Todd Spitz
Columbia University Mechanical Engineering graduate, currently exploring work opportunities in Tokyo, Japan and developing an internet startup involving consumer-based social networking.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Work status: | Living The Dream |
| Industries: | Computing, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Internet, Lifestyle, Media, Retail |
| Skills: | Design, Engineering, Languages, Product design |
| Location: | Waterford, CT/New York, NY |
| Groups: | Center for Technology Innovation and Community Engagement, Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE) |
| Interested in: | Brainstorming, Creating a group, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding engineers, Finding team mates, Helping friends, Learning about entrepreneurship, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Raising money, Receiving feedback, Recruiting for my startup, Starting a company |
| Tags: | columbia university, Japan, Japanese, mechanical engineering, mechatronics., Robotics, social networks, tokyo, web 2.0 |
| Schools: | Columbia University |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Senior Design Project: Portable Automated Ski Water |
| Position: | Project Leader |
| Time period: | February 2008 - Present |
| Description: | - Led team of 5 to brainstorm, design, and construct world’s first portable automated ski waxer
- Conducted qualitative skiing-industry research to determine market for product and develop design parameters - Consulted industry and academic professionals for design recommendations, modifications, and approval - Composed and presented project as 1 of 8 finalists in International MSEC 2008 Student Manufacturing Design Competition - Awarded 4th place for best design project, competing against PhD students - Pursuing patent approval and product licensing with industry manufacturers |
| Employer: | Mobeebo: Localized Mobile Coupon Service |
| Position: | CFO, Chief Marketing Director |
| Time period: | February 2008 - October 2008 |
| Description: | - Conducted quantitative market research for 3-person start-up to size demand and establish product functionality parameters
- Developed multi-staged market entry strategy and projected cash-flow statements - Drafted business plan and developed slide presentation for venture capital funding - Acquired $20,000 in early-stage seed capital from Launchbox Digital, LLC |
| Employer: | Independent Sound/Light Repair Contracting |
| Position: | Founder, Manager |
| Time period: | February 2008 - October 2008 |
| Description: | - Established independent contracting service catering to upper west side restaurants
- Consulted industry and academic professionals to solve technical sound and light problems - Solved 7 system problems at various establishments, and advised on a system redevelopment and purchase |
| Employer: | Rotary International Youth Exchange Program |
| Position: | Rotex, Foreign Advisor, Translator |
| Time period: | February 2007 - April 2007 |
| Description: | - Assisted inbound and outbound exchange students cope with culture shock, cultural understanding, and language acquisition
- Developed slide-show presentation to raise awareness of program’s activities and gather support from Rotary Clubs |
| Employer: | Class of 2008 Engineering Student Council |
| Position: | Community Outreach Chair, “SEAS NY” Student Leader Head |
| Time period: | August 2004 - April 2008 |
| Description: | - Organized and led council community service projects, including distribution of 100+ free computers to homes of needy NYC
children and organization of a “Relay for Life” team supporting cancer research - Constructed information database for distribution of theater, opera, and symphony tickets to engineering school students - Conducted quantitative research to determine volume and type of tickets to be purchased - Assisted in allocation of $125,000 budget for ticket purchases - Advised and assisted on 30+ council events and activities that supported improvements in campus life |
| Employer: | Columbia Japan Society |
| Position: | Events Coordinator, Festival Performance Head, Senior Advisor |
| Time period: | February 2004 - April 2008 |
| Description: | - Led group of 6 to organize and hire for annual festival performance attended by 1,000+
- Advised and assisted on 30+ club events with average attendances of 30 – 150 (excluding annual festival) |
EDUCATION
| University: | Columbia University |
| Time period: | 2003 - 2008 |
| Degree: | Mechanical Engineering, BSc |
INFORMATION
| Sports: | Soccer |
| Hobbies: | Polynesian Fire Dancing, Bartending, Urasenke Tea Ceremony, Jiuta Shamisen and Gagaku Performance |
| Clubs: | SEAS '08 Class Council, Columbia Japan Society, Columbia Outdoor Orientation Program (COOP), Nonsequitor A Cappella. |
