An entrepreneur and VC with experience in consumer products and 2 sided marketplace startups. I enjoy collaborating with people that seek to solve problems and provide valuable solutions.
I'm passionate about encouraging people to live life on a forward path, seeking mileposts rather than a finish line, and sharing in the belief that, by ranging far outside our comfort zones, we can achieve far more in our lives.
Sectors of interest include consumer brands, eCommerce, marketplaces, digital health and the internet of things.
I'm a firm believer in following your passion, making a difference, and experiencing new things..
My strengths include business plan writing, strategic vision, networking, marketing strategy, sourcing, product development, sales, go to market strategy and public/motivational speaking.
Always happy to help and speak with/meet other entrepreneurs. Feel free to email me at Shuman.Jason@gmail.com.
Prior experience includes real estate, financial services, strategy consulting and product sourcing.
Advisory Board Member - PreFAB Fashion Incubator (www.prefabsd.com) 2014 University of Miami Business Plan Competition Judge Young Alumni Leadership Committee Member - University of Miami 2013 University of Miami Business Plan Competition Winner 2013 University of Miami Entrepreneurship Student of the Year Guest Entrepreneurship Writer - BostInno
Corigin Ventures is a New York-based investor of early-stage capital and support. Leveraging operational expertise and cross-industry relationships, it seeks tech-enabled startups in high-growth markets led by inspirational teams. Free of limited partners or sector constraints, Corigin Ventures focuses on Seed and Series A investments.
My responsibilities include: •Deal Sourcing •Due Diligence •Portfolio Company Support
University of Miami, SBA Entrepreneurship Advisory Board
– Present (2 years 1 month)
Serve as member of the advisory board for the University of Miami Entrepreneurship Program within the School of Business Administration. My goal is to help bring a fresh, young point of view to the board, which in turn will help steer the future curriculum, events, and structure of the program.
Speaker and Lecturer on early stage startups, entrepreneurship, business plan writing, product development/sourcing, family/friends businesses, kickstarter, new product marketing/branding, and networking.
Prior engagements include Babson College, Providence College, Roger William University, and University of Miami School of Business Board.
If interested in a speaking arrangement please LinkedIn Message or email me.
Consulting experience includes: -Performing due diligence and analysis on strategic investment, M&A and mobile app opportunities for a financial services client -Creating and executing partnership/business development strategy for a stealth stage tech startup* -Formulating a research driven online marketing strategy, repositioning platform and financial projections for D2C footwear brand resulting in 50% increase in sales -Educating the marketing departments of two $1M+ apparel brands on eCommerce marketing strategies, platforms and available SaaS tools -Identifying and making introductions for numerous high growth consumer products companies to manufacturing partners, product developers and component suppliers -Sourcing potential investment opportunities for numerous angel investors and startups
• Raised $40,000 and launched a start up lifestyle casual footwear brand prior to college graduation • Formalized outsourcing, operations and importing strategy with Chinese, Dominican, Mexican and El Salvadorian manufacturers • Strategically created and implemented marketing, sales, and distribution operations • Assembled and managed a core team of 6 employees, 3 consultants, 2 independent sales representatives and 200+ brand ambassadors • Generated mid-six figures of cumulative revenue through an eCommerce website, Boston based pop-up shop and 60 independent retail stores in 10 states • Analyzed and adjusted eCommerce marketing plan resulting in 38% increase in conversion rate and 95% increase in website traffic year over year • Researched, implemented and tested numerous SaaS platforms for LTV, customer service, task management, social media analytics and eCommerce hosting • Built out an advisory board with executives from Nine West, Clarks, Converse, Karmaloop and HerCampus • Created numerous partnerships and events with companies including Mavrck, Ministry of Supply, Theorem, Hudson Sutler, Country Club Prep and Touch of Modern • “Break-even” in Year 2
Advisory Board Members Jeff Lienhart - EVP Taylormade Golf Katlyn Schultz - Founder/ SVP Brand, Product and Operations Dakini, Inc Nichole Dickinson - Former Creative Director at Gemvara and Art Director at The Clark's Companies Pam Salkovitz - Former President of Stride Rite
Corigin Ventures is a New York-based investor of early-stage capital and support. Leveraging operational expertise and cross-industry relationships, it seeks tech-enabled startups in high-growth markets led by inspirational teams. Free of limited partners or sector constraints, Corigin Ventures focuses on Seed and Series A investments.
Teaching assistant and project leader for 10 incoming freshman working with non-profit organizations. Designed and integrated a brand new marketing strategy for reaching out to untouched demographics. Also worked with student-athletes designing their schedules around practices, meetings, games, and more.
Marketing and Sales Department at Framingham, MA based Identity Force. Working with the government, healthcare, higher education, merchants, and more. Identity Force takes a 360 degree approach to identity theft protection and compliance, aiming to put their clients needs first.
-Initiated partnership that led to acquisition of customers with the highest LTV and significant revenue -Created educational and pitch materials for higher education, government and merchant customers -Managed the design of direct to consumer landing page tests and marketing plan in affiliate advertising space -Worked with offshore developers to create interactive training portal
Represent the Jeffrey Modell foundation in speaking engagements that include a JMF Center opening at Yale University, a press conference with the Duchess of York and a PSA for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Other contributions include The Jason Fund, created by my parents, which has raised money and helped create a chair for the Immunology Department at Boston Children's Hospital.
Summer Studies, Global Development and Economic Policy
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Summer course taught by Brown Professor Kendra Fehrer. Outlined global development and third world economics.
Recommendations
A preview of what LinkedIn members have to say about Jason:
I was lucky enough to be introduced to Jason at an apparel trade show back during his days running Cat5. We were both fresh out of college with our own fledgling startups. Even back then I was always impressed by his knowledge of startups and the entrepreneurial process. As we were both starting our first ventures Jason was a great friend. He made many phenomenal introductions and recommendations that helped push my venture to the next level. I was always surprised at how selfless he was, as he always wanted to see everyone around him succeed as well. He never asked for anything in return and it was clear that he was purely driven by his passion for entrepreneurship.
Once Jason started down a new path as a consultant and VC we began a more professional relationship. I was thrilled to have Jason help us put together a high quality pitch deck, make introductions to investors, and even assist us in improving the ROI on our e-commerce marketing efforts. Although that is all great every true entrepreneur knows that the hardest part of the journey is stomaching the lows. I think it speaks volumes about Jason that when I experienced these entrepreneurial lows he would be the first person I called.
To this day I don’t think I’ve met anyone with networking and personal skills that Jason possess. Any founder would be incredibly fortunate to work with Jason. I look forward to following his career as a VC, which I’m sure will be very successful. That being said, I’ll probably try to drag him back into the founder trenches with me in the years to come.
I was in Jason's entrepreneurship class when he came up with the idea to start Category 5 Boat Shoes two years ago. I was able to see how he took his idea and diligently and passionately followed through with it to bring the company to where it is now. He is a hard working student and entrepreneur with many successes in his near future.