Startup Showcase

Executives from three forward-thinking startups in various industries will present their concepts, business models and projected revenues to a panel of experienced potential investors, mentors and collaborators.

Obtain insights about how venture capitalists are evaluating early-stage businesses in the current economic climate.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions to both the pitching companies and panelists.

Connect with and learn from industry leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers who are helping shape the future of business and productivity in the Washington, DC metro area.

MODERATOR & ADVISOR:

Tien Wong
Chairman & CEO, Opus8, Inc.
Mr. Tien Wong is a tech investor, entrepreneur, and CEO. He is Chairman & CEO of Opus8, Inc., a private investment and advisory firm investing in exceptional life science and tech enabled services companies, as well as specializing in raising capital for promising tech companies and alternative investment fund managers. Read full profile…

ADVISORS:

Dr. Deborah Hemingway
Founder and Managing Partner, Ecphora Capital
Dr. Deborah Hemingway is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital, Maryland’s premiere medtech venture capital firm based in Baltimore, Maryland. Under her leadership, Ecphora Capital has deployed $18 million across 12 startups in the past two years, establishing itself as a key force in early-stage healthcare innovation. Read full profile…

Lorraine Marchand
Product Development and Commercialization Executive
Lorraine Marchand, author of The Innovation Mindset: Eight Essential Steps to Transform Any Industry , has three decades of experience in new product development and innovation commercialization. She is an Advisor to New York University Endless Frontier Labs, the START Program at Princeton University and international entrepreneurship programs. Read full profile…

STARTUPS:

Ibex Biosciences, Inc.
Murat Croci, Cofounder & Co-CEO
Murat Croci is co-founder and co-CEO of Ibex Biosciences (founded 2015), a biotechnology company developing breakthrough discoveries. With 20+ years in early-stage biotech, he is an inventor on five patents and previously served as financial controller at Seneca Biotech, following earlier work in tax and business consulting. Read full profile…

Saltenna
Dennis Defensor, CEO
Over 35 years of senior executive experience in government contracts and commercial markets. Group President, NANA/Akima (rapidly grew startup company from $0 to $300+ Million in annual revenues in seven years). CEO, ICOM Simulations (sold to Viacom) and TerraGlyph Interactive. Senior VP SAIC/CloudShield, Viacom New Media and DLT Solutions. Vice President, PESA, Falcon Microsystems and GTSI. Read full profile…

Space Phoenix Systems
Frank Johnson, COO
I’m passionate about using technology to drive meaningful change. With a career spanning public and private sectors, I specialize in modernizing IT systems, driving digital transformation, and building cross-sector partnerships that create lasting impact. My leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, innovation, and empowering diverse teams to solve complex challenges. Read full profile…

XtraRound.ai
Bill Draper, Founder and CEO
Builder of modern, innovative software products. Challenges the status quo, Over 20 years experience leading software development in a wide range of areas, from artificial intelligence to cloud architectures, advanced web architectures to industry-leading and award-winning point-of-sale for the hospitality industry. Designed and led the development of several of the largest restaurant POS systems worldwide.Read full profile…