Becoming a successful entrepreneur involves much more than coming up with an original idea, no matter how compelling. That’s just the very beginning. Ultimately, running a successful company boils down to execution which involves many moving parts. David Carman, start-up and new venture strategist, illuminates the critical path that any entrepreneur needs to follow in order to grow and successfully exit his/her new venture. David provides strategic direction, coaches companies on effectively conveying their message, shares his large network of key contacts, and helps entrepreneurs gain access to resources that are critical to their growth and ultimate success—talent, investors, customers, strategic business partners, e.g. David is the former Founder/CEO of the BNC Venture Forum and its umbrella organization, Business Network Chicago. BNC was one of the premier business networking organizations in Chicago serving over 10,000 active members. David has interviewed many of Chicago's top entrepreneurs including Chuck Templeton of Open Table, Mike Evans of GrubHub, George Deeb of iExplore, Sam Yagan of OK Cupid and Excelerate Labs, Ira Weiss of Hyde Park Angels, Ross Kimbarovsky of CrowdSPRING, Troy Henikoff of SurePayroll and Excelerate Labs, Kevin Willer of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center and '1871,' Mark Achler of Redbox, Genevieve Thiers of Sittercity, and Matt Moog of Viewpoints, '1871,' Built in Chicago, and the FireStarter Fund. Specialties: Start-up advisor, entrepreneur advocate, venture consulting & capital, business development, strategic advisor, entrepreneur resources, entrepreneur mentor, pitching, preparation of investment materials, strategy, valuation, C-level talent, acquirers, strategic business partners, networking, public speaking, marketing, venture capital, angel investors, raising capital, fund raising, business investors, angel capital, angel network, business networking, technology innovation, business innovation