IU Ventures

Thomason "Tommy" Chan is a Serial Entrepreneur and the CEO of ACwise. He's been at the forefront of innovation in FoodTech, online marketplace, FinTech, and sustainability, and has over 15 years of experience building and scaling startups in Asia. Hear how he got his first number at Nick's, how ACwise is leading accessible sustainability, how to keep your entrepreneurial spirit as a founder, why i...

Max Yoder is the Co-Founder and Former CEO of Lessonly, which was acquired by Seismic in 2021. He's the Author of Do Better Work, an Amazon #1 Bestseller about communication and teamwork. Hear why he initially thought he got rejected by IU, how to find mentors and gain support from others, the pivot that shaped the trajectory of Lessonly, how to show your humanity as an entrepreneur, and how his b...

Brian DeKemper is an Enterprise Account Executive in AWS's Higher Education practice, helping research universities develop strategies for leveraging cloud computing. He's spent the last 20 years working in different parts of the education technology (EdTech) market segment, including his start as employee #35 at ANGEL Learning (acquired by Blackboard). Hear his memories coming to IU football game...

Grace Hahn is Senior Associate at Edison Partners who has spent her entire career at the intersection of financial services and technology. At Edison, Grace focuses on evaluating and executing investments in Software, Fintech, and Healthcare IT, as well as new investment origination and existing portfolio company support. Hear whether AI is at an inflection point, how to position your company for...

Jim Fielding is a respected retail and media industry veteran whose expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. He currently serves as a Partner at Archer Gray, an independent media company, and President of its Co-Lab Division. Hear his favorite memories from Disney, Dreamworks, Twentieth Century Fox, and Claire's, his leadership philosophy, caree...

Kim Saxton is a Clinical Professor of Marketing and Todd Saxton is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship - both at the Kelley School of Business. They've advised and helped launch hundreds of startups and also worked with large corporations and medium-sized businesses. Hear why research is like entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial resources available in Bloomington and to IU alu...

Brennan Woodruff is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of GoCharlie. AI, your new AI marketing assistant. After a decade working in finance, Brennan was drawn to the power of generative AI to allow entrepreneurs, brands, and businesses tell their stories in new ways through top quality marketing content. Hear the game-winning moment that sold him on attending IU, the potential of AI in mark...

Haley Zollo is a Partner at Starting Line, an early stage consumer focused fund based in Chicago. Prior to her transition to the VC (Venture Capital) side of things, Haley spent a majority of her career scaling retail startups and leading strategy, data analytics, and business operations at Trunk Club (acquired by Nordstrom) and Mac & Mia (acquired by Stitch Fix). Hear how to get into the VC world...

Jori Davis is the Founder & CEO of WEVOLV, an all-in-one sports management app revolutionizing the athlete's journey through a unique data strategy. She's one of the most distinguished basketball players in Indiana University history and recently completed her 12th season as a professional basketball player. Hear her favorite memories on and off the court at IU, the moment she got drafted to the W...

Jake Miller is a highly experienced and accomplished technologist who is the Founder & CEO of The Engineered Innovation Group. Hear how his time at IUPUI shaped his career, the impact AI (Artificial Intelligence) will have on the future of business, how to create a company that celebrates diversity, creativity, and insatiable curiosity, how to take projects from idea through commercialization, and...

Justin Delaney is a serial entrepreneur and Managing Partner at Wabi Capital who has grown companies explosively fast with notable exits, including Menguin and Buff City Soap. Hear his favorite memories from Bloomington, how his time getting his Kelley MBA transformed his life, his investors Scott Dorsey and Mark Cuban, fun stories about his friend and partner George Zimmer of Men's Wearhouse, and...

Welcome to IU Ventures! In this pilot episode, IU Ventures VP - Engagement Jon Barada chats all things IU and founding and funding startups with True Ventures Partner Tony Conrad. Tony founded about.me and Sphere (both acquired by AOL) and now collaborates with founders building brands and companies that permeate the cultural zeitgeist, including Peloton, Fitbit, and Ring. Hear his favorite and le...