Startup Weekend Hartsville lands trio of Startup Super Stars as speakers, coaches and judges

Julius Caesar said it best when he offered this advice, “Experience is the teacher of all things.” Taking this to heart, Startup Weekend Hartsville has secured three “Startup Super Stars” as speakers, coaches mentors and judge at the event set for November 18-20 in Hartsville.

Hosted by the South Carolina’s Governor’s School of Science & Mathematics (GSSM) Foundation and powered by Google, Startup Weekend Hartsville is designed as a deep-dive immersion into the process of business formation. It is open to college students and others interested in becoming entrepreneurs and learning all they can about launching a successful startup. Tickets are just $20 and cover the entire weekend and all meals.

They will be learning from some of South Carolina’s most experienced experts in innovation, commercialization and business formation. Friday evening, Marcy Thompson, corporate officer and vice president of Marketing and Innovation for global packaging company Sonoco, will kick-off Startup Weekend Hartsville at the opening reception in downtown Hartsville. Prior to joining Sonoco, Thompson held leadership positions with GE, Gillette and ArcelorMittal Steel Company. Additionally, Thompson serves on the Center for Marketing Solutions Advisory Board of the University of South Carolina (USC) Moore School of Business.

Serving as a mentor and judge is Dr. Laura B. Cardinal, USC’s new SmartState^® Endowed Chair for Innovation and Commercialization. Cardinal’s expertise in managing innovation and research and development capabilities for corporations along with control systems in startup companies led to faculty appointments at the University of Houston, Tulane University, Southern Methodist University. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and now the USC Darla Moore School of Business. Cardinal is the author of Organizational Control and serves on the Academy of Management’s Board of Governors.

The third Startup Super Star is Tom Pietras, a partner in the South Carolina-based firm Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer CPAs, and frequently consults with entrepreneurs and early-growth companies. The former Big Six CPA )Ernst & Young), Pietras serves U.S. and international clients in a broad range of industries, including telecommunications, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, construction, and healthcare. He mentors startup companies at the USC/Columbia Incubator and is active in Venture South, a South Carolina angel-investing network.

A range of other company formation experts will also be coaching Startup Weekend Hartsville participants.

GSSM faculty member and Startsville Director Kathryn de Ridder-Vignone is encouraging university and technological college students as well as other entrepreneurs to participate in Startup Weekend Hartsville. “This is the best way to gain valuable experience in company formation because you’ll be learning with the experts. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to network with people who may help you down the road!”

The cost to attend the weekend’s events, including meals, is now just $20! To learn more and register to attend Startup Weekend Hartsville: http://www.startsville.com/startupweekendhartsville/