Eric Dobson

About Eric Dobson

I have the greatest job in the world. I get to work directly with successful business people and exciting high tech startup companies. I unite both in order to create incredible companies that will someday be household names and create wealth. Sure, the hours are long, it is expensive, and financially risky. But, at the end of the day, I know we are making a difference in the world. Want to join us?I am a fuzzy-haired scientist turned angel investor, turned venture capitalist. I am the Managing partner of both Community Equity Partners and the Sheltowee Venture Fund II. CEP is a syndicate of angel groups and funds with chapters across Tennessee and expanding I have spent the last 30 years working in a variety of venues from government to private sector. The first 12 years of my career were spent in Big Data and the last 18 on start-up technology ventures. I was honored to receive the Navigator Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce in 2010. In 2011, I was awarded the Pinnacle Innovator of the Year by the Innovation Valley Technology Council and Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.Personal Specialties: Entrepreneurship/start-up operations/leadership, angel/early stage private equity finance, due diligence, Location Base Services, SaaS business models, Geographic Information Systems/GPS/tracking, product development, wireless/mobile/RFID, telematics, medtech, cleantech, AI, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, and M2M communications.I want to connect with entrepreneurs, people that like investing in early stage companies, and smart folks who can help validate the very best startups in the country. I am the moderator of the Early Stage Equity Group and invite you to join. If you wish to apply for funding, please go to our website That is the fastest way to get in the queue and for us to socialize your deal with our 100+ investors around the country.

Experience

1. Lecturer

   University of Tennessee

   Jan 2013 — Present · Knoxville, TN, US

   I lecture in the University of Tennessee College of Business in the School of Management. I teach New Venture Creation. This class is designed to teach aspiring entrepreneurs how to identify high-growth business opportunities, how to perform market diligence, how to structure a venture, and seek equity capital.

Education

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  B.A., Geography

  1987 — 1991

• University of South Carolina

  Ph.D., Geography

  1993 — 1998

• University of South Carolina

  M.S., Geography

  1991 — 1993

Skills

• Gis
• Start-Ups
• Wireless
• Security
• Strategic Planning
• Logistics
• Transportation
• Negotiation
• Business Case Analysis
• Financial Modeling
• Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Intellectual Property
• Sales
• Marketing Strategy
• Management Consulting
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Business Development
• Program Management
• Project Management
• Management
• Strategy
• Marketing
• Saas
• Due Diligence
• Business Strategy
• Venture Capital
• Business Case
• Private Equity
• Operations Management
• Finance
• Consulting
• Investments
• Product Development
• Strategic Partnerships
• Business Planning
• Executive Management
• New Business Development
• Competitive Analysis
• Contract Negotiation