We only have one Growth Conference a Year. This is an Afternoon and Evening of Honing your Business Development Skills and Expanding your Company. Essential for anyone in the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem from new Founders, to skillful C-level Execs and those hoping to jump into a startup one day.
The mix of 4 Presentations, 3 Expert Panels, 2 Stirring Debates and You that will have YOU learning by doing, reinforces the basics as well as provides you with Expert knowledge to grow your company and sales over the next year - till we do this again.
Come right after lunch - and leave full of great, immediately implementable tactics.
See Below for Profile of each of the Amazing Presenters and the Panelists.
Thank you to our Presenting Partner, MSCO!
MSCO is a business driven marketing and advisory firm. Our mission is to take our clients’ businesses (from startups to Fortune 500) to the next level through sales building initiatives. Our methodology is based on testing different ROI driven campaigns to identify the code breaker needed for businesses to breakthrough.
Sam Yagan has served as the CEO of ShopRunner since 2016, having spent his career building digital companies and brands, such as SparkNotes, OkCupid, Match, & Tinder. Sam led Match Group (Nasd:MTCH) through its IPO in 2015 and remains on its board of directors.
Active in the Chicago tech scene and as a venture investor, he also co-founded TechStars Chicago, Firestarter Fund, and Corazon Capital and sits on the boards of Shiftgig, SpotHero, & Brilliant. Sam has a BA from Harvard, MBA from Stanford, and has earned recognitions as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Dennis is the co-founder of Foursquare, overseeing the strategic vision and product roadmap that has grown the Foursquare community to more than 50 million people around the world. Dennis has been a pioneer in imagining ways to help people discover the world around them using data and social encouragement. He previously founded Dodgeball, one of the first mobile social services, which was acquired by Google in 2005.
He holds degrees from New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. He is also a winner of the "Fast Money" bonus round on the TV game show Family Feud, and the Founder and Chairman of Kingston Stockade FC, a semi-professional soccer team in the Hudson Valley.
Josh is Co-Founder and CEO of Plated, which is on a mission to make it easy to eat well by building a data science driven perishable food supply chain and empowering people to cook more. To date, Plated has shipped millions of meals to over 95% of the United States, and partnered with the Albertsons Companies family of grocery brands in 2017 to create the first truly omni-channel meal kit experience. Josh received his MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and founded 2 SaaS businesses prior to Plated.
Born in a corrugated iron hut in Bangladesh with no running water, Wazi came to America to study Electrical Engineering (Univ of Pennsylvania), Finance (Wharton), and an MBA (Stanford University). Working as an Investment Banker, Venture Capitalist and Management Consultant (The Boston Consulting Group) gave Wazi the tools to become an Entrepreneur – starting companies he has sold, run or folded.
Dave Sorin Chairs McCarter’s Venture Capital & Emerging Growth Companies practice, laser focused on representing startup, early stage, emerging growth, and middle market technology, tech-enabled and life science enterprises, as well as the investors who support them. He has been repeatedly recognized by well-known periodicals for his unique combination of legal acumen and sound business judgment and involvement in emerging technologies from market inception to maturity.
David began his online career at Kidssocks.com. While working at Kidssocks.com, David was introduced and started working with Rankabove (Top Israeli startup – 2012 Wired Magazine). They are a major player in the SEO industry, and had prominent clients such as Petco, eBay, 1-800 Flowers. After leaving RankAbove, David launched his own internet marketing firm. Which later merged into Hara Partners, where he held the position of VP of business development. Some of his clients there included Crumbs.com, Skullcandy.com, and Lids.com. David’s last job working for someone was at Voice Media Group. David again went on his own consulting for enterprises and startups across the globe. David is the founder of internet marketing community Online Geniuses, which holds events in over 20 cities, hosts amazing guests and has over 6,000 members in their Slack community.
Minna Taylor is the Founder of Energize Your Voice, a NYC based communication consultancy. With an experiential approach, rooted in the principals of improv and performance, she and her team support organizations to explore their full potential in public speaking, brand storytelling, pitch presentation, and leadership communication. Notable clients include UBER, Red Bull, Sailthru, Citi, and E&Y.
Co-Founder and Chief Digital Officer of BoxC, Chad Schofield has expertise in international trade, international logistics, design and development of new services, projects and strategic partnerships. As is the case with many startups he’s involved in many aspects of the company from design of the company’s proprietary software, business development and marketing, negotiations with carriers and postal authorities around the world as well as fund raising.
As a consultant for USAID/COMPETE Africa, Schofield displays skill in strategic planning and also global sourcing by having developed a branding and awareness campaign to promote/increase African apparel exports to the United States and Europe.
For over 18 years, Don Leon has worked within the technology and digital media sector as an Executive Search Consultant. He's been a Partner at a global international search firm as well as a small boutique search firm. Based in the New York City metro area, Don started his own firm two years ago. He approaches his assignments with a consultative and thorough process, resulting in proven and long-lasting successes for his clients.
Rebecca Blonder is an entrepreneur and growth advisor based in NYC. Her insatiable curiosity for game-changing business has led her to advise and consult for some of New York’s most successful companies. While working with many different types of businesses, Rebecca has discovered a handful of key growth differentiators that have helped her clients succeed. Today she shares the lessons she’s learned along the way to help CEO’s of small to mid-sized companies flourish.
As a Partner at the Chameleon Collective, and the founder of addHART Global Marketing & Strategy Consulting, Olivia serves growing companies as interim marketing and strategy leadership for North American, APAC & European companies. Her breadth of experience is derived from a broad range of verticals including, progressive tech, SaaS/PaaS, data, adtech, entertainment, lifestyle brands and social impact/enterprise. She has developed her own 360 marketing service proven to accelerate company growth and brand recognition, drive competitive market positioning, and establish internal infrastructures needed to facilitate rapid growth. Along the way, she’s refined her processes to mitigate unnecessary risk and remove barriers to conversion, loyalty, and revenue. Based in New York, Olivia embodies the future of decentralized work by putting her experience into a consulting practice that’s benefited companies across Australia, Singapore, Bulgaria, and London and the United States.
A third-generation New Yorker with deep roots in the City’s communications, real estate, cultural, and start-up communities, Andrew ensures Localize builds impactful relationships with the public and private sectors. Before Localize, he was the founding Director of Cultural Development at the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership where he oversaw the development of the Brooklyn Cultural District and launched Make It In Brooklyn a campaign to network and boost Brooklyn’s innovation economy. He also served as the Director of Strategy and Business Development at Lincoln Cente. Andrew has a BA in Political Science from Muhlenberg College and an MBA from NYU Stern.
Sumay Parikh has experience in distressed business turn around, marketing, strategic partnerships, product development, and operations. Previously, Sumay bootstrapped a Real Estate Investment Fund in the Midwest, constructing High-End hotels. He has experience leading strategy and growth at several velocity stage startups. He is also the host of The Unsexy Startup podcast.
Before Joining Facilitated Growth In 2013, As A Series 7 And 63 Registered Representative, Pete Was Involved In Investments Spanning Both The Public And Private Markets. At National Securities, He Maintained Client Relationships, Managed Client Accounts, And Oversaw A Team Of People. As Director Of Investment Strategy At FG, He Is Currently Using His Assets To Assist Entrepreneurs In Navigating Through The Early Stages Of The Business Process, With A Focus On Investor Sentiment. His Ability To Read And Assess Situations Is Considered By The Partners When Making A Proprietary Investment.
Alexandra Tynion Is A Principal At SeedInvest, A Leading Equity Crowdfunding Platform And Venture Fund. Alex Has Always Had A Passion For Technology And Entrepreneurship. At Georgetown, Alex Was On The Executive Team Of The World's Largest Student-Run Business. After Graduating, She Helped Build Out The University's Innovation Program, Finding Ways For Technology To Solve Campus Wide Issues. Outside Of Work, Alex Is Actively Involved In The Community. She Co-Founded Hark Society, A Non-Profit Dedicated To Enhancing Education And Cultivating Passion In The Lives Of Underserved Children In New York City. Alex Continues To Be Involved In Various Philanthropic Organizations In NYC.
David S. Rose is an Inc. 500 CEO, serial entrepreneur, super angel investor, best selling author and keynote speaker who has founded or funded over 100 pioneering companies.
He has been described by Forbes as "New York's Archangel", by BusinessWeek as a "world conquering entrepreneur", by Crain's New York Business as "the father of angel investing in New York", and by Red Herring magazine as "patriarch of Silicon Alley". He is the New York Times best selling author of both Angel Investing: The Gust Guide to Making Money & Having Fun Investing in Startups and The Startup Checklist: 25 Steps to a Scalable, High-Growth Business.
Randy is CEO of StreetCred, working on accessible, decentralized place data. Recently he was CEO of Mapzen, an all-open, mobile-focused mapping platform. A long-time leader in the open mapping community, Randy has explored how businesses and communities can work together to build the best map. After an early local and mapping startup was acquired by AOL in 2009, Randy led the engineering team at MapQuest, focusing on mobile expansion and open data and software. Randy began his career at Google, and since has moved between startups and large companies.
Digital transformation is showing companies how to change their business models and adapt to the new market reality. In order to grow, you have to create a better experience for customers, “the always-connected consumer”, through constant intelligent experimentation and never-ending research. We live in a world where now, more than ever, marketing is about creating authentic experiences and personal connection.
I live to forge long-lasting relationships with visionaries and disruptors brave enough to take their industries into the future. This world is about building your dream, and mine is to help game-changing companies achieve their goals. With my custom growth strategies and solutions on their side, nothing is out of reach for the leaders of tomorrow.
Jonathan Soniker, President of MSCO Marketing, has managed the MSCO team and business operation since 2012. Over that time, MSCO has been engaged by such corporate leaders as Mars, Marsh & McLennan, RE/MAX, AIG and Guardian Life, as well as countless startups, small and midsize businesses. Prior to this, he spent 7 years managing the Business Development department at Earthbound LLC, a leading brand management and licensing company in New York City, where he helped establish relationships and partnerships with a number of leading companies including Time Inc., Fremantle Media, CVS, Walgreen’s, Macy’s, QVC and BJs Wholesale Club.
Creative And Entrepreneurial Marketing And Business Development Professional With Ten Years Of Experience Across A Broad Range Of Strategic Planning, Sales, Marketing And Legal Functions Within The Employee Benefits, Insurance And Financial Services Industries. Proven Track Record Of Leadership; Conducting Market Research; Developing And Communicating A Vision; And Building Teams And Processes To Achieve Long-Term Goals. Particularly Skilled At Identifying Sales And Partnership Opportunities, Effective Communication Of Technical Ideas (Through Writing And Public Speaking), Relationship Building And Navigating Complex Individual And B2B Sales From Needs Development To Close.
Entrepreneurial Professional With Ability To Cultivate Business Relationships. Effectively Capitalizes On Both New And Existing Market Opportunities While Providing Superior Customer Service. Known For Contagious Passion For Excellence, Talent For Resourceful Business Solutions, And Capacity For Leadership. Exceptional Interpersonal And Team Building Skills With An Aptitude For Building Rapport With A Diverse Range Of Customers; Talent For Quickly Resolving Issues Prior To Escalation. Global Travel; Ability To Embrace Cultural Differences And Customs.
Ivy Slater Is A Business Coach, Speaker, Author And Podcast Host. After Owning And Operating A 7-Figure Printing Business She Started Slater Success Coaching (SSC), Now In Its 10th Year. SSC Focuses On Developing Great Leaders And Facilitating Business Growth And Expansion. Ivy Holds Masterminds And Retreats With Her Private Client Base And Corporate Training On Communication And Strategic Planning. She Speaks Nationwide On The Topics Of Leadership, Money And Sales.
Justin DiPietro Is The COO And Co-Founder Of SaleMove, Where He Is Responsible For Product Strategy And Direction And Day To Day Operations. Justin Stays Up To Date On Trends In Technology And Artificial Intelligence To Ensure That SaleMove’s Vision To Meet Or Exceed The In-Person Customer Experience Online Is Carried Out. Prior To SaleMove, He Worked Alongside Dan Serving As A Consultant Working With Top Enterprises On Customer And Technology Strategy. Justin Grew Up In New Jersey And Is A Graduate From Pennsylvania State University. In His Spare Time, Justin Enjoys Scuba Diving, Traveling And Surfing.
John A. Vagueiro Is A High-Energy Tech Entrepreneur Most Known For His Design & Marketing Firm Adapting Social. AS Serves Clients Ranging From Small Business To Fortune 500 Companies In Over 15 States Across The Country And 4 Countries Around The Globe Through Creative Design And Innovative Digital Marketing. John Also Has Equity In 4 Different Tech Startups In Industries Ranging From Fashion To Law. He Prides Himself On Having The Most Elite Teams In Each Field And Helping Entrepreneurs Take Their Businesses To The Next Level.