Finding a path for startups to work with automotive OEMs

We are extremely excited to have Mike Stacey Founder & President of ST Labs, Inc. / VG SmartGlass share his experiences in "Finding a path for startups to work with automotive OEMs"

We will be hosted by the Illinois Institute of Technology

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About Mike Stacey

Mike’s passion is to identify solutions that improve or enhance people’s lives. Under this context, he has successfully created a global and profitable business from idea through execution. Mike has built close relationships with innovators, engineers, designers, consultants, employees, manufacturers, distributors, sales teams, customers and executives from large corporations. Mike has learned all facets of the innovation value chain for product based businesses. This includes idea generation, product and customer development, market and product piloting and achieving a repeatable and scalable business model.

Mike is Founder and President of ST Labs Inc. (formerly SmarterShade Inc.), based in Chicago, IL. ST Labs developed and commercialized a proprietary “SmarterShade” technology. The SmarterShade technology allows a user to make any window tint from clear to dark, for privacy, reduced glare and up to 30% energy conservation. SmarterShade is a fraction of the price of traditional “smart glass” and uses no power or phase changing materials. See demo at http://www.vgsmartglass.com

SmarterShade experienced early traction in Europe and Japan for the technology and in July 2015, the company was acquired by VG SmartGlass. Mike is now assisting VG SmartGlass with strategic partner acquisition and market development in North America.

Prior to returning as full time CEO of SmarterShade Inc. in 2011, Mike had a successful career at top tier technology and strategy consulting firms, where he managed and delivered over 35 projects, across a wide range of industries. Mike has also experience as a small business entrepreneur and operated and 8 person contracting business as an undergraduate. Mike has an MBA from the University of Notre Dame (’07) and a BS in Supply Chain Management from Penn State. He lives in Chicago with his wife and two sons.