Date
Monday, 01 Feb 2021 4:30 PM
Get a front row seat to meeting the movers and shakers building our community. Each Techlife Live session profiles and startup and a tech leader in Central Ohio.
Join us for this seasons 2nd episode with Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene (PopCom) and Greg Ratcliff (Vertiv)
About Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene :
Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene is CEO of PopCom, an automated retail company that uses facial recognition, A.I, and blockchain technology to help retailers collect valuable customer insights. The first CRM, data, and analytics software provider for unattended retail, PopCom has developed technology to make kiosks and vending machines intelligent through data and analytics at the point of purchase. As a serial entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience in marketing and business development, Dawn launched four successful cash flow positive companies since 2002. Her most recent ventures include Flat Out of Heels (rollable flats for women to get relief from painful heels), and PopCom, after identifying a need to make vending machines more intelligent.
About Greg Ratcliff:
My story: My start began while at Ohio State studying Electrical Engineering when one of my key mentors gave me a chance to join his startup in embedded design and electronic development working on high-reliability hardware and software. This included (in time) writing the operating system for our key product. A successful merger and exit of that business taught me a lot and provided many fantastic experiences. Thanks, Mike. That led me to Peco II, a telecom OEM that later held an IPO and was ultimately purchased by GE. Wow. While at Peco, I was mentored by two pioneers in telecom and computing (Thanks to Dick and Trygve) which gave me a solid footing in managing large technology teams. What a fantastic experience to be in a public business managing a growth rate of 100% a quarter. My third startup was a partnership with a good friend where we created the world’s first cloud-based and FAA approved aircraft logging and tax system, serving the aviation sector (Thanks Doug!). That business recently had an exit to Satcom Direct.
In 2018 I was asked to lead the global advanced analytics group for Vertiv, specializing in real-time data and connecting our nearly 1B operating products to the Vertiv cloud (Thanks to Frank and Dave), WOW, it is fantastic to see the business transforming to being data-driven over the last couple of years.
In 2019 an executive leader gave me a little amnesty to establish and lead innovation in our global services business and to develop a purposeful, results-oriented POC and pilot process for our highest risk, and yes potentially highest reward projects (Thanks to Steve).
In 2020, I was asked to lead Vertiv’s technology transfer and global innovation programs. My focus is on our global strategic efforts, alliances, technology transfer, and integration of domestic and international acquisitions. Increasing value through the ‘new stuff’ to our worldwide customers in ultra-reliable data centers. Also, I am ABD (all but dissertation) and in the last steps of a research Doctorate at Liberty University.
Some of the most fantastic teacher/leaders and a bit of education have provided me solid foundations for growth; during this journey, I obtained degrees in Applied Mathematics, Information Systems, an MBA in Technology Management, Commercial and other Pilot certificates and ratings, and love giving back as a STEM mentor and Certificated Flight Instructor; you could say I am an entrepreneur that enjoys learning how everything(!) works.
