SpartUp Speaker Series
Pitching Your Startup
March 14th, 2024, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Library - SJPL Works Room
In-Person - Snacks and pizza will be provided!
Are you a founder working to bring your startup to fruition? Join the SpartUp Incubator for a discussion on the art and science of pitching your startup. Panelists will share their first-hand experience with pitching and being pitched to, from the perspectives of fundraising, sales, and recruiting co-founders. We welcome all Spartans to join us for the first SpartUp Speaker Series Event to feature a live pitch presentation by members of our SpartUp Incubator!
Neda Blocho
Neda is the Staff VP of Digital Innovation at Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) working with early stage digitally based HealthTech startups to pilot and scale their services within the enterprise. Neda's path to entrepreneurship began at Stanford University, where she helped to build and run the Stanford Venture Studio program at the Graduate School of Business. Neda went on to evolve and expand the StartX accelerator program, where her focus was helping founders maximize their potential through education and strategic relationships at Stanford University. She then joined Pear Ventures as an investment Partner for pre-seed to seed stage startups. Neda also worked as Principal and Head of Studios for Avanta Ventures, building her expertise in corporate venture capital in the InsurTech vertical. Neda has spent over 10 years guiding and mentoring startup founders, and is passionate about all facets of innovation. In her spare time Neda coaches group fitness classes as a certified trainer, and also competes in Decathlons.
Sebastien Torre
Sebastien Torre, an expert in global entrepreneurship, has been the president of the European American Enterprise Council for over 25 years. With this extensive experience in global relations as well as advising and mentorship at a multitude of universities and advising groups, Sebastien brings a lot of wisdom to the panel.
Dom Okiemute
Okiemute is a seasoned business development professional with a decade of experience in finance, banking, and fintech. Experienced in negotiating partnerships, expanding into new markets, and increasing visibility, he is currently the CEO of a Y-Combinator startup Miden. Having been in a variety of roles over the years, Okiemute has extensive experience with startup growth and pitching.
Keegan Evans
Keegan Evans has over 20 years of experience in leadership in a wide variety of fields. Starting his career in the US Marine Corps, and eventually transitioning to leadership positions at high-tech companies, he is very familiar with what it takes to lead. Having nurtured innovation and large-scale change in multiple positions, Keegan knows what it takes to win someone over with a pitch.
