Once again, the time has come for our Entrepreneur Panel, tomorrow Wednesday, April 12 from 19 - 1 pm, in University Center 312. We have three amazing people who will be coming to talk about their adventures as entrepreneurs, so bring questions! We can't wait to see you!

Alex Chizhik ‘97, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, VIMRO, LLC--University of Baltimore, School of Law, J.D.; University of Maryland, Baltimore County, B.A., Economics, Double Minor, Finance and International Affairs

A simple telephone call in 2005 from a friend asking for advice led Alex to joining his friend’s startup as a Partner and Employee #2. 12 years later, as the company grew from 2 people to 50, and over $10M in revenue, Alex says he can’t imagine doing anything else. VIMRO provides professional services in the IT infrastructure space working within datacenters and wide and local area commercial networks.

Rob Deford ‘93, Owner and President, Boordy Vineyards-- Loyola University, MBA; University of Maryland, Baltimore County, B.A., Geography

Rob Deford is a twelfth generation Marylander with over forty years of experience in the wine industry. He studied viticulture and enology at the University of California at Davis from 1979–1980. Upon returning to Maryland, Rob assumed the role of president and winemaker of Maryland’s historic Boordy Vineyards. Under Rob’s guidance Boordy has gained a reputation as a leader in the regional wine movement in the mid-Atlantic, through one of the most exciting and challenging periods for the American wine industry.

Kara Redman, CEO, Backroom

Kara is an ex-full service agency strategist who needed a better way to do great work. So she founded Backroom in 2014, where they use deliberate process to build brands and web technology that empowers the visionary people who work with them to go out and do big things. She believes that how they get there is just as important as where they end up, and the best products come from intimate collaboration with clients and constant iteration. At Backroom, they help companies with real substance live up to their potential, and build incredible relationships in the process.

Co-Sponsored by the UMBC Career Center

Once again, the time has come for our Entrepreneur Panel, next week Wednesday, April 12 from 19 - 1 pm, in University Center 312. We have three amazing people who will be coming to talk about their adventures as entrepreneurs, so bring questions! We can't wait to see you!

Alex Chizhik ‘97, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, VIMRO, LLC--University of Baltimore, School of Law, J.D.; University of Maryland, Baltimore County, B.A., Economics, Double Minor, Finance and International Affairs

A simple telephone call in 2005 from a friend asking for advice led Alex to joining his friend’s startup as a Partner and Employee #2. 12 years later, as the company grew from 2 people to 50, and over $10M in revenue, Alex says he can’t imagine doing anything else. VIMRO provides professional services in the IT infrastructure space working within datacenters and wide and local area commercial networks.

Rob Deford ‘93, Owner and President, Boordy Vineyards-- Loyola University, MBA; University of Maryland, Baltimore County, B.A., Geography

Rob Deford is a twelfth generation Marylander with over forty years of experience in the wine industry. He studied viticulture and enology at the University of California at Davis from 1979–1980. Upon returning to Maryland, Rob assumed the role of president and winemaker of Maryland’s historic Boordy Vineyards. Under Rob’s guidance Boordy has gained a reputation as a leader in the regional wine movement in the mid-Atlantic, through one of the most exciting and challenging periods for the American wine industry.

Kara Redman, CEO, Backroom

Kara is an ex-full service agency strategist who needed a better way to do great work. So she founded Backroom in 2014, where they use deliberate process to build brands and web technology that empowers the visionary people who work with them to go out and do big things. She believes that how they get there is just as important as where they end up, and the best products come from intimate collaboration with clients and constant iteration. At Backroom, they help companies with real substance live up to their potential, and build incredible relationships in the process.

Co-Sponsored by the UMBC Career Center

Do you have a great idea or product in mind, but aren’t sure how to turn it into a valuable product? Then join us in the Commons 318 tomorrow, Wednesday, April 12 from 12-1 pm. You’ll learn how to develop an idea into a scalable product that will reach the needs of your customer segment. We look forward to seeing you!

The challenge for many entrepreneurs is they focus on their technology and oftentimes forget to explain its true value in a way that provides a customer not only inspiration, but permission to make a purchase. In this discussion, we'll focus on how the good idea becomes an even greater product. Just what does it take to make the transition from a technology that is inspiring in its own right to an item that has true value to the right customer segment. And in walking through this offering, our takeaway is to embrace the customer voice in clear concise English with demonstrable value and benefit.

About Peter

From acceleration to business incubation, from go-to-market programs in AgTech, MedTech and Cyber as well as interaction with potential funding sources, Mr. Ettinger is focused on the transition of the good idea to an even greater product.

As Executive Director of the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship he centers on not only finding, but growing those companies that have the go-to-market strengths that will allow them to make a real difference in their individual segments.

Peter has held senior leadership positions in both public and private companies: from Johns Hopkins University Medical School working with MD and PhD students as they transition qualified ideas from the bench to the bedside for both the domestic and global marketplace to President of publically traded Document Security Systems where he  increased sales by 200% by the restructure of its production staff, improving go-to market performance, and building an integrated sales structure.

With numerous speeches and presentations throughout the world, Ettinger is an author of articles in the fields of authentication, verification and document security and has also received numerous awards in the media and production fields.

Do you have a great idea or product in mind, but aren’t sure how to turn it into a valuable product? Then join us in the Commons 318 on Wednesday, April 12 from 12-1 pm. You’ll learn how to develop an idea into a scalable product that will reach the needs of your customer segment. We look forward to seeing you!

The challenge for many entrepreneurs is they focus on their technology and oftentimes forget to explain its true value in a way that provides a customer not only inspiration, but permission to make a purchase. In this discussion, we'll focus on how the good idea becomes an even greater product. Just what does it take to make the transition from a technology that is inspiring in its own right to an item that has true value to the right customer segment. And in walking through this offering, our takeaway is to embrace the customer voice in clear concise English with demonstrable value and benefit.

About Peter

From acceleration to business incubation, from go-to-market programs in AgTech, MedTech and Cyber as well as interaction with potential funding sources, Mr. Ettinger is focused on the transition of the good idea to an even greater product.

As Executive Director of the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship he centers on not only finding, but growing those companies that have the go-to-market strengths that will allow them to make a real difference in their individual segments.

Peter has held senior leadership positions in both public and private companies: from Johns Hopkins University Medical School working with MD and PhD students as they transition qualified ideas from the bench to the bedside for both the domestic and global marketplace to President of publically traded Document Security Systems where he  increased sales by 200% by the restructure of its production staff, improving go-to market performance, and building an integrated sales structure.

With numerous speeches and presentations throughout the world, Ettinger is an author of articles in the fields of authentication, verification and document security and has also received numerous awards in the media and production fields.

Working in UMBC’s community of entrepreneurs has been such a learning experience for me, and I can’t think of another community that could be a greater source of inspiration and motivation. As the semester comes to a close and my graduation from UMBC approaches, my time as the Alex. Brown Center’s marketing intern is coming to an end. The Center is actively looking for a new Marketing Intern who demonstrates enthusiasm for the ENTR community at UMBC, and who wants to help take the Alex. Brown Center to the next level. If this sounds like something you are interested in, don’t hesitate to apply!

Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship Social Media Marketing Intern Responsibilities

1.        Update/enhance Alex. Brown Center website on a regular basis

2.       Ensure all social media tools, including the Center’s Twitter feed, LinkedIn group, Facebook page, myUMBC Group and ENTR Minor Group page is consistently up to date by providing relevant information on applied learning opportunities, events and professional development opportunities

a.       Content contains information about upcoming events, competitions, available resources or other opportunities.

b.       Create 2-3 posts a week

3.       Set up a calendar of events on myUMBC

4.       Promote and share top events for UMBC representatives (student, faculty and company entrepreneurs) to attend or present

5.       Provide students interested in starting businesses with relevant tools and documentation on how to get started via the ABCE website

6.       Attend Center sponsored events for documentation purposes

a.       Encourage others to get involved in the online conversations as well

7.       Serve as a familiar student contact for students who may have questions about the ENTR program(s) or events

Relevant Skills/Characteristics

1.       Excellent writing/communication skills

2.       Knowledgeable and skilled in use of social media techniques/methods

3.       Knowledgeable and skilled in WordPress and Adobe Photoshop

4.       Responsive and responsible

5.       Able to connect and network with both student and professional entrepreneurs

6.       Preferred but not required: Being in the ENTR Minor program

Pay:  $10 an hour for up to 8-10 hours a week

Please contact Vivian Armor (armor@umbc.edu) or me (snaimi1@umbc.com) with any questions regarding responsibilities and expectations.

If you are interested in this position send resumes to Vivian Armor at armor@umbc.edu by April 12, 2017.

If you are in the tech industry, you know the FireEye name. Whether you are an investor, customer or competitor, there is no denying the company seemingly took off running overnight. But many are unaware of the complete history of FireEye and how entrepreneurs can use FireEye as a case study to their own advantage for future growth. 

Don't miss bwtech@UMBC’s signature CyberInnovation Briefing to hear from the expert panel as they quickly travel through FireEye’s timeline of growth (and some hiccups along the way) to point out some key takeaways that help answer the larger questions:

• How real is the “cybersecurity hype cycle?”

• Why you should know the difference between a platform vs. point solution?

• How can companies recognize if they are building a product or a feature?

• How strategic and business model decisions have the potential to introduce conflicts?

• Why entrepreneurs should be sensitive to market conditions?
  

PANELISTS

Keith Moulsdale, Partner, Whiteford, Taylor and Preston (moderator)

Ron Gula, President, Gula Tech Adventures

Michele Perry, Founder, MPB Strategies

Todd Weller, Founder, CyberXperts

Click here to register. Note, the event IS free. 

1. Don’t be afraid to fail 
2. Don't misinterpret your market 
3. Don't delay your launch
4. Don't blindly create a product
5. Don't forget about branding
6. Don’t think you know it all
7. Don't get materialistic
8. Don't move too slowly
9. Don’t give yourself the wrong salary
10. Don't avoid contracts
11. Don't neglect your marketing budget
12. Don't make hires too soon
13. Don't take negativity to heart
14. Don't go it alone
15. Don't be greedy
16. Don't forget about due diligence
17. Don't get too wrapped up in your ideas