John Richards

Managing Partner

2022 - Current

Startup Ignition Ventures is a pre-seed fund that invests as a "first check" into promising startups led by great teams with great ideas and a validated business model.

CEO / Founder

2015

Startup Ignition is a 3-month (starts with a 3-day in-class experience following by 3 months of prioritized mentoring) short-term, intensive startup entrepreneur bootcamp, including actual implementation of learned tools and skills, that prepares entrepreneurs, founders, and teams to properly launch a company and take the right steps towards mitigating risk and increasing success. We enable our students by removing the fluff from a traditional 4-year degree, or other out-dated programs, and delivering an intense and impactful results-driven curriculum.

Advisor

2022

Advisor

2021

Advisor

2019

Senior Advisor

2017

Founder with Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology

2000

Associate Professor

2001 - 2013

Teaching courses in eBusiness, entrepreneurship, and management consulting. Develop as Associate Director three special centers: Centers for (1) eBusiness, (2) Entrepreneurship, and (3) Economic Self-Reliance. Special assignments as requested.

President

2004

Consulting engagements in the areas of start-up and emerging ventures, Internet, software, high tech, and other verticals.

Manager

2004

Venture and Private Equity

Manager

2004

Debt Investments