Godmother of Silicon Beach, Expert Speaker with US State
Department, 3x founder, and single mom of twin boys, Cam Kashani has worked
with 4000+ Entrepreneurs and 700+ startups. She is on a mission to humanize
business and her vision is a global economy that thrives on WE, not ME.
Today, Cam is on to her third company, COACCEL: The Human Accelerator, a unique
3-month program, 1-1, that focuses on building powerful, mindful leaders.
COACCEL: The Human Accelerator specializes in Female Founders, though are open
to Humans. Learn more at COACCEL.com.
Previously, Cam cofounded the first co-working space in Los Angeles for
technology startups and entrepreneurs in 2010, Coloft, which was infamously
referred to as ground-zero for the LA tech ecosystem. During her four years
there, Coloft had over 1400 alumni, including Uber LA, Instacart, Fullscreen
and so many more.
While Cam works with men and women, she is specifically passionate about
working with women because she believes that if women embrace their own deeply
rooted power, they can collectively shift the energy in business and ultimately
create a harmonious environment for all.
Techstars is a global network that helps entrepeneurs succeed.
A curated source for everything entrepreneurial in your community.
Startup Week: Celebrating entrepreneurs is communities across the globe.
Start building your future in just 54 hours. Learn, Network, Startup.
Learn More
- Overview
- Schedule
- Speakers
- Judges
- Coaches and Mentors
- Sponsors
- Organizing Team
Techstars Global Startup Weekend Los Angeles at LMU!
Friday, November 17 - 19, 2017
Event Alerts and Updates
Get the latest on Techstars Startup Weekend, Los Angeles, and other local events through Techstars Startup Digest.
Techstars Global Startup Weekend Los Angeles at LMU!
Friday, November 17 - 19, 2017
Friday, November 17 - 19, 2017
Event starts at 5:30 pm
Loyola Marymount University- Roski Dining Room
1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles,
CA
90045
Buy Tickets
Prepare for the Global Startup Celebration
Be one of over 15,000 entrepreneurs who will come together for hundreds of events during November 2017 for Techstars Global Startup Weekend!
Techstars Global Startup Weekend Los Angeles (TGSW) connects entrepreneurs, organizing teams, and startup communities around the world. As an attendee you will get access to exclusive resources to help prep for success at Techstars Startup Weekend and make connections with mentors and other startup teams. To help you keep growing after the event, the winning team of each event will receive helpful perks for building their startup as well as a showcase in our global channels.
Do you have an idea you'd like to pursue or a problem you'd like to solve but don't know where to start or who to start with?
Techstars Startup Weekend is the place to look for a team, create a prototype of your idea, validate your business idea, and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, all in one weekend.
What do you need to bring?
Lots of energy! You'll pitch your own idea or listen to others, then vote on the most interesting ideas and form teams with diverse skill sets. You can come with friends, but you’ll get the full experience if you participate in separate teams. Remember, it’s all about the team.
Your idea should be something you have not previously worked on. The idea you pitch and the problem you set out to solve can span social, educational, financial, environmental, or other issues. Over the course of the weekend you'll be challenged to create a prototype of your MVP, or minimum viable product, that fits the needs of your target customer. You'll get feedback, iterate, and likely pivot your approach entirely! Important: You cannot have worked previously on your idea.
Techstars Startup Weekend is a full weekend long experience. Your ticket includes:
Watch the video below to see what you can expect, and if you’re feeling inspired click on the “Buy Ticket” button now!
Still have questions, feel free to reach us at “losangeles@startupweekend.org”.
Don’t wait any longer and join the Techstars Startup Weekend movement!
No talk, all action!
Techstars Global Startup Weekend Los Angeles (TGSW) connects entrepreneurs, organizing teams, and startup communities around the world. As an attendee you will get access to exclusive resources to help prep for success at Techstars Startup Weekend and make connections with mentors and other startup teams. To help you keep growing after the event, the winning team of each event will receive helpful perks for building their startup as well as a showcase in our global channels.
Do you have an idea you'd like to pursue or a problem you'd like to solve but don't know where to start or who to start with?
Techstars Startup Weekend is the place to look for a team, create a prototype of your idea, validate your business idea, and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, all in one weekend.
What do you need to bring?
Lots of energy! You'll pitch your own idea or listen to others, then vote on the most interesting ideas and form teams with diverse skill sets. You can come with friends, but you’ll get the full experience if you participate in separate teams. Remember, it’s all about the team.
Your idea should be something you have not previously worked on. The idea you pitch and the problem you set out to solve can span social, educational, financial, environmental, or other issues. Over the course of the weekend you'll be challenged to create a prototype of your MVP, or minimum viable product, that fits the needs of your target customer. You'll get feedback, iterate, and likely pivot your approach entirely! Important: You cannot have worked previously on your idea.
Techstars Startup Weekend is a full weekend long experience. Your ticket includes:
- 7 full (and delicious) meals over the course of the weekend
- Benefits and discounts from our global partners
- One-on-one time with amazing mentors
- A new network of developers, designers, and entrepreneurs eager, like you, to change the world.
- All the internet and coffee you can consume.
Watch the video below to see what you can expect, and if you’re feeling inspired click on the “Buy Ticket” button now!
Still have questions, feel free to reach us at “losangeles@startupweekend.org”.
Don’t wait any longer and join the Techstars Startup Weekend movement!
No talk, all action!
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday November 17th
5:30 pm
Registration
Arrive at Loyola Marymount University Roski Dining Room in University Hall and get checked in
6:00 pm
Dinner & Networking
Eat food, share ideas, practice pitches, get to know fellow participants
7:00 pm
Welcome & Speakers
Review agenda for the weekend and introduce speakers, coaches, and community leaders
8:00 pm
Pitches Start
Optionally line up to give your pitch
8:45 pm
Voting
Attendees vote for the top pitches
9:15 pm
Form Teams
Teams start forming and discussing ideas
10:00 pm
Begin Work
Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow
Saturday November 18th
9:00 am
Breakfast
Arrive- breakfast & coffee
9:30 am
Begin Work
Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Check-In
After-lunch check-in, status reports, call for help
2:00 pm
Coach Meetings
Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!
6:30 pm
Dinner
7:30 pm
Check-In
After-dinner check-in, status reports, call for help
10:00 pm
Wrap-Up
Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow
Sunday November 19th
9:00 am
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
10:00 am
Check-In
Coaches arrive. Final opportunity to ask questions
12:00 pm
Lunch
12:30 pm
Coach Meetings
Coaches arrive… ASK QUESTIONS
3:00 pm
Presentation Prep & Tech Check
Final hours of worktime should be focused on perfecting your presentation, tech-check for final presentations also takes place
4:00 pm
Dinner & Networking
5:00 pm
Final Presentations
7:30 pm
Judging & Awards
8:30 pm
Wrap-Up
9:00 pm
Go Home!
Speakers
Cam Kashani
Event Judges
Jen Bilik
Head Honcho
Jen
Bilik is the owner and founder of Knock Knock, celebrated independent makers of
clever gifts, books, and whatever else they can think up.
Drawing
from her background in book editing, writing, graphic design, and various arts
and crafts, Jen was initially motivated by creative inspiration: the desire to
write and design at the same time, to create products that blended words and
visual presentation, as well as to bring personality and distinct sensibility
to the marketplace at a moment when corporate homogenization was the name of
the game.
Initially
a reluctant businessperson, Jen quickly became a passionate entrepreneur who
speaks about the business side of Knock Knock as often as the creative
side. Knock Knock goods are carried in some 6,000 stores across the United
States, from independent boutiques to retailers including Barnes & Noble
and Target, as well as in 45 countries around the globe.
Jen
has been profiled by publications including the New
York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Inc.
magazine, and interviewed for podcasts such as
Debbie Millman’s Design Matters. She has done extensive public
speaking and event moderation. Also, she’s fascinating.
Since
launching Knock Knock in 2002, Jen has performed every role and made every
mistake—and lived to tell the tale.
You
can read more about Jen at knockknockstuff.com/about-jen.
Danny Le
Danny has experience working across the
Start Up and Venture Capital communities in the US as well as Asia. He has worked with start-ups from growth
through the IPO process. Danny have worked with various Incubators and
Accelerators to coach and assist the enterpreneurs’ growth objectives. Danny has also
supported the VCs and PEs in the acquisition and management of their portfolio
companies. Recently, he is engaged with
the LA VC & Start Up community by hosting industry forums and connecting
Chinese investors to LA Start Ups.
Marty McDonough
Marty has been making
iPhone apps since the App Store opened.
He has built over 50 apps including the OdysseyTranslator.com
series.
They have been downloaded over 3.4 Million
times and have been top ranked in the Travel Category of the app store in over
30 countries every day for the last 8 years.
Marty is a guest speaker for iPhone app development
and tech startups for Universities and High Schools. His most recent app is
ShadowDraw (ShadowDrawapp.com).
It is an iPad app where pro Disney Animators
and Marvel Comic Book artist teach you how to draw in their style and method in
minutes.
Marty is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, New Media Council.
Marty is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, New Media Council.
Gazelle Rastegar
Gazelle is currently a mentor with Cedars-Sinai Healthcare accelerator powered by Techstars, where she advises startups on strategic partnerships and sales expansion and financing. With a passion for entrepreneurship and the experience of large corporation, she brings a unique skill set to nurture opportunities for innovation and drive the vision to reality.
Gazelle has 20 years of management experience in healthcare industry, both in corporate setting at Johnson & Johnson, as well as successful start-ups. Most recently, she served as a VP of Business Development in a healthcare technology start-up on implementation of IoT platform and wearables. In this role, she implemented business strategies as well as, UX design, launch of numerous pilots and roll out of IT platforms, and completion of a large distribution partnership. Her experience spans out to asset management, sales and marketing, investment banking, and R&D in a start-up biotech.
Aside from entrepreneurship, Gazelle is an avid skier and traveler, and participates in triathlons and marathons.
Gazelle has 20 years of management experience in healthcare industry, both in corporate setting at Johnson & Johnson, as well as successful start-ups. Most recently, she served as a VP of Business Development in a healthcare technology start-up on implementation of IoT platform and wearables. In this role, she implemented business strategies as well as, UX design, launch of numerous pilots and roll out of IT platforms, and completion of a large distribution partnership. Her experience spans out to asset management, sales and marketing, investment banking, and R&D in a start-up biotech.
Aside from entrepreneurship, Gazelle is an avid skier and traveler, and participates in triathlons and marathons.
Coaches and Mentors
Joey Aquino
Startup Business Development Manager
Currently at Amazon.com doing Startup Business Development for AWS. My job, help startups leverage AWS and the Amazon.com ecosystem to scale to be the next Netflix, Airbnb, Slack or the world. Prior to Amazon I founded 2 non-profits (an incubator for student entrepreneurs and micro-financing program that funded student startups), tried to launch a company but failed miserably, BD @ TeachStreet.com (acquired by Amazon.com) and then was a PM at UP Global launching new programs. Also, one time I traveled for 6 months straight traveling every week to a different city around the world doing Startup Weekend's. My favorite was when I got to hang out with a cheetah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Jason D'Mello Ph.D
Professor Jason D'Mello, Ph.D teaches entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial marketing at the undergraduate and graduate school level at LMU. He has founded multiple technology and educational startups and serves on the board for The Incubator School (LA), Health Digital (NYC) and is the subject matter expert for Caseworx. He is originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan and has been awarded a Kentucky Colonel for his work as a social entrepreneur in Louisville, Kentucky during his Ph.D. In 2014 He founded a social enterprise called AMPED - Academy of Music Production Education and Development - a free youth music program for at-risk kids in Louisville. His economic impact study for the Forecastle Music Arts and Activism Festival has been widely cited, and he has supported several community initiates within Louisville prior to moving to Los Angeles, including RISE - Refugees and Immigrants Succeeding in Entrepreneurship, The Mayor's Give a Day campaign, Restorative Justice Louisville, Idea Festival, Compassionate Louisville, and Idea Mornings, which ended in a transcontinental journey by train across 10 cities in 10 days through the Millennial Trains Project. He was awarded two teaching awards at the University of Louisville in 2013 and created two courses (both at the undergraduate and MBA level) for the university. His academic service has involved journal and conference submissions and reviews for Academic of Management, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, USASBE conferences, Babson (BCERC conferences), NACRA, NYU Stern Social Entrepreneurship Conference, and Routledge Publishing. Prior to beginning his academic career, Professor D’Mello founded multiple technology startups and worked in the private sector with companies like Ranker.com, Walmart.com, HP, Organic, Inc., Guitar Salon Inc. and Walt Disney Internet Group. Outside of academic life, he is record producer and guitarist.
Andrew Fielding
Andrew is the founder of Stabilify, a Los Angeles based
mental healthcare technology company. Previously he founded travel
loyalty services firm Shrewd Travel and SMSages, an early company in the push
notifications space. In addition to his role at Stabilify he currently serves
as the Vice President of the University of Denver Los Angeles Alumni Network
and was a guest advisor during the Spring 2017 term of the UCLA Anderson
Venture Accelerator. Andrew is a proud graduate of Loyola Marymount University
and a former board member of the University’s SEEDS Business Accelerator.
Outside of academics and entrepreneurship Andrew is an
internationally published sports photographer with work for clients and
publications including Reuters, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and ESPN.
He is also an avid traveler having taken two trips circumnavigating the globe
and has visited over 45 countries and has enjoyed Pizza in more than 22
countries.
Jasmine Foroutan
Jasmine Foroutan is a full-time pitch deck specialist for tech startups, investors, and accelerators. She’s the Founder & CEO of Pitch Genius, a boutique pitch deck consulting firm on a mission to help more startups get funded. The firm is based in Los Angeles, but has also helped startups successfully pitch in San Francisco & New York. She started her career in 2014 and holds a Bachelors in Entrepreneurship from Loyola Marymount University.
Bryson Ishii
Bryson Ishii graduated from LMU in 2010 with dual degrees in
Entrepreneurship and Accounting. Upon graduating, he was immediately recruited
to work as a management and operations executive for a mid-sized manufacturing
firm based in downtown LA overseeing over 30 employees and acting as part of a
senior management team. His implementations led the company to double revenues
over a three year period and reduce expenses resulting in substantial profit
increases, repositioned assets and a sustainable high growth
direction. Bryson now consults for many businesses ranging from early
stage venture to established sector leaders on operational strategy, finance
strategy, business structure and capital needs. His work has led to capital
raises, restructures and cost savings totaling millions of dollars. He also
works closely with investment banking groups in helping small cap companies
raise capital, enter the public stock exchanges and establish market presence
among investors.
Lew Jaffe
All businesses are the same; they exist for the sole purpose of
“gaining and retailing customers, profitably in order to create real
value.” In the course of his 30+ year career, Lewis Jaffe following that
simple mantra, has led the growth, successful turnarounds of more than
20 underperforming companies, public and private as their chief
executive or outside advisor in a variety of industries, creating over
$500MM in shareholder value. Lew’s greatest strengths include
leadership, vision and building plan that teams can execute with great
success. He is a customer-focused leader who understands complex market
dynamics, the intricacies of distribution channels and maximizing
corporate assets including human capital and leveraging a balance sheet.
Lew’s focus is on business to business companies but also has
experience with business to consumer. Much of his concentration has been
in telecommunications, manufacturing, media/content delivery, and
distribution of B2B and B2C products, disposables through capital goods.
He also has significant experience with M&A activity and post
transaction integration.
Cam Kashani
Godmother of Silicon Beach, Expert Speaker with US State
Department, 3x founder, and single mom of twin boys, Cam Kashani has worked
with 4000+ Entrepreneurs and 700+ startups. She is on a mission to humanize
business and her vision is a global economy that thrives on WE, not ME.
Today, Cam is on to her third company, COACCEL: The Human Accelerator, a unique 3-month program, 1-1, that focuses on building powerful, mindful leaders. COACCEL: The Human Accelerator specializes in Female Founders, though are open to Humans. Learn more at COACCEL.com.
Previously, Cam cofounded the first co-working space in Los Angeles for technology startups and entrepreneurs in 2010, Coloft, which was infamously referred to as ground-zero for the LA tech ecosystem. During her four years there, Coloft had over 1400 alumni, including Uber LA, Instacart, Fullscreen and so many more.
While Cam works with men and women, she is specifically passionate about working with women because she believes that if women embrace their own deeply rooted power, they can collectively shift the energy in business and ultimately create a harmonious environment for all.
Today, Cam is on to her third company, COACCEL: The Human Accelerator, a unique 3-month program, 1-1, that focuses on building powerful, mindful leaders. COACCEL: The Human Accelerator specializes in Female Founders, though are open to Humans. Learn more at COACCEL.com.
Previously, Cam cofounded the first co-working space in Los Angeles for technology startups and entrepreneurs in 2010, Coloft, which was infamously referred to as ground-zero for the LA tech ecosystem. During her four years there, Coloft had over 1400 alumni, including Uber LA, Instacart, Fullscreen and so many more.
While Cam works with men and women, she is specifically passionate about working with women because she believes that if women embrace their own deeply rooted power, they can collectively shift the energy in business and ultimately create a harmonious environment for all.
Marty McDonough
Marty has been making
iPhone apps since the App Store opened.
He has built over 50 apps including the OdysseyTranslator.com
series.
They have been downloaded over 3.4 Million
times and have been top ranked in the Travel Category of the app store in over
30 countries every day for the last 8 years.
Marty is a guest speaker for iPhone app development
and tech startups for Universities and High Schools. His most recent app is
ShadowDraw (ShadowDrawapp.com).
It is an iPad app where pro Disney Animators
and Marvel Comic Book artist teach you how to draw in their style and method in
minutes.
Marty is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, New Media Council.
Marty is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, New Media Council.
Ryan Nurnberger
Ryan currently serves as president and founder of a diversified investment firm. Ryan has acquired or invested in distribution, healthcare, packaging, real estate, software and manufacturing companies. Ryan is also the CEO of a specialty food distribution company where he is responsible for overall strategic direction of the company, business development and operations. Previously Ryan was at Momentum Venture Management (MVM), an early stage venture capital firm, where he was involved in the execution and management of MVM portfolio companies as well as the evaluation of early-stage investment opportunities. Prior to joining Momentum, Ryan was in the media and entertainment Investment Banking group at Montgomery & Co. He has a B.S. in entrepreneurship from LMU.
Christopher Stern
Chris is a recognized engineering and technology industry
entrepreneur and business leader. He
received his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from LMU (’93) and his
Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from UCLA (’97) and has since gone on to
lead a diverse (and what his LMU Professors would call…”a somewhat
non-traditional”) career, ranging from startup founder and CEO to board member,
investor and advisor for some of the most innovative companies in the fields of
engineering and technology. By his
early-30’s, Chris had founded, built and sold two separate technology startups
to large NASDAQ and NYSE listed public companies.
Chris currently leads strategy and corporate development for
emerging business at Trimble, Inc. (NASD:TRMB), a $2.4 billion GPS industry pioneer and worldwide leader in
delivering advanced technology solutions that transform the way customers work
across a variety of industries – ranging from engineering and construction to transportation,
agriculture, water and energy utilities.
In this role, Chris is focused on helping the company build out its
global water, smart cities and Internet-of-Things (IoT) solution business
through new product development, partnerships and acquisitions. Since
2000, along with internal innovation, Trimble has completed over 100
acquisitions and joint ventures, including notable deals with Caterpillar
(NYSE:CAT), Google SketchUp, Tekla and the recent acquisition of Telog, North
America's leading smart water IoT provider.
Prior to joining Trimble through the sale of his startup, Chris
was the founder, chairman and CEO of a successful utility industry software company
and served as the water research and technology officer for the largest municipally
owned utility in the United States. Chris is a licensed civil engineer, a frequent
startup and tech industry speaker, serves on the industry advisory boards at
UCLA and LMU, and is a long-time LMU supporter; having served on the Dean’s
Council, ABET Accreditation Alumni Panel, and donated equipment and financial support
for College of Science and Engineering and Engineers-Without-Borders.
Chris and his wife Theresa and two children, Christopher and
Anthony, reside in Newport Beach, California.
Michael Wojciechowki
Mike Wojciechowski has been involved in the acquisition, structuring and development of real estate for public and private investment for approximately 33 years. During that time he has analyzed, or directed the analysis of, structured or co-developed over $10.0 billion in real estate, leading to over $5.0 billion in investor funds being raised. He currently sits on several Boards including Showcase Technologies, Our Castle Fund Advisors, A.D.A.M., Inc., The Man in the Arena, LLC., and DailyMedia, LLC.
Mr. Wojciechowski was a 10 year member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) where he served on the Executive Committee in various capacities including a year as the Santa Monica Bay Chapter Chair. He is currently a member of the World President’s Organization (the successor organization to YPO) and also served as the Chapter Chair. Mike has a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. He also has a Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama and a Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in Marketing, also from the University of South Alabama.
Mr. Wojciechowski was a 10 year member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) where he served on the Executive Committee in various capacities including a year as the Santa Monica Bay Chapter Chair. He is currently a member of the World President’s Organization (the successor organization to YPO) and also served as the Chapter Chair. Mike has a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. He also has a Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama and a Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in Marketing, also from the University of South Alabama.
Mylen Yamamoto
Founder
Mylen's latest venture is called Cropsticks, an innovative chopstick with a built in rest. Cropsticks launched in Feb 2016 and was fully funded on Kickstarter which garnered press in NBC, The Huffington Post, and NextShark for its simple design and eco friendliness. In just 10 months, Cropsticks was accepted into the XLR8UH venture accelerator and secured deals with major hotels and restaurants.
She also runs a talent management company called CliqueNow which builds the careers for popular YouTube celebrities. Her clients have garnered over 300 millions views on YouTube. Mylen has secured partnerships for her clients with William Morris Endeavor, Airbnb, Disney's Maker Studios, Google, and many more.
Despite her numerous hats, Mylen is a teacher at heart and dedicates her free time to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. She previously taught at Cal State University Los Angeles and Loyola Marymount University. She has an M.A. in Communication.
Event Sponsors, and Partners
The Techstars Global Startup Weekend Los Angeles at LMU! team is grateful for the support of local community partners without whom this event would not be possible.
Learn how to become a sponsor here.
Silver
Gold
Organizing Team
Techstars Startup Weekend Los Angeles is 100% led by volunteer community leaders.
Learn how to get involved here
Facilitators
Dee Hamill
Accountant/Entrepreneurial Development Coordinator
Dee Hamill, based in Charleston, SC, works with small businesses and startups in accounting and other useful consulting services. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master's degree in accounting from Mississippi College, and is becoming a Quickbooks Online Pro expert. Her background working with startups is specialized in entrepreneurial development, coaching and connecting early stage entrepreneurs from conception to potential engagements with Angel Investors. She organized several Startup Weekends in Mississippi before moving to Charleston 9 months ago. Aside from working with startups, she enjoys traveling and fitting as many adrenaline rushes into spare time as possible.
Event Staff
Tiffany Jonick
Communications Manager at LMU Seaver College of Science and Engineering
Tiffany is responsible for Seaver College’s strategic communications, crafting the stories of Seaver College, as well as upkeeping the Seaver website and Seaver’s social media channels.
Matt Tejada
Jose Garcia
Maddy Isbell
Graphic Designer
Teddy Karrer
Event Blog
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