Learn About the Panelists:

Nicole Eaton is the Director of Venture Platform at the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET), where she supports early-stage startups across Vermont. Nicole's journey into the startup ecosystem began during her time at the University of Vermont, where she earned a B.S. in Public Communication. As a founding member and director of UVM's Academic Research Commercialization (ARC) program, she helped bridge the gap between university research and market-ready solutions. In her current role at VCET, she oversees initiatives that connect entrepreneurs with the people they need to know, the platform that will support them, and the capital they need to scale. She also leads VCET's Female Founders Speaker Series, where female entrepreneurs can share their stories and inspire others.

Jerry Carter is a business lawyer in Burlington, Vermont.  His firm, Moody Advisors PLLC, provides legal services to small to medium sized businesses and to investors and entrepreneurs.  Jerry’s practice focuses on private company equity investment transactions, general contract and corporate representation, business sales, and mergers and acquisitions.  Jerry and his small firm work with clients to structure, negotiate and close transactions across a wide range of industries, with a focus on technology companies.

Geoff Robertson brings decades of experience in venture funding, finance, and economic development to his role at VCET, where he leads financial strategy and oversees a $9 million evergreen venture fund supporting Vermont startups. Previously, he mentored 60+ startups at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and served as CFO for multiple tech companies. A long-time Vermont resident, Geoff holds a BS and MBA from the University of Vermont and a certificate in clean energy finance from Yale.