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15 April 2015

Customer Development Reading List

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05 April 2015

Entrepreneurial Mindset program. iStart Jax put 23 young adults through the inaugural class and has a long-term objective of producing 1,000 entrepreneurial minds, together with Kauffman Laboratories for Enterprise Creation and local corporate sponsors such as Florida Blue and The Jaguars Foundation. An idea conceived by MJ Charmani, Chairman of iStart Jax was put into action in less than 3 Months with the support of the community. “Students have talents but they may not have had an opportunity to express themselves,” iStart Jax President Yash Nath said. “This is the chance to express themselves.” Participating student Monica Myrick, a senior at Andrew Jackson High School, wants to use her passion for acting to create positive entertainment choices for teens. “If I put out something good, you’ll see more people evolving into something good,” she said. The first class culminated with a graduation ceremony at Andrew Jackson High School on May 24, at which participating students Trevor Wright and Shodai Williams received Kindles as prizes for their projects. Wright’s idea revolved around solutions to headphone issues and Williams’ focused on improving student engagement within high school English classes in urban communities and Title 1 program schools. “It’s personal to me because I love learning,” said Williams, a junior at Andrew Jackson High School. “When I don’t see my peers taking advantage I wonder why and think about what can I do to open their eyes.” Nath was the lead instructor for the five-week program, whose topics included empowering choices, creating opportunities, goal setting, growth strategies, wealth creation and brand building. “To be successful, you have to act,” Nath said. “Applying the skills they learned increases their chances of succeeding.” Guest speakers included entrepreneurs Noah Solheim of Fitness Jax and Cherry Dougherty, who also is a corporate trainer at Acosta. Solheim and Dougherty shared how they overcame adversity and persisted with their passions to start their own business. Students Aditi Verma, a fifth grader at J. Allen Axson Montessori School, and Niharika Malviya, a senior at Stanton College Preparatory School, spoke about the power of entrepreneurship and adhering to one’s convictions. Verma also shared how she and three other students started with an idea and converted it into a product applying the same principles as entrepreneurs. “She clearly demonstrated having the entrepreneurial mindset,” Nath said. Andrew Jackson High School volunteers who supported the entrepreneurial education program included Jennifer Crady, Addison Davis and Travis Pinckney. Volunteers from iStart Jax and supporting organizations included Joan Carter, MJ Charmani, Ramana Murthy, Jonathan Raiti, Jon Sykes, Pavan Varshney, Gina Wardell and a young volunteer – Vatsal Nath. “You guys are the beginning but not the ends by any means. This is going to be wildly successful in the Jacksonville area,” Wardell told students, noting how the lessons they learned would help them in their careers. Sykes said, “It’s not impossible. It’s something that can be done by anybody. You just have to work.” Charmani, chairman of iStart Jax’s, urged the graduates to be “ambassadors” for the program, encouraging other students to participate. “This how we can help take the community to the next level,” he said. The next set of E-Mindset classes will be held in the fall and prospective participants, volunteers and donors can get more information at www.istartjax.com. Also, a video, "Did you know?", has been compiled to create an awareness of the State of Entrepreneurial Education for young adults and its impacts.

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04 April 2014

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21 March 2014

Ignite, Inspire and Innovate - are the guiding principles of iStart Jax. Fostering the startup culture and the entrepreneurial growth is the reason for our being. We are ready to take the next big leap with the impactful programs for Northeast Florida and beyond. As we prepare for the next level of growth, we are looking to on-board committed top talent for the Executive Leadership roles.

These positions with iStart Jax offer a unique opportunity to work with our global partners – Microsoft BizSpark, Google for Entrepreneurs, F6S, Global Accelerators Network (GAN), UP Global, Global Jax…and many more. It’s an opportunity to be a brand ambassador for iStart Jax in the media with our growing list of Media partners CNN Money, Huffington Post, Business Journal, WJCT, Advantage Biz Magazine, 904 Biz Magazine. Our organization structure is flat and each executive works in a collaborative goal oriented environment. Check us out at www.iStartjax.org

Please apply to the below roles for consideration before 31^st March 2014 by entering your information at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZMRJ78L .

If you have any questions, send an email to

MJ Charmani, Founder and Chair – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Yash Nath, President and CEO @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Board Advisors: CEO’s and Founders at successfully run Startups, Incubators or Accelerators, Corporate Leaders in Executive positions preferably C-Suite, who can help iStart Jax in strategic and transformational initiatives. Providing key inputs to organization’s vision to be one of the world class accelerators and defining futuristic path for sustainable growth are some key responsibilities. This is an opportunity to work with visionaries and other Elite Leaders in the Industry to define the innovative ways to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO): As a Chief Technologist and Architect, CTO will provide the thought leadership and leverage our global partners to expand our platform. Responsible to help organizations roll out of cloud based and cutting edge donor and grants management system. Leverage our relationships with TechSoup, Microsoft for Non-Profit (E1), Salesforce.com - Power of us and many others in the pipeline. A visionary Technocrat who can be the go to person for the Startups and their Technology challenges.

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): CMO will be solely responsible for Responsible for planning, development and implementation of all of the Organization’s marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities, both external and internal. Responsibilities include developing newer programs and partnerships that offer invaluable resources to aspiring entrepreneurs and Startups. You will spearhead the product innovation and work in collaboration with other accelerators across the globe for continuous improvement. You are single point of contact for Sponsorships and spokesperson for iStart Jax. You will work with Non-profit center and leverage the relationships. We are looking for dynamic and hands-on person to lead our technology efforts.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO – Treasury and Grants):  CFO for Treasury and Grants, provides both operational and programmatic support to the organization and chief financial spokesperson for the organization. CFO Directly assists the Executive Leadership and the board on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to Grants Management, budget management, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs and the securing of new funding. You are also responsible for day to day disbursements, accounting, and purchasing licenses and memberships for the organization. Preference is for someone with experience in Non-profit organization. However necessary Training will be provided during the on-boarding process 

Director – Capital Investments: Establish and manage a network of local accredited investors who are interested in accelerating entrepreneurial growth in Northeast Florida via capital investments and knowledge dissemination. Responsibilities include the creation of the iStart Jax investor platform, investor engagement, continuing education, sponsorship and administration of deal flow to ensure capital investments are aligned with the needs of entrepreneurs in the iStart Jax community.  This person is expected to be a leader, coordinator and spokesperson for iStart Jax and the growing entrepreneurial community in Northeast Florida.

Director – Public Relations:  Responsible for development and implementation of support materials and services for Communications and public relations. Direct the efforts of membership outreach, communications and public relation and coordinate at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the Organization. Preference will be to bloggers and a writers who have exceptional relationships with the Media at the local and National level. Responsible for correspondence, speeches, editorials and news articles for publication. Work with local and national media efforts to advance the organization's brand and recognition. Create and explore new channels in creative marketing and advertising

Director – Social Media Communication and Strategy: Responsible for helping Content creation. Play the role of Community Manager for our online community and discussion forum. Posts on for our website, newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, and email marketing platforms. Update social media platforms at least weekly. Manage the Center’s email marketing list. Help create and distribute a monthly email newsletter. Prepare status reports on social media efforts and success rates.

Director - Membership Growth: Help iStart Jax design programs to grow our membership base in all demographics. You are the spokesperson for our Members and their concerns. Responsibility includes working on newer and innovative ways to engage members working with our local partners and sponsors. You will also be our designated online Startup community moderator.

Perks and Growth:
All positions above are volunteer driven with no compensation offered at this time. However expenses will be reimbursed at actuals. Perks include all inclusive trips to Conferences, Workshops and Training by our Partners. We invest back in passionate and dedicated volunteers to help them with Training and Certifications that will fuel the growth of the mainstream career.

These positions offer exceptional opportunities to network with elite and cream of the crop professionals and entrepreneurs in the Startups and Technology Industry.

Board Advisors and Executive leaders will be nominated as featured speaker’s at various National and Global Summits and conferences held by our partners.