During this fireside chat Jon will discuss his 20 year journey as a founder, lessons learned and how he sustained and scaled his business recently to a $350M exit.

What did Jon learn that he can share with other founders to help them shorten the learning curve and keep going when the road get long and hard or the right valuations, and what's next for him too.

Monetizing your intellectual property (IP) can be a strategic way to generate revenue and maximize the value of your creations or innovations. Whether you have developed a unique product, service, or creative work, there are various avenues to explore for monetization. Licensing your IP to third parties, selling or leasing your patents, trademarks, or copyrights, and offering your expertise through consulting services are common ways to monetize your IP. Additionally, creating merchandise, digital content, or subscription-based services can help you capitalize on your intellectual property.

Supplier diversity is a critical component of fostering inclusivity and equity in business practices. By actively seeking out and engaging with suppliers from diverse backgrounds, including minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, organizations can not only promote economic empowerment within underrepresented communities but also benefit from a wider range of perspectives, innovative solutions, and competitive pricing.

Accessing alternative capital can be a strategic move for businesses looking to scale and expand their operations. Traditional financing options may not always be readily available or suitable for every business, making alternative sources of capital an attractive option. From venture capital and angel investors to crowdfunding platforms and peer-to-peer lending, there are various avenues for businesses to explore when seeking funding for growth. By diversifying their sources of capital, businesses can reduce reliance on traditional loans and bank financing, potentially accessing funds with more flexible terms and conditions. Scaling a business requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a solid financial foundation. Alternative capital can provide the necessary resources to invest in new technologies, expand into new markets, hire additional staff, or launch innovative products and services. However, it is essential for businesses to conduct thorough due diligence, assess the risks involved, and develop a clear growth strategy to ensure that accessing alternative capital aligns with their long-term objectives and contributes to sustainable growth.

Entrepreneurs can leverage AI technology to streamline and optimize various aspects of their business operations. By incorporating AI tools and solutions, entrepreneurs can enhance efficiency, productivity, and decision-making processes. AI can be utilized for tasks such as data analysis, customer relationship management, marketing automation, and predictive analytics. Entrepreneurs can use AI-powered chatbots to provide personalized customer support and improve engagement with their target audience. Additionally, AI algorithms can help entrepreneurs identify trends, patterns, and insights from large datasets, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and adapt their strategies accordingly.