Erica Waite is the CEO of Ikove Venture Partners, a technology-focused venture development firm in Columbus, OH. Erica oversees the convergence of pipeline, fundraising, operations, strategy, and business development efforts for Ikove and many of its affiliate companies. She works closely with technical teams, investors, advisors, and industry contacts to create successful startups. Erica previously served as the Director of Market Intelligence and Commercialization Strategy Services for the Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (TEC) Institute. She has worked on the funding, development, and commercialization of early stage technologies for over ten years. Erica holds a Master of Science degree in Pathology from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University. She also has an MBA from OSU’s Fisher College of Business with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and New Business Ventures.