Born in a corrugated iron hut in Bangladesh with no running water, Wazi came to America to study Electrical Engineering (Univ of Pennsylvania), Finance (Wharton), and an MBA (Stanford University). Working as an Investment Banker, Venture Capitalist and Management Consultant (The Boston Consulting Group) gave Wazi the tools to become an Entrepreneur – starting companies he has sold, run or folded.
Wazi is Director of EntrepreneurshipEcosystemNYC: Startup Companies, Professionals and Students have the opportunity to Cross Learn at Mercy College’s Manhattan Campus. Wazi leverages these Capabilities to create High Growth Businesses for Clients focusing on BDSM: Business Development, Sales & Marketing.
Mohamed Merzouk is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gebni, a food ordering platform applying real time dynamic pricing to online food orders. Mohamed graduated from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business with a Master’s degree in Investment Management. During his graduate studies, he worked as a graduate assistant at Pace University where he assisted in overseeing and managing a student activity budget of half a million, coordinating catering efforts and optimizing workflow processes for the Center of Student Development and Campus Activities. Mohamed also interned in Asset Management roles and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from HEC Algiers, Algeria.
Bertha Jimenez, Ph.D. is the co-founder and CEO of RISE. RISE is a green startup that turns organic waste into value by converting industrial waste into raw materials. Currently, RISE is working with microbreweries to convert their spent grain into flour for food manufactures Dr. Jimenez recently received her Ph.D. from NYU. Her doctoral thesis was entitled the Entrepreneurial Sandbox: The role of co-curricular programs on nurturing student entrepreneur. Dr. Jimenez holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral (Guayaquil, Ecuador) and an M.S. in Engineering and Technology Management from Portland State University (Portland, USA).
Javier Dutan is a Restaurant Entrepreneur, he opened his first restaurant at 16 and has continued opening restaurants with over 12 in his portfolio. Javier is one of the Co-Founders of Sabor - the #1 Restaurant POS on the Windows 10 store. With over 7,000 restaurants on the platform, Sabor is shaping restaurant tech industry by providing a full free pos solution with numerous add ons that consolidate restaurant software options into one system.
Breffney is a food scientist and chef and major healthy food advocate.
She noticed that more fruit and vegetables than paper, plastic, metal and glass are thrown out in America every year.
This has to stop. This is why she developed FruitCubed.
Using a unique manufacturing process, FruitCubed maintains the nutritional integrity of the fruit while extending the shelf life to 60 days. It is a blend of nutritious, delicious fruit and vegetables that is ready to be blended into smoothies, desserts, cocktails and more!
Venue Sponsor - Founded in 2011, The Yard is New York City's premier, luxury, office space community to grow your ideas. Providing coworking and modern, private offices, the company brings together thousands of entrepreneurs in their seven workspaces across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Members get 24/7 access to furnished offices, state of the art conference rooms, ultra-fast WiFi, breathtaking event spaces, The BackYard - a members-only online network, inspiring lounges, custom curated artwork and much more.
Cater2Me - Not all offices are created equal. You tell us your headcount, budget and dietary constraints one time. We'll match you with the best local food your city has to offer, and bring it straight to your office. The result? A very satisfied, happier team. Get started.