MIT Panel: Private Equity and Venture Capital Panel

Join us for a unique opportunity to interact with Private Equity and Venture Capital executives at multiple stages of private equity and learn more about the state of today's investment community, including how companies find capital in the current economic environment in Texas.

Cost:  Free with registration. Please RSVP, no walk-ins allowed due to building security.
Register NOW:  This event has limited availability, so please register early.
Date and Time: Thursday, April  11th, 2019, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

AGENDA:
6:00–7:00 p.m. Registration and networking
7:00–7:10 p.m. Welcome & Panel Introduction
7:10–8:00 p.m. Panel: Venture Capital, Private Equity, Private Investing in Texas
8:00–8:30 p.m. Q&A
8:30–9:00 p.m. Networking

Location: Fossil Group, 901 S. Central Expwy. Richardson TX 75080
Contact:  Damian Fernandez   fernandezlamela@sloan.mit.edu

Panelists:
• Felipe Mendoza - Managing Director - Aristos Ventures • David Sym-Smith Partner. -Mobility Ventures • Edward Crawford -Co-Founder President -Coltala Holdings • Patrick George - Co-Founder and President for Accelerate Resources • Matthew Hagen - founder and Managing Partner of Leeward Capital Management  •  Farley Dakan -Managing Partner of Scout SSG

Felipe Mendoza is the Managing Director of Aristos Ventures, a micro venture capital fund focusing on early stage technology companies in Texas.  Felipe received an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University. He holds 6 patents.

Edward Crawford is the Co-Founder and President of Coltala Holdings in Dallas and Ft Worth. Edward was a VP at Goldman Sachs and also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Edward served as a Naval Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Edward has an undergrad degree from TCU, Master's Degrees from Tulane, and MBA from MIT Sloan.

David Sym-Smith, is a Partner at Mobility Ventures and served as Interim CEO at IndoTraq who has developed the fastest and most precise wireless indoor 3D tracking system.  David is a 25 year mobile industry veteran and has a solid record of building multimillion dollar operations from scratch along with profitable exits. He holds an M.B.A. from Pennsylvania State University – Smeal College of Business.

Mr. George is a Co-Founder and President for Accelerate Resources, an oil and gas company that invests 
in non-operated and mineral assets in the Permian Basin. Prior, he was with Energy Spectrum Advisors, the 
investment banking arm for BOK Financial, and served as the Principal for the headquarters in Dallas. He is a Marine Corps officer and continues to serve as a major in the Reserves. Mr. George received an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University, where he was a Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow and Nolan Scholar. He earned a BA in Economics and Government from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. George serves 
on the Advisory Council to Cornell’s Johnson School.

Matthew Hagen is the founder and Managing Partner of Leeward Capital Management, a specialty finance business focused on asset-light businesses with mission-critical systems or data. Prior to Leeward, Matthew was the CEO and principal owner of American Forest Products, an international manufacturing and technology-enabled logistics business. Matthew completed a BS in International Business and a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Matthew is also a 15-year member of the YPO.

Farley Dakan is the Managing Partner of Scout SSG, a special
situations private equity platform focused on investing in distressed
credit, operating companies and direct asset acquisitions.  He is
currently serving as the CEO of Will Energy Corp, a portfolio E&P
company focused on acquiring conventional PDP assets.  Farley was
previously a Managing Director at Mackinac Partners, a
turnaround/restructuring advisory firm.  Farley graduated with a
degree in Finance from Baylor University.