Forcyte

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

What is Forcyte?

Forcyte has developed portable nanogrid modular energy systems for sUAS charging for tactical use in austere environments. Forcyte energizes drone operations for mission-critical purposes that provide operators with persistent ISR monitoring of an area or threat for improved situational awareness.

Company Leadership

MiKE SEPER

CO-Founder

Mike Seper is an innovative entrepreneur, educator, and leader in the St. Louis community. He recently received a proclamation from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones recognizing his contribution to St. Louis startups and his work advancing national security innovation. Mike is a proud alum of two Minority Serving Institutions at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Hawaii Manoa, and currently serves on the Harris-Stowe State University Anheuser-Busch School of Business Entrepreneurship Advisory Board.

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DYLAN BROPHY

Co-founder & CTO

Dylan values control over his life, and achieves this by being an entrepreneur and building technology. He spends a large portion of his time on computers and has experience programming x86 assembly. He has been building circuits for over a decade.

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Gateway Quantum Electronics

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Gateway Quantum Electronics?

Quantum technologies will change society in profound and unimaginable ways. Gateway Quantum Electronics is building hardware to automate the operation of quantum noise-limited microwave amplifiers, making quantum computers scalable and quantum sensors easier to deploy.

Company Leadership

JORDAN RUSSELL

Co-Founder & CEO

GQE co-founder and CEO Jordan Russell completed his PhD in Physics at Washington University in St. Louis in 2019 where he studied the quantum electronic and optical properties of graphene. As one of the inaugural postdoctoral scientists for WUSTL’s Center for Quantum Leaps he led the development of novel superconducting single-photon detectors and assisted in the production of quantum noise-limited microwave amplifiers. His passions for scientific entrepreneurship, gardening, and cats are surpassed only by his love of exotic hardware.

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KATER MURCH

Co-founder

Murch received his BA in physics from Reed College in 2002. He conducted graduate research at the University California, Berkeley, in the group of Dan Stamper-Kurn, where his research focused on Bose-Einstein condensates, cavity quantum electrodynamics, and quantum measurements. Murch conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, in the group of Irfan Siddiqi. He joined the faculty at Washington University in 2014.

Top Tutors For Us

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Top Tutors For Us?

By Black tutors, for Black students, Top Tutor for Us designs educational programs and curriculums for predominately Black public schools. These curricula work hand-in-hand with the company’s supplementary private tutoring services to provide the younger generation equal opportunity to succeed in the college admission process. Top Tutors has also developed a custom suite of resources including prep books, online videos, and practice problems so that students have access to everything they need to succeed. As an outside source, Top Tutors has the benefit of connecting students with a mentor who has had similar experiences, creating a network. This specialized connection is something many other generic tutoring services are unable to offer. We keep our students in the system so that after they graduate, they can become a Top Tutor, creating a community and cycle of teaching each other.

Company Leadership

ANGELICA HARRIS

FOUNDER & CEO

Angelica Harris earned her third WashU degree, a Masters in Computer Science. Before college, she received $1.5M+ in scholarships, gaining entry to top universities. Starting with a 16 ACT score, she self-improved to 32. Now, for 7 years, she aids students in similar journeys. Noticing low Black student numbers in prestigious institutions during undergrad, she founded a business guiding Black students to boost their university prospects.

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VetVerifi

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is VetVerifi?

VetVerifi is a data verifications company that enables secure, verified patient records sharing to better connect veterinarians with their pet care partners, from daycare and boarding to apartments to hotels to airports to pet insurers.

Company Leadership

DAVID SERVODIDIO

Co-founder & partner

David Servodidio is a Co-Founder & Partner at VetVerifi. Both a marketer and entrepreneur, his experience blends go-to-market commercial strategy and product marketing in B2B technology. His expertise contributes to VetVerifi’s innovative solutions and strategic positioning within the pet care industry.

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TiM RIDGWAY

Co-founder & PARTNER

Tim Ridgway is a Co-Founder & Partner of VetVerifi, leveraging his extensive expertise in designing go-to-market strategies, leading high-performing sales teams, and strategic partner leadership. With a proven track record in helping teams find product-market-fit and execute, he plays a crucial role in driving VetVerifi’s growth and success within pet care technology.

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CHRIS LYNN

Co-founder & partner

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