SCHEDULE

Scroll down for the 2019 schedule. 
Attendance to talks is on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Friday, March 8, 2019
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE OPENS
 
11:30 AM

AN EPIC FOUNDERS’ JOURNEY

Katie Forrest and Taylor Collins sold their natural food startup, Epic Provisions, to General Mills for a reported $100 million after just three years in business. It began as an unexpected love affair, but nothing is ever that simple. This conversation will unpack the lessons from the founders’ epic journey.

SPEAKERS: Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest, founders, Epic Provisions

MODERATOR: Tom Foster, editor-at-large, Inc.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS—NOW WHAT?
Presented by Kabbage

Small businesses dream of opportunities presenting themselves. But what happens when they do? Find out how to turn an idea into a real initiative and where to secure funding to pounce on these opportunities and more for the betterment of your business.  

SPEAKER: Rob Frohwein, co-founder and CEO, Kabbage

MODERATOR: James Ledbetter, editor in chief, Inc. and Inc.com

1:10 PM - 1:50 PM

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: SECRETS OF A FAST-GROWTH COMPANY

Tyler Haney uprooted her New York City activewear brand Outdoor Voices and relocated to Austin in 2017. From raising a reported $56.5 million to planting roots in the city that tops Inc.’s list of the best places to start a business, Outdoor Voices is shaking up an established industry. Haney will share why she’s on a mission to get the world moving and what it takes to lead and scale a fast-growth company.

SPEAKER: Tyler Haney, founder and CEO, Outdoor Voices

MODERATOR: Danielle Sacks, executive editor, Inc.

2:50 PM - 3:30 PM

ONE-ON-ONE WITH BEN CHESTNUT

Ben Chestnut and his team built an amazing business that boasts 700 employees, 16 million customers, and $600 million in revenue. It took them only 19 years to do it. Learn how to grow not just for growth’s sake. And gain best practices in leadership, rebranding, and more from the co-founder of the marketing empire Mailchimp.

SPEAKER: Ben Chestnut, co-founder and CEO, Mailchimp

MODERATOR: Eric Schurenberg, CEO, Mansueto Ventures

3:40 PM - 4:20 PM

THE RISE OF MOBILITY AS A SERVICE
Presented by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Thanks to new technologies and new ways of thinking about transportation, how we travel is changing profoundly. Whether it’s ride-sharing services, electric scooters, or bike sharing, the movement toward mobility as a service (MaaS) is gaining momentum. The advent of self-driving cars is certain to add to this momentum. What will this mean for the concept of car ownership, auto sales, and manufacturing? Discover the impact of MaaS on mobility operators, communities, and end users.

SPEAKERS: Emily Heintz, founder and managing director, EntryPoint; Seun Phillips, director, PlanetM at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; and Amber Quist, CMO, Silvercar by Audi

MODERATOR: Burt Helm, editor-at-large, Inc.

4:30 PM - 5:10 PM

INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE OPENING PARTY
Sponsored by Kabbage
(Invite Only)

 

GUEST BUSINESS BARTENDER: Elizabeth Gore, president and chairwoman, Alice

 

SPECIAL REMARKS: James Ledbetter, editor in chief, Inc. and Inc.com

 

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE CLOSES
 
7:30 PM
Saturday, March 9, 2019
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE OPENS
 
10:30 AM

MEET THE INC. EDITORS.

Join us for mimosas and breakfast tacos and find out how to tell your story and pitch to the media. Hosted by the award winning editors of Inc. Media. 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

THE BUSINESS OF DOING GOOD

Founders Kristen Bell, Ryan Devlin, Todd Grinnell, and Ravi Patel launched This Bar Saves Lives (TBSL) to aid in the fight against malnutrition. For every purchase, the social enterprise sends life-saving food to a child in need. Actor and comedian Ravi Patel will share how personal passions led him to TBSL. Find out how to do good and still make money; when (and when not) to leverage high-profile partnerships to promote your brand and amplify your message; and what the future of social impact looks like.

SPEAKER: Ravi Patel, cofounder, This Bar Saves Lives

MODERATOR: Burt Helm, editor-at-large, Inc.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE TALK
 
3:10 PM - 3:50 PM

CASE FOUNDATION FOUNDER JEAN CASE IN CONVERSATION WITH ELIZABETH GORE

How do you build a life of breakthroughs and purpose? Case Foundation CEO and AOL alumna Jean Case helps create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this conversation, the tech pioneer will offer leadership lessons learned throughout her diverse career and advice on how to build impactful mentor/mentee relationships. Plus, discover what the most fearless leaders know about tackling audacious goals.

SPEAKER: Jean Case, co-founder and CEO, Case Foundation; and author, Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose

MODERATOR: Elizabeth Gore, president and chairwoman, Alice

4:00 PM - 4:40 PM
 
INC. SOLOPRENEUR COCKTAIL PARTY
 
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE CLOSES
 
7:00 PM
Sunday, March 10, 2019
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE OPENS
 
11:30 AM

THE MAKING OF A LIST: ONE-ON-ONE WITH CRAIG NEWMARK

Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, will discuss the early days of Craigslist, why he decided to leave the company, and the new ventures he’s focused on today. The conversation is all about the making of a list and what do to when you step away from it.

SPEAKER: Craig Newmark, founder, Craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies

MODERATOR: Jon Fine, executive director, editorial, Inc.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Miguel Garza has built a booming business around the culinary inventions of his sister, Veronica. Now, seven members of the Garza family work for the company, Siete Family Foods, and a network of mentors has helped lift the brand to national prominence. Hear how the Garzas turned relationships and community into their biggest assets.

SPEAKERS: Miguel Garza, co-founder and CEO, Siete Family Foods; and Veronica Garza, co-founder, president, and chief innovation officer, Siete Family Foods

MODERATOR: Tom Foster, editor-at-large, Inc.

1:10 PM - 1:50 PM

BILLION DOLLAR DEAL: ONE-ON-ONE WITH CINDY ECKERT

Cindy Eckert (formally Whitehead) is on a mission to make women really rich. She invests in and mentors female founders to help them defy outcomes just like her. After 24 years in the healthcare industry, she started and sold two businesses for more than $1.5 billion each—First Slate Pharmaceuticals and Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which broke through with the first-ever FDA-approved drug for low sexual desire in women, dubbed “female Viagra” by the media. Hear how this self-made serial entrepreneur sold her company for a billion and got it back for free. 

SPEAKERS: Cindy Eckert, founder, Sprout Pharmaceuticals; and founder, The Pink Ceiling

INTERVIEWER: Eric Schurenberg, CEO, Mansueto Ventures

2:00 PM - 2:40 PM

THE THRILL OF THE START

Those who launch and invest in startups usually know a good idea when they hear it. What’s the right combination of aptitude, acumen, and luck needed for success? And what happens when it doesn’t work out? We will explore the pearls and perils of serial entrepreneurship.    

SPEAKER: Stephen Lease, co-founder and CEO, Goodr; and Morris Miller, CEO, Xenex Disinfection Services; managing partner, Tectonic Ventures; and co-founder, Rackspace

MODERATOR: James Ledbetter, editor in chief, Inc. and Inc.com

2:50 PM - 3:30 PM

THINK (AND WORK) OUTSIDE THE BOX

Chieh Huang and his co-founders launched bulk-grocery e-commerce business Boxed in 2013 from his parents’ garage in New Jersey. The risk paid off when Boxed grew from $40,000 in sales to more than $100 million in just three years. Chieh will share how he raised $132 million in venture capital, why he feels responsible for each of the company’s 400 employees, and what it really takes to compete with Amazon.

SPEAKER: Chieh Huang, co-founder and CEO, Boxed

INTRODUCTION: James Ledbetter, editor in chief, Inc. and Inc.com

3:40 PM - 4:20 PM

INC. MIX & MINGLE HAPPY HOUR

GUEST BARTENDERS: Chieh Huang, co-founder and CEO, Boxed;
and Stephen Lease, co-founder and CEO, Goodr

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE CLOSES
 
6:30 PM
Monday, March 11, 2019
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE OPENS
 
10:30 AM

INC. FOUNDERS PROJECT: GROWING TOGETHER

This year, Inc. will honor its 40th anniversary by linking 40 successful entrepreneurs with 40 businesses facing a crossroads. During this session, we will introduce you to one of these special pairings. Find out what it means to lead by example and how to develop strategic relationships that can help take your business to the next level.

SPEAKERS: Carey Smith, founder, Big Ass Fans; Chris Anderson, founder and president, Ledge Lounger

MODERATOR: James Ledbetter, editor in chief, Inc. and Inc.com

11:30 AM - 12:10 PM

ONE-ON-ONE WITH FUTURIST AMY WEBB  

Amy Webb isn’t a psychic, but she can see into the future. As a leading qualitative futurist, she helps leaders and their organizations prepare for complex futures. Amy Webb is here to help us understand what’s really going on in the world today and how to cut through the noise. 

SPEAKER: Amy Webb, futurist; founder, Future Today Institute; tech columnist, Inc.com; and author, The Big Nine

MODERATOR: Jon Fine, executive director, editorial, Inc.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM

THE ART OF THE PIVOT: HOW TO APPROACH A CUSTOMER-CENTRIC BUSINESS MODEL

What happens when you realize the way you target your customer needs to change? Gain insight on how a customer-centric business model can be a game-changer. Learn how the customer experience matters impacts brand loyalty and profits. And find out why a customer-centric company is more than a business that offers good service. 

SPEAKER: Justin McLeod, founder and CEO, Hinge 

MODERATOR: Burt Helm, editor-at-large, Inc.

1:10 PM - 1:50 PM
 
MEET YOUR PEERS: ICEBREAKER SESSION 
 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
 
INC. FOUNDERS HOUSE CLOSES
 
4:30 PM