Lighting Up Success: Meet the Sparkling Mentors of Our 6th Cohort
By now, you know that over 45 startups have applied to the 6th cohort of Santa Cruz Accelerates. Each week, we will spotlight a few startups that have applied. Ten (10) lucky startups will be accepted and announced in mid-July. If you are a startup, apply by July 14, 2024 APPLY
Mentors
But wait, there is more to know about our entrepreneurial community. This is a partial list of the successful entrepreneurs who have jumped in to help startups succeed as mentors.
David Apgar - David brings exceptional skills in funding, finance, forecasting, and valuation. His expertise will be invaluable for startups looking to secure investment and manage their financial growth effectively.
Brad Barbeau - Director of the CSUMB Institute for Innovation & Economic Development for a decade, has extensive experience working with startups. His primary skills include financial management, financing, digital marketing, and developing marketing and sales strategies.
Danny Bernstein - GM of Hawktower Ventures, high level exec at Microsoft and Google, successful entrepreneur with deep expertise in funding and networking.
Sue Carter - An engineering professor at UCSC and cofounder of several startups, Sue has deep experience with sustainability and green tech startups. Her knowledge will guide new ventures towards environmentally friendly and innovative solutions.
Dave Evans - Known for his early work at Apple, cofounding Electronic Arts, and founding the Life Design Lab at Stanford, Dave is the mastermind behind Design Methodology. His vast experience in product development and design thinking will inspire startups to innovate and excel.
Maisie Ganzler - With a lifetime as Chief Strategy & Brand Officer for Bon Appetit Management Company, Maisie is now ready to help with brand-based sustainability in any industry. Her strategic insights will help startups build strong, sustainable brands.
Scot Herbst - A globally recognized product designer, Scot is here to help our next wave of entrepreneurs. His expertise in product design will be crucial for startups aiming to create impactful and market-ready products.
Ted Holladay - Who doesn’t know Ted? He is Santa Cruz’s leading designer of all things super cool. His creative genius will help startups develop standout designs and innovative solutions.
Keith Holtaway - an award-winning Bay Area business consultant with 20 years of success, has transformed clients' ideas into nationally recognized businesses. He develops clear plans for achieving revenue, profit, and cost reduction goals.
Tanguy Leborgne - Product and General Management Expert with over thirty years of experience in Silicon Valley. Executive positions at Adobe, Avid, and Plantronics.
Viil Lid - With a broad and deep business and product strategy background, Viil currently leads product design research & strategy at Adobe. As a technology entrepreneur and startup founder, Viil brings full-stack engineering experience and has taught university courses in business, tech, and communications. His PhD in Communications & Information Sciences adds further depth to his mentoring capabilities.
Asbury Lockett - Passionate about entrepreneurship, Asbury Lockett, a Stanford and UC Berkeley graduate, has supported startups through SBDC, founded a training business, and now leads a business asset location service. He is a certified executive coach.
Gary Macbeth - Strong roots in Santa Cruz as a business owner, investor, and cofounder of Lighthouse Venture Forum, Gary offers an international network that provides commercial and investment benefits. His experience will be a tremendous asset to startups looking to scale and connect globally.
Niall Macken - Specializing in consumer product design and development, Niall has long worked as a design consultant for startups and companies large and small. His expertise in designing and engineering products for mass production will guide startups in creating successful consumer products.
Quinn McLaughlin - As the CTO and CEO of several startups, Quinn has extensive expertise in AI. His technical leadership and experience will help startups navigate the complexities of AI and leverage it for their growth.
Patrick Reilly - Santa Cruz’s most popular IP lawyer, Patrick has structured and implemented full-spectrum intellectual property strategies for ventures. His work helps startups create competitive barriers and increases their leverage in seeking funding and building strategic partnerships.
Kenan Rappuchi - Having advised, coached, mentored, and/or retained by over 4500 startups since 1996, Kenan has seen 26 exits and counting. His expertise in B2B go-to-market strategies, partnership development, marketing automation/CRM's (HubSpot, Salesforce), sales enablement, and demand generation will be invaluable for startups looking to grow and succeed.
Bill Richter - Bill has helped at least half the startups in our area with establishing corporate structures and governance. His legal and business acumen will ensure that startups have a solid foundation to build upon.
Alexi Sevastopoulos - GP of Santa Cruz Ventures, successful founder of 2 startups, and fantastic basketball player. Deep skills with security, funding, and networking.
These mentors bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to the Santa Cruz Works Accelerator. Their guidance will be instrumental in shaping the future of the startups in our 6th cohort, lighting up the path to success with their expertise and dedication.