From Military Service to Tech Investment: The Journey of James Sowers
Biography of James Sowers
James Sowers is a notable investor known for his involvement
in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. He has a background in technology
and finance, which has contributed to his success in identifying and investing
in promising projects within the crypto sector. Sowers is recognized for his
strategic investments in various blockchain startups and cryptocurrencies.
In addition to his investments, Sowers is active in the
crypto community, often sharing insights and perspectives on emerging trends
and developments. He is known for his forward-thinking approach and willingness
to take calculated risks in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
Education: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
At Florida State University from 2014 to 2016, this
individual pursued an M.B.A. in Marketing. Their coursework covered various
aspects of business management, including financial reporting, marketing
strategy, and organizational behavior.
Graduate Certificate in Public Health Policy and Programs
In 2013, they obtained a Graduate Certificate in Public
Health Policy and Programs from the University of South Florida. This program
focused on enhancing skills in managing health programs and policies.
Coursework included topics such as health policy principles and health services
planning.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Policy & Administration
They completed their B.S. in Health Policy &
Administration at Penn State University from 2006 to 2010. Their coursework
provided a comprehensive understanding of healthcare management, economics, and
policy issues. Additionally, they were involved in activities like the Penn
State Army ROTC and Global Health Brigades.
High School Education
Their educational journey began at Chambersburg Area Senior
High School, where they completed their secondary education from 2003 to 2006.
Career path
Florida National Guard: First Lieutenant, Squadron Medical
Officer
From August 2010 to November 2016, they served as a First
Lieutenant and Squadron Medical Officer in the Florida National Guard, managing
medical administration requirements and planning health events to maintain
readiness and deployable status.
Agency for Health Care Administration: Deputy Communications
Director
From February 2014 to December 2015, they held positions at
the Agency for Health Care Administration, starting as an Outreach Coordinator
and later promoted to Deputy Communications Director. Responsibilities included
managing public relations campaigns and producing communications collateral.
The Brevet Group: Senior Consultant
From December 2015 to August 2017, they worked as a Senior
Consultant at The Brevet Group, a B2B sales consulting firm. Their
responsibilities involved bridging the gap between strategy and execution to
transform the sales efforts of complex organizations.
Digital Freelancer: Head of Marketing
In the same period as the role at Product Scope, they also
served as the Head of Marketing at Digital Freelancer, an online resource
providing tools and support for freelancers and consultants to build successful
independent businesses.
Product Scope (formerly Mattermark Studios): Director of
Business Development
From August 2017 to August 2018, they held the position of
Director of Business Development at Product Scope, a firm specializing in
building and scaling technology solutions, including those related to
cryptocurrency/blockchain technology and mobile platforms.
SureSwift Capital: Marketing and Growth Consultant
From September 2019 to June 2020, they served as a Marketing
and Growth Consultant at SureSwift Capital, contributing to improving key
metrics across the portfolio of the multi-disciplinary Growth Department. Their
focus areas included email marketing, automation, and cross-promotions.
UserInput.io: Operator
From January 2022 to December 2023, they worked as an
Operator at UserInput.io, a service providing customer research to ecommerce
brands. They facilitated research projects to help businesses understand their
customers better and improve their shopping experiences.
The Good Ventures: Director of The Good Ventures
From August 2022 to December 2023, they served as Director
of The Good Ventures, a holding company focused on acquiring and developing
profitable tools and services for ecommerce brands. Responsibilities included
strategic direction, acquisitions, growth planning, and partnership management.
Productize & Scale: Owner
Since October 2022, they have owned Productize & Scale,
a valuable online resource for entrepreneurs seeking to launch, manage, or
expand productized service businesses. The platform offers guidance and support
for building scalable service enterprises.
Castaway: Founder
As of April 2021, they founded Castaway, a service aimed at
helping B2B companies enhance their podcast presence into a lead-generating
tool. The company specializes in transforming podcast episodes into various
content formats for newsletters, blogs, YouTube, and social media.
PodcastBuffs: Owner
Since May 2023, the individual has been the owner of
PodcastBuffs, a venture based in Cleveland, Ohio, offering affordable podcast
editing services. Clients pay as little as $1 per minute for fast editing
services, with unused credits rolling over into the following month.
From Military Service to Tech Investment: The Journey of James Sowers / Biography of James Sowers / James Sowers
Pioneering Roles in Innovation and Mentorship
James Sowers holds esteemed roles as an Executive Board
Member for the Greater Good Society and Mentor at CanopyBoulder, showcasing his
commitment to fostering positive change and nurturing emerging talent. His
expertise and contributions have earned him recognition as one of Forbes' top
50 Angel Investors, reflecting his influential presence in the investment
realm.
Thought Leadership and Industry Recognition
As an entrepreneur, author, and distinguished Angel
investor, James Sowers is a sought-after speaker renowned for his insights into
exponential technologies and startup investing. His engagements serve as a
platform for sharing knowledge and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to
navigate the dynamic landscape of innovation and investment effectively.
Insightful Contributions and Publications
James' expertise and thought leadership have garnered
widespread acclaim, with features in reputable publications such as the
Huffington Post, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fuel for Startups, and Equites Magazine.
His insightful writings have been showcased in ICO Crowd magazine and various
cryptocurrency and blockchain publications, further solidifying his reputation
as a thought leader in the field.
Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
In addition to his prolific contributions to the
entrepreneurial and investment spheres, James Sowers is actively involved in
mentoring the next generation of innovators and disruptors. He serves as a
mentor at Stanford for CS359B decentralized applications for the blockchain and
contributes to the esteemed Alchemist accelerator in Silicon Valley and the
Cannabis accelerator CanopyBoulder. Through his mentorship, James empowers
aspiring entrepreneurs to harness their potential and navigate the complexities
of the startup ecosystem.
Diverse Engagement in Driving Innovation
With a diverse portfolio of roles ranging from Director at
GreaterGoodSociety to advisor at CHTA ventures, James Sowers continues to make
significant strides in driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and
shaping the future of investment and technology. His multifaceted contributions
underscore his dedication to catalyzing positive change and propelling the
growth of impactful ventures in today's dynamic landscape.
Experienced Growth Advisor
With over ten years of experience, this growth advisor has
worked closely with executives and leadership teams to enhance their growth
strategies. Notable brands like Nike, BDO, and Brookdale Senior Living have
benefitted from their guidance, seeing improved results in their sales and
marketing efforts.
Championing Relationship-Based Marketing
In the current landscape, this advisor advocates for a
return to relationship-based marketing. Despite the advancements in technology
allowing for large-scale marketing campaigns, the personal touch has been
somewhat lost along the way. They believe in rekindling genuine connections
with customers to foster better engagement.
Crafting Engaging Customer Journeys
Specializing in guiding ambitious business owners and
executives, this advisor helps create customer journeys that prioritize
engagement and conversions. By carefully orchestrating interactions and
micro-commitments, they assist in leading customers towards their desired
business outcomes.
Forbes Recognition and Early Cryptocurrency Adoption
In 2018, James earned the prestigious recognition as one of
the top 50 Angel Investors by Forbes, securing the 22nd position. He gained
prominence as an early adopter of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum,
Litecoin, Stellar, and Ripple, as well as Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). During
2016-2017, James actively participated in nine ICOs that achieved unicorn
status, demonstrating his keen insight into emerging technologies and
investment opportunities.
Leadership in Technology and Startup Ecosystem
James is highly regarded as a keynote speaker, startup
coach, and mentor, leveraging his entrepreneurial experience and expertise in
technology. He frequently shares insights on exponential technologies and
startup investing at prestigious conferences, including the Opals Direct Investment
Virtual Forum. His thought leadership has garnered attention from reputable
publications such as the Huffington Post, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fuel for
Startups, Thrive Global, and Equites Magazine.
Contributions to Education and Mentorship
James's influence extends to academia, where he serves as a
mentor at Stanford for CS359B Decentralized Applications for the Blockchain
inaugural class. He actively engages with aspiring entrepreneurs, guiding them
through the intricacies of startup development and investment strategies. His
commitment to mentorship underscores his dedication to fostering innovation and
nurturing talent within the technology and business landscape.
Some companies where Mr. James Sowers invested
- Intervidewing.io - Application Software
- Mycroft AI - Computers, Parts and Peripherals
- Tendies - Financial Software
- Terraform labs- Financial Software
- ShearShare - Business/Productivity Software
- Blume - Personal Products
- Orenda - Household Appliances
- Bit Torrent - Business/Productivity Software
- She’s well - Healthcare Services
- Spiking - Financial Software
- Locomotion – trucking technology platform that combines autonomy
- Bitpay – bitcoin payment service provider
- Deep Science – works with scientists to build companies
- Strypes - custom smart end-to-end software solutions
- Chirps - Food Products
- Orenda - Household Appliances
