Jerold Zwas, CEO

Over the past two decades, Mr. Zwas has participated with dozens of early-stage technology companies as advisor, investor, investment banker and entrepreneur. Mr. Zwas most recently was founder and CFO for Advanced Battery Concepts, LLC, inventors of GreenSeal® technology. GreenSeal® is an electrode that revolutionizes battery design by dramatically improves the performance and functionality of large-format, rechargeable batteries. Advanced Battery Concepts has grown from the two founders to 17 FTEs and has raised over $5 million from angels, VCs and strategic investors. Currently Advanced Battery Concepts is commercializing GreenSeal® and is building its first manufacturing facility. Mr. Zwas creativity and problem-solving skills coupled with his focus on capital efficiency and maximizing shareholder value has allowed him to efficiently and effectively manage a company’s growth from early-stage to commercialization. He now focuses his efforts in alternative energy and cleantech, although his broad experience includes automotive, real estate, technology, medical and telecommunications companies.

Mr. Zwas received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1988, and was subsequently recruited by Morgan Stanley in New York City, where he underwent an intensive nine-month technology and telecommunications training program. He then returned to school and received his M.B.A. in Corporate Strategy and Finance from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business.

Dr. Muhammad Rabanwaz, Inventor and Co Founder

Dr. Rabnawaz is Ph.D. in Chemistry with specialization in polymer and materials and is the inventor of this technology. Currently, he is an assistant professor in the School of Packaging and in the Department of Chemistry. In the field of coatings, Dr. Rabnawaz has over eight years of experience and has published over 15 research articles and has filed seven patents (three are already licensed). Dr. Rabnawaz is well connected to many companies working in the coatings including but not limited to Sherwin William, NeverWet , Mid American Machining, and Covestro.

Dr. Jamil Baghdachi, Distinguished Professor of Polymers and Coatings Emeritus.

Dr. Baghdachi has more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of polymers, coatings, adhesives, paints and composites. He has consulted for national and international firms and organizations, as well as the US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard on polymeric materials, coatings, paints, corrosion control, applications, processes, and product durability.
Dr. Alex Wang,

Dr. Alex Wang, Research Scientist at AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc.

Dr. Alex Wang earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Berkeley. He studied biofuels, membranes, polymers, and catalysis as a member of the Energy Biosciences Institute, an industry/academia research collaboration with BP. In his current role as a Research Scientist in the American Automotive R&D arm of the largest global glass supplier, he searches for new ways to add value to glass, primarily through functional coatings and films. He focuses on finding new technologies, evaluating their performance and durability, and manufacturing them for the highly competitive automotive glass market.

Dr. Michelle Tokarz

Michelle Tokarz has been instrumental in the founding of two startup companies. Her first in 2005 was based upon her post doc work at University of Michigan. She recently assisted Upland Nanotech, a Michigan Technological University spin off company. Before that she was part of a start -up energy efficient lighting company (BOT LightSource/ AGT) which grew annual sales to over $?million, completed 4 rounds of funding and in Jan 2016 sold controlling interests to Ushio America, a leading global lighting company. Michelle earned her PhD in Materials Science and a dual master’s in mechanical engineering and Materials Science from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She worked as a postdoc in startup company MetalGlass Coatings which earned both a Phase 1 and Phase 2 SBIR. Prior to that, Michelle spent 7 years working in the pharmaceuticals industry holding research chemistry and subsequently production roles for Merck and then Eli Lilly. Michelle has participated with and assisted several teams in NSF ICorp customer discovery sessions leading several teams through the initial as well as the full-scale national program. In her current role as General Partner with Cantilever Business Partners, Michelle’s extensive technical background and training, combined with her startup business experience provides the ability to lead and coordinate high quality data driven marketing research and implementation of sound business development strategy.

Frank Urban, Director of Venture Creation, Spartan Innovations

Frank Urban specializes in commercializing early stage companies originating for Michigan State University. Prior to Spartan Innovations, Frank was a Licensing Associate in the Office of Technology Commercialization at Wayne State University. Prior to that, he had varied business development, sales and scientific roles for a number of life science companies, to include Everist Genomics, Charles River Laboratories, MIR Preclinical Services, Molecular Imaging Products, Pfizer and Parke Davis. He has also worked as a consultant for numerous start-up companies and managed various laboratories at the University of Michigan. Frank has a MS in Molecular Biology and a CBA from Eastern Michigan University and a BA in Biology, General Science and Physical Science from Concordia College.

Steve Tokarz, General & Managing Partner, Cantilever

Steve Tokarz is an experienced C-level entrepreneur, fundraiser and business developer. In 2015, he exited from a startup that raised over $14 million and was acquired by a leading industry partner. Prior to that, Steve spent 20+ years managing product and business development activities as Sr. Director, Product Development/Engineering for Masco, a Fortune 200 company. Within Masco, Steve served as an intrapreneur launching several internal businesses within Masco’s Building Products platform. He holds a BSE in Engineering Physics/Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan as well as an MBA from Indiana University.

Steve recently started another entity Cantilever – Cantilever Business Partners and the Cantilever Fund. Cantilever BP, an entrepreneurial agency, provides early company formation and business development support working with the tech transfer offices of Michigan based universities as well as leading tech centers. In that role, Steve formally serves as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence for Michigan Tech University and Western Michigan University and stays close to the University of Michigan, Wayne State, Grand Valley State and Michigan State University activities. In less than 4 years Steve has assisted in spinning out 5 university companies and successfully helped them find non-dilutive funding of over $4.5 million. Steve is also Managing Partner of the Cantilever Fund an early stage, impact fund which often leads and invests in early stage, tech based companies.