SPEAKERS
Beth Zonis
Region Director, CleanTech Open Northeast
As Director of Cleantech Open Northeast, Beth is passionate about combating climate change, improving environmental equity, and growing the cleantech economy through innovation and entrepreneurship. The Northeast is the most active region of Cleantech Open, the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit accelerator and business plan competition. Beth has experience developing innovation hubs in the Northeast with Cleantech Open, as well as in India and Russia. She has worked at MIT and IBM, run her own marketing and sustainability consulting business and led business development for a startup that grew from 10 to 1000 employees. Beth holds two prominent volunteer leadership positions: Board Member of ACTION Innovation Network, and Vice President of her graduating class at Wellesley College. She is a frequent speaker on cleantech innovation, as well as a judge and mentor. She’s been invited to speak at MIT, Wharton, Carnegie Mellon, Tufts, and Boston University. An MIT Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) trained mentor, she has mentored and judged startups in various programs including Cleantech Open, MassChallenge, SBIR, Techstars, MIT $100k, and MIT Media Lab. She holds a BA, cum laude, from Wellesley College, an MBA from Boston University, a Certificat d’Etudes Politiques from Science Po in Paris, and a Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Southern Maine. She speaks French and Spanish. She plays squash, swims, kayaks and hikes, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Dan Nadev
CEO, Enviro Power
Dan has over 15 years of experience in developing and deploying Distributed Generation (DG) technologies in the US and Europe. Expert in the commercialization of advanced energy technologies, Dan has led multiple product launch campaigns of various renewable technologies including geothermal, wind, heat recovery, combined heat, and power (CHP). Prior to joining Enviro Power, Dan held management positions at Ormat Technologies, Repower AG, Siemens Gamesa, and Qnergy where he led business development and marketing activities. Dan holds an M.B.A. from Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Jessica Dodge
Director of Operations and Programs, CTNext
Jessica is responsible for managing grant and non-financial initiatives targeted at supporting entrepreneurial growth in the State of Connecticut. She oversees all CTNext programs, shaping the direction and impact of current and new initiatives, as well as developing and managing organizational strategy, budgeting, compliance, and administration to name a few. On a daily basis, Jessica works with business executives, mentors, and professionals across the state to grow the CTNext network and secure support for all CTNext programs. Jessica is also a key member of the management team for VentureClash, a new international venture capital competition managed by Connecticut Innovations, the leading source of financing for in-state growth companies.
MODERATOR
Craig Colson, Investment Analyst, Connecticut Innovations
Craig Colson is an Investment Analyst at Connecticut Innovations. Craig helps to identify and support investments in digital health, InsurTech, and enterprise SaaS. As an analyst, Craig works closely with founders and managers in conducting due diligence and writing investment memos for prospective seed and series A venture investments.
Prior to joining CI in 2019, Craig worked as a Corporate Strategy Analyst at Taco Comfort Solutions, where he was responsible for managing the company’s M&A funnel, conducting market and industry research, competitor intelligence, and supporting the development of annual and multiyear strategic plans.
Craig received a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Bryant University, with Summa Cum Laude honors and a dual concentration in Finance and Economics.
