Rakesh currently works for Dell Technologies Corporate Innovation team as a business leader with extensive experience developing fast-growing B2B, B2C, and B2G technology companies providing expertise in corporate strategy, operations, product management/marketing, and finance.
Jerry Fellows consults with clients on their objectives and provides strategic legal guidance on their most important issues, enhances their intellectual property protection and enforcement strategies, and helps prepare them for issues that may impact their business opportunities. His practice includes clearing, acquiring and enforcing United States and foreign patent rights, particularly for enterprise and process software, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and metaverse-related innovations, Internet and business methods, biomedical technologies including medical, dental, and cardiac laser systems and their graphical user interfaces, alternative energy innovations, sustainable technologies, and electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical technologies.Jerry also has experience patenting material science innovations, including superconducting materials and systems, electromagnetic containment systems, complex electronic and mechanical systems and processes, and energy storage systems.
Additionally, Jerry helps clients acquire and enforce United States and foreign trademark rights, copyrights and trade secrets, negotiates intellectual property licenses and technology transfers, prepares invalidity and non-infringement opinions, and performs due diligence for mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining the firm, Jerry was Managing Partner of his prior firm’s largest office.
Deputy Director, SMU Guildhall + Frisco ISD Board President
Rene is the Deputy Director for SMU Guildhall. A graduate of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, Rene’ began her time at SMU in 2004 as a recruiter, was promoted to Manager of Admissions and Alumni Affairs in 2007, and promoted to Deputy Director in 2016. In 2010, she was named to the board of directors for the Dallas branch of the International Game Developers Association and sits on the steering committee for the Dallas County Community College District’s Gaming and Simulation program, and the advisory council for Dallas ISD’s Conrad High School. Rene’ has spoken about the importance of game development education and STEM education at the Game Developers Conference, Penny Arcade Expo, VGExpo, Comic-Con San Diego, East Coast Game Conference, SIEGE and at over 100 universities across the country.
She graduated with a Master’s in Education, specializing in Higher Education Policy and Leadership in 2015 from Southern Methodist University and was voted by her faculty and peers as the program’s outstanding student. In her free time, she serves as the President of the Frisco ISD School board, and serves her community as a board member for Frisco FastPacs, and through memberships with both the Frisco Women’s League and the National Charity League – Legacy Frisco Chapter.
Founder & Executive Chairman- Upsie
I am passionate about helping the consumer, motivating other entrepreneurs and building relationships. I believe every person I meet can teach me something and I love to learn. Jumping head-first into the tech industry has brought successes and many failures. My failures have taught me the most and I continue to grow from each lesson. I am passionate about giving back to others & helping them through their journey as I was supported through mine.
Executive Director at Dallas Independent School District
Experienced Educational Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. Skilled in English as a Second Language (ESL), Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, Educational Technology, and Team Building. Strong education professional with a Principal Certification focused in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lamar University.
Dr. Lin Lin Lipsmeyer is Professor of Teaching and Learning and Department Chair at the Simmons School of Education and Human Development at SMU. Her research, which focuses on Technology in Education and Immersive Learning, has resulted in over 100 scholarly publications. Lin has been PI, Co-PI, or researcher on numerous NSF and foundation grants focused in this area. In addition, Lin serves as the Editor-in-Chief of one of the top journals in education, the Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D) journal. Prior to SMU, she was Professor of Learning Technologies and Director of the Texas Center for Educational Technology. She received her doctorate in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College Columbia University.
Taylor Shead is the Founder and CEO of STEMuli Studios. STEMuli Studios is the first company in the United States to launch an educational metaverse in a public school. Taylor is a former division one basketball player and worked for Apple Inc in business-to-business sales. Taylor is the 92nd black woman to raise over $1 million in venture capital. She is deeply passionate about helping humans reach their greatest potential and showing little girls they too can build technology the world needs and loves.
Director of Virtual Reality Project at Morehouse College | Former Interim Department Chair, Chemistry | Assistant Professor, Education, Morehouse Center for Excellence in Education
•25 years investing in B2B cloud software in the Southeast
•20 years general partner at seed-stage VC investor primarily in healthcare
•Multiple operator roles, including interim CEO, CFO, and VP Bus Dev
•5.1X MOIC in last 10 years
Starting with Council Capital’s debut fund in 2000, Gary was a General
Partner for 3 funds at Council Capital focused on seed and early-stage cloud software serving health care. Gary’s referenceable track record includes leading 38 investments at the seed stage in the Southeast, achieving solid, consistent returns.
Prior to Council Capital, Gary was Principal at Stonehenge Growth Equity for 9 years. There he made his first seed stage investment,
www.SecureTax.com, which is Intuit’s Web Turbotax today.
After more than 20 years investing in seed and early stage cloud software, meeting the next great entrepreneur still never gets old.
