Neil Sheridan, MS, MBA

Neil Sheridan is the CEO of SVPI. Neil has extensive leadership

experience as an executive, board member and consultant for man-
ufacturing, banking, securities, insurance, energy, higher educa-
tion, healthcare, government and non-profit organizations. He has
served Forbes 100 companies, growing businesses, governments,
associations and foundations on strategy and management projects.
Neil has helped found and develop several large operating founda-
tions with multi-million dollar programs.
For the Small Business Association of Michigan, Neil serves as a
member of the Leadership Council and chairs the Entrepreneurship
Task Force. On a national level, Neil has reviewed R&D funding
proposals for the National Science Foundation, including for en-
ergy, biomedical, new materials and automotive technologies. The
United States Secretary of Commerce appointed him in 2013 to the
Michigan District Export Council, which helps Midwest companies
grow their international sales.
He is a member of the Michigan Society of Association Execu-
tives, for which he led 30 top CEOs through an innovation strategy
program. Neil is also a vetted member of the C.S. Mott Founda-
tions B.E.S.T. Project, which provides strategy and operations ex-
pertise to growing non-profit organizations.
Neil has taught MBA and undergraduate business students on
international business, management and marketing at the Univer-
sity of Windsor, Kettering University (formerly GMI), the Univer-
sity of Michigan, and the University of Groningen (Netherlands).
Neil has worked with hundreds of companies on marketing,
financial management, team recruitment, selling and funding is-
sues. Neil is an expert facilitator and has helped create successful
organizational development or turnaround strategies by fostering
communications and consensus among leaders, board members
and executives.
He earned an MBA in Finance at New York University, a Master
of Science degree in Information Technology at Kettering, and a
Bachelor degree in International Affairs at Drew University. Neil
is a dual US - EU citizen (Ireland) and is conversationally fluent in
German.
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About SVPI

SVPI, LLC is an advisory and management services corporation

organized in Michigan and active internationally. SVPI assists cor-
porations, mid-market companies and large non-profit clients with
strategy, valuation, performance and innovation initiatives.
We actively contribute pro bono service to governments, associ-
ations, educational institutions and others as part our commitment
to job creation, workforce development and economic growth.
Strategy and change, service innovation, organizational develop-
ment and commercialization programs are core competencies. SVPI
professionals can serve in transitional leadership during strategic
initiatives, rapid growth periods or to help bridge during executive
change situations.
Testimonials

We are pleased to share these recommendations from participants,

colleagues and sponsors. Contact details and additional references
are available.

Aman Sharma
IBM Consultant and Co-Founder, VentUni
Mr. Sheridan conducted and coordinated the recently concluded
VentureLab Weekend in Groningen. I went into this start-up
weekend without much expectation, but it wasnt long before I was
engrossed in all its activities.

It would be wrong of me to not credit that to the coaches for the

weekend, and Mr. Sheridan in particular. He set the tone for what
turned out to be a fantastic experience. He impressed me very
much with his knowledge of the field and his ability to think on his
feet and be able to pitch absolutely anything!

His coaching had a personal approach, and the natural passion and
interest that he exhibited made all the difference. It is under the
fortunate mentorship of Mr. Sheridan that I can see several
entrepreneurs making it big, and creating a success of their
ventures.

I sincerely thank Mr. Sheridan, and I wish him all the very best for
the future. I hope to meet him again and talk all things
entrepreneurship.

Nick Bootsma
Founder and Treasurer, Study Association Caerus
Recently, I participated in Neils DealLab: PRESENT training
program for innovation entrepreneurs. During this bootcamp, we
learned how to select, refine and communicate the key details of a
technology startup business. We learned from interactions with our
teams and coaches but also from Neil, in particular. Neil Sheridan
is undeniably expert and passionate about creating successful tech
companies. Additionally, he makes every single presentation
interesting, amusing and very educational. It was an honor to work
under his guidance, I wish him the best and it would be amazing to
see him again.
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Jim Huyck
Market Development Manager, Adhezion

Neil is a powerful and confident speaker who easily connects with

his audience. He is also a great mentor for individuals working on
business ideas. He has the ability to quickly give concise, relevant
constructive criticism that can be incorporated into your business
plan or presentation. You can tell that Neil enjoys helping others
develop and articulate the ideas they are passionate about.

Patricia Mrozcek
Communications Manager, Michigan State University

Neil is a highly effective, creative and organized leader, which

makes him a great point person on projects. He is especially adept
at high profile work, having the personality and capabilities to
work with diverse groups. He is very good with media, using
interesting but measured words to always put the organizations
best foot forward. And he is fun to be around, making the work
assignment a pleasure. I strongly endorse him.

Dr. Alice Brown

CEO and Founder, Another Chance Tourniquet

Neil was my coach for GLEQ/ACE Business Plan Competition and

thanks to him In the Groove placed third in Best New Business
Idea. He is an amazing coach and person. He continues to help me
and other innovators and entrepreneurs help to develop their idea,
take it to market, market it and prepare the business for potential
investors.

He is tireless, and works very hard to help you meet deadlines,

bring out the best in you, maximize your business potential and
present novel ideas or approaches to help you succeed. I highly
recommend him.

Chris Zollars
Film and Video Producer

Neils speaking style is energetic and insightful, and during his

presentation, he spoke about presentation design that smacked us
all into an "aha" moment of understanding. Since his talk, we have
all started to incorporate his ideas in our presentations.
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Dylon Shepley
Field Representative, Hometown Pharmacy

Neil Sheridan is not only an amazing professor but an amazing

person as well. In his class I quickly realized how much I was about
to learn and experience. I went in thinking an entrepreneurial
endeavor may be in my future, and came out having confidence
that I had the ability to have a great one. He took the time to make
sure we had every opportunity to gain practical knowledge.

I had prior experience in finance but nothing that touched on or

went in depth about entrepreneurial ventures and valuing them
until his class, where I found how interested I was in the challenges
of valuing something that new.

His teaching style is down to earth and experienced, he applies a

lot of what he knows and allows you to feel as if youre talking to a
friend, changing how you learn drastically. Lastly and most
importantly he emphasized and pushed the importance of how to
both deliver and prepare a business pitch that will impress and
convey, effectively, what investors are looking for. I would
recommend him as both a friend and professor to any students or
universities.

Prafulla Pande
COO, FutureNet Group

Neil and I facilitated two advanced technology entrepreneurship

programs together. Neil engages participants actively and keeps
them focused and motivated. His excellent knowledge of the
material combined with his prior experiences in the business made
these programs quite effective. Neil was a tremendous co-facilitator
and I would be pleased to work with him at any time.

I highly recommend Neil as a very effective expert speaker, ses-

sion facilitator, and program moderator.

Jessica Mueller
Management Student, University of Windsor

Neil Sheridan was my professor for the Entrepreneurial

Management course I took at the University of Windsor. His
DealLab activity allowed us to practice and perfect valuable
business fundamentals such as the business model canvas and the
investor pitch. I would describe his teaching style as transparent
and very effective. He engaged the class with thought-provoking
questions using a socrative approach that developed our
understanding and skills. He was always willing to help his
students improve and to offer advice and his connections. I
received a tremendous amount of value from the course because of
Professor Sheridan, and would recommend him to any student
interested in entrepreneurship.
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Steve Assarian
Business Librarian, Grand Rapids Library

Many professionals can give an excellent presentation. However,

people who can engage an audience, encourage conversation, and
truly teach are few. Neil Sheridan is one such speaker. He led a
panel of our conference relating to the state of small business
support in Michigan, and was able to engage the audience
masterfully. He continued to contribute to the conference long after
his presentation was finished, which was crucial to our overall
success. I feel very comfortable recommending Mr. Sheridan as a
speaker, and encourage you to utilize his talents. I cannot speak
more highly of him.