Get to know Rick:

Rick is a founder and CEO of SharpSpring. He started with the goal of bringing marketing analytics and automation tools to small and medium businesses on an affordable and easy-to-use SaaS platform. Rick has over 15 years of executive management experience in the technology sector, holding president, CEO, general manager, and board positions at several successful Internet security companies. When Rick is not working on SharpSpring, he is busy with his second, and far more complex start-up – his two sons. Sometimes, Rick still gets to play beach volleyball, and occasionally, his wife politely laughs at his jokes.

Your Moderator Mitch Glaeser:

Mitch Glaeser has founded 11 start-ups. Known throughout the world as a serial entrepreneur, community leader, philanthropist and mentor, he was recently named CEO of The Emory Group Companies. Mitch now runs a family owned group of companies including information technology, publishing, hospitality, apparel, and real estate development among others.

He received his real estate license at 18 and became a real estate broker soon after. He worked for the New York Times Company for eight years, attaining the highest level of sales volume by anyone in a given year and continues to hold that record today. Glaeser is also a motivational speaker, traveling the world for several years teaching others how to build strong business relationships.

He is a past president of Crime Stoppers, Guardian Ad Litem, The Exchange Club and Junior Achievement. He has previously served on the American Red Cross board, is a member of the Leadership Gainesville Alumni Association, co-founded Alachua County Emerging Leaders and has been chair of the Gainesville Community Foundation. He is also a past board member of Keep Alachua County Beautiful and the Realtors Board of Directors. He is past chair of the Counsel for Economic Outreach and two-time chair for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Mitch currently serves on the Gainesville Airport Authority. Recently, appointed by the Mayor, he chaired the City of Gainesville’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Community Competitiveness.

While receiving numerous awards over the years, he has recently been awarded the LGAA Leader of the Year Award, the James M. Parrish Community Leader of the Year Award and is the only citizen to receive two Keys to the City presented to him by two different Mayors.

About Startup Talks:

Startup Talks is a monthly event in Gainesville that brings together the tech and startup communities. To learn more about upcoming and future events, please contact us at hello@gainesvilletech.org.

Our Sponsors

Food and drinks provided by Infinite Energy.