This session is part of our UTSW AI INNOVATIONS CHALLENGE. We enthusiastically invite you to attend talks from presernters at UT Southwestern, Technology companies, Venture Capitalists, and other UT institutions. The conference link has the full list of talks. 

Presenter: Weston Waldo
Director TEXVMS
Program Manager
SW I-Corps, NSF I-Corps™ Certified Core Instructor
 

Overview: 
Join us for an insightful talk on the Business Model Canvas, presented by Weston Waldo from the University of Texas at Austin. Discover how this powerful tool can help you map, design, and pivot your business strategy to achieve market success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a startup enthusiast, or a seasoned business professional, this session will provide you with practical insights and actionable steps to turn innovative ideas into viable business models. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your entrepreneurial toolkit and drive your venture forward! 

Bio: 
Weston Waldo is a highly accomplished educator, entrepreneur, and investor with a proven track record in both rural and urban DeepTech startup ecosystems. Beginning his career as an Associate at Benchmark Private Equity Group, he performed due diligence on projects valued between $10M - $50M and helped raise capital from top banks such as Deutsche Bank, Barclays, and HSBC. Weston then collaborated with Texas Tech University (TTU) as an Entrepreneurial Lead, commercializing a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER-funded project through the NSF National I-Corps program, resulting in the creation of a startup company, exclusive licensing agreements of university-owned patents, NSF STTR, private capital funding, and a successful exit. He founded two additional companies in life sciences and renewable energy. As the Founding Program Director at TTU's Innovation Hub, he led initiatives including NSF I-Corps in the Southwest Node and Site, GLEAMM Spark Fund, Hub Fuel Ag-Tech Fund, Presidents' Innovation, and Prototype Funds. Later, at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF), he served as the Founding Venture Development Project Director, leading early-stage startup venture development and managing the Walton Family Foundation's venture fund. At UAF, he significantly increased the state’s EPSCoR program standing. Currently, Weston is the Director and Assistant Director at the University of Texas at Austin's Austin Technology Incubator and manages the $15M NSF I-Corps Southwest Region Hubs and TEXVMS program. He is also an NSF Regional and National I-Corps Core Instructor for various hubs and nodes, having led 11 National I-Corps and 78 Regional I-Corps cohorts, trained 1282 I-Corps teams, and endorsed 335 teams for the NSF National I-Corps program. Weston continues to make significant contributions to the startup ecosystem and venture development.