UNMET Founders 2020

Matt is the founder and CEO of Powderkeg, a network of local communities with global reach for tech entrepreneurs, investors, and top talent. Powderkeg entrepreneurs have collectively raised more than $1 Billion in capital and are disrupting industries, creating wealth, and changing the world from areas beyond Silicon Valley. Hunckler has led successful teams with his own ventures, as well as Inc. 500 companies and venture-funded tech startups. He’s been named an Under 30 CEO Entrepreneur to Watch and an IBJ Forty Under 40 Honoree for his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Sandra Watson brings more than 20 years of economic development leadership experience to Arizona. She and her teams have successfully attracted to Arizona more than 750 companies that have committed to invest nearly $10 billion in capital and create more than 125,000 jobs.

During her tenure with the Arizona Department of Commerce, and now the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Ms. Watson served in multiple positions with increasing responsibilities and results. She has led Business Attraction, Business Development, Innovation & Technology, Workforce and Marketing divisions. She served as the Executive Director on the Governor’s Council of Innovation & Technology in advancing the state’s Innovation and Technology roadmap.

Ms. Watson began her career in Canada and brings not only a wealth of knowledge on the regional, state and national levels but can execute effectively on an international scale.

Ms. Watson is a collaborative leader who excels in strategic thinking and relationship building. She worked tirelessly to implement the new vision for the Arizona Commerce Authority, providing invaluable leadership and stability during its transition from the Department of Commerce into one of the nation’s first public-private partnerships focused on economic development. She was instrumental in guiding the implementation of the ACA’s aggressive five-year business plan promoting the state’s pro-business, competitive value proposition. Under her leadership, the ACA has transformed into Arizona’s leading economic development organization, and advances its three-pronged approach to strengthen the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

She earned an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University, and has completed the Global Leadership Certification program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. In addition to serving on numerous regional and statewide Boards of Directors, Ms. Watson serves on the Board of Trustees for the State Science and Technology Institute, a national organization focused on promoting technology-based economic development, and is a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona.

In 2014, the Phoenix Business Journal recognized Ms. Watson as one of the 25 “Most Admired Leaders in Business” and Az Business selected her for its 2014-15 Az Business Leaders publication spotlighting Arizona’s most respected and influential business leaders. In 2013, Az Business also recognized Ms. Watson as one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business.” The Phoenix Business Journal in 2012, recognized Ms. Watson among the “Top 25 Women in Business,” one of the 2008 “Power Players in the Phoenix Metro Area,” and in 2004, recognized her as an up-and-coming Arizona leader, with its “Forty Under 40” designation. Ms. Watson is also a two-time recipient of the Arizona Technology Council’s Chairman’s Award (2003 and 2010).

Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto, Sean Green holds a BA in Computer Science from York University. Since graduating in 2011, Sean has been the consummate entrepreneur following his instincts, which eventually lead him to the business of art. Based in Los Angeles, Sean oversees all aspects of ARTERNAL’s evolution, in partnership with his co-founders.

Founded in 2015, ARTERNAL, was the first technology company to focus exclusively on bringing Client Relationship Management (CRM) technology to the art world. Sean’s goal was simple: to provide a unified resource that allows the art professional to focus on what they do best – sell art and deepen relationships with their clients. ARTERNAL is now an all-in-one platform providing Revenue & Relationship Management; Tracking client engagement streamlined with inventory management tools to optimize workflow and drive sales.

Recent global events have forced dealers to revisit their model, focusing on digital platforms to sell art. As an entrepreneur in the Art + Technology industry, Sean is dedicated to providing leading software solutions to develop alongside the art market’s demands.

Kate is the Founding Partner of Hannah Grey, a pre-seed firm investing at the intersection of human behavior and technology. Previously she founded Upslope Ventures, the fund associated with Galvanize, and began her venture career in 2009 as a Founding Member of Lerer Hippeau, now the most active fund in New York. At Lerer Hippeau Kate seeded over 200 companies including iconic brands like Venmo, Warby Parker, Casper, and Glossier. Kate is Co-Chair of The Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Phillip Alvarado, Industry Director of Sales at TriNet, has been consulting SMBs for over 10 years. As an early employee at Yelp for over 5 years and now with TriNet, Phillip’s expertise is helping SMBs increase their revenues, lower their operating costs and streamline their businesses. Currently Phillip leads a 30+ consulting team that specializes in helping technology companies lower their burn rate/extend runway, scale teams faster and protect valuation of the companies.

Sevy Kraner is the Managing Director for the Healthcare sector at JobsOhio. Prior to joining JobsOhio in early 2015, Sevy worked at Cardinal Health in the Nuclear Pharmacy Business. At Cardinal she focused on commercializing new radiopharmaceuticals and managing the Nuclear Pharmacy Business’ product portfolio. Before moving to Ohio, she worked in New York at Forest Laboratories and Jefferies Group where her experience ranged from business development and strategy to analyzing M&A, IPO and debt financing deals across the healthcare sector. Sevy currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and three daughters. She attended Vanderbilt University, where she earned a BA in Economics and Neuroscience.

James Norman is a serial entrepreneur who at the age of 16 built his first online company, an aftermarket automotive e-commerce site called MJH Sound.com. While previously he may have been known as a visionary in automotive product planning, over the past 10 years in the media and entertainment industry he has become a thought leader in over-the-top media and consumer video consumption behaviors.

In 2008, James founded Ubi Video, one of the first aggregators of streaming video into a personalized cloud based programming guide. After a MVPD offered to acquire Ubi’s technology, he moved on to develop GroupFlix, an a-la-carte streaming service.  By cleverly bundling EST content, allowing users to select the shows they love in a low monthly subscription, GroupFlix was the first viable a-la-carte TV model. His latest venture, Pilotly, is a consumer insights platform that enables content creators to get feedback from audiences at scale.  Today, the platform provides insights to Mattel, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS and others.

James earned his BSE in Electrical Engineering from University of Michigan and is a proud member of the 500 Startups family.  He was given the OTT Genius Award by the OTT Executive Summit.  In 2017, he was recognized by Next TV as a Rising Star in Media Technology. Partner at Transparent Collective, tech non-profit, and Board Advisor at Zoo Labs, music accelerator non-profit.  He has also been recognized for excellence in special automotive projects by Mazda Design North America and Sony Gran Turismo.

PREVIOUS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• OTTFest 2019 @ A3C  Moderator and Speaker
• NextTV Summit Fall 2017 Panel Moderator for Linear Programming’s Multiplatform Future
• NextTV Summit Spring 2017, Founder on the Rise Award Winner
• NewCo Tech Conference (Keynote)
• Broadband TVcon 2015
• OTT Exec Conference 2015
• Broadband TVcon 2015
• VOD Congress 2015 (Keynote)
• OTT Exec Conference 2014

Jaclyn Hester is a Partner at Foundry Group, a venture firm that invests in tech companies and early stage venture funds. She helped launch Foundry’s partner fund strategy in 2016 and works closely with Foundry’s portfolio of partner fund managers, while also leading new fund investments. She also spends time on direct investments, working with existing portfolio companies and leading new investments, typically alongside Foundry’s partner funds. Prior to Foundry, Jaclyn was a practicing attorney, advising startups and private equity firms as well as buyers and sellers in M&A transactions. She also worked closely with her husband and his family on their SaaS startup, FareHarbor (acq’d by Booking.com). Originally from the East Coast, Jaclyn lives with her husband, daughter, and black lab, in Boulder, Colorado.

Clay is Managing Partner of Stout Street Capital, which he co-founded in 2016. Upon graduation from the University of Colorado, Clay joined a large Washington DC-based nonprofit where he led regional development efforts in the Southeast, contributing to annual fundraising of $25 million. Clay then served as the Business Development Manager for Denver-based Strata Resources Inc., before founding Stout Street Capital with business partner John Francis to become early investors in Colorado’s burgeoning tech scene. Clay specializes in fundraising and deal flow management for the fund.