Join us for an hour-long conversation with the leaders of three of Cincinnati’s most promising startups. We’ll discuss their lessons from the front lines, leading through fear, and employee productivity/empowerment. Bring your questions for this unique opportunity to pick their brain!

Key topics:

• Building business in times of crisis
• Managing cash
• Seizing opportunity
• Employee empowerment

About The Speakers

Charlie Key, Cofounder and CEO of Losant

Charlie cofounded Losant and has spent his entire professional career working in the software and technology world. During this time he has started 3 companies, two have been acquired, built dozens of software products and enterprise web applications, and led a business unit at a public company. He believes that in order for companies to stay relevant in today’s world they have to push product innovation faster and harder than ever before – this means taking risks. Charlie holds a Computer Engineering degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Shashank Saxena, Cofounder and CEO of VNDLY

Shashank co-founded VNDLY in 2017 after serving as the Director of Digital and e-commerce technology at Kroger, where he managed the Web, Mobile,Tablet, e-commerce and shared service app development teams. Prior to joining Kroger Co. Shashank was at Citigroup where he led the Strategy and Planning function for the Global Mobile Banking line of business. He has an MBA in Finance and an MS in Information Systems from the University of Cincinnati along with a BS in Computer Science. Shashank is also a MBA program Advisory Board member for the Dean at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, a mentor at The Brandery and worked with Cintrifuse to gain access and insights into the venture and start up world.

Mike Zelkind, Cofounder and CEO of 80 Acres Farms

Mike co-founded 80 Acres Farms in 2015 and has served as CEO since its inception. Prior to this, he held executive and managerial positions at Del Monte, Sager Creek, AdvancePierre Foods, ConAgra, 99 Cents Only Stores, A.T. Kearney and General Mills. Zelkind holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

This session will be held virtually through Zoom.