David Kalson
Chair, Emerging Business Group - Cohen & Grigsby
Pittsburgh
David provides general business and tax counsel to life science, robotics, information technology and other emerging companies, venture capital funds, and institutions engaged in business and technology spin-offs and joint ventures. He also has significant experience in exit planning.
* Assists a number of emerging companies which are developing new technologies in the energy field. Work in this area includes company formation and finance, technology transfer from universities and research institutions, and strategic partnerships with established industry leaders
* Represents numerous start-up and early stage life science, robotics and information technology companies in all phases of formation, technology transfer, financing, and operations
* Represents major healthcare institution and retailer in acquiring, financing and spinning off start-up and later-stage companies, as well as joint ventures with domestic and international strategic partners.
* Advises venture capitalists and investors in the formation and operation of venture funds.
* Advises venture capital funds, angel and strategic investors in investments in technology and other companies
* Negotiates the sale, merger or other exit of later-stage technology and other businesses to both private and publicly-traded acquirors.
Specialties: Teaching Experience
* Adjunct Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Law (Enterprise Organization and Finance), 1998-2002
* Speaker at BIO Conference on technology transfer
* Faculty member of Global Trade Institute
* Co-Chair of 3 Rivers Venture Fair “boot camp” committee
John Bares
President & CEO, Carnegie Robotics
Pittsburgh
Carnegie Robotics (CRL) specializes in the transition of emerging robotics technology from research and development to commercialization. We design, manufacture and support highly reliable robotics systems and components that help improve productivity, reliability and safety, while reducing cost and increasing profitability for our customers. Our target markets include the agricultural, mining, defense, heavy equipment and oil and gas production industries, as well as other niche markets in which advanced field robotics provides measurable return on investment.
CRL believes that capabilities in machine vision and ‘situational awareness’ are key enablers in force multiplication and limited autonomy, which are key drivers in the field robotics value proposition. We have made advanced sensors, sensor integration and basic autonomy our primary product focus. Our robust sensors were used by many of the top teams in DARPA’s humanoid “Robotics Challenge” held in December 2013, and are used to explore tunnels, mines and underground pipes. Our MIL-spec positioning sensors are in active service on a large fleet of US Army vehicles.
Jackie Erickson
Founding Member, Pittsburgh Robotics Network
Pittsburgh
Experienced in working with robotics and autonomous vehicles startups changing the paradigm of transportation and the movement of goods | Resource for governments and non-profits on understanding the importance of emerging technologies and the community impacts | Robots for the Greater Good Advocate.
Alonzo Kelly
Co-Founder, Locomation
Pittsburgh
I have been active both academically and professionally in robotics since the 1980s.
As a consultant, I am often engaged as a speaker, a software engineer, and an advisor to boards and investors. I also work from time to time as an intellectual property technical expert.
As a professor, I teach courses in mobile robots at CMU in the Robotics Institute, and I conduct research in all aspects of mobile robotics.
As an engineering manager, I raise, staff and execute industrial R&D efforts at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC). At NREC, we have been developing robotics and automation solutions for industry for 20 years and that activity has generated numerous spinoffs.
As an entrepreneur I have co-founded several startups in robotics, many of which are still active.
I do not connect to people that I do not know on Linkedin, but you can reach me at [email protected].
Joel Reed
CEO, IAM Robotics
Pittsburgh
An entrepreneur in a consultant’s body.
20 years experience in Strategic Planning, Sales, Business Development with a passion for innovation and developing new market opportunities for growth-oriented businesses.
Market experience in robotics, supply chain logistics, health care information technology and enterprise software.
Specialties include strategic and business planning, market research, sales and sales management, entrepreneurial ventures (including operations) and process engineering.
Ability to grasp complex topics quickly, create compelling value propositions, generate sales interest and convert prospects to revenue/funding. Strategically driven, goal oriented, a problem solver.
Committed to community and philanthropic-based organizations. Served or serving on non-profit boards including the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, StartUptown, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Alumni Association and the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.
Sarjoun Skaff
Co-Founder & CTO, Bossa Nova Robotics
Pittsburgh
- Hands-on experience with design, fabrication, manufacturing, assembly, control and operation of robots
- Hands-on experience with product development
- First-hand experience with early-stage enterprise development
Specialties: robotics, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, toys, consumer electronics