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Suncoast Venture Studio

Strong ventures start with a strong team

Studio Board of Directors

Travis Priest

Travis Priest
Founder/CEO

Bio

Will Dolan
Founder/CRO

Bio

Paul Harder
Founder

Bio

Dave Leland

Bio

Executive Leadership

Sean Dotson, PE
COO

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Dan Alpert

Dan Alpert
CMO

Bio

Investment Advisory Board

Peter Offringa

Bio

Rachel Wei West

Bio

Michael Preble

Michael Preble

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Jim Medenis

Jim Medenis

Bio

Kumar Buvanendaran

Kumar Buvanendaran

Bio

Jeffrey Nuckols

Bio

Studio Advisors/Mentors

Boris Livshutz

Boris Livshutz

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Bill Kwon

Bill Kwon

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Your Experience Can Build the Next Great Venture.

Suncoast Venture Studio invites experienced operators, executives, and domain experts to become part of our startup creation engine. Whether you’re interested in a hands-on mentoring relationship, periodic advisory, or a formal board seat — there’s a meaningful role for you.
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Travis Priest

Serial Entrepreneur, 23 years experience, multiple successful exits. Angel investor and advisor

A serial entrepreneur and business builder, I have founded companies and created new products that solved unmet market needs and led to acquisitions by Symantec and Mercury Payment Systems, returning high multiples to shareholders in short time periods. I build companies, award-winning products, and high performance teams. My experience includes technical knowledge of consumer behavior and financial systems (FinTech), including transactions, processing, and settlements. I hold 3 FinTech patents and maintain ongoing knowledge of the changing technical landscape to deliver significant and sustained value.
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Will Dolan

Growth Leader with experience in executive leadership, turn around success and founding companies
Growth-focused President/CEO with a record of transformative business, product, and technology leadership at diverse fintech and financial services companies. Strategic, data-focused, and entrepreneurial, with a proven ability to build and reinvent products and businesses that remove friction, create opportunity, and open markets. Deep financial services knowledge, with expertise in capital markets, wealth management, banking, and middle- and back-office operations and technology. Investor/advisor in promising fintech startups.
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Paul Harder

An experienced entrepreneur, growth leader, and mentor with deep roots in the Suncoast

Entrepreneur: Led three successful exits, including acquisitions by Ford and Cott.

Growth Leader: Scaled EBITDA from $28M to $84M and drove SaaS healthcare startup acquisition.

Mentor: Advises startups and invests through Bridge Angel Investors.

Community Advocate: Active in Sarasota’s development with his wife, Barbara.

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Dave Leland

Twice-exited tech founder who built and sold a $40M SaaS logistics platform with purpose-driven innovation.

A technology innovator and two-time entrepreneur, I specialize in building behind-the-scenes solutions that make companies more efficient, compliant, and safe. I’ve launched and scaled two successful startups, including GroundCloud, a $40M SaaS logistics platform acquired by Descartes, by focusing on customer immersion, continuous improvement, and team-driven innovation. My leadership style is humble and people-first, and my work is fueled by a deep commitment to solving real problems with real impact. Inspired by a personal journey around transportation safety, I believe technology should empower, not endanger, those who rely on it.
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Sean Dotson, PE

Automation Pioneer Turning Manufacturing Innovation Into Scalable, High-Performing Operations

Sean Dotson is a veteran automation leader with nearly 30 years of experience founding, scaling, and selling industrial robotics and packaging companies. As founder of RND Automation and now CEO of Elite Robotics, he has led transformative projects in smart warehousing, robotic palletizing, and ASRS systems. Sean also advises private equity and venture firms, combining technical due diligence with hands-on operational leadership to turn acquisitions into success stories. Known for his speed, strategic thinking, and execution-focused leadership, Sean is a trusted partner for investors and operators alike. Based in Sarasota, he enjoys life with his wife, four kids, and two goofy Bernedoodles.
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Dan Alpert

Strategic Martech & Business Development Leader Driving Digital Growth Across Industries

With over 30 years of experience leading digital transformation across industries like Travel, Retail, CPG, and Banking, this Martech and business development executive specializes in delivering measurable ROI through customer-centric strategies and technology adoption. Currently serving as Chief Marketing Officer at Suncoast Venture Studio and Operating Partner at Dragonfly Operating Partners, they advise startups and early-stage companies on strategic growth. A proven leader in portfolio management, client success, and cross-functional alignment, their work bridges the gap between vision and value—driving innovation, impact, and long-term customer success.
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Peter Offringa

Tech exec turned investor; built 100+ teams, launched major platforms, and founded Software Stack Investing.

A seasoned technology executive, I’ve led large-scale software development across startups and public companies, building engineering teams of 100+ and launching consumer-facing platforms in social, e-commerce, and cloud infrastructure. With deep expertise in scalable systems, APIs, security, and DevOps, I’ve driven innovation at the technical and leadership levels. Now focused on investing, I founded Software Stack Investing to analyze trends in the software sector, advise hedge funds, and speak at top investor forums. I also serve as a startup advisor, angel investor, and guest lecturer at London Business School.
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Rachel Wei West

Innovative Leader with 25+ years scaling SaaS, AI, and marketplace startups.

Innovative Leader: 25+ years scaling SaaS, AI, and marketplace startups. Diverse Expertise: Partnered with global leaders and led startups like Anchor and Boatsetter. Passionate Investor: Focused on diverse founders and enduring business models, blending strategic thinking and operational rigor. Advisor & Board Member: Actively supports AI-driven and science-based startups as an investor and board director.
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Michael Preble

Entrepreneur, Investor & Mentor Championing Early-Stage Growth and Community Impact

Michael W. Preble has held several positions throughout his career, including co-founding several start-up businesses; Managing Member at Hestia Holdings, LLC; Providing strategic investment decisions for numerous Private Family Office; and President at Carmargo Capital LLC in leading the investment firm. In addition to his entrepreneurial spirit, Michael is involved in several philanthropic programs including Vice Chair at Every Kid Counts, Inc. He is a member of the Bridge Angel Investors and committed to supporting entrepreneurialism by capital and mentoring to assist early-stage businesses in their growth.
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Jim Medenis

Enterprise Growth Leader Driving $200M+ Revenue Across Emerging Tech Markets

A results-driven business and sales leader with 20+ years of experience in emerging tech and enterprise markets. Proven track record of opening new markets, launching products, scaling revenue beyond $200M, and leading high-performing teams of 100+. Expertise in enterprise sales, go-to-market strategy, channel partnerships, and complex negotiations. A successful entrepreneur with startup and turnaround experience, known for building enterprise-grade solutions that gain traction in Global 2000 and public sector organizations.
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Kumar Buvanendaran

Serial Entrepreneur Specializing in Turning Startups Into Scalable, High-Growth Companies

A lifelong entrepreneur with 30 years of experience transforming early-stage businesses into industry leaders across architecture, tech, and consulting. Known for scaling a $2M firm to $75M and turning a struggling tech company around with 1,500% growth, all the way to successful exits.

Passionate about building sustainable, inclusive operations that drive performance and long-term value. Fueled by challenge and driven by purpose—because success is never an accident.

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Jeffrey Nuckols

Proven Tech Executive with $2B P&L Experience and a Focus on Innovation, M&A, and Digital Assets

Seasoned technology executive with $2B P&L experience across enterprise leaders like HPE, IBM, PwC, and Xerox, as well as high-growth startups. Proven track record driving innovation, M&A integration, and growth in hardware, software, services, and consulting. Deep expertise in financial services and emerging focus on blockchain and digital assets.
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Boris Livshutz

From Billion-Dollar Exits to Early-Stage Mentorship: 25+ Years of Technical Leadership

Veteran Silicon Valley technologist and founding team member of two unicorns, now advising and investing in early-stage startups. Brings 25+ years of experience leading enterprise software development, scaling startups from concept to billion-dollar exits, and driving deep customer-focused solutions.
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Bill Kwon

Financial Advisor with The Kwon Gallup Ford Group at Morgan Stanley

  • Comprehensive Financial
  • Planning
  • Wealth Management Investments
  • Legacy and Generational Planning
  • Charitable Giving Strategies