In a major highlight of New York Tech Week, The Vertical, a key publication championing immigrant entrepreneurs, hosted the “Sales & Exits” panel discussion at Civic Hall, renowned as the largest entrepreneurial skill-building hub in the U.S.

The event attracted a vibrant crowd of over 200 attendees, including entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and key players in the venture ecosystem, who gathered to gain insights and network with like-minded professionals.

The panel featured a lineup of distinguished speakers who are not only leaders in their fields but also exemplify the immigrant founder success story:

  • Chris Brown from NVIDIA’s Inception ecosystem team, which connects startups with NVIDIA’s resources, shared how AI technologies are pivotal in startup development phases.
  • Tomer Morad, a serial entrepreneur whose venture, Concertio (an AI performance software), was recently acquired by Synopsys. Tomer now leads their software group and shared his journey from inception to exit.
  • Vlada Lotkina, the Ukrainian-American CEO of ClassTag, discussed her experience scaling a SaaS platform from the ground up and achieving a successful exit, providing valuable tips for similar ventures.
  • Kalyan Gautham, founder of WATT and now xPub, a Gen AI platform that shortens B2B sales cycles, detailed his experiences in community engagement and digital transformations.
  • Feargal O’Sullivan, CEO of USAM Group, emphasized the role of seasoned sales advisors in scaling businesses and navigating complex markets.

During the session, panelists shared personal anecdotes, discussed their entrepreneurial journeys, and offered practical advice on leveraging AI tools to enhance sales processes, tailored especially for international founders navigating the U.S. market.

The event was proudly sponsored by Civic Hall, USAM Group, and Draper Startup House, all committed to fostering a supportive ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on Market Trends

Victoria Zavyalova, The Vertical’s publisher, noted that the focus on sales is driven by current market conditions, where many startups are bootstrapping, and VCs are raising their standards and revenue expectations.

The “Sales & Exits” panel not only provided a platform for learning and exchange but also highlighted the dynamic and resilient spirit of immigrant founders shaping the tech industry.

Photo Credit: Richard Y Goodman