The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council is continuing its series of feature stories highlighting the mentors behind the Energy Mentor Network program offering industry specific expertise.
The Energy Mentor Network‘s goal is to foster the growth of Tennessee advanced energy technologies and startups by connecting entrepreneurs with mentors. This gives Tennessee yet another advantage in grabbing its more than fair share of the $1.4 trillion global advanced energy market.
The Energy Mentor Network is run by the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council in partnership with Launch Tennessee.
In broad strokes, the Energy Mentor Network pairs mentors with promising new companies and entrepreneurs through a structured program involving panel presentations and mentoring sessions.
The purpose of the program is to develop quality startups. After completing the program, startups will have an investable pitch deck, a rock solid business model and a plan to establish more traction. These tools will position Tennessee’s entrepreneurs to raise capital, request other funds like SBIR grants, and scale their company.
This week TAEBC highlights Andrew Goldner, co-founder of GrowthX where he serves as Managing Member. Andrew sits across all aspects of GrowthX where he helps craft and guide the overall vision keeping everyone on the team pointed towards a common North Star. Andrew calls on his varied background as founder, funder, operator, advisor and technology attorney in the United States and Asia Pacific to help companies grow.
Andrew started his career in technology in 1998 as a lawyer for early Internet pioneers such as Alta Vista, Yahoo, and Salesforce. He left private practice at Skadden Arps to join DoubleClick prior to the acquisition by Google. He then joined Thomson Financial where he co-founded their multimedia financial news business leading to the acquisition of Reuters. At Thomson Reuters, Andrew served as Publisher of Reuters News and then Co-Founder and Managing Director of their legal media business in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
After nearly 6 years in Asia, Andrew returned to the U.S. and to helping early-stage companies. Andrew is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 21), Regional Board Member of Venture for America, and a proud Mentor at Galvanize, Dynamo, Alchemist Accelerator, and Matter.
TAEBC is continuing to accept mentors for the Energy Mentor Program. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit the “For Mentors” section of the Energy Mentor Network portion of TAEBC’s website.