See below for a complete schedule of conference events. All times are Eastern. Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
4–5PM
Crossing the Silicon Valley of Death
Hear Snehal Antani share his experiences founding a company, raising $80 million in venture capital, and successfully crossing the “valley of death” while navigating unforeseen crises, including COVID, a recession, and the Silicon Valley Bank collapse.
• Snehal Antani (S’02), CEO, Horizon3.ai
6–8PM
Networking Welcome Reception
Hosted by the Purdue Alumni Entrepreneurship Network
• Erik Miller (T’99), Winemaker and Owner, Kokomo Winery
Transportation will be provided between the Convergence Center and our two Entrepreneurial Alumni Reunion hotels.
8:30–9AM
Breakfast Buffet
9–9:15AM
The History and Vision of Purdue Innovates
Introducing Purdue Innovates, a streamlined system providing innovators support and resources for technology commercialization, intellectual property protection and licensing, enterprise creation, and venture capital.
• Moderator: Brooke Beier (BME’08, MS BME’10, PhD BME’11), Senior Vice President, Purdue Innovates
9:15–9:30AM
Keynote
In just two short campaigns, the Purdue women’s basketball team has begun the process to return to the national stage. Coach Gearlds has established a new culture, revamped recruiting, and reconnected with the alumnae and fan bases. Drawing from her experiences on and off the court, she kicks off the day with Boilermaker spirit and inspiration.
• Katie Gearlds (LA’07), Head Coach, Purdue Women’s Basketball
9:30–9:55AM
Women in Entrepreneurship Panel
A panel of founders celebrates women in entrepreneurship as they engage in a candid conversation around the unique experiences of women and nonbinary individuals in the innovation ecosystem.
• Emily Liggett (ChE’77), Founder and CEO, Liggett Advisors
• Beth Bostwick (M’89), Founder, Mainn
• Nikeytha “Nickey” Ramsey (HHS’14), Founder, Junobie
10:15–11:10AM
Purdue Innovates Presentations
The Purdue innovation community comprises many organizations that holistically support Purdue innovators. Hear from the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, Anvil, John Martinson Entrepreneurial Center, Office of Technology Commercialization, Incubator, Startup Foundry, Silicon Valley Boilermaker Innovation Group, and Purdue Alumni Entrepreneurship Network.
• Nathalie Duval-Couetil (MS EDU’99, PhD EDU’05), Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship
• Matthew Lynall and Fabricio d’Almeida, Student Managed Fund
• Cagri Savran, John Martinson Entrepreneurial Center
• Abhijit Karve, Office of Technology Commercialization
• Justin Renfrow, Incubator
• Tyler Mantel (ME’13, ChE’13), Startup Foundry: Purdue Angels
• John Boyle (ECE’80), Silicon Valley Boilermaker Innovation Group
• Ryan Kay, Purdue Alumni Entrepreneurship Network
11:15AM–Noon
Rising Purdue Technologies
The Office of Technology Commercialization and Incubator uncover exciting emerging Purdue technologies.
• Abhijit Karve, Director of Business Development, Office of Technology Commercialization
• Justin Renfrow, Director, Incubator
• Philip Low, Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
12:15–1:15PM
Lunch Buffet and Keynote
In this intimate discussion, Purdue University President Mung Chiang, Bill Elmore, and John Martinson explore the role of educational institutions within the innovation ecosystem and the importance of investing in the future of Boilermaker innovation.
• Mung Chiang, President, Purdue University
• Bill Elmore (ECE’75, MS ECE’76), General Partner, Handshake Ventures
• John Martinson (MS AAE’71), Managing Partner, Edison Ventures
1:15–1:45PM
Networking
1:45–2:30PM
Purdue Innovation Startup Showcase
The showcase features rapid three-minute pitches from top venture-ready startups and the opportunity to engage with their expo booths before casting a vote for your favorite. The two startups with the most votes will be invited back for the Startup Power Pitch on Saturday to compete for investment.
• Art Norins (IE’92), Founder, Chairman, and CEO, RS11 Inc.
2:30–3PM
Showcase Continues and Networking
3–3:45PM
Venture Panel
A panel of experienced venture capitalists takes the stage to discuss the current status of the VC landscape, trends, challenges, and the importance of venture funding for early-stage and growth-stage startups.
• Moderator: Madison Sowards, Venture Community Manager, Startup Foundry
• Christopher “Toph” Day (T’92), CEO, Elevate Ventures
• Curtis McKee (ECE’01), Partner, Third Point Ventures
• Jackie Magno (S’85, MS M’87), Managing Director, Golden Seeds
4–4:45PM
Alumni Exits Panel with Socio and Adranos
Boilermakers have a long history of thinking big and pushing the boundaries of innovation. Joe Watkins and Brielle Terry have carried that Boilermaker spirit through successful startup exits. In this candid conversation, they share their lived experiences of scaling their ventures from idea to exit.
• Moderator: Stacey Burr (IE’84, MS M’91), Founder and President, Future Standard Inc.
• Joe Watkins, Socio
• Brielle Terry (MS AAE’15, PhD AAE’15), Adranos
4:45–5PM
Closing Remarks
Brian Edelman concludes the day with a reflection on innovation at Purdue.
• Brian Edelman (MS M’84), President, Purdue Research Foundation
5–7PM
Break
7–10:30PM
Networking Reception
Hosted beer, wine, and mixed cocktails
8:45–9:30AM
Breakfast Buffet
9:30–10:30AM
Startup Power Pitch
In this final-round pitch competition, the top two startups that received the most votes from Friday’s showcase compete for investment. This engaging pitch competition features a live Q&A from a panel of expert judges before the winner is announced.
• Jim Bullard, Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business and Distinguished Professor of Service
10:30–11AM
Networking and Break
11AM–Noon
Student Managed Venture Fund Pitches Just added!
Students from the Purdue Student Managed Venture Fund course present the Seed-Series A startup companies they are considering for investment. They also solicit audience feedback as they continue the diligence process.
3:30PM
Purdue Football vs. Minnesota
Purchase tickets online
Patsy earned a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition in business from Purdue in 1969, in addition to an MBA in food marketing from Michigan State University in 1970. She retired from Kraft Foods in 2006 after 36 years in corporate food marketing and marketing communications management.
A community volunteer, Patsy serves on the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana Advisory Board and the Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences Dean’s Leadership Council, in addition to the President’s Council Advisory Board. She is a former member of the Health and Human Sciences Alumni Board. Patsy held several offices from 2006 through 2013, including president and treasurer. She serves her community’s Discover Indianapolis Club in Fishers, holding several leadership roles for over 10 years.
Patsy has received several honors, including the Purdue University Nutrition Science Department Hall of Fame recipient in 2009 and the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. She also received the college’s Gold and Black Award in 2016, an honor reserved for donors who have moved the college forward by committing exceptional financial resources.
In addition to endowing two scholarships, the Patsy J. Mellott Scholarship and Patsy J. Mellott HHS Scholarship, she established the Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award in the College of Health and Human Sciences in 2013. In 2015, she endowed the Patsy J. Mellott Women’s Tennis Coach Performance Award. She is a lead donor in the Christine M. Ladisch Faculty Leadership Award and the Purdue Women’s Network Virginia C. Meredith Scholarship for the College of Health and Human Sciences.