Panels

10:00-11:10
Panel: The Future of Social Media on New Ventures: This panel will explore 2 dissecting themes. First, we will discuss how to use social media effectively in new ventures, and what changes can we expect going forward. Secondly, we will investigate the future and viability of business models that are heavily supported by a social media outlet or platform. We will engage in dialogue that considers a cross-section of perspectives from venture capital, media, and the digital communications industries.

• Moderator:
  Waverly Deutsch, Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chicago Booth
  
• Panelists:
  Juliet Diiorio, ClearGauge
  Daniel Honigman, Weber Shandwick
  Matthew McCall, New World Ventures
  Michael Slaby, CTO of Obama Campaign

Panel: Launching from the University: This panel will explore how one person or a team of individuals can successfully launch a business from an academic setting.  Panelists have experience in navigating the often difficult road of forming a business at a university level and also share their insights into their own journeys, how to leverage resources, and how the climate has changed over time.

• Moderator:
  Gary Conkright
• Panelists:
  Mike Farb, CaptainU
  Richard Gengler, Prevail Health Solutions
  Brian Coe, Litholink
  Phil Leslie, ProOnGo

11:20-12:30
Panel: Investing in Health Care: This panel will explore the vast array of issues currently affecting the health care start-up and VC environment. Given the new era of a tough fund raising environment, coupled with new perspectives on areas of growth, the panelists will take a deep dive into the opportunities and threats within the industry.

• Moderator:
  Ira Weiss, Hyde Park Angels
• Panelists:
  Matt Downs, Sandbox Industries
  Donna Williamson, Ceres Fund
  Jim Koziarz, Midwest Venture Partners
  Tom Cox, Seneca Partners
  Ben Magnano, Frazier Healthcare

Panel: Straddling the Continental Divide—Growing Businesses in India and Africa: This panel will explore the intricacies of entrepreneurs who operate their businesses from the United States and another country simultaneously.  Specifically, this panel focuses on India and Africa given the high existence of entrepreneurs who are currently setting up shop there and vice versa.  We will discuss both the challenges and opportunities of running a global operation.

• Moderator:
  Linda Darragh, Clinical Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the Polsky Center
• Panelists:
  Sunil Gaitonde, GS Lab
  Varsay Sirleaf, SKS Rubber, LLC
  Santanu DasGupta, TeleCascade Networks

2:10-3:20
Panel: Inside Look: How Start-up CEOs Manage Change: This panel will explore how the CEO/Founder manages commonly encountered challenges and changes in the startup environment.  We will discuss the panelist’s experiences in raising money, changing their business models, managing growth, changing board members, and other relevant topics. 

• Moderator:
  Craig Wortmann, Adjunct Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chicago Booth
• Panelists:
  Karan Goel, PrepME
  Leslie Lancry, Language Stars
  George Aspland, ReTel Technologies
  Joe Dwyer, Brill Street and OCA Ventures

Speed Networking Session: The goal of the Speed Networking session is to connect with students, alums, and other industry professionals in a structured manner. Participants will have the opportunity to talk with individuals in 3-minute increments. The Speed Networking session is scheduled to occur right before the Fireside Chat with Eric Lefkofsky, and we are anticipating a great turnout.

• Moderator:
  Robert Finkel, President and Founder of Prism Capital