Overview

Why are you interested in becoming a Trustee?

As the EIR at Olympus, CMU's startup incubator, I coach students and faculty who want to explore commercialization of their research and innovations. My goal is to have them advance sufficiently to get funding by either being accepted into an accelerator or through revenues. In short, I want to help those who want to start businesses be successful.

What is the mission of your organization?

Borrower Due Diligence

How will you decide who to endorse as a borrower? What due diligence will you conduct?

I will likely endorse only those borrowers who I have direct knowledge of - in short, the startups that I have worked with. I will review their business plan, ask detailed questions where there are gaps or clarity is needed. As an angel investor and EIR for 7 years helping over 100 companies raise over $100 million in follow on investment (as well as the former COO for Mellon Labs, an internal incubator for Mellon Bank), I have developed expertise in understanding what is needed for a business model to be viable, judging the seriousness and competency of the founder(s), and insisting upon an executable sales and marketing plan. Due diligence will include making sure their paperwork (incorporation, operating agreements etc) are in order. I usually know who the reference customers are (many I introduced to the founders) so I generally know how well the relationship is going, if quality product/service is being delivered. Additional dd will depend on the company e.g. do they need FDA approval; need to go through an ORB process etc.