Build High-Growth Startups: Strategies for Neurodiverse & Diverse Founders

Every successful startup begins with a unique perspective. This webinar is designed for neurodiverse and diverse founders who are ready to transform innovative ideas into scalable, high-growth businesses.

Join experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and startup advisors as they share practical strategies for building resilient companies, securing funding, attracting customers, and leading high-performing teams. You'll learn how to leverage your unique strengths, overcome common startup challenges, and position your business for long-term success.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law.

AGENDA:

• Networking (11:30 am - 12 pm EDT)
• Presentation (12 pm - 1:15 pm EDT)

During this interactive session, you'll discover how to:

• Build a scalable business model that attracts customers and investors.
• Develop a compelling pitch that communicates your vision with confidence.
• Navigate fundraising, grants, and alternative financing opportunities.
• Build inclusive, high-performing teams and partnerships.
• Turn different ways of thinking and lived experiences into a competitive advantage.
• Access resources, networks, and support designed to help founders thrive.

Whether you're developing your first startup, preparing to raise capital, or looking to accelerate growth, this webinar will provide actionable insights, expert guidance, and valuable connections to help move your venture forward.

Who Should Attend:
Entrepreneurs, startup founders, innovators, and aspiring business owners from neurodiverse and diverse communities who want to build, grow, and scale successful companies.

Takeaway: Leave with practical tools, proven growth strategies, and the confidence to build a startup that stands out in today's competitive marketplace.

OUR SPEAKERS:

Theodora Chatzipavlidis is the CEO & Co-Founder of Velout, an AI-powered travel platform helping solo travelers find compatible travel buddies while making travel more meaningful, safer, and more sustainable. With a background in International Finance, she is also a university lecturer, startup mentor, and social entrepreneurship coach, passionate about building businesses that create both economic and societal impact. Together with her co-founder, who holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, she is combining behavioral research and AI to tackle loneliness through meaningful human connection. Born in New York City, raised in Germany with Greek roots, Theodora has spent over a decade traveling the world aloene — an experience that inspired her to build Velout from her own journey as a solo traveler. Read more at: https://velout.app/ and at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodora-chatzipavlidis/

Dr. Vijay Shankar Balakrishnan, who goes by Vijay, is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Storyteller at NarraTricks, a storytelling boutique with a powerful and clear mission: engineering visibility for the misunderstood.

After earning his PhD in interdisciplinary nanoscience and spending well over a decade as a globally published science journalist for outlets like The Lancet, Nature, and South China Morning Post, among others, Vijay recognized that too many brilliant innovators from underrepresented backgrounds were having their stories overlooked or told by others with bias.

These days, as a fractional Chief Communications Officer, he partners with diverse founders in early-stage science and tech startups—specifically championing BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent, and disabled leaders. Through NarraTricks, Vijay provides high-impact strategic visibility and reputation communications including content, media relations, and corporate communications solutions. He helps these visionary founders craft elite leadership brands, translate their complex science & tech into compelling stories, and turn their deep expertise into an undeniable market presence. Read more at: https://www.narratricks.com/ and at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijaysbj/

David Postolski, Esq. is a senior partner at Gearhart Law, is a registered patent attorney and Intellectual Property (IP) attorney for close to 20 years. David specializes in assisting inventors, creators, artists, start-ups, entrepreneurs, early-stage companies, and emerging companies with their U.S and international IP strategy, protection, enforcement, and monetization. David is a frequent speaker and author on emerging IP issues and technologies including, raising capital, business formation, food science, software, licensing, Data and Privacy Compliance, equity-based crowdfunding, and compliance with other US and International Regulatory structures. David is also a Professor at Temple University, Parsons School of Design and the Radzyner Law School (Herzliya, Israel) where he teaches master-level students about IP, ethics, and other regulatory considerations. David is a current Council Member of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, founder of their International Action Group, and editor of their monthly newsletter, and the outgoing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Officer. David currently serves on Harvard’s Lemann Entrepreneurial Program Advisory Board. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/team/david-postolski-esq/

Email the event moderator, David D. Postolski, Esq.. with any questions at david@gearhartlaw.com

This event is sponsored by Gearhart Law, a full service Intellectual Property firm specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law domestically and globally. We serve inventors, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. We can help you strategize and build your IP portfolio based on your business needs. Call us for a free consultation at 908-273-0700 or contact us through: https://gearhartlaw.com/