Episode 172: Championing Innovation in Your Organization and Community w/ Jack Scatizzi

Jack Scatizzi is the executive director of Missouri technology corporation

Would you consider yourself entrepreneurially-minded? Learn from Jack Scatizzi, Executive Director of Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), and Lisa as they discuss his passion for entrepreneurship, experience as an investor and leadership of the MTC. If you’re a Missouri native, you may be especially interested to hear how innovative missions and organizations in general are championed in the state.

Bio: Jack Scatizzi received a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Ph.D. in Immunology from Saint Louis University, and after serving as a postdoc at UCSD and TSRI transitioned from an academic scientist to a more business-focused role as the Head Analyst for the San Diego network of the Tech Coast Angels – one of the nation’s largest and most active Angel Investing networks. He was responsible for local outreach efforts, reviewing funding applications, and leading internal Due Diligence efforts. While Jack was with TCA-SD, their members invested over $23M into 37 companies. While in Southern California, Jack held multiple operational roles and raised over $3M from Angel Investors with two early-stage tech companies, a consumer product company, and a seed-stage accelerator fund.

Jack moved back to Missouri just over two years ago and prior to being named the Executive Director of Missouri Technology Corporation was actively engaged with numerous St. Louis-based entrepreneurial support organizations- ITEN, Arch Grants, BioGenerator, and others. Missouri Technology is a public-private partnership created by the Missouri General Assembly to promote entrepreneurship and foster the growth of new and emerging high-tech companies. MTC focuses on the life sciences and technology industries, which build on Missouri’s rich history in agriculture.

Jack Scatizzi has raised over $3M from early-stage investors for numerous ventures, held operational roles with multiple start-ups, and has been an active advisor to early-stage companies across diverse verticals within the St. Louis and San Diego ecosystems. His experience includes being the Managing Director of a technology-focused seed fund and accelerator and being the Head Analyst for one of the nation’s largest and most active Angel Investing networks. He is currently the Executive Director of Missouri Technology Corporation, a public-private partnership created by the Missouri General Assembly to promote entrepreneurship and foster the growth of new and emerging high-tech companies within the state.

Jack’s Something Extra:

  1. The ability to distinguish opportunity vs distraction
  2. Having intentionality when decision making. – Go back to your mission. If it doesn’t align, pass on it.
  3. Know who you are, what you’re good at and then set yourself up for success. Leave room for growth and challenge.

Links and Mentions: 

Credits:
– Lisa Nichols, Host
– Scott Crosby, Executive Producer
– Daniel Williams, Recording Engineer

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