John Laurie, Ph.D., is a Senior Business Consultant with the Kauffman Foundation’s UEP-Gulf Coast Initiative, where he has consulted with over 100 companies, ranging from high growth start-ups to enterprise level firms. John’s expertise is in strategic planning and management, providing innovative plans and solutions focused on sustained, long-term success and scalability. In 2011, John developed the Collegiate Business Accelerator Program fro UEP-Kauffman and in 2012 directed the first business accelerator in a college or university in the State of Louisiana, located at the University of New Orleans. In addition, he has served as a mentor to companies selected for Launchpad ignition, and as a guest speaker and panelist for topics including venture investment, proof of business concept and consulting. An entrepreneur for over a decade, John has owned manpower, retail and online companies.