In the spring of 2008, Columbia Engineering Interim Dean Gerald Navratil established an Entrepreneurship Advisory Board
 (EAB) and a Faculty Advisory Committee to support the Engaged Entrepreneurship Program. The EAB serves at the discretion of the Dean to advise on entrepreneurship programming and sustainability.

This international board comprises high-level advocates for entrepreneurship representing industry, business, finance, and the not-for-profit sector. The EAB’s focus will be to ensure that the program’s goals and strategies align with the opportunities in current and emerging market conditions.

EAB members bring an authentic expertise to CTICE, SEAS, and the University, providing counsel on entrepreneurial best practices across various industrial sectors as well as the venture capital and equity markets. The members help ensure that the entrepreneurship programs provide students, faculty, and community members with up-to-date knowledge and high-level competencies required in this and future economic environments.


ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVISORY BOARD (as of 1 November 2009)

Adnan Durrani ’81 (Chair). Chief Halal Officer, American Halal Co., Inc, and President of Condor Ventures, Inc., a venture firm devoted to strategic investing in natural food companies.

Michael Bykhovsky ’83 (West Coast Chair). Started Applied Financial Technology in early 1996, where he was president and CEO until its sale in 2006.

Kingsley Chin '89. Leveraged his degrees in engineering and medicine with his business experience to found several enterprises, including MeduWeb.com, an Internet-based company focused on medical online distant learning.

Omar Jassrey '87. UBS Corporate Representative.

Alessandro Piol '79, '82, Parent '13. Co-founded Vedanta Capital in 2006. Vedanta focuses on venture investments but anticipates a wider array of global venture capital and private equity activities.

Ira Rimerman Ph.D. ’69. Served 28 years with Citigroup, and, after retiring, founded RSA Ventures, LLC, a venture capital and advisory firm.

George Schlowsky ’65. President of Koch Modular Process Systems, LLC, which specializes in the design and supply of modular mass transfer systems engineered to fulfill industry purification standards.

Imran Shah '84, '86, '94. Co-founder of IBB Consulting Group, the leading boutique consulting firm serving leading broadband-related product and service providers in Cable, Mobile and Media industries. Dr. Shah is responsible for IBB's strategy and vision, major client relationships and leading key engagements.