Barney/Citigroup. Daniel is on the Investor
Advisory Board of DOE’s National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a
Council Member of NASA & Nike’s
Launch.org and Board member of London
Business School Energy Club and holds
degrees from Columbia University, London
Business School, Georgetown University
and University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures US
aramcoventures.com
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures is the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil
company. We seek to invest in great
entrepreneurs commercializing
breakthrough technologies which are
applicable in Saudi Aramco’s operations.
Our investments are focused in the
following industry sectors: upstream oil
& gas; downstream oil & gas and value-
added products; renewable energy;
energy efficiency and water. Via our
global investment teams in Dhahran, the
USA, and Europe, we invest worldwide in
companies from seed stage to growth
venture capital. Our target investment
size ranges from $1-$30 million per
company, depending on the stage of
development, scale of the opportunity,
strategic relevance, and capital intensity.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Kirk Coburn
Founder & Managing Director
Kirk Coburn is an entrepreneur and active
investor who founded three successful
companies before starting SURGE, the
world's leading energy seed fund and
mentor-driven accelerator. Under Kirk’s
leadership and direction, SURGE has
recruited over 150 industry leaders,
scientists, investors, policymakers,
customers, and entrepreneurs. SURGE has
raised three funds and invested in 34
energy technology companies in its first
three years. Since inception, SURGE Alumni
have raised more than $30 million in
funding and landed critical pilots and
customers with many of the largest energy
companies. Coburn is also personally the
most active, early-stage energy investor.
Prior to leading SURGE, Coburn created and
was CEO of Chief Outsiders (acq. 2010), a
Houston-based company with offices in
Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York.
Additionally, Coburn launched The PGA
TOUR Network on Sirius XM (acq. by SIRI)
and founded Pure Golf, a leading provider
of golf, tennis, and outdoor programming to
the satellite radio industry. Coburn
received his MBA and BBA in finance and
accounting from the University of Texas at
Austin. Outside of work, Coburn serves as
an ambassador to the Texas Children's
Hospital and is a supporter of the Rice
Alliance. Coburn is an ultra-endurance
runner (whom has completed the Leadville
Trail 100), open-water swimmer, active
standup paddle boarder in both Galveston
and Nantucket, competitive golfer, and
seventh-generation Texan. He spends his
free time indulging in these activities with
his wife and children.
SURGE Accelerator
surgeaccelerator.com
SURGE Accelerator is the leading seed
fund and mentor-driven accelerator that
identifies, invests in, and enables
entrepreneurs who are solving the
world's energy problems using
technology. SURGE now ranks amongst
the top 10 accelerators in the United
States. SURGE participants have raised
$30M in funding, landed more than 75
enterprise customers, and created more
than 200 jobs. Based in Houston, Texas,
"The Energy Capital of the World,"
SURGE hosts an intensive 4-month boot
camp to identify leaders, validate
business models, raise capital, and
connect its companies to the global
energy ecosystems. SURGE has recruited
more than 150 of the world's top
scientists, engineers, executives,
entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and
angel investors in the energy industry to
serve as mentors. For more information,
visit surgeaccelerator.com and follow
SURGE on Twitter, Like us on Facebook,
and follow us on LinkedIn. Media
Contact: 832.214.0959 ext. 212,
[email protected]
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
George Coyle
Manager, Investments
George Coyle leads ConocoPhillips
Technology Ventures’ venture capital and
Energy Technology Ventures JV investing
activities. He is focused on accelerating the
commercialization of technologies that
improve the performance of ConocoPhillips.
George is a director or observer on the
boards of Blue Spark Energy, Ciris Energy,
Foro Energy, Lance Energy Services, Oxane
Materials, Skyonic, Ziebel, and Zilift. Other
portfolio companies include BiSN, drillMap,
Lux Assure, Modumetal and Saltworks
Technologies. He has over 25 years of
experience in E&P and technology
commercialization, including being
President and CEO of a venture capital-
backed company developing and
manufacturing composite pipe for the
offshore and deepwater O&G markets.
George worked 19 years with Chevron,
starting as a geophysicist and holding
positions of increasing responsibility in
business and strategic planning,
information technology, asset
management, new ventures and corporate
venture capital. George has a BS in Earth
Sciences from the University of New
Orleans, an MS in Geology (Geophysics
option) from the University of Kansas and
an MBA from Tulane University.
ConocoPhillips Technology Ventures
conocophillips.com
ConocoPhillips Technology Ventures is
the corporate venture capital arm of
ConocoPhillips; the world’s largest
independent Exploration & Production
company based on production and
proved reserves. Our objective is to find
and help commercialize the most
impactful energy technologies being
developed by entrepreneurs that can
improve the performance and
sustainability of the company’s global
operations. ConocoPhillips Technology
Ventures is comprised of three teams
working together to achieve this
objective: the Investments team makes
venture capital investments in top-tier
start-ups; the Technology Integration &
Commercialization team works with
start-ups to help them secure contracts
with ConocoPhillips; and the Projects and
Engineering team helps start-ups execute
pilot projects with the company’s
operating businesses.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Sean Ebert
Principal
Sean Ebert is a Partner with Altira Group,
LLC, which is focused on upstream oil & gas
technology and advantaged service
company investments. Prior to Altira, Sean
was a Principal in Booz Allen's energy
practice, where he advised energy
companies and private equity firms on a
broad set of 'frontier energy' strategic
issues, including portfolio strategy,
technology, new business model
development and capital investment
decisions. Prior to Booz Allen, he was the
CEO of the energy technology related start-
up company, Foresight. Sean is currently a
member of the Board of Directors for three
Altira portfolio companies – Infrastructure
Networks, Accelergy, and Austin
Geomodeling, and previously was a board
member of Syntex Solutions which was sold
to IHS in 2010 and TransZap which was sold
to Accel-KKR in 2014.
Altira Group
altiragroup.com
Investor of Choice in Oil and Gas
Technologies and Services. • Legacy of
Successful Investing in Oil & Gas
Technology for Two Decades – Six funds,
invested over $1 billion with partners in
over 50 portfolio companies. • Exclusive
Industry Partnerships – Fund investors
include a select group of US super
independent oil and gas companies –
enabling collaboration with our
companies and accelerating their
success. • Industry Insiders, Value-Add
Investor – Deep background in oil and
gas, 60 years of combined experience
building businesses and investing in
energy technology, broad industry
networks. Altira makes $5-30 million
investments in advantaged oil and gas
service & technology companies. Typical
investments are in venture / growth
equity stage companies with revenue,
offering a clear sight to profitability.
Altira prefers to be the lead investor,
taking impactful investment positions to
help management drive company
success. Our investment team's
straightforward, collaborative style
makes Altira a valued partner for
entrepreneurs and portfolio companies
alike. This, together with our industry
partners, domain expertise, global
network of subject matter experts and
connections with major players in the
energy sector adds up to a very different
experience than you'll have with other
venture capital firms. Altira has earned a
reputation for doing more – going
further to do what it takes in order to
successfully grow companies. Once our
rigorous due-diligence requirements
have been satisfied, we're right there
with you, rolling up our sleeves,
leveraging our expertise and resources to
translate your innovative ideas into
reality.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Victor Elgohary
Co-Founder
Victor Elgohary is one of the founding
members of the Texas Halo Fund which
invests alongside strong angel groups and
venture partners from across the country.
The fund focuses on industry sectors in
which our members have deep expertise
and experience. The fund invests in
companies that that in three to seven years
can attain enterprise values between $30
million and $100 million on a minimal
capital investment. In addition to running
the fund, Victor maintains a full CPA and
legal practice representing clients in the
energy, manufacturing, retail, health care,
and service industries. For more than 25
years, he has provided his small-business
and Fortune 500 clients with advice on
various legal matters, financial analysis and
valuation, business process optimization
and corporate strategy development.
Victor holds a bachelor’s degree in
mechanical engineering from Rice
University, an MBA from the University of
Houston, and a law degree from the South
Texas College of Law.
Texas Halo Fund
texashalofund.com
The Texas Halo Fund is a Texas Angel
sidecar fund powered by the Houston
Angel Network. It is interested in early-
stage companies, with principal
operations in Texas. A company must
be organized as a corporation, and must
raise at least $150,000 in committed
capital from Angels from an organized
group, in order to be eligible for
consideration by the Fund. The Fund
seeks deals which will achieve an internal
rate of return for the Fund of 25 per cent
or more, and will provide full liquidity for
the Fund within eight years.
Kraettli Epperson
Managing Director
Kraettli has 20 years of experience leading
information technology companies. He co-
founded and currently serves as CEO of R7
Solutions, which provides software-as-a-
service data analysis and management
solutions for oil and gas E&P,
telecommunications, and rail and pipeline
right-of-way. Houston METRO’s land assets
and rail development are managed in the
company’s GeoIntelis product. Previously,
he co-founded Questia Media, the world’s
largest digital academic library, acquired by
Cengage Learning in 2010. Kraettli has
served on the board of the Houston Angel
Network and is the managing director of
JumpPhase Ventures, which operates the
LaunchOklahoma accelerator in Oklahoma
City. He also co-founded the VentureSpur
accelerator, now based in Dallas. Kraettli is
a graduate of Rice University and created
the university’s first undergraduate
entrepreneurship class as an adjunct
lecturer in 2001.
JumpPhase
jumpphase.com
JumpPhase Ventures is a full-stack
venture development lab that takes a
hands-on approach to product design,
strategy and growth. Whether
transforming an existing business or
starting a new one, JumpPhase provides
strategy, business development, MVP
and full product development, channel
navigation, growth hacking and capital
formation services.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Martha Goodell
Investor
Martha Goodell is a member of Hyde Park
Angels and has a background in new
venture investing, clean-tech innovation,
and management consulting. Hyde Park
Angels is one of the most active angel
investment groups in the Mid-West.
Martha is based in Chicago and is a
specialist in investment and innovation in
energy and the environment. She also has
an M.S. in Energy Analysis and Policy from
the Nelson Institute for Environmental
Studies at the University of Wisconsin and
an M.B.A. in finance from the University of
Illinois.
Hyde Park Angels
hydeparkangels.com
Hyde Park Angels (HPA) is a Chicago-
based angel investor network that makes
seed and early-stage investments in
businesses, primarily in the Midwest, in a
wide variety of industry sectors. These
include technology, health care, business
and financial services, and consumer and
industrial products. HPA’s members
include current and former corporate
executives, entrepreneurs, and venture
capitalists who offer domain expertise,
strategic advice and coaching to HPA’s
portfolio companies. It is affiliated with
the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship
at the University of Chicago Booth School
of Business.
Bill Griesinger
Senior Vice President, Venture Banking
Bill Griesinger has over 23 of years’
diversified Commercial Finance and
Commercial Banking experience, including
15 years in Technology Lending.
Experienced business development and
credit professional currently engaged in a
senior business development role providing
growth capital financing and bank services
to development and growth stage venture
capital backed technology companies.
Technology sectors served include,
software/IT, semiconductor, and energy
services technologies, among others.
Proven business development professional
with strong credit analysis, risk assessment
and underwriting skills across multiple
industries; Loan structuring, restructuring
and portfolio management. Loan Workout
experience including loan restructuring,
Chp. 7 /Chp 11 bankruptcy workouts, and
facilitating liquidations and M&A activity;
Extensive experience negotiating terms of
lender legal agreements.
Square 1 Bank
square1financial.com
Square 1 Bank specializes in providing
financial services to entrepreneurs and
venture capitalists. We help growing
companies and their investors navigate
financial obstacles by providing access to
funds and expertise. Our customized
product offerings and unrivaled team of
banking specialists provide a banking
experience designed exclusively for you.
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we have
experienced what it takes to make a
dream reality.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Laurence Hayward
Investment Partner
Laurence K. Hayward is a partner at
Independence Equity, an early-stage
venture fund that invests in technologies
that promote the efficient use of resources.
The fund launched in 2011 and has invested
in 7 companies to date. Hayward is co-
founder of Cornerstone Angels, a network
of accredited investors that has invested in
40 companies since 2006. He is also
founder/CEO of VentureLab (started 2003),
an organization that helps incubates new
ventures. Previously, he was President of
Vcapital.com, an internet start-up that
matched entrepreneurs with investors,
acquired in 2002. Hayward has been
forming, investing in and advising start-ups
since 1999 following 8 years at Arthur
Andersen in the Emerging Company
Services practice. Hayward volunteers as
Board Member of the Ecomyths Alliance, a
mentor for the Chicagoland Entrepreneur
Center, and regularly supports regional
Universities as speaker, judge and mentor.
He also serves of the Boards and Advisory
Boards of several portfolio companies. He
is a graduate of the Joint MBA/BS program
at the University of Illinois in Champaign
Urbana and hold Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Independence Equity
independence-equity.com
Independence Equity is an early-stage
venture capital fund focused on
technologies that improve resource
efficiency. These include technologies
that reduce input costs such as raw
materials, energy and labor. They
improve yield in production processes or
decrease waste or scrap. The fund’s
interests comprise sectors such as
material science, industrial innovation
(e.g. additive manufacturing), and clean
technologies (“cleantech”). The Fund
invests in early-stage, commercial-ready
technologies. We invest anywhere within
the U.S., but prefer regions that are
currently underserved by venture capital.
We initially invest between $500K and
$1MM with the objective of holding
capital in reserve for follow-on
investments.
Hayden Hill
Member & Investor
Houston Angel Network
houstonangelnetwork.org
The Houston Angel Network (HAN) is the
oldest and most active angel network in
Texas and the 3rd most active in the
USA: Its members have invested more
than $45.8M in 135 deals since its
inception in 2001. In 2013, HAN
members invested $8.7M in 33 deals and
$11M in 51 companies in the first half of
2014. The typical HAN member is an SEC-
accredited investor seriously interested
in providing capital to early stage
companies.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Kelly Hill
Director
Kelly Hill has founded several for-profits
and several non-profits in Austin. Her most
recent projects are Hill Country Angel
Network and a new, private life science
incubator. Her goal is to connect savvy
entrepreneurs with smart Hill Country
investors that are seeking deals in
innovative tech companies as well as
traditional investment opportunities. She
judges for Global Business Plan
Competitions at U.T., Baylor and Rice
University in areas of renewable energy,
clean energy, high tech, life
science/biotech/medical devices, computer
hardware, software, oil and gas, real estate,
gaming, entertainment and consumer
goods. Member of Austin Technology
Council, TeXchange, ACA, Gust, AngelList,
Women of Visionary Influence, Lean Start
Up. She lives in Austin with her daughter
and enjoys bike riding, paddle boarding,
scouting out new food and live music
venues and volunteering at the Animal
Shelter and Lake Hills Church.
Hill Country Angel Network
hillcountryangelnetwork.com
Hill Country Angel Network & Venture
Management Partners and we are
connecting the Hill Country’s smart
money with promising new start-up
companies. We are seeking innovative
fledgling companies with high-growth
potential in the areas of Biotechnology,
Business Products, Clean Energy,
Computers and Peripherals, Consumer
Products, Education, Electronics /
Instrumentation, Fashion, Financial
Services, Food and Beverage, Gaming,
Healthcare Services, Industrial/Energy,
Internet / Web Services, IT Services,
Lifestyle, Marketing / Advertising, Media
and Entertainment, Medical Devices and
Equipment, Mobile, Networking and
Equipment, Retailing / Distribution,
Software, Sports, and Travel.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Mitch Jacobson
Co-Director
2014-08: Mitch has been a leader in
bringing together government, industry,
academia, utility and community interests
to organize and shape a Clean Technology
and Clean Energy Cluster in Central
Texas. He is the Co-Director of the Clean
Energy Incubator at the University of Texas
at Austin. Since 2009 he has served as the
lead advisor to Austin Technology Incubator
(ATI)’s clean energy companies. Mitch
serves as Chairman of the Board of the
CleanTX Foundation our cluster
development organization for clean
technology in Central Texas. He is also the
Regional Director for The Clean Tech Open
South Central Region, Board member for
SXSW Eco, Clean Energy Alliance, The
Environmental Sciences Institute at UT
Austin, Nature Conservatory, The Texas
Renewable Energy Industry Association, The
Austin Young Chamber and the Texas
Foundation of Innovation &
Commercialization. Prior to diving into the
Clean Energy World, Mitch was in the
Computer / IT industry for 25
years. He founded of Eyes of Texas
Partners angel investment group, a network
of angel investors in Texas that invested in
companies developing innovative products
and services in the region. He was the VP of
Sales for Tech Data Corporation and
Director of Sales, European expansion and
ROW expansion for Dell for many
years. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife
Janna, daughters Sheila and Hailey and son
Jarrod.
ATI Clean Energy Incubator
ati.utexas.edu
Founded in 2001, our Clean Energy
Incubator (CEI) is one of the longest-
established energy and clean tech
incubators in the United States. This is
appropriate: our parent institution, the
University of Texas, does more energy
research than any other university in the
world.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
John Egil Johannessen
Investment Manager, Houston
John Johannessen has been with Statoil
Technology Invest since 2007, working with
strategic technologies across the value
chain, focusing primarily on exploration and
reservoir and drilling and well technologies.
In 2013 he relocated from Norway to Texas
to set up Statoil Technology Invest in
Houston. Previously, he held various
positions in Statoil, and he started his
career as a management consultant in
Accenture in 2001. He has a bachelor’s
degree in marketing from the University of
Strathclyde.
Statoil Technology Invest
Statoil is an international energy
company with approx. 23,000 employees
and operations in 36 countries. Building
on 40 years of experience from oil and
gas production on the Norwegian
continental shelf, we are committed to
accommodating the world’s energy
needs in a responsible manner, applying
technology and creating innovative
business solutions. Statoil’s main North
American assets are Deepwater GoM, US
Onshore (Marcellus, Bakken, Eagle Ford),
East Coast Canada and Canadian Oil
Sands.
Akira Kirton
Commercialization Director
Akira Kirton is Commercialisation Director
for BP Ventures. BP Ventures makes
strategic investments in companies with
distinctive technology that aligns with BP
core businesses. Akira brings experience in
global technology and business
development having worked across Europe,
US, and Asia. Akira sits on the board of a
number of companies in the BP Ventures
Portfolio, with a particular focus on the
carbon utilization arena and aligned to BP’s
gas value chain development. Akira holds a
Masters in Chemical Engineering from
Imperial College London and a BSc in Law
with Management from the University of
London International Programme. Akira is
an IChemE Innovation Award Winner 2008,
and a European-US Marshall Fellow.
BP Ventures
With BP’s need to identify, accelerate
the development of and access to new
technologies and new markets, BP
Ventures seeks and finds technology
entrepreneurs who are working at the
frontiers of their fields – across the
entire energy spectrum. With
investments spanning the BP Group in oil
and gas, biotech and bioenergy, energy
efficiency and storage as well as carbon
management, BP Ventures has invested
over $220 million since 2007
collaborating and partnering with more
than 70VC and CVC groups. CASTROL
INNOVENTURES: Castrol InnoVentures,
part of BP’s Castrol lubricants division, is
building new businesses to shape
Castrol’s future beyond lubricants. We
do this through a combination of venture
investments, partnerships and projects.
Our focus is on: smart mobility, next-
generation engineering, intelligent
operations and Responsible Castrol,
which includes hybrid and EVs, waste oil
and industrial waste treatment and bio-
lubricants.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Tim Klitch
Managing Director -- Technology and Life
Sciences –- Texas; Austin Market President
As the Managing Director of the Texas
Region of Comerica Bank’s Technology and
Life Sciences Division, Tim Klitch manages
an experienced group of senior lenders and
support staff serving Central / Southwest
U.S. markets from offices in Austin, Dallas
and Houston. This group originates and
manages credit and depository
relationships with over 200 technology
companies, ranging from early-stage,
venture-backed, pre-revenue start-ups to
late stage public companies with borrowing
needs in excess of $200 million. Lending
activities include working capital,
recapitalizations, leveraged buyout,
equipment financing, and growth capital
financing. The group also handles
corporate retirement plans, securities
investments and ancillary financial services
for its customers. Before joining Comerica
Bank’s predecessor Imperial Bank in 2000,
Tim was the Finance Manager for the Texas
Region and manager of technology training
for Merrill Lynch Business Financial
Services, Inc. His 30 years of industry
experience includes serving as vice
president of commercial real estate
commercial / technology lending for JP
Morgan Chase Bank. A former world-ranked
and distinguished collegiate Division I tennis
player, Tim holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration from
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Comerica
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a
financial services company
headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and
strategically aligned by three business
segments: The Business Bank, The Retail
Bank, and Wealth Management.
Comerica focuses on relationships, and
helping people and businesses be
successful. In addition to Texas,
Comerica Bank locations can be found in
Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan,
with select businesses operating in
several other states, as well as in Canada
and Mexico. Comerica reported total
assets of $65.7 billion at March 31, 2014.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Victor Liu
President, Hunt Energy Enterprises
Victor Liu is president of Hunt Energy
Enterprises where he leads Hunt’s energy
technology venture development and
investment business. Prior to leading HEE,
Liu was a vice president for Hunt Power
where he helped develop Hunt’s InfraREIT
business. Before joining Hunt Power in
2006, Liu was active in high tech venture
capital as a general partner with Vortex
Partners from 2000 to 2005, and Sevin
Rosen Funds from 1999 to 2000. As a
venture capitalist, he was active in internet
infrastructure and wireless investment
decisions that included Cyneta Networks
(acquired by Tektronix), Navarro Networks
(acquired by Cisco Systems), ipMobile
(acquired by Cisco Systems), RealManage
and GlobeRanger. Before his venture capital
career, Liu worked in new product and new
business commercialization as director of
business development for Cyrix Corporation
(acquired by National Semiconductor), and
as a product manager at Texas Instruments
in the digital light processing business. Liu
earned an MBA from Harvard Business
School and a BA from Southern Methodist
University.
Hunt Energy Enterprises
huntenergyenterprises.com
Hunt Energy Enterprises continues the
legacy of Hunt’s entrepreneurship in
energy and recognizes both the
opportunities and challenges of today’s
energy environment. As such, Hunt
Energy Enterprises looks to leverage its
operations and knowledge to invest in
and create new energy companies and
partnerships with entrepreneurs in both
the conventional petroleum business and
cleantech power, as together we build
great energy enterprises.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
MaryAnne Maldonado, B.B.M., M.B.A.
Vice President & Managing Director, Energy
Maryanne Maldonado is Vice President,
Managing Director of HTC Energy, and
Director of Client Services at the Houston
Technology Center (HTC), a Houston based
technology business accelerator and the
largest technology business incubator in
Texas. In this capacity, Mrs. Maldonado
guides the strategic direction and a team of
energy executives and professionals to
provide strategic, tactical, and operational
guidance, as well as investment-related
advice to early stage companies developing
innovative technologies with applications in
the energy industry. She also oversees the
Client Acceleration Team. Under Mrs.
Maldonado’s leadership, HTC Energy has
grown to over 25 energy technology clients,
and she has brought to the organization
nearly half a million dollars in annual
support by integrated energy and service
companies. A native of North Carolina,
Maldonado holds a Masters of Business
Administration and a Bachelor of Science
degree from LeTourneau University in
Longview. Texas. She is married with two
adult children and three beautiful
grandgirls. She enjoys marathon running,
long distance cycling, and looking for the
next big challenge!
Houston Technology Center
houstontech.org
Named by Forbes' as one of "Ten
Technology Incubators Changing the
World," and as one of "Twelve Business
Incubators Changing the World," the
Houston Technology Center is the largest
technology business incubator and
accelerator in Texas, advancing the
commercialization of emerging
technology companies in the greater
Houston area. HTC serves as the nexus of
new ideas, technological innovation, and
entrepreneurship.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Kala Marathi
Kala Marathi is the Executive Director of
Innovation at the C.T. Bauer College of
Business at the University of Houston, as
well as Managing Director of the Cougar
Venture Fund. She is also COO of Terrapin
Stone, an investment firm that focuses on
income producing assets. In her role as
Managing Director of the Houston Angel
Network, Kala has facilitated over $30M in
investments in 85 deals. She has more than
20 years of operating and financial
experience. Kala was formerly with Reliant
Energy where she was a founding member
of the corporate venture group, Reliant
Energy Net Ventures. At Reliant, she led
several smart grid pilots and technology
initiatives, and launched a subsidiary called
Texas Star Energy. She also has extensive
experience in strategy and corporate
finance with such firms as the Continental
Airlines and Chase. Kala is a Director in the
Texas Lyceum. She has also served on the
Board of Directors of Texchange and the
National Association of Women MBAs
(Houston Chapter), as well as on the
Advisory Board of the National Angel
Education Foundation. Kala has B.A. in
Japanese and Economics from Wellesley
College, and an MBA from the Amos Tuck
School of Business at Dartmouth College.
UH Cougar Venture Fund
bauer.uh.edu/cvf
The Cougar Venture Fund is the early
stage venture capital fund of the
University of Houston’s Bauer College of
Business. Through this fund, students
enrolled on Bauer’s Venture Capital
Investment course gain knowledge and
experience in how to analyze and invest
in early stage technology companies.
During this process, the students work
with an advisory board of entrepreneurs,
angel investors, and venture capitalists.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Chuck McCoy
Founder & Executive Director
Chuck began 25 years in the software
business in Arthur Andersen’s Tulsa office in
1978. Between 1992 and 2006 Chuck has
worked as an independent product
developer for large companies such as
AT&T, E-Systems, and MCI. His accounting
background, combined with years of face-
to-face selling, resulted in being engaged to
help grow businesses by M&A transactions
or rolling-out new products. The end of his
technical career marked the beginning of
his focus on new venture development.
Chuck spent a year as Director of
Commercialization Programs at the North
Texas RCIC. In 2008, he founded the North
Texas Angel Network (NTAN) which is
comprised of a group of 60 disciplined
entrepreneurs investing in mostly Texas
deals. Chuck holds a BBA from Oklahoma
City University, an MS (Economics) from
Oklahoma State University, and is a veteran
of the US Army (A Battery, 6th Battalion,
33rd Field Artillery, 1968).
North Texas Angel Network
northtexasangels.org
The North Texas Angel Network is a
member-led group of disciplined
entrepreneurs. The members are
entrepreneurs or other business leaders
who have made good money by taking
smart risks. Membership is by invitation
to accredited investors. Individual
members make individual decisions
about which entrepreneurs to trust with
their hard earned dollars. We seek very
high potential and may accept very high
risk. We help build good companies, one
at a time. The goal of these investments
is a cash exit that delivers wealth to the
entrepreneur and appropriate returns to
the early investors. Our opportunity
evaluation process is formal, transparent
and rigorous.
Ed Mello
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Ed has thirty years of leadership and
executive experience in successful start-
ups, major corporations and venture
investing. Prior to co-founding Cypress
Growth Capital in 2010, he served as Chief
Operating Officer and Managing Partner of
CSC Consulting, a $700M, 3000-employee
division of Computer Sciences Corporation
(CSC). Ed was also an early employee and
senior executive of Viant, a pioneering
Internet services company that had a
successful IPO. Ed was also President of
nGenera (now Moxie Software), an Austin-
based, venture-backed software and
services company. Ed began his business
career at EDS after serving as an officer in
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is a
graduate of the University of Notre Dame
and is an active member of the Irish Angels,
Notre Dame's angel investing and
entrepreneur mentoring organization.
Cypress Growth Capital
cypressgrowthcapital.com
Cypress Growth Capital, LLC is an
investment firm providing growth capital
to emerging and expansion stage
companies in the Southwest United
States. Our firm makes investments using
an innovative royalty-based financing
approach pioneered by our Senior
Advisor, Arthur Fox. Royalty-based
growth capital provides entrepreneurs
and business owners with an attractive
alternative to traditional equity and debt
instruments. Our firm invests primarily
in technology-enabled business services,
software and information-based
companies. We are one of the first and
largest royalty based growth capital firms
in the country.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Henk Mooiweer
GameChanger
Henk has 24 years of Shell experience, with
a robust R&D and innovation background
and strong commercial skills in business
development and strategy of alternative
energy businesses. He successfully
managed the development of multiple
complex business opportunities and many,
often unconventional, external
partnerships. Henk thrives in a hectic
environment where passionate people,
unusual ideas, innovation challenges and
uncertainty benefit from creative and
pragmatic approaches.
Shell GameChanger
shell.com
Shell GameChanger connects with any
innovator and creative community to
identify and nurture unproven ideas that
have the potential to drastically impact
the future of energy. The programme
was founded in 1996 and has been
designed to prove the technical and
commercial viability of an idea quickly
and affordably. To date, GameChanger
has worked with over 1500 innovators
and turned more than 100 ideas into
reality. We seek unproven ideas that
have the potential to drastically impact
the future of energy. We listen to any
innovator, especially if they have ideas
that are unproven and unusual. We
cooperate with innovators to prove the
viability of their ideas quickly and
affordable. Our team of professionals
are ready to listen to your unproven and
unusual ideas. We review proposals and
make a decision within days. If your
proposal meets our criteria, we will
contact you straight away to discuss
working together for success.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Jim Pendleton
President & Chairman
Jim Pendleton has been an entrepreneur
for most of his life and knows starting a
business takes “long hard work and hours
with limited capital.” He believes
entrepreneurs are the “backbone of our
nation,” so he and a small group of local
business owners have joined forces to help
others. Pendleton is president and
chairman of the Tyler Texas Angel Network,
a group of seasoned entrepreneurs looking
to invest in start-up companies that are
struggling for funding. Pendleton, 73, has
owned a natural gas equipment company
for 40 years, following in the
entrepreneurial footsteps of his father, an
electrical contractor. He grew up in Dallas
and studied engineering at Southern
Methodist University before moving to
Tyler about 30 years ago. Pendleton said he
has done four or five start-up companies,
and they are an “absolute nightmare
struggle.” Now after decades of owning a
business, he wants to help others starting a
company.
Tyler Texas Angel Network
tylertexasangelnetwork.com
Tyler Texas Angel Network (TTAN) is a
group of accredited investors, based in
the Tyler, Texas area, that are looking for
early stage companies with great
products and bright futures. We are
interested in companies with innovative
products or businesses with a potential
for rapid growth within a sizable market.
We are looking for companies that need
to expand to the next level and need
investors to help grow your company
and achieve the success you deserve. In
general we do not invest in real estate,
oil and gas or restaurant deals. The
company should have a credible growth
pathway to an eventual exit for the
investors, such as IPO or acquisition. Our
group includes successful entrepreneurs
and business professionals who love to
invest in innovative products, as well as
offer their considerable experience and
expertise in growing companies.
Alex Rozenfeld
Venture Principal
Alex Rozenfeld is a venture principal at Shell
Technology Ventures LLC and was one of
the founding team members. He is
responsible for Shell Technology Ventures’
investments globally in several of Shell’s key
focus areas, developing technology
companies that create strategic value and
significant leverage for Shell’s energy
assets. Alex has worked extensively
internationally for Shell, including in The
Netherlands and Russia. Highlights include
GameChanger (Shell’s “angel capital”
group) and business development of gas
monetization technologies. Prior to Shell,
Alex worked with several energy VCs, and
managed power business development at
Texaco. He is an active member of the
Houston Angels Network, Rice Alliance for
Technology and Entrepreneurship and HTC.
Alex received his bachelor’s from Princeton
University. Alex also has an MBA from the
MIT Sloan School.
Shell Technology Ventures
shell.com
Shell Technology Ventures (STV) is the
corporate venturing arm of Shell. STV is
focused on accelerating deployment of
new technologies for Shell by acting both
as an investor and development partner
in technology companies that are
developing promising technologies in the
field of oil & gas and renewable energy.
STV invests start-up or growth capital in
specific technologies that support and
improve Shell’s global operations. Over
the next six to eight years, STV plans to
invest several hundred million dollars in
promising technology solutions that have
a strategic fit with technology demands
in our businesses.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Art Schroeder
President
Art Schroeder is CEO of Energy Valley Inc.
providing money, marketing and
management to advance energy-related
technologies. Art has more than 30 years’
experience in operations, engineering,
construction, corporate strategy and crisis
management, and technology development
and commercialization. During the last 15
years Energy Valley has executed on more
than 100 projects ranging in size from
$250k - $5M+ and assisted clients ranging
from global integrated oil companies to
numerous small start-ups. Art sits on a
number of corporate, professional, and civic
boards and has published and / or
presented over 100 technical papers. Art
graduated from Georgia Tech with
bachelor’s and master’s in chemical
engineering and from the University of
Houston with an MBA.
Energy Valley, Inc.
energyvalley.net
Our primary business is to identify and
develop market opportunities within the
upstream energy segment and
commercialize / grow technologies by
providing: Strategic advice and business
planning / management support; Market
analysis and entry strategies & techno-
economic evaluations; Assistance with
commercialization strategies, alliances,
partnerships and acquisitions; and
Project management. Our core
competencies include: Techno-economic
evaluations of new technical concepts
and adaptation of existing technologies
for re-deployment to oil & gas sector;
Project management; and Systems
engineering and analysis with emphasis
on sub-sea processing and integrity
management and system reliability.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Chris Scotti
Operations
Chris Scotti runs the day to day operations
of the Aggie Angel Network. His duties
include screening and coaching companies
prior to pitching to the Network’s investor
members. Chris has a history as both an
elected official and entrepreneur, who is
dedicated to helping coach companies and
foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in
Aggieland. Chris came to College Station to
attend Texas A&M University but ended up
starting a business and making the area his
permanent home. He founded in 1995, and
ultimately sold in 2006, the IT services
company, AgniTEK, which won 3 Newman
10 and an Aggie 100 Award for fast growth.
He then devoted his business skills & spirit
of entrepreneurship to help the Center for
New Ventures & Entrepreneurship launch
Aggies in Business. AiB is a student run &
led business consulting & property
management company associated with the
Mays Business School at Texas A&M that
teaches students how to start and run a
company through hands on practice. He
was elected to the College Station City
Council in 2005 for a 3 year term and
remains active in politics. Chris is married
to Hayley, a local Realtor, and they have a 5
year old son, Thomas.
Aggie Angel Network
aggieangelnetwork.com
The Aggie Angel Network (AAN) is a not-
for-profit corporation dedicated to
providing quality early-stage investment
opportunities for accredited angel
investors, and to assisting early-stage
high-growth potential technology
companies with fundraising and advisory
services. We are a network of accredited
investors who invest directly into
promising entrepreneurial businesses in
return for stock in the companies. The
Center for Venture Research estimates
that U.S. angel investors invested $19
billion in 55,000 deals (about 35,000
small businesses) in 2008. The Aggie
Angel Network is actively seeking to
invest in great startup companies. In
addition to money, the AAN brings
connections, market knowledge,
mentoring and operational excellence to
early-stage entrepreneurs with
disruptive technologies. Let us help you
to turn your vision into reality.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Jim Sledzik
Senior Partner and President
Jim Sledzik, senior partner and president of
the U.S. office of Energy Ventures, has more
than 25 years of experience in the
worldwide oil and gas industry. Sledzik
currently serves on the board of directors of
six portfolio companies: HICOR, OsComp
Systems, Oxane Materials, Wireless Seismic,
Ingrain and Acoustic Zoom, and has
previously served on the boards of Stingray,
Arkex and ffA. Prior to his current position
with Energy Ventures, Sledzik served as the
Global Marketing & New Technology
Director and Vice President of Multiclient
Services for WesternGeco and as a Global
Account Director for Schlumberger. He
holds an MBA in International Business,
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of
Business, University of Pittsburgh and a
B.Sc. in Geosciences, Pennsylvania State
University.
Energy Ventures
energyventures.no
Energy Ventures is an independent
private equity dedicated to innovative
upstream oil and gas technologies. From
initial investment to exit, we partner
with our portfolio companies to ensure
the most effective use of capital and
talent. Our method is proven by our
record: since inception in 2002 we’ve
seen more than 4,000 deals, made thirty-
seven investments and successfully
exited fifteen companies. Energy
Ventures’ fund managers, partners and
advisors come from oil and gas
backgrounds, giving them a true
understanding of the industry and its
technology needs. Headquartered in
Stavanger, with offices in Houston and
Aberdeen, in addition to a global
operating partner base, Energy Ventures
is located where the energy industry and
technology innovations thrive.
Cory Steffek
Corporate Venture Capital
Cory Steffek is the managing director of
North American Venture Capital at Saudi
Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco. He is responsible for identifying
technology investments of strategic
importance in the areas of upstream oil and
gas, downstream oil and gas and value-
added products, renewable energy, energy
efficiency and water. Before joining SAEV,
Cory was in corporate development and
strategy at First Solar, where he was
responsible for strategic investments and
acquisitions with emphasis on new
technologies and products. Prior to First
Solar, Cory was at the Altira Group, an
energy-focused venture capital firm, where
he led investments in a broad range of
energy technology companies. He holds a
doctorate in materials chemistry from the
University of Michigan and an MBA from
The Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University.
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures US
aramcoventures.com
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures is the
corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi
Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil
company. We seek to invest in great
entrepreneurs commercializing
breakthrough technologies which are
applicable in Saudi Aramco’s operations.
Our investments are focused in the
following industry sectors: upstream oil
& gas; downstream oil & gas and value-
added products; renewable energy;
energy efficiency and water. Via our
global investment teams in Dhahran, the
USA, and Europe, we invest worldwide in
companies from seed stage to growth
venture capital. Our target investment
size ranges from $1-$30 million per
company, depending on the stage of
development, scale of the opportunity,
strategic relevance, and capital intensity.
2014 RICE ALLIANCE ENERGY & CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM
PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS & INVESTORS
Rebecca Taylor
Venture Principal
Rebecca Taylor is a venture principal with
Shell Technology Ventures (STV), the
corporate venture capital arm of Royal
Dutch Shell. Her role at STV includes
identifying, vetting, selecting and mentoring
startups selected for investment. Rebecca
has been a founder, advisor and investor in
startups for 25 years and has advised the
U.S. Department of State on
entrepreneurship.
Shell Technology Ventures
www.shell.com
Shell Technology Ventures (STV) is the
corporate venturing arm of Shell. STV is
focused on accelerating deployment of
new technologies for Shell by acting both
as an investor and development partner
in technology companies that are
developing promising technologies in the
field of oil & gas and renewable energy.
STV invests start-up or growth capital in
specific technologies that support and
improve Shell’s global operations. Over
the next six to eight years, STV plans to
invest several hundred million dollars in
promising technology solutions that have
a strategic fit with technology demands
in our businesses.
Dan Watkins, PhD
Managing Director
Dan Watkins is the co-founder and
Managing Director of Mercury Fund, a
venture capital firm investing in seed and
early-stage Software and Physical/Life
Science startups. He has served in a number
of operational roles in both Physical and
Life Science startups including GlycosBio
(industrial biotechnology), Illumitex
(specialty LEDs) and Deep Imaging (novel
geological imaging for subsurface fluids).
Dan received his B.S. from Rice University
and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie
Mellon University, all in Materials Science.
Dan serves on the advisory boards of
Northwestern University’s Innovation and
New Ventures Office (INVO), the University
of Michigan’s Venture Center Council and
BioHouston. Dan is also the co-founder of
the Rice Alliance for Technology and
Entrepreneurship.
Mercury Fund
mercuryfund.com
Mercury Fund is a seed-stage venture
capital firm that makes equity
investments in compelling and novel
software and science-based startup
opportunities. Mercury partners with
extraordinary entrepreneurs to build
globally competitive businesses, focusing
on technology innovation originating in
the U.S. Midcontinent. Our firm has a
particular interest in startups associated
with seed accelerators, incubators and
universities. We frequently invest prior
to the formation of a business plan or
complete management team. Since
inception in 2005, Mercury Fund has
become one of the most active seed-
stage venture firms in the Midcontinent,
becoming a “go-to” fund for
entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of
idea generation, company formation,
and market execution.
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