Tom Schryver

David J. BenDaniel Faculty Advisor, BR Ventures

2017 - Current

I serve as one of two co-faculty advisors to Big Red Ventures, Cornell's MBA-student led venture fund. I also co-teach entrepreneurship and business strategy courses at the Johnson School, including serving as part of the teaching team for eLab, Cornell's student business accelerator, which includes courses at the Johnson School as foundational elements.

Executive Director, Center for Regional Economic Advancement

2014

I help promote new startup company creation and growth. I am the founding lead for the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, which leads Cornell's activities in the following areas of startup economic development, all of which have been launched and catalyzed since the initiation of the Center: - Commercialization programs in partnership with Cornell's College of Engineering, including directing the PhD Commercialization Fellowship, Kessler Fellows program and the NSF-funded Upstate New York I-Corps Node and Cornell I-Corps Site - Entrepreneurship programs for MBA students at the Johnson Graduate School of Management, which includes the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator, Kadiyali and Weil funds for entrepreneurial students, EiR advising and support, and the NYS-funded BioEntrepreneurship Initiative - Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, a physical facility in downtown Ithaca to serve as a hub for entrepreneurial activity in the community and a home for new companies - Rev Hardware programs, which include accelerator programs for "napkin to prototype" and "prototype to production" for physical product startups - Grow-NY, a NYS-funded startup innovation competition that deploys $3m per year to high growth food and ag startups in the region - The Southern Tier Innovation Hot Spot, a partnership led by Cornell with Binghamton University and Corning Inc. to help catalyze new company formation and accelerate their growth

Entrepreneur in Residence

2012 - 2017

As EiR I advised members of the Cornell community (students, alumni, faculty, and staff) on starting and growing startup companies. In this role I led grant applications to become an NSF I-Corps node (did not win the first time, but did the second time), to lead a New York State Innovation Hot Spot (won), and to create a business incubator in downtown Ithaca (won).

CEO

2009

The PI Experiential Learning (PIXL) program uses a series of analytical tools coupled with a sophisticated business simulation to help participants learn about themselves, how they work with others, and how they can grow as members of a team.

Interim CEO and Chief Investment Officer

2011 - 2014

As Interim CEO I led the initial structuring and growth of the company, including filing for 501c3 exemption and grantwriting, leading to $1.9 million in grant awards from private philanthropy, NGOs and government organizations. As CIO, I developed and set investing strategy for the organization and supported local startups' growth and facilitated fundraising, leading to millions in private capital being invested in regional companies.

Consultant

2008 - 2013

Self-employed consultant to nonprofit economic development organizations and venture-backed startup companies in industries such as cleantech, materials, electronics / MEMS, consumer products and media. Expertise includes finance and financing strategy, grantwriting, business planning, and general management consulting.

CFO

2009 - 2010

e2e's petroleum-free, biocomposite material is formed by a proprietary soy matrix (resin) and natural fibers. Based on over 15 years of research at Cornell University, e2e's biocomposites are stronger, lighter, safer and cheaper than formaldehyde-laden wood-based products. The company's composite material platform can be engineered to achieve a range of strength properties reaching into midrange steels delivering tremendous strength-to-weight ratios. Made from annually renewable resources including soy proteins and grass fibers such as jute, flax, and kenaf, our unique processing dramatically reduces the embodied energy of current products.

VP Finance & Operations

2007 - 2009

Novomer makes polymers and plastics from carbon dioxide and other renewable materials. The company's novel polymers have unique oxygen and water barrier capabilities that support food packaging, drug delivery, and durable film applications. Derived from low-cost and renewable feedstocks, Novomer's materials will be price competitive in the specialty plastics and materials markets. Founded in 2004, the company is based on the research of Professor Geoffrey Coates and others at Cornell University. Novomer's patented catalyst systems are over 40 times more active and over 14 times more productive when compared to current systems. This enables, for the first time, an economically feasible large-scale production of customizable plastics that contain from 30-50% carbon dioxide by weight. The polymers that Novomer produces are both biocompatible and biodegradable, and can be manufactured through traditional chemical and industrial methods.

Director of Finance

2003 - 2007

I was responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the Foundation, including accounting, audit, and investing the Foundation's $250mm portfolio. In that role I started hedge fund and private equity programs and led the Foundation to top-quartile investment returns.

Associate

2002 - 2003

Associate, Technology Investment Banking in New York

Senior Project Manager

2000 - 2000

Project Manager

1998 - 2000