Biography

Eric Dobson is the Managing Partner of Community Equity Partners, a syndicate of angel groups and venture capital funds, and a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship in the Tickle School of Engineering at the University of Tennessee.

He was the founder of three companies, advised dozens, and led investments in 50+ startup technology companies totaling over $30.5M. Eric has served in a number of leadership roles in entrepreneurial startups and in private equity financing. He has extensive experience in IP development and licensing, business development and commercialization, and educational experience with entrepreneurship.

Education

• PhD, Philosophy, University of South Carolina, 1998
• MS, Philosophy, University of South Carolina, 1993
• BA, University of Tennessee, 1991

Courses Taught

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship
• New Venture Planning
• Engineering Entrepreneurship
• Technology Product Development and Entrepreneurship

Professional Service

• Boards of Directors for Ascend Manufacturing, Inc, Authentrics.AI, and Sparkz, Inc.
• Membership Committee of the Angel Capital Association
• Board of Directors for the Appalachian Investors Alliance, a not-for-profit angel investment syndicate

Awards & Recognitions

• Pinnacle Innovator of the Year, Innovation Valley Technology Council, 2011
• Navigator Entrepreneur of the Year, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, 2010
• National Laboratory Consortium Technology of the Year Award for work with ORNL, awarded by the Department of Energy, 2004