Chris Heivly, the Co-founder of MapQuest and former SVP of Ecosystem Development for Techstars, is a life-long entrepreneur, a multifaceted investor (angel, corporate VC and micro VC) and for the last 12+ years, a startup community builder and consultant. He has been dubbed the “The Startup Whisperer” due to his experiences with helping founders, investors and startup community enthusiasts create environments for startup success.

Heivly currently serves as one of two managing directors of The Startup Factory, one of the largest seed investment firms in the Southeast. Under his leadership, the firm has made 35 investments in just four years in emerging technology companies.

He produces and hosts a podcast, Your Startup Community, with Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway and expects to release his 2nd book in 2023, entitled, Build The Fort: STARTUP COMMUNITY BUILDER, A Global Field Guide for how to get involved, create impact, fund and accelerate your entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ted Souder is a respected authority on the transformative power of having a digital mindset in the business world. As one of Google’s earliest employees, Ted spent over 20 years helping to write one of the greatest business success stories of all time. Today, he shares the best practices of the Google Playbook with businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations across the globe.

Ted is also a board director at 1871 and a former board director at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He is also a part-owner of the Monthly Barometer, a boutique geopolitical advisory firm based in Chamonix, France.

Throughout his entire career, Ted has been spreading the good news about how technology can be a game-changer in the workplace, boardroom, non-profit, and in your personal life. With his vast knowledge and expertise, he is truly a visionary leader who inspires and empowers others to embrace the digital age with confidence and enthusiasm