What the heck is TEXTalks?
McCombs Class of 2017 MBA's Brett Chikowski and Josh Hall discuss the different aspects of the TexTalks Podcast & Speaker Series and outline goals for the program. |
Hyperloop - Team Guadaloop
Texas Guadaloop is a team of engineers, computer scientists and business students from Austin, TX selected by SpaceX to design and build the first working prototype of the Hyperloop transportation vehicle. They are finishing their first vehicle and will be testing their final pod at SpaceX headquarters!
Texas Guadaloop is a team of engineers, computer scientists and business students from Austin, TX selected by SpaceX to design and build the first working prototype of the Hyperloop transportation vehicle. They are finishing their first vehicle and will be testing their final pod at SpaceX headquarters!
Genesis Program - Katherine Allen
Founded by the Longhorn Engineering Advisory Delegation (LEAD) at UT Austin, the Genesis Program provides UT Austin students with mentors, investment experience and early stage funding. Funding applicants can be student innovators from any college with any degree level and applications will be assessed for product, market and execution viability, among other factors. Capital distributions are 100% philanthropic and no equity is retained. Amounts will vary per application and assessment. To learn more or to apply for funding please visit their website |
Sitevestment - Ahmed Raza
In addition to being a Junior at University of Texas at Austin, Ahmed is also the Founder, CEO, and Managing Member of Sitevestment Fund I, LP, a private equity fund with $800k in investments that specializes in web business acquisitions. He has previous experience acquiring and operating a variety of websites and is leveraging that experience to create value for investors.
To learn more about Ahmed or Sitevestment you can visit the linkedin page.
In addition to being a Junior at University of Texas at Austin, Ahmed is also the Founder, CEO, and Managing Member of Sitevestment Fund I, LP, a private equity fund with $800k in investments that specializes in web business acquisitions. He has previous experience acquiring and operating a variety of websites and is leveraging that experience to create value for investors.
To learn more about Ahmed or Sitevestment you can visit the linkedin page.
YouRefund - Omar Garza
Omar is an MBA student at McCombs and also the Founder and CEO of YouRefund, a mobile fintech startup that enables international visitors in Texas to obtain a sales tax refunds. He is one of the winners of TVL's 2015 Scholarship pitch competition and a member of ATI's SEAL class of 2015. He has previous experience managing a mid-sized manufacturing & distribution business in Mexico where he discovered his passion for entrepreneurship and the power of business to change lives for good.
Omar is an MBA student at McCombs and also the Founder and CEO of YouRefund, a mobile fintech startup that enables international visitors in Texas to obtain a sales tax refunds. He is one of the winners of TVL's 2015 Scholarship pitch competition and a member of ATI's SEAL class of 2015. He has previous experience managing a mid-sized manufacturing & distribution business in Mexico where he discovered his passion for entrepreneurship and the power of business to change lives for good.
Hick, Muse, Tate & Furst Center - Ken Wiles
Ken Wiles is the Associate Director of the Hick, Muse, Tate & Furst Center for Private Equity Finance, and a Clinical Associate Professor of The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, he is currently a manager of Turnberry/MGM Grand Towers, LLC, a Senior Advisor to AlertID, Inc., and Chairman of the Nevada Economic Forum.
He has been the President, COO, or CFO of more than 10 companies, two of which were taken public and one of which was sold to Oracle Corporation.
Ken Wiles is the Associate Director of the Hick, Muse, Tate & Furst Center for Private Equity Finance, and a Clinical Associate Professor of The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, he is currently a manager of Turnberry/MGM Grand Towers, LLC, a Senior Advisor to AlertID, Inc., and Chairman of the Nevada Economic Forum.
He has been the President, COO, or CFO of more than 10 companies, two of which were taken public and one of which was sold to Oracle Corporation.
Bractlet - Alec Manfre & Matt Lynch
Co-founders Alec Manfre and Matt Lynch re-live the journey of starting their company, Bractlet. From using translators for market research in Santiago, Chile to almost bottoming out on credit card debt, the founders of Bractlet have been through it all. Listen in on what it’s like to start and run a company with your best friends from college.
Co-founders Alec Manfre and Matt Lynch re-live the journey of starting their company, Bractlet. From using translators for market research in Santiago, Chile to almost bottoming out on credit card debt, the founders of Bractlet have been through it all. Listen in on what it’s like to start and run a company with your best friends from college.
Worksmith - Bryan Burkhart
Bryan Burkhart is the CEO & Founder of Worksmith (www.worksmith.com), a software-as-a-service enabled marketplace that connects local service providers and corporate customers. Prior to Worksmith, Bryan was the CEO and Founder of H.Bloom(acquired in March 2016) and a contributor to The New York Times' "You're The Boss" column with his "Building the Team" blog.
Bryan Burkhart is the CEO & Founder of Worksmith (www.worksmith.com), a software-as-a-service enabled marketplace that connects local service providers and corporate customers. Prior to Worksmith, Bryan was the CEO and Founder of H.Bloom(acquired in March 2016) and a contributor to The New York Times' "You're The Boss" column with his "Building the Team" blog.
Lohas Capital - Andrew Strong
Andrew Strong is the co-founder of Lohas Capital, an equity crowdfunding marketing company.
Andrew Strong is the co-founder of Lohas Capital, an equity crowdfunding marketing company.
AffiniPay - Amy Porter
2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Affinipay Founder Amy Porter has built her company without ever having to raise money. Find out how she listened to her customer’s true pain points and developed strategic partnerships to build a market leader in professional services payments.
2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Affinipay Founder Amy Porter has built her company without ever having to raise money. Find out how she listened to her customer’s true pain points and developed strategic partnerships to build a market leader in professional services payments.