Bard Entrepreneurship Network (BEN)
The Bard Entrepreneurship Network (BEN) Meetup was founded to foster social mentoring relationships among the Bard Center’s many faculty, staff, students, alumni, advisory council members, incubator companies, and friends in a fun environment.
BEN is the creation of three University of Colorado Denver Business School Alumni with ties to the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship: Denton Crofts, Jeff Calderone, and Jung Park (photo from left to right). Jeff and Denton each founded companies in the Bard Center Incubator. Jeff’s company, Elevated Third, has graduated out of the Incubator. Denton has also moved on (cofounder of Extended Presence a former Bard Center Incubator Company) and is now the CEO of Hatton Point. Jung was the winner of the 2004 Bard Center Business Plan Competition for his company MetroBoom.
When & Where is BEN? On the third Wednesday of each month, a BEN member will host a reception at their place of work. Sign up at here to register. Events will be limited to 45 people. If you have problems registering, contact Jeff Calderone, Meetup Organizer (jcalderone@elevatedthird.com) directly if you plan to attend this month or want to get involved in future months.
Why BEN? Jeff, Jung and Denton realized that even though they completed their degrees and successfully launched and grew their companies, they continued to benefit from each others experiences. They have served as mentors to each other over the years as they struggled to build their companies. They hope that by creating BEN, the benefits they have reaped from social mentoring can spread among the entire Bard Center community.
Since BEN Meetups are being hosted at a different start-up each month, I hope that you will get involved and volunteer your location as a potential future meeting site.
Focus on Alumni - Where are they now?
Nate Braden 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
America and the World
http://www.americaandtheworld.com/
Nate Braden is the Founder of America and the World, Inc. is a privately owned web-based publishing company in Denver, Colorado developing online multimedia history textbooks for high school and college students. We think education is the key to fostering civic virtue - the vital ingredient that keeps our citizens interested and involved in public affairs. Our customized online materials not only provide a more stimulating learning experience, they allow teachers to pick and choose what they want to include in their lesson plans and leave out what they don't, all at half the price of a hardcopy version. Current Incubator resident.
Angie Buckley 
Bard Center Alumna
Owner
Angie Buckley Photography
Angie Buckley is the owner of Angie Buckley Photography. Angie's goal is to tell a story through a combination of formal portraits and candid, journalistic photos. Her style is natural and contemporary. Her inspiration comes from the people she photographs - the curiosity of a child, or the genuine affection between members of a family. She will always take the shots you request, and complement them with many more, always seeking the unguarded moment and the memorable expression.
Jeff Calderone 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
elevatedthird
Jeff Calderone is the Founder of elevatedthird. Elevated Third develops integrated, end-to-end web strategies and refreshing designs that bring real results. Elevatedthird offers website services that will help you to stand out from the pack. Or help you take advantage of the latest search engine optimization techniques. Or help your company launch an email marketing campaign that brings you new business. Elevatedthird knows how to implement forward-thinking, results-based web solutions using the best technologies available. You tell us your business and marketing goals, and we’ll develop a customized plan to get you where you want to be. Jeff received his MBA from the University of Colorado Denver and his Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies from the Bard Center. Jeff started his business in the Bard Center Incubator.
Joshua Churlik 
11-Month MBA Alumnus
Founder
Simple Decisions
http://www.simpledecisions.net
Joshua Churlik is the owner of Simple Decisions that offers guided selling software specifically designed to meet the customer service needs of the retail industry. Our patent pending guided selling solutions closely replicate the interaction a consumer would have in a retail store with a well-informed sales associate. When deployed online or in stores our guided selling solutions allow retailers to increase sales by making better product recommendations to consumers. Josh is also a recipient of the Bard Center’s Rutt Bridges Venture Capital Fund. Current Incubator resident.
Denton Crofts 
11-Month MBA Alumnus
CEO
Hatton Point
Denton Crofts is the CEO of Hatton Point a leader in developing custom technology solutions with lasting business value. They offer years of experience in a wide variety of hardware platforms and software development tools, including client/server technologies, web application development, e-commerce, web services and other information-systems solutions. This experience in software engineering and project management enables them to provide high performance software solutions for diverse industry applications. Denton also was a Co-founder of Extended Presence and former Bard Center Incubator resident.
Ken Dropiewski 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
Prime-Core Executive Search
http://www.medical-salesreps.com
Ken Dropiewski is the Founder of Prime-Core providing human capital management services to companies and candidates. The company specializes in sales and executive-level positions with an emphasis on the medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, consumer, and IT industries. Current Incubator resident.
Kerri M. Diamant
Bard Center Alumna
Founder and Executive Director
AlterMed Research Foundation
http://www.AlterMedResearch.org
Kerri Diamant has over 15 years of experience in the management of sciences, technology, and business, Kerri has a BA in Biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from California State University in Sacramento. She founded AlterMed Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in May of 2006 based on a business plan created from a class she took at the Bard Center in 2004. AlterMed is dedicated to the promotion of the scientific research and education of Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) to address human health issues. AlterMed is integrating CAM curriculum into physicians' training in the Front Range. AlterMed will be hosting the first Colorado Integrative Medicine Conference with a focus on mind-body medicine on July 17-19, 2009 at the YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park to train physicians and allied health professionals. If interested, please check out http://AlterMedResearch.org
Chris Franks 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
CJC Solutions
Chris Franks is the Founder of CJC Solutions a total wireless solutions provider for businesses and individuals. The company specializes in providing wireless phones, service, coverage solutions and GPS packages for its customers. Current Incubator resident.
Sue Goodin 
Bard Center Alumna
Founder
Progressive Health Center
http://www.progressivehealthcenter.org
Sue Goodin is the Founder of Progressive Health Center a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals through complementary and holistic therapies that integrate with conventional medical treatments. She was also the second place overall winner and received the Best Bioscience Award in the 2006 Bard Center Business Plan Competition. Sue started her business in the Bard Center Incubator.
Tim Heath 
Bard Center Alumnus
Community Development Manager
Open Kernel Labs
TIme Heath is the Community Development Manager for Open Kernel Labs in Chicago, IL. Kernel has an embedded hypervisor. The software is used much like VMware's virtualization solution but for embedded systems (think cell phones, consumer electronics, point of sale devices, etc).
The company is 2 years old. It was started as a spin out from NICTA and the University of New South Wales in Australia, although they are headquarted in Chicago.
Desiree Kelly 
Bard Center Alumna
Founder
The Makery
Desiree Kelly is the Founder of The Makery " We Bake. You Make." It's like a paint your own pottery store,
but for cake, cookies, gingerbread, etc. Weddings -
Wedding cakes that are soooo you!
Becoming renowned in the greater Denver area. Parties - Book our classroom
for your next birthday party or event. Classes - Learn decorating from the best!
Wilton and special techniques courses. Full service bakery -
Want them to do it for you? No Problem!
Elegant or fun custom cakes and pastries:
They even deliver. Espresso - Take a break and enjoy.
Jeff Kohn 
Bard Center Alumnus
Co-Founder
Dizgo
Jeff Kohn is the Co-Founder of
Dizgo (discounts-on-the-go) providing a revolutionary marketing system that allows businesses to create self-service mobile-advertising campaigns that produce real-time demand for their products and services. Only using Dizgo's patented ontology and location based search technology, can consumers easily find relevant nearby deals by sending a text message (SMS) request for the specific items they are shopping for, or opt-in to receive automatic SMS deal alerts from specific establishments during specific times. Dizgo solves the risks and limitations of traditional advertising with a pay-for-performance model that requires no up front costs or lead times, thus providing the retailer with a simple tool to instantly mitigate slow sales or excess inventory and labor. Dizgo's eco-friendly mobile advertising platform provides solutions for grocery stores, trade show organizers, and traditional media companies including directory publishers, cable companies, and newspaper agencies.
Daniel Kuhlman 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
Tastes WineBar and Bistro
http://www.coloradoeats.com/tastes/index.htm
Daniel Kuhlman is the Founder of TASTES Wine Bar and Bistro a neighborhood small plate restaurant serving wine, tapas and desserts. Located on bustling, artsy Tennyson St. in North and in Uptown on 17th Street in Denver, the airy, art gallery-like space is relaxing and comfortable. All the paintings on the wall and the handcrafted tables are for sale. TASTES Winebar & Bistro is a metro, organic, chic setting that mixes foods and art in a fun and inviting way. Whether you are looking to try wine from Argentina, cheese from France, meats from Germany, tapas from Spain, Italian coffee or beer and chocolate from Belgium, we have your TASTE!
Catherine Kunst 
Bard Center Alumna
Bard Center Executive Director
Co-Founder
Beacon Biotechnology
http://www.beaconbiotechnology.com/
Catherine Kunst helped to Co-Found Beacon Biotechnology a local biotech startup. Catherine is a scientist by training who still runs an NIH funded biomedical research lab focused on ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Dr. Kunst loved the Bard Center so much that she is now serving as the executive director for the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship at the Business School of the University of Colorado Denver. She was also the second place overall winner and received the Best Bioscience Award in the 2005 Bard Center Business Plan Competition.
Patricia Kurgan
Bard Center Alumna
President and Owner
Astro Logistics, Inc.
Patricia Kurgan is the President and owner of Astro Logistics, Inc., a freight arranger and green supply chain consulting company in Denver. Ms. Kurgan was the recipient of the the Denver Business Journal's NAWBO member of the year. Patricia earned her MBA from the University of Colorado Denver and her Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Bard Center. She was a finalist in the 2005 Bard Center Business Plan Competition. She started her business in the Bard Center Incubator.
Mike Meirowsky
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
Adagio Baking Company
http://www.adagiobakery.com/Home_Page.html
Mike Meirowsky Founder of Adagio Baking Company offers the best cakes, baked goods and sandwiches made fresh each day. Adagio customized cakes and pies for any occasion. Adagio was named "Best in Denver" by readers of 5280 Magazine. The Adagio Baking Company is located in the heart of Park Hill.
Dan Moulton 
Bard Center Alumnus
Co-Founder
Coloco, Inc.
Dan Moulton is the Co-Founder of Coloco Inc. is a commercial landscaping and sprinkler system company. Dan is a Bard Center Advisory Council member.
Sharon Moulton
Bard Center Alumna
Entrepreneur
CAbi
Sharon Moulton is a consultant for
Carol Anderson a leading clothing designer for over 28 years, making her first sale to Nordstrom’s in 1977.
Now Carol Anderson sells her product exclusively in a relaxed home environment with independent CAbi Clothing
(Carol Anderson by invitation) consultants. Sharon is the founding member of the Bard Center alumni association.
Tom Murphy 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
ConferenceSource
http://www.conference-source.com
Tom Murphy is the Founder of
CONFERENCEsource a company that finds locations and negotiates contracts for meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Tyler Murphy 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
DenverVIP
Tyler Murphy is the Founder of DenverVIP a unique online luxury-lifestyle concierge company serving corporate clients, residents of all ages, and travelers looking to experience the best of Denver and Colorado. He was the first place winner in the 2007 Bard Center Business Plan Competition. Current Incubator resident.
Jung Park 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
MetroBoom
Jung Park is the Founder and owner of MetroBoom a premier style salon for men, catering to all of our clients' styling needs. We provide quality hair care service, delivering latest hair styles that compliment our clients' personality and lifestyle. Along with the latest hair style, we provide our clients with the latest trend in fashion, hair care, and grooming products. Our comprehensive products and services offering is designed to provide an one-stop-shop for our clients. MetroBoom will ensure that looking good and feeling good will never again have to be a chore. Jung received his MBA from the University of Colorado Denver and his Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies from the Bard Center. He was the first place winner in the 2004 Bard Center Business Plan Competition.
Patrick Sablich
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
Sporting Philanthropy
http://www.sportingphilanthropy.com
Patrick Sablich is the Founder of Sporting Philanthropy offering unparalled fundraising services to nonprofit athletic and recreational organizations. We are a full-service firm offering grant research, grant writing, corporate solicitations, general fundraising planning, and charitable foundation establishment. Current Incubator resident.
Stanley Sanchez 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
VISAO
Stanley Sanchez is the Founder of VISAO. VISAO engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of surveillance technologies, products, and solutions in the United States. VISAO provides surveillance products for perimeter security and wide area surveillance. VISAO product lines include our Chronus H.264 DVR, Helios Mpeg4 DVR, Triton NVR, and Nyx Central Management Software. Our products provide intelligent hybrid solutions, triple redundant thermo applications, built in video analytics, and hardware monitoring.
Aaron Sagray 
Bard Center Alumnus
Co-Founder
TerraFrame
Aaron Sagray is Co-Founder of TerraFrame a products development company and a Web 2.0 application development consultancy. For the past few years TerraFrame has fastidiously developed and refined a next-generation framework for building Web 2.0 style business applications. Now developers can focus on the true business needs of their customer instead of the grueling work of boilerplate development or endless configuration. The end result: Web 2.0 application development that is Faster, Cheaper and Awesomer.
Scott Thomas 
Bard Center Business Plan WInner
Co-Founder
Apex Design
Scott Thomas is a Co-Founder of Apex Design a transportation network that serves as the heartbeat of the community. As transportation professionals, they tackle the challenging tasks of developing and maintaining transportation systems. Apex Design is committed to keeping your community moving safely and efficiently through insightful and innovative engineering design. Their goal is to deliver Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that combine smart design concepts with advanced technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems. For clients, this translates into quick and efficient incident responses, better informed commuters and more efficient use of public transportation. Scott was the 2007 Bard Center Business Plan Competition Winner.
Robert Tofe 
Bard Center Alumnus
Founder
Snoasis Medical
Robert Tofe is the Founder of Snoasis Medical. Snoasis is focused on the development and commercialization of regenerative products for use in perioplastic surgery. The core technology behind Snoasis Medical’s current product offering is placental tissue. These products represent a new class of soft tissue substitutes and are expected to offer both patients and clinicians significant advantages over current treatment options. Current Bard Center incubator resident. 2003 and 2008 Bard Center Business Plan Winner. Current Incubator resident.
Daniel Welch
Bard Center Alumnus
Co-Founder
Story + Welch
Daniel is a Cofounder of Story + Welch a Denver-based, boutique public relations firm that prides itself on being smaller and smarter. One of our differentiators comes from the velocity we bring to your complete business – not just your public relations goals. By partnering with you – and by understanding your needs, your challenges, your competitors, your industry – we can integrate into your business quickly, deliver results immediately and provide solid strategy and counsel day after day. Current Incubator resident.