This event unpacks the tactics that founders, like yourself, used to navigate the startup ecosystem. They are taking brick and mortar businesses and pivoting them to scale using technology. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions directly to the founders.

This event is designed to give you a set of tools and pathways to help you navigate your business and take advantage of technology to help you grow. Every business has failures. No business succeeds without some change of plan. Join us for a founders focus event on “How We Made It Big” to learn how to use resources available in the tech and innovation ecosystem to help your business grow.

Agenda:

• 12:00 PM - The Ion Welcome
• 12:05 PM - Panel Introduction
• 12:10 PM - Panel Discussion
• 12:45 PM - Audience Q & A

About The Speakers:

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Bao Bros. Bistro

Chris Garcia is the Founder and CEO of Bao Bros. Bistro - a fast casual fusion restaurant in Northwest Houston. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Texas A&M University, and a certificate in International Business. Beginning his career at a Fortune 200 company, Chris promoted quickly through the ranks before making the leap to bring Bao Bros Bistro to life. Chris is also a proud husband, father, and member of the Texas Army National Guard. His simple advice to any aspiring founders come from the eternal words of his late grandfather, "do your best and God will do the rest."

Fanny Grande, Chief Executive Officer, Avenida Productions

Fanny Grande (Formerly Fanny Véliz) is a Venezuelan-American award-winning filmmaker, actor, and director with more than 20 years experience in the entertainment business. Grande, who was born in the US, grew up in Venezuela performing from a very young age. She returned to the States to attend college, she quickly realized that roles available for her and other Latinos were very limited and often portrayed negative stereotypes. So she decided to start creating her own content. Four years ago she co-founded Avenida Productions with her husband Nelson Grande. Avenida is a consulting and production firm that specializes in empowering independent media content creators with a focus in diversity. To date Avenida has helped raise millions of dollars via crowdfunding for over 150 media projects. www.Avenida.tv and on 2021 it launched Indieseats.com and cinema on demand platform that allows filmmakers to screen their films a thousands of movie theaters across the country.

Jose Rodriguez, Co-Founder & President, OpenStaff

My name is José Rodríguez, founder of OpenStaff. I am from Venezuela, moved to the United States six years ago and have been an entrepreneur most of my life. I have worked in different areas over time, but to be honest, I never thought I would work in Early Childhood Education. As soon as we arrived, I started looking for a business opportunity and before I knew it I ended up becoming the owner and director of a daycare center. It has been a challenging and rewarding journey at the same time; and in the midst of that process my interest was piqued in finding a real solution to the biggest challenge we face: staff management. Now with great enthusiasm I embrace this new challenge!

Alex Santander, Chief Operating Officer, Sensytec

Alex Santander is a multicultural entrepreneur with a passion for teamwork and collaboration. He attained a Bachelors's degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the #1 Entrepreneurship program in the nation, The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at The University of Houston. Currently, he is the Chief Operating Officer of Sensytec, a Houston based startup that has developed a novel Smart Cement Technology and a Wireless Concrete Sensor "SensyRox™" for concrete quality control.