Mentors
These mentors want to help your business idea or startup.
Listed here are enthusiastic supporters of entrepreneurship in Michigan and invaluable resources. Most but not all have UM ties and will set aside their time to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams. You can request a meeting with any of them. Listed below are their self-introductions and areas of expertise.
If you'd like to be considered as a possible CFE mentor, please fill out this form.
Listed here are enthusiastic supporters of entrepreneurship in Michigan and invaluable resources. Most but not all have UM ties and will set aside their time to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams. You can request a meeting with any of them. Listed below are their self-introductions and areas of expertise.
If you'd like to be considered as a possible CFE mentor, please fill out this form.
Chris Ballard
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I am a tax and accounting attorney in a local law-firm, Bodman LLP. I prefer requests for non-profit and charities legal questions. My expertise is in tax planning, estate planning, trust administration, and corporate planning.
Before joining Bodman LLP, I was a tax associate with a major accounting firm. Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing your non-profit or charity, or if you have questions about incorporation. >> Chris's Office Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Chris | |
Jason Bloink
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I am an entrepreneur with an extensive background in technology, printing, and strategic management. Most recently, I launched an online trading card company for users to order trading cards based on his/her MySpace or Facebook profile information.
On a day-to-day basis, I work as a technology/business consultant helping companies align technology initiatives with corporate directions. I also spend a large amount of time keeping up with advances in technology, specifically those related to network architecture, virtualization, and cloud computing. I am always interested in meeting new people, discussing business ideas, and conceptualizing new companies. I will not hesitate to bring potential problems to the surface, helping to eliminate issues that may develop over time. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Michigan - Dearborn. Additionally, I hold a Master of Business Administration from the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University. I enjoy getting involved with local associations/organizations in an effort to create an entrepreneurial culture in the southeast Michigan area.
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| >> Request an Appointment with Jason | |
Wes Huffstutter
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I am the Program Manager for Student Entrepreneurship and the Catalyst Resource Network at the University of Michigan's Office of Technology Transfer. Prior to my role as Program Manager, I was a member of the Business Formation Group, helping create startups based on technology developed at the University of Michigan.
Before joining the University of Michigan, I was an independent consultant, focusing on startups and small growth companies needing assistance with strategy, marketing, and operations. I have also performed due diligence for early-stage investors. Before consulting, I spent several years in Austin, TX working for Intelligent Reasoning Systems (purchased by Photon Dynamics [NASDAQ:PHTN] in 2001) as a Researcher, and Applications Engineer before finally managing the company's marketing. Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing your business idea, funding strategy, or if you have questions about the University of Michigan's Intellectual Property Policy. I have been an advisor or consultant to a wide range of companies including service, software, consumer products, medical device, and alternative energy. >> Wes's Office Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Wes | |
Susan Kornfield
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I am an Intellectual Property Attorney in a local law-firm, Bodman LLP. I want to help students with their intellectual property questions, and with legal issues related to business formation and other. I am an alumna of the University of Michigan and am passionate to help students be successful in their businesses.
I am a published writer focusing on copyright law, e-commerce, trademarks, etc., and am a frequent guest-lecturer at the University of Michigan. Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing your problems and questions related to intellectual property. >> Susan's Office Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Susan | |
Ken Ludwig
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A few of the ways I have made money include: cowboy, carpenter, clam digger, contractor, cabinet maker, creativity consultant, writer, therapist, advocate, hard copy and software publisher, manufacturer, VC, angel investor, poet, corporate liquidator, laser/electro-optical exporter, private equity investor, HR, turn-around adviser, et al.
I teach IOE 422 and am an entrepreneur with a wide range of experience. I am especially, though far from exclusively, interested in: serious games, entrepreneurship, engineering and the arts, biofuels from algae, women entrepreneurs, universal design, bootstrapping and private equity. I am happy to meet with student entrepreneurs. >> Ken's Department Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Ken | |
Kayo Ramirez
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I am a part of Ann Arbor's entrepreneurial community, and I have marketing, business development, consulting, managerial and legal experience. My primary focus is technology businesses.
In my legal practice, I have been a part of financing, operating and selling companies, and I have advised start-up companies with financing, commercial, corporate governance and intellectual property issues. I now work as an attorney and consultant with Michigan's Small Business and Technology Development Centers. Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing support for your business ideas and taking your business to the next stage of development and funding. >> Kayo's Group Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Kayo | |
Victor Rosenberg
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I am a Professor in the School of Information where I do work on big data-problems and systems. I am also an entrepreneur who has started more than one company. My most important success came from ProCite which I sold in 1996 and is now called EndNote. Using this experience, I want to help students, faculty and staff create new businesses or grow businesses in Michigan. My primary focus is on software/information technology, but my lessons apply to many other fields as well.
Prior to joining the University of Michigan, I was a Professor of Library Science at the University of California at Berkeley. Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing your business and how I can help you. >> Victor's School Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Victor | |
Gerry Roston
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I am an active member of Ann Arbor's entrepreneurial community, and I help with the funding and development of early-stage, technology-focused businesses.
Previous experiences include, leading a clean energy company, managing a dot-net startup, working with NASA on space robotics, and developing human prosthetics technology. I am currently the Vice President of Programs for the New Enterprise Forum, an Ann Arbor organization that assists technology-focused start-ups. Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing local support for your business ideas or taking your business to the next stage of development and funding. >> Gerry's Group Website |
| >> Request an Appointment with Gerry | |
Jeffrey Schox
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I founded the Schox Patent Group, a boutique patent firm devoted to startup ventures. Drawing on my mechanical and electrical engineering degrees from the University of Michigan, I have filed over 250 patent applications in a broad range of cutting-edge technologies.
As a Professor for Stanford University, I teach "Patent Prosecution" to law students and, as a Lecturer for the University of Michigan, I teach "Patent Law and Strategy" at the new Center for Entrepreneurship. I joined the Keiretsu Forum in early 2007, and I have invested in several startup ventures including several Ann Arbor-based companies (such as Pixel Velocity and Coherix). Please talk to me if you are interested in discussing your problems and questions related to intellectual property. >> Jeffrey's Company |
| >> Request an Appointment with Jeffery | |
