1. ITEN Launches Entrepreneur in Residence Program for St. Louis
Startups
St. Louis-based tech entrepreneur accelerator names John Grispon as first EIR
St. Louis, July 31, 2013 – ITEN, the St. Louis-based organization
that provides programs, events and access
to resources to accelerate early-stage tech venture success, announced today
the launch of its Entrepreneur in Residence Program (EIR) for St. Louis tech
startups, and named John Grispon as the organization’s first EIR.
The ITEN Entrepreneur in Residence program is designed to accelerate the
success of selected startups in the St. Louis region based on their potential and
likelihood for success. Entrepreneurs in Residence are tech entrepreneurs with a
past history of success, and are chosen to provide concentrated, hands-on
coaching to individual startups. Serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence may
also give participants a pathway to joining a fast-growing tech startup at the
executive level.
The goal of each EIR is to help startups achieve significant milestones that
include successful product launch, initial customer revenue and significant
outside funding.
As the first Entrepreneur in Residence, Grispon will play an important role in
shaping the program and positioning it as a valuable resource within the startup
community. ITEN will build a team of EIRs who will accelerate many tech
startups.
“The Entrepreneur in Residence program is one of the most significant additions
to our program offerings since we began more than five years ago, and we are
very fortunate for the support we’ve received from the Missouri Technology
Corporation to launch this exciting program,” said Jim Brasunas, Executive

2. Director for ITEN. “We needed someone who would make an immediate impact
and set a precedent, and we had a number of very qualified candidates, but we
could not have asked for a better candidate than John.”
Grispon has more than 25 years of experience in technology development,
banking and finance, and sales and marketing, including key leadership roles in
three tech startups. He is currently a Lead Mentor for the Capital Innovators
Accelerator Program, and the Chief Operating Officer for Respondesign, which
focuses on developing interactive health and rehab solutions. His career includes
numerous stints leading growth initiatives for new and established companies. In
the late 90’s, Grispon led global strategy and business development for
Microsoft’s banking and financial services team. He also led global business
development for Corillian, a provider of online banking software acquired by
Checkfree.
“I’m excited to be joining a key part of our expanding tech entrepreneur
ecosystem,” said Grispon. “The new ITEN EIR role is additional evidence of the
region’s commitment to direct resources to help tech entrepreneurs thrive locally
and I’m delighted to be a contributor.”
ITEN serves more than 220 startup ventures in the St. Louis area and involves
more than 70 highly qualified volunteers. ITEN’s programs provide a roadmap for
ventures, from concept through design, prototype, launch, revenue, funding and
rapid scaling. Guidance from serial entrepreneurs, coaches, subject matter
experts and community leaders help St. Louis entrepreneurs focus on the
essential critical tasks of creating successful technology companies.
About ITEN
ITEN is an initiative of Innovate St. Louis, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. As
a catalyst of the IT ecosystem, ITEN provides unique programs, events, and
access to resources that accelerate tech venture success. ITEN's programs form
a venture roadmap from concept through design, prototype, launch, revenue,
funding and rapid scaling. Guidance from serial entrepreneurs, subject matter
experts and important community influencers helps entrepreneurs focus on
essential critical tasks and avoid wasted efforts. Access to investors, key service
providers and qualified talent means lower barriers to rapid growth. Designed by
entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, requiring neither payment nor equity, ITEN is a
unique community asset and a proven route to venture success. Follow ITEN on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/itenstl.