Mark Kotzer Email & Phone Number

Seattle, WA, US

• Jumpstarts the development and growth of innovative, tech-enabled products and customer experiences for leadership teams when speed to market is critical to success. ENGAGEMENTS FOCUS ON:
• Accelerators seeking to improve their effectiveness and the performance of their startups
• Angel and venture-funded early-stage startups seeking to demonstrate market traction
• International startups exploring expansion to the United States as a growth opportunity
• Corporations wanting guidance on how best to innovate and partner with startups

London, GB

• Advise leaderships teams on the evaluation, development, launch and scaling of new growth initiatives. Work closely with accelerators and their portfolio companies on helping them create/execute GTM strategies, get.
• Providing guidance to Canadian, European and Korean start-ups on how to enter the U.S. market.
• Evaluating the potential for creating a new, next generation version of a world's fair event.
• Advised startup founders from under-represented groups on product-market fit, scaling and securing capital (funded by US Economic Development Admin, WA State Dept of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund).
• Developed branding and GTM strategy for drone startup that led to angel investment and a merger.
• Coached executives at Korean multinational on ideation, market validation & new product development.

Congregate is an accelerator that brings together industry, regulators, seasoned entrepreneurs and support resources to ease barriers to innovation in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Boston, MA, US

• Led innovation engagement & evangelism for a Fortune 100 company. Responsible for driving the adoption of innovative new products and services, fostering a culture of innovation and enhancing company capabilities to.
• Developed Shark Tank competition that resulted in new initiatives valued at $75M+ being pursued.
• Fast tracked proof of concepts leveraging VR, AI, chatbots and other emerging technologies.
• Created an innovation lab that engaged 1,000+ employees and agents within its first year.
• Drove adoption of company's innovation portfolio to 20,000+ independent agent partners.
• Evaluated new external sources for insurance and customer experience innovation (e.g., Techstars Corporate Concierge Pilot Program, Agent Innovation Council).

Seattle, WA, US

• Hired to create and lead the innovation team for Safeco Insurance, a $7B subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, a Fortune 100 company.KEY WINS
• Earned Safeco recognition as the 2nd most innovative insurance carrier in the independent agent channel.
• Designed and launched an award-winning skill on Amazon's Alexa platform in <6 months, Ist in insurance.
• Spearheaded new insurance product that generated $10M in written premium within four years.
• Advanced enterprise-wide innovation efforts in Connected Home and the Sharing Economy.
• Led Safeco's efforts to engage with the startup community (e.g., created Innovation Lab at WeWorks, became $20K sponsor of TechStars Seattle, met with partners of Bay Area VCs and their portfolio companies).

Created a consulting practice focused on helping mid-market and Fortune 500 companies develop new growth opportunities and innovate the customer experience by applying the best practices of entrepreneurs, the venture community and innovation thought leaders. SAMPLING OF ENGAGEMENTSMICROSOFT: Developed a change management plan for a leadership team seeking.

Seattle, WA, US

• Taught mid-career professionals 10-week course in Business Development Strategies & Planning (Winter 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).
• Taught Foundations of Entrepreneurship to MBAs and non-business PhD students (Spring 2011).

Seattle, WA, US

• Hired to vet new growth ideas, launch test pilots and scale the most promising initiatives for the corporate travel division.KEY WINS
• Launched a new line of business that generated $13M in billings and 81,000 customers in 12 months.
• Developed analytical tools that enabled sales team to upsell accounts worth $290M in annual revenue.
• Pioneered digital marketing programs that became widely adopted across the company.
• Advised senior management on merit of pursing RFP for $9.3 billion federal government travel market.

London, GB

• Ascentry was a broadband wireless company focused on creating a secure interoperable communications system for emergency responders as well as day-to-day public safety and physical security operations. Hired by CEO to.
• Developed business plan and identified qualified investor prospects that led to company raising $2M.
• Created market positioning instrumental in building strategic relationships with Department of Homeland Security and technology partners.

London, GB

• Drove creation and development of ESIF, an annual event for accredited investors and the Pacific Northwest's most promising early stage companies to meet for business plan presentations, seminars and networking. Served.
• Created/implemented marketing plan that attracted 200+ VCs and angel investors to 2001 event.
• Managed overall event including sponsorships, deal flow, entrepreneur coaching and 80+ volunteers.
• Resulted in 40+ early stage companies receiving equity investment following their participation.

London, GB

• Corporate VAT developed the 1st software to automate recovery of European value-added tax. First employee hired by co-founders. Created company go-to-market strategy and its market/sales/consulting infrastructure. KEY.
• Built Fortune 2000 client base within 2 years of product launch.
• Secured Arthur Andersen, KPMG and PWC as strategic partners and clients.
• Created and managed auditing/consulting services to reduce corporate European T&E expenses by 15-20%.

London, GB

• Company created the 1st consumer-friendly GUI software that enabled travelers to easily book online their own air travel, hotel and car rentals. Hired by CEO/founder to build market awareness and drive sales. KEY WINS
• Created PR campaign that generated coverage in Money, PC Magazine and USA Today (pg 1, banner story).
• Grew market share to 10% of travel industry online bookings.

Masters Of Business Admininstration (Mba), General Management And Marketing Concentration

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Major In Government, Minor In International Economics