Tulane Innovation Institute Announces Keynote Speaker and Investor Spotlight for the 3rd Coast Venture Summit
 

Provided Photos: Bob Diener (Left), Dr. Amol Sarva (Right)
 

The Tulane Innovation Institute (TUII) is pleased to announce the distinguished founder keynote speaker and investor spotlight for its "fireside chats," a highlight of the upcoming 3rd Coast Venture Summit during the 2024 New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

12:45 pm - Dr. Kimberly Gramm and Dr. Amol Sarva (Investor Spotlight)

Join Dr. Kimberly Gramm, a notable figure in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, for an engaging conversation with serial entrepreneur and investor Dr. Amol Sarva. Dr. Amol Sarva has co-founded successful startups such as Virgin Mobile USA, Peek, Halo Neuroscience, Knotable, and Knotel. His latest venture, LifeX Ventures, focuses on supporting technologies to “extend the longevity of both people and the planet”. Dr. Gramm's insightful exchange with Dr. Sarva promises valuable perspectives on funding decisions, guidance for founders seeking attention from venture capitalists, and how he evaluates startups using cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Sarva earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University, and he holds a B.A. in Economics and Philosophy from Columbia University. In 2016, he joined the faculty at Columbia University, teaching "Venturing to Change the World" to undergraduates.

1:30 pm - President Mike Fitts and Bob Diener Keynote (Founder Story)

TUII is honored to host President Mike Fitts in a conversation with Bob Diener, co-founder and former President of hotels.com and getaroom.com, a prominent figure in the travel and hospitality industry. Mr. Diener is no stranger to billion-dollar exits. This lively discussion will explore Mr. Diener's success in entrepreneurship and contributions to the travel sector. An active philanthropist, lawyer, and author, Mr. Diener brings a wealth of experience to share on how he has chased emerging technologies in his entrepreneurial journey. As a leading travel industry expert, Mr. Diener is a frequent source for many major news organizations as well as a recurrent guest on many television and radio stations including NBC, CNN and Fox News. Mr. Diener has been featured on KGO radio in San Francisco every Sunday for years and his articles have been published on sites such as the Harvard Business Review. 

In between the two talks, TUII will also announce the winners of its $50K Demo Day Startup Pitch Competition. This exciting event showcases innovative ideas and projects developed by New Orleans startup businesses, Tulane students, and alumni.