TechLife Community Builder - Rick Coplin

Bio

Rick Coplin is a Venture Development Representative for TechColumbus, focusing primarily on the City of Dublin via the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (http://www.dublink.com) and his work with the Dublin Economic Development Department (Dublin DoD). Rick concentrates on helping startup companies and entrepreneurs build promising ideas into viable businesses via coaching and mentoring, refining concepts, plans and strategies, and engaging mentors, the TechColumbus Team and other experts to accelerate growth and opportunities. Rick is involved with the Dublin DoD in a variety of ways, focusing on efforts designed to grow businesses and opportunities within the City. He also works with businesses and community leaders in Delaware, Logan, Madison, Marion and Union counties.

In addition to TechColumbus, Rick’s background includes five years experience in a start-up company environment. The company developed law enforcement information sharing software and was acquired in the fall of 2007. He managed relationships with client, vendor and government representatives and was involved in user interface design and testing, developing training for new users, performing industry competitive analysis and managing grant dollar expenditures. Prior to this, Rick was with Banc One Investment Management Group for three years as a Technology Program Director overseeing technology planning, acquisition, development and implementation. Before Bank One, he had over eight years consulting experience with Ernst & Young and KPMG Peat Marwick. At Ernst & Young, he focused on emerging, entrepreneurial and high growth companies providing consulting expertise in technology transition, software design, selection and implementation, and business process reengineering. While with KPMG, he focused on technology implementation in manufacturing and supply chain management. Before all the professional stuff, he was a student at Denison University.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about my family – the foundation of all that I do professionally and personally. I have two sons, Daniel and Jacob, and one daughter, Lia, who we adopted from China almost five years ago. We are a two career family, with kids involved in all sorts of sports, church and other activities, so any time together is at a premium. Kim and I have been married over 22 great years.

In my professional life, I’m passionate about innovation, creativity, and successful businesses, sustainable value and entrepreneurs.

What's are the most played songs in your ipod? (or your favorites if you don't have a ipod)

I listen to just about every kind of music. I play bass, electric & upright, so I use my iPod to practice when I have the time. Right now I have on my iPod:

• Iona – Heaven’s Bright Sun (live)**

• Robin Mark – Revival in Belfast**

• Bela Fleck – Perpetual Motion, Little Worlds

• Andrea Bocelli – Andrea

• The best of The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

• James Bobchak – Santa Fe Sunrise, Nuevo Flamenco

• Also several chapter of Built to Last – a great book!

** Both of these recordings have Phil Barker as bassist – one of the best on the planet.

Where did you grow up?

Lexington, Kentucky. I moved to Ohio to attend Denison University, and stayed/came back to Columbus after a brief stint in Baltimore, Maryland.

Are there any nonprofits that you volunteer your time to?

I enjoy volunteering my time at our home church, Spring Hills Baptist Church in Granville, Ohio. I work with the youth group, primarily the senior high guys, focusing on life issues, college, etc. and applying Biblical principals in meaningful and lasting ways.

I also enjoy being a Fisher MBA mentor and have volunteered time to Denison University’s entrepreneurship program.

What events have you organized?

The Dublin Entrepreneurial Center Grand Opening, with the help of a host of great people who did most of the work. I’ve attended many of the other events in and around Central Ohio, and enjoy the networking and learning about innovative ideas and people – they’re everywhere!

About my company:

TechColumbus accelerates the growth of the innovation economy by providing vital resources and assistance to people and enterprises that depend on technology to achieve their business goals. Today’s economy is global, knowledge-based, and entrepreneurial. It’s rooted in information technology and driven by innovation. Human, intellectual, and financial capital fuel the global economy. TechColumbus’ mission is to accelerate and support the growth of Central Ohio’s tech economy – to make the most of its technology assets. TechColumbus does this by:

• Connecting the region’s world-class tech assets;

• Leading strategic regional initiatives;

• Developing and growing new companies and nurturing young companies;

• Creating ways for all tech and tech-enabled companies to collaborate, share experiences and access resources.

TechColumbus is the only organization that has this mission. It succeeds when the Central Ohio business and technology community brings accelerated economic growth to the region.

Here’s and amazing report about the investments taking place in Central Ohio: http://bit.ly/TBbvU. No question about it, Central Ohio ROCKS for innovation and entrepreneurs!