Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Elevate Northeast Indiana
Dan Meek serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for northeast Indiana. He most recently served as President of Seneca Business Ventures, a commercialization and innovation consultancy. Prior to that, Dan was Vice President of Venture Development at Rev1 Ventures.
Dan has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio Northern University and a Master of Business Administration from Capital University. His background has been focused on commercialization, early-stage investments, and new ventures. Dan is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- What is the most important thing you do for Elevate Ventures’ clients/constituents? As one of several EIRs at Elevate, our biggest efforts are centered around identifying, evaluating, and working closely with entrepreneurs who are building those businesses poised for high growth and scalability. I try to bring a variety of industry and geographical location experiences to every entrepreneur I work closely with. I prefer working closely with entrepreneurs, almost like an extension of the founding team. This builds trust that strengthens a company and ultimately a stronger community.
- What motivates you? I am motivated by founders that really understand their industry because my experience in venture development is that those founders make the best decisions for their company.
- What from your past experience directly impacts your work today? Working in the medical device industry has been one of the most exciting phases of my career. Working with very strong professionals in the industry, I learned that the difference between success and failure can be happening right before your eyes, but you have to look hard to see the true path you’re on. Be your own hardest critic of your business, and if you do so you’ll provide your best chance of success for the venture.
