Our Dedicated Mentors and Facilitators
Discover the Experts Driving Innovation and Success
Our 2024 Mentors and Facilitators are a diverse group of industry leaders, experienced entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts dedicated to helping you turn your innovative ideas into thriving businesses. With their wealth of knowledge and practical insights, our mentors provide invaluable support throughout your journey in the Velocity business accelerator.
From mastering business fundamentals to refining your pitch, our mentors are here to ensure your success at every stage. Meet the exceptional individuals who are committed to fostering creativity, driving growth, and empowering you to hit the gas on your startup.
Curriculum Advisor
Mike Buckovich
Vertical Curve
Mike has led and developed digital strategies for a variety of Fortune 500 firms ranging from apparel, financial services, SaaS, B2C, B2B, and start-ups from Chicago, New York, Washington, Richmond, and, most recently, various cities in North Carolina.
He has been assisting founders, startups, accelerators, private equity groups, and enterprises with 30+ years of experience in the advertising, marketing, customer experience design, digital product development and management, and software development world.
Over the years, Mike’s fascination with what influences and makes an audience tick has only grown. His wheelhouse is helping his clients to truly understand and define the user experience while translating it into both actionable technical requirements and a unique value proposition to set them apart from the competition.
Mentors & Facilitators
Steve Amigone
RBC
Roberts Bass
Financial Consultant
Valerie Bleza
Knot Standard
Dawn Booker
Pack Light Global
Camillia Carter
Start2Launch
Jody Cauthen
Integrity Continuing Education
Ray Collins
True Voice
Alan Cox
Breakpoint Insights
Henry de Noble
Stephens
Rob DiBella
DiBella Consulting
David Evans
Business Consultant
Michael Fulks
Akerman, LLP
Christen Funderburk
Lizzie’s All-Natural Products
Balint Gaspar
Sightsource
David Gilbert
Marketing Consultant
Josh Hanes
Bank OZK
Andrea Johnson
ANJ Consulting Services
Chad Leslie
UNCSA
John Loftis
Marketing Consultant
Dawn McGee
Coach Pro 4U
Terry Meyer
Kosmos Q
Jackie Morgan
JP Morgan Design & Consultant
Ben Noland
We Impact Brands
Phillip Oakley
PO & Co.
Corey Paul
Corey Paul Studios
Girish Raj
Entertainment Consultant
Leisha Roseboro Patterson
Lei Lei’s Cuisine
Daryl Shaw
Royalty Marketing
Bobbie Shrivastav
Benekiva
Preet Singh
imagine.io
Shad Smith
SBTDC at WSSU
Will Spivey
MaxCom
Theressa Stephens
Church Childcare Center
Q. Nicole Vanderhorst
W.H. Farms Co.
Dick Vann
Entrepreneur Consultant
Jes Vargas
Benekiva
Telissa Ward
Short Street Group
Matt Waterman
LongRun Solutions
Jeff Wolfe
SchellBray