An entrepreneur at a young age, Richard Sudek’s childhood business efforts were non-stop. Sudek founded his first company with $250 dollars at age 24. Nadek Computer systems, a data networking design implementation firm, served clients like Microsoft, Boeing, ARCO, and Universal Studios. At the age of 41, after considering offers from a dozen corporations, Sudek sold the business to SAIC, a multi-billion-dollar international firm. Sudek most recently served as the Chief Innovation Officer at U.C. Irvine. He has served as an advisor to several MBA programs, served as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation, has judged business plan competitions and taught entrepreneurship in the U.S. and Europe. Sudek continues to be an active angel investor, belonging to Golden Seeds since 2010, and Chairman Emeritus of Tech Coast Angels, the largest angel organization in the U.S. In addition, Sudek serves as Committee Chair for Angel Capital Association's Luis Villalobos Award presented to the top Angel startup in the U.S. He Currently sits on the TCA Board of Governors, as well as an advisor to venture funds, academic centers, engineering, and high-tech firms. He has helped stand up numerous early-stage funds. Richard also coaches and consults with CEO’s involved with growth challenges. He is experienced in working with hundreds of start-up companies, helping them to grow and prosper. He often gives CEO’s fresh insight and new tools to solve self-management, leadership and growth challenges.