September 19, 2019 -  We have some special guests that will be joining us!

We've assembled a great group of entrepreneurs that have successfully raised funds for their startups from alternative sources.  

Claire Pontbriand, PhD is the CTO and Director of Programs of EdTech startup Scoutlier.  They have raised funds from grant a grant from the Office of Naval Research - Education and Workforce Naval STEM office. Scoutlier is designed to connect middle and high school students to scientists and authentic science work through field on Cape Cod and in Californiae Naval STEM office. 

Mike Marks – Founder & President, Invention City, Inc. For three decades Mike has been developing, licensing, sourcing, manufacturing and marketing simple consumer products that have generated $600+ million in retail sales. In addition to founding Invention City he's a Co-Founder/Founder of WorkTools, Inc. Endeavor Tool Company, PaperPro, 88Radio, Sandjam'R, MoreBeach.com and N.E.Surf.  Mike's experience includes successful multimillion dollar patent litigation against a Fortune 500 Company, successful (and failed) Kickstarters, more than a dozen appearances on QVC, producing DRTV spots and sales programs, building prototypes, writing provisional patents, filing trademarks, creating business plans, forming companies, pitching investors, setting up manufacturing, managing marketing, and reviewing thousands of invention submissions. Prior to founding WorkTools in 1986, Mike worked as a commercial photographer and photojournalist in New York for clients such as American Express, Nikon and Newsweek. Mike majored in economics at UCLA and graduated in 1978. Away from work he spends as much time as possible outdoors and enjoys surfing, sailing, backpacking and time with his family.