Speaker: Jim Stratigos
Speaker’s Title: CTO
Speaker’s Affiliation: Cognosos, Inc.
Speaker’s Work Address: 1100 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Seminar Title: From Engineer to Entrepreneur

Abstract of Talk:
How does an engineer go about starting a company? What should you do before you graduate to prepare for life as an entrepreneur? Do you need a business degree along with your ECE degree? Where can you go in the Tech community to get advice or help with developing a business plan? Jim Stratigos will recount his experience as an entrepreneur and founder of four start-ups since he graduated from Tech. He will provide humorous and frightening examples of the things entrepreneurs go through to help you decide if the world of a start-up is right for you.

Biographical Sketch of the Speaker:
Jim Stratigos is a co-founder and CTO of Cognosos, Inc. Cognosos is a pioneer in the development of wireless IOT services. Prior to Cognosos, he founded Sytheros Communications where he invented and patented the RadioCloud® distributed communications network concept. He has also been an active angel investor, mentor and advisor to a variety of early-stage technology companies.

Jim’s career includes CEO, executive management, marketing, and engineering positions in semiconductor, wireless and satellite technology companies, including Jacket Micro Devices, Echostar, AT&T and Motorola. During his career, he has founded five technology companies, three of which were sold and remain as successful operating units of public companies.

Jim is active in the Atlanta high tech community and is a founding member of the Atlanta Technology Angels, an Atlanta-based, early stage investment group. He also serves on the boards of several portfolio companies and is past chairman of Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures. Jim is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship within the Georgia Tech community and has been an adjunct instructor for multiple NSF I-Corp cohorts.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jim earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1974, and a master's degree in electrical engineering, also from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1980. Jim is a member of the IEEE, the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Board and a member of the Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni.