Venture Acceleration Initiative

Dr. Don Oparah
Founder and Director

Dr. Don Oparah is the Founding Director of the Venture Acceleration Initiative and brings a range of experience allowing him to operate effectively across the worlds of academia and business.

Don initially joined UC Santa Barbara in 2006 as a UC Discovery Fellow and developed the vision and concept for VAI working closely with the Deans of Engineering and the Sciences and other campus leaders.

In his role as director Don provides leadership, direction and motivation to the team, acts as an evangelist to and secures support and resources from the external community, develops strategic partnerships and works actively with a growing number of promising campus ventures.

He received a joint degree in Computer Science and Electronics at the University of London and a PhD in Computer Science at Trinity College, Cambridge where he worked with the real-time operating systems and high-speed networking group.

Don went on to work in Information Technology and Strategy consulting in London for several years before moving to California to complete his MBA at the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management with a focus on Entrepreneurship.

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Dr. Raphael Simon
Entrepreneurial Consultant

Dr. Raphael Simon is a UC Discovery Fellow working with VAI. Raphael’s interests lie in the process of new venture creation and entrepreneurship, and he brings to the team in-depth expertise in both science and business.

Raphael holds a bachelors degree in Microbiology, and a PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from UC Santa Barbara where he studied the host immune response to pathogen infection. He also completed the Graduate Program in Management Practice offered through the UCSB Technology Management Program, studying innovation, technology management and entrepreneurship.

As part of the VAI team, his role is to develop new and innovative funding mechanisms for faculty ventures including leading the creation of an investor affiliate program and assisting in the assembly of the VAI seed fund. He further serves as an entrepreneurial consultant providing basic business development services for portfolio ventures.

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Dennis Leidall
Program Manager

Dennis recently joined the VAI team after spending the past three years launching Connect Northwest, an independent non-profit organization modeled after the widely acclaimed UCSD CONNECT. Dennis was responsible for all of Connect Northwest’s programs, including the flagship Springboard Program, Executive Connect, and Investor Forums. Along with designing and managing programs, he mentored entrepreneurs, and was an advisor to the regions investment community.

Prior to that, Dennis spent five years with the University of California at San Diego CONNECT organization, where he served as program manager for the Springboard Program and the Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology.

His expertise in guiding entrepreneurs and early-stage companies comes not only from his program experience, but also from his personal experience as an entrepreneur and business executive. In 1992, he founded Newport Coffee Company, a Chicago based wholesale and retail coffee roasting company. Dennis has a B.S. degree from the University of Iowa.

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Samantha Tackett
Administrative Assistant

Samantha Tackett is an Administrative Assistant to the College of Engineering, dividing her time between the Office of the Dean, the Corporate Affiliates Program, and the Venture Acceleration Initiative. Her role for the VAI Team will focus on financial planning and execution for the program, as well as event and travel coordination.

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Stefanie Maier
Business Development Intern

Stefanie Maier is currently an undergraduate at UC Santa Barbara, and will be graduating in June with a B.A. in Psychology and in Sociology. Stef joined the team in April 2007 and has since then developed an innovation asset map of Santa Barbara, performance metrics for VAI and its ventures, and helped create and manage VAI’s networking system. She is particularly interested in business growth and entrepreneurial consulting, and is dedicated to contributing to the success of VAI.

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Natasha Buffo
Business Development Intern

Natasha Buffo is currently an undergraduate at UC Santa Barbara, and will be graduating in June with a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences and a B.A. in Sociology. Natasha joined the VAI team in June 2007, and has since designed the VAI website, developed and managed various networking correspondence tracking systems, and led operations of internal and external events. Her interests in new technology, desire to help others, and thirst for a challenge, have all assisted in her concentration on, and excitement for, the Venture Acceleration Initiative.

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Sagiv Some
Consulting Intern

Sagiv Some is currently a second year student studying Economics and Mathematics at UC Santa Barbara. Sagiv joined the team in January 2008 and has since been involved in conducting market analysis, developing business strategies, and establishing government and corporate contacts for the university-based ventures. He is excited to contribute to the campus and the community through VAI’s highly motivated team of professionals.

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Brianna Neal
Public Relations Intern

Brianna Neal is currently a third year English major and a Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara. As Public Relations Manager for the Venture Acceleration Initiative, Brianna strives to further press coverage and to maintain public awareness of VAI's current projects. A drive for achieving success and a passion for writing spurs Brianna's enthusiasm in her work for VAI.

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Ari Simon is currently a third-year Cell and Developmental Biology major at UC Santa Barbara. Ari joined the team in March of 2008 and has become involved with many of the bioscience and medical device ventures affiliated with VAI by conducting market research and other feasibility studies. Ari is excited to work with the professors, ventures, and colleagues at VAI, and to contribute to the growth of this organization.

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