Management

Karl Dakin - Chief Executive Officer
Karl Dakin is a business startup veteran with 30 years of experience as a consultant, advisor, legal counsel, expert witness, investor, principal investigator, educator, officer and director to a large number of private businesses, educational organizations, professional associations and government agencies.  Mr. Dakin has served as an executive in many leadership positions, professional associations and government agencies.  Working with cutting edge technology and programs for commercialization of innovation, Mr. Dakin has brought to bear his own creative and communication talents.  He has shared knowledge gained through these experiences through extensive writing, speaking and instruction.

Tom Frey - Futurist

Tom Frey is the Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci Institute and currently is Google's top ranked futurist speaker.  Dr. Frey is best known for his penetrating visions of the future.  As part of the celebrity speaking circuit, creating fascinating visions of the future.  Through his work at the DaVinci Institute, he has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs work through the process of launching their own companies.  Prior to founding the DaVinci Institute, Dr. Frey spent 15 years as an engineer with IBM, winning numerous awards.

Rick Janson - Vice President of Contests
Rick Janson is an entrepreneur with substantial experience in event management through his involvement with the Denver Active 20-30 Children's Foundation.  Holding virtually every position in this charitable organization, Mr. Janson has been responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for children's charities in the Denver area.  He has held management positions with several small business enterprises involving law, real estate, education and environmental services.

 

Chris Meyers - Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development

Chris Meyers has 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, most recently as the National Sales Manager for EchoStar Technologies Corporation.  While with this $2.5 billion/year electronic technology leader, Mr. Meyers was responsible for new strategic partnerships and commercial business units delivering video content to major airlines and mobile/automotive customers.  Prior to joining EchoStar, Mr. Meyers was a principal in several entrepreneurial ventures.  He also was engaged in economic development activities through Select University Technologies and the Center for Technological Innovation.

Mike Schmidt - VP of Technology, Communications and Energy Sector Advisor

Mike Schmidt, a Colorado native, has close to 30 years of experience as a technology-savvy, business development professional, with an integrated set of technology adaptation and marketing and sales skill sets that have been applied in a number of world-wide entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Schmidt’s experiences cover semiconductor chip design, data broadcasting, industrial data acquisition and control, industrial microcomputers, software development, satellite internet, broadband telecommunications services, fixed terrestrial wireless technology and services, muni broadband wireless, web-development and e-commerce, and internet media and entertainment technology and services.

Board of Advisors

Janice Jensen

Janice Jensen is a documentary filmaker and owner of Mt. Evans Pictures.  She has fifteen years of experience in creating, developing, writing and producing projects that have been presented on cable and broadcast television such as the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Her project on Lance Armstrong, Chasing Lance, was nominated for two Emmys, including "Best Sports Special".  Prior to forming her own business, Ms. Jensen was a reporter and news anchor.

Dave Taylor

David Taylor is a widely recognized expert on technical and business issues related to the Internet.  He launched for Internet-related startup businesses and operates three weblogs.  He is widely published and has written over 20 business and technical books.