Eric Mathews is a leading business strategist, author, and coach. Eric is on a mission to leverage the power of innovative talent, investment capital, and global connectivity to create and grow business leaders and their businesses.For over 20 years, Eric’s work has launched over 1000 startup businesses, supported over 10,000 businesses, helped open innovation systems at major corporations, bolstered entrepreneurship programs at universities, and advanced select civic and impact organizations in North America and beyond. This has resulted in over 10 billion dollars in investment capital raised, hundreds of millions in new revenue, and thousands of new jobs created. Eric founded Start Co., an internationally recognized venture architect firm where, in addition to building new tech startups, they provide the processes for major corporations, governments, universities, and other organizations to build data and technology solutions, new business models, and civic innovations that leverage the power of innovative talent, investment capital, and global connectivity. Eric is also honored to serve as the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to these endeavors, Eric was the Associate Director of Corporate Research & Development at the FedEx Institute of Technology. Eric has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Rhodes College and a Master of Science degree in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Memphis where he studied artificial intelligence. He has been quoted hundreds of times in global media outlets on building startups as well as the use and influence of innovation in business. Eric is the author of From Garage to Greatness: Succinct First Steps for Early Stage Entrepreneurs, an accessible book for first time entrepreneurs and those supporting them about how to move from idea to business launch. He also authored, Unleashing Unprecedented Potential: The Key to Get Beyond 10X Thinking in Life, a book on personal transformation. With Al Pickett, he co-wrote You Are The Edge: Transform Yourself To Transform Your Trading and Life, a book on mindset for investment traders.Eric serves on the boards and advisory boards of several startup, business, art, civic and impact organizations. Beyond tech startups, Eric has a diverse portfolio of other investments in the manufacturing, consumer products, and real estate industries. Eric is an Eagle Scout.