Wednesday, November 16, 5-8PM – Room 325
The Startup Business Enterprise class presents The Business Pitch. Students will pitch their idea to a panel of venture capitalists. Included on the panel are:
Alex French and Andrew Healy, Founders, Bizzy Coffee
Alex and Andrew started Bizzy with one goal in mind; to produce the healthiest and most convenient products on the market. Their journey began in 2013 while working in the corporate world and training for a 24-hour obstacle race. In order to be on their A-game, they needed to supplement a healthy lifestyle with something that could provide fast and healthy energy. During the summer of 2013, they stumbled upon cold brew coffee. It fulfilled all their requirements for the perfect source of energy. It was natural, sugar free, flavorful and simple, but there was one significant drawback, it wasn’t at all convenient. Over the next several years their love and passion for cold brew blossomed yet so did their frustration with the lack of convenience and availability. Using themselves as lab rats, they became obsessed with creating the highest quality and most convenient cold brew coffee possible. In 2016, Bizzy Coffee was launched.
Beth Kieffer Leonard, CPA, CGMA
Beth is the managing partner of Lurie, LLP. In her role, she has led the firm’s sponsorship and support of business opportunities for a wide-range of clients. Lurie, LLP has a strong entrepreneurial culture and Beth continues the tradition through her leadership.
With her energetic approach to strategic partnerships, valuable insights, business development skills, and her vast network of advisors, Beth consults with her clients to help them achieve their goals. Her areas of expertise are as varied as the businesses in our community.
Active in several civic organizations, Beth’s leadership role has won recognition from numerous national and regional associations, including “Women in Business Champion” from the Small Business Administration—Minnesota, and the Advocacy Award from the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago. Most recently, Beth was honored as a “(Real) Power 50” by Minnesota Business. She was also honored among the “2012 Top Women in Finance” by Finance & Commerce. Beth received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at the University of Minnesota—Carlson School of Management. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. Beth serves on the board of the Carlson School of Management’s Board of Overseers.
Michelle Lureen, Vice President, Fidelity Bank
Michelle has been in banking since beginning her career in 1986 as a drive-up teller, and has held just about every conceivable position within a community bank since. “I was lucky to discover early on that this was the industry for me. No two days are ever the same, and there’s always room for growth and learning. I’ve seen lots of change over the past 25 years.”
Steven Wellvang, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
Steve has advised clients in the education and technology sectors in a wide array of business and regulatory matters for more than 20 years. Steve is the former president and CEO of ECMC Holdings Corp.—an education-focused private equity investment company; and the former general counsel of ECMC Group, Inc.—a higher education services company. He leverages this experience and perspective in his delivery of targeted and practical legal services. Steve also advises emerging and growth companies on financings, transactions, licensing, IP, governance and regulatory issues and helps boards of directors — including nonprofits —maintain compliance with fiduciary and liability requirements.
• Judge MN Cup 2014-16
• Judge Fowler Business Concept Competition (Univ. St. Thomas) 2014
• Organizer Twin Cities Startup Weekend Education
• Co-founder Educelerate North