Entrepreneurial Bootstrapping Basics

If equity investment ultimately becomes necessary, having built and demonstrated value can be quite beneficial in negotiations with investors.  During our October 2nd meeting, our panel will share their insights and experiences regarding non-dilutive funding – join us for inspiration and networking. 

Agenda 

6:30-7:30 PM – Registration & Networking 

7:30-7:40 PM – ENET Chairman’s Announcements 

7:40-7:55 PM – eMinute PITCH – up to 3 startups give a 90-second elevator pitch 

7:55-8:45 PM – Expert speakers on the night’s topic 

8:45-9:00 PM – Q & A 

9:00-9:30 PM – Final networking, including meeting speakers 

A question and answer session follows the presentation, and panelists will be available afterwards for responses to individual questions.  As with every ENET meeting, you will also get the chance to network with the panelists and other meeting attendees, both before the start of the meeting and afterwards. 

Speakers 

Abiche Dewilde, Ph.D., Co-Founder, CSO, and President, InVitroMetrix 

Abiche Dewilde, Ph.D., is a Co-Founder, CSO, and President of InVitroMetrix. The company was founded to create a self-contained, cell-based, multi-well research device for drug discovery.  Dr. Dewilde has technical expertise in biomedical engineering and performed post-doctoral work leading to the prototype design of the company’s biosensors. Her expertise is in device development for cell research in drug discovery, oncology, and liver toxicology. Since starting her company, Dr. Dewilde has been involved in the company’s inception, formation, and strategic pathway. 

Sarah Milby, Founder, and CEO, Valor Performance, Inc. 

Sarah Milby is the Founder and CEO of Valor Performance, Inc., an enterprise software company that supports global organizations in strategically igniting and sustaining peak performance in executive and sales teams. Sarah has been an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at F-Prime Capital Partners. As Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at Grokker, Sarah launched the enterprise division, and she led health plan relationships for Castlight Health from a startup through an IPO.  

Sarah holds a BA from Yale University, a MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. 

As a change agent in sales effectiveness, digital health, and talent development, Sarah offers a unique combination of leadership roles across industries. Tonight, Sarah brings her entrepreneurial and EIR background to the topic of bootstrapping a startup to a funding event. 

Michael Segal, Founder, CTO, Boston Materials, LLC

Michael is one of the founders of Boston Materials, a company commercializing a new three-dimensionally reinforced carbon fiber composite. After graduating as a Mechanical Engineer from Northeastern University in 2016, Michael and his partner embarked on a journey to enable the construction of lighter, damage tolerant, and cost-effective components. By developing a product that bridges the gap between new-age composite materials and old-school metals, Boston Materials aims to accelerate breakthroughs in the pressure vessel, wind energy, automotive, and aerospace industries. 

1. TiborToth, CAIA, Managing Director of Investments,Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Reviewer, SBIR/STTR Awards, National Science Foundation 

Tibor has over 20 years of private equity and venture capital investment and entrepreneurial experience, including closing investments in over 20 cleantech startups since joining the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) in 2013 to lead the Investments Division. MassCEC invests equity and debt in early-stage and growing clean energy technology companies, provides incentives for the adoption of renewable energy and develops programs to prepare workers for the next generation of clean energy jobs. Tibor has focused in the clean energy sector since early 2010, when he joined a clean energy company, QGEN, as its CFO. Previously, Tibor worked at Babson Capital, Ascent Venture Partners, Lee Capital, and Berkshire Partners. Tibor is an Adjunct Professor at Brandeis University’s International Business School and serves on several corporate and non-profit boards. Tibor holds business and engineering degrees from MIT and Northwestern University. 

Moderator 

Michael S. Chester, President, International Manufacturing Consultants, and Past Chairman, Boston Entrepreneurs’ Network (ENET) 

Mike has co-founded high tech, clean tech, and medical device startups in both the US and China, and he has obtained non-dilutive funding from the Chinese government. He now advises startups in clean tech, biotech, and manufacturing. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Mike spent 16 years with IBM designing robots and automation, marketing and selling IBM products to manufacturing companies, setting up global operations and supply chains, and founding an IBM consulting organization for manufacturing clients that he grew into a $20M business. He lived in China from 1986-1987 while consulting to companies owned by the Machine Building Ministry and teaching graduate courses at Hunan University. 

Mike earned his BS in Electrical Engineering and MS in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University and his MBA from Union College. He is a past Chair of The IEEE Boston Entrepreneurs’ Network, has served on the board of APICS Boston, and was a member of the planning committee of the MIT Enterprise Forum for over 10 years. Mike is a frequent speaker at conferences on Global Entrepreneurship, Supply Chains, Manufacturing, and China business.  He is judge and mentor to companies competing in the Mass Challenge, Clean Tech Open, and other business plan competitions. Mike and his sons have competed on the TV show Robot Wars with their robotic rabbit, “Bunny Attack.” 

Co-Organizer 

Maureen Mansfield, ALM, CSO, MANSFIELD LAW ~Protect Your Passion~, and Vice Chair, Boston Entrepreneurs’ Network (ENET) 

Maureen is passionate about protecting passions and implementing business development strategies to build and scale startups, and emerging growth companies with MANSFIELD LAW ~Protect Your Passion~. She brings experience with entrepreneurship, strategy, business development, and contract compliance to entrepreneurs, inventors, creatives, and small businesses working on innovative inventions, artistic endeavors, and cutting-edge technologies. During her graduate studies, Maureen co-foundered a startup that bootstrapped to a funding event. After sharing her story at ENET’s meeting on bootstrapping, Maureen was asked to volunteer and has been promoted to a Vice Chair. From beginning her career with her dream job, a TV reporter, Maureen has worked for small, family-owned companies to Fortune 100s on projects, both in the private and public sectors, of local, national, and international scope. She has helped many companies enjoy their most successful year to date with sales and by initiating innovative work processes and analytics that saved time and money, often reducing fraud. Maureen co-founded two charities, one for an alumni nonprofit and one for a professional organization, that continue today. 

Maureen earned a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and a BA in Communication Studies, Film and Video Broadcasting and Theatre Arts Tracks, both selective programs from The University of Iowa. She earned a Masters of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Management, emphasis in Finance and Control with honors, from Harvard University. Scholarships from Dean’s Lists and other programs inspired her to complete her degrees. Maureen also holds certificates in Project Management. 

You can follow Maureen on Twitter @MaureenManALM.