Accelerators- What You Need to Know to Maximize Success!

Being a start-up requires money but it also requires education and training on what to do and what not to do. Accelerators are the prime place to achieve all of these goals. The growing number of accelerators in the world has created a competitive landscape on being accepted. This presentation will explore a variety of accelerator programs, including an amazing tool to maximize your chances to emerge successfully from such programs!

Kal Deutsch is CEO and Founder of DealEngine.AI, a company that is using data and diversity to make startups better for both founders and investors. Kal is also a partner at two Bay Area startup accelerators - Silicon Valley in Your Pocket, a global, virtual program, and Batchery, a Berkeley-based startup accelerator. He served as Batchery CEO and Managing Partner during the launch and scaling of the company. Kal is an international keynote speaker and startup coach, and has worked with entrepreneurs at global incubators and accelerators across Europe, Asia and Latin America. He has also served on the screening, diligence and pitch event committees for the Berkeley Angel Network, an angel investment group for UC Berkeley alumni. With a background in finance, strategy and product management, Kal has held a number of executive positions at companies ranging from Fortune 100 companies to early stage startup companies, including Visa, Wells Fargo, and Price Waterhouse. Kal holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Management Science from UC San Diego.

Mario Casabona, Founder and Managing Director of Casabona Ventures LLC and TechLaunch LLC

Mario Casabona is an entrepreneur and active angel investor. In 2007, he founded Casabona Ventures, investing in over 30 seed and early stage companies and Venture Funds. In 2011, he founded TechLaunch, New Jersey’s first Technology Business Accelerator, committed to identifying and nurturing early stage tech ventures by mentoring, coaching, and providing access to resources and capital. To date, TechLaunch has supported over 100 tech companies and mentored over 200 budding entrepreneurs.

Mario is Chairman Emeritus of Jumpstart NJ Angel Network and Chairman Emeritus of the R&D Council of New Jersey. In 1982, he founded and was Chairman of Electro-Radiation Inc. (ERI), which was acquired by Honeywell Aerospace Group in 2004. ERI was a developer of Radar, Navigation and Communications equipment for the National and International Defense industry. Most recently, Mario was featured in ROI-NJ Influencers Power List 2020: Technology. He was awarded the Small Business Administration (SBA) National Tibbett’s Award for his contributions in technology, and was listed as one of the top five most influential persons in New Jersey technology by The Star-Ledger.

In 2014 he was named NJ’s Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year. He was twice recognized by New Jersey’s TechUnited, first in 2013 as the recipient of their Legend of Technology Award and in 2010, he received their Financier of the Year Award. He currently serves on the Boards of various for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. He is often quoted in mainstream media and trade outlets, and enjoys being a frequent guest speaker and panelist at University and Professional events.

Mario is an Electrical Engineer and is named in 6 national patents in the field of satellite-based navigation and communications. He lives in Morris County NJ, enjoys mentoring, launching new ventures, vacationing and spending casual time with family and friends in his Catskills log home.