STEPHEN M. MEADE
Strategic Partner
STEPHEN MEADE is an American entrepreneur, executive and business founder who is passionate about creating companies that make a difference in the world. He has the ability to catapult an idea from pure concept to the creation of a thriving business. In the past 20 years, he has created, incubated and architected nine (9) successful technology-based companies. He is a seasoned business advisor and leader who frequently speaks on the art of networking at executive leadership conferences and startup communities (i.e. executives, entrepreneurs, start-up founders, co-founders, students) around the world. In 2005, he founded Big Bamboo, LLC to serve as the incubator for ideas that are worth building a team around and bringing to market. Currently, all ideas come solely from the Founder and the company does not take on or incubate outside business or services. He is currently the CEO of MonetaPro.IO, which is a FinTech Blockchain company for Global Companies to participate in Corporate Trade. MonetaPro.IO competed in and won the Silicon Valley d10e Global ICO contest, which to date was the largest ICO competition in the World featuring 32 companies. MonetaPro has placed in the following competitions: Fintech Zurich (1st Place), Los Angeles Crypto (1st Place), Malta (2nd Place), South Korea (3rd place), and more! Meade is also the CEO of MagMo, Inc., a B2B Platform focused on technology around Media, Entertainment, and Influencers. MagMo (which stands for Magic Moments) is a photo sharing tool primarily for major brands to create stories and share it with their existing audience. MagMo can provide monetization for social media audiences of the brand through a patent pending process known as the “back cover.” His roster of successful businesses includes MyBlueEarth, Cenoplex, RONAstar, ComCom, CuCme, etc.
JENNY Q. TA
Founder/GP & Managing Director
JENNY Q. TA, a self-made multi-millionaire and Wall Street veteran with a track record of three successful exits, is an eminent entrepreneur. As the founder and CEO of Titan Securities, a thriving full-service broker-dealer and investment banking firm, she skillfully guided the company to acquisition in 2005. Earlier in her career, she established and directed Vantage Investments, an internationally recognized investment bank, which was also acquired and managed assets exceeding a third of a billion dollars. In addition to her illustrious achievements, Ms. Ta’s expertise extends to her role as a Nasdaq market maker and Market Analyst, co-underwriter of IPOs, and her involvement in reverse mergers and SPAC deals. Her comprehensive knowledge of the financial industry spans a wide spectrum of activities, solidifying her reputation as a prominent figure in the world of finance. Apart from her financial achievements, Ms. Ta excelled in the tech industry and venture capital, creating VCNetwork, connecting entrepreneurs with investors, and CoinLinked, merging traditional marketplaces with digital currencies via blockchain. Both ventures leveraged her FinTech and blockchain exploration, and both were acquired in 2021. In late 2022, Ms. Ta launched two new ventures. Web3VC Funds, established in October 2022, is a global consultancy benefiting from nearly a century of collective expertise in financial, legal, and strategic matters across the financial services industry. Building on Ms. Ta’s leadership in AI and web3, our proficiency spans from navigating complex regulatory landscapes, including SEC, CFTC, and FINRA, to excelling in innovative areas like fintech, where Blockchain, AI, and Web3 converge seamlessly. Ms. Ta is actively leading an AI project since late 2022, capitalizing on her adaptability to emerging technologies such as web3. She envisions the transformative power of AI and web3, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the future of technology. Recognizing how AI is reshaping industries and web3 is fostering decentralized and secure applications, Ms. Ta is committed to securing the project’s success through robust intellectual property protection, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Apart from her entrepreneurship, Ms. Ta is a published author of “Wall Street Cinderella.” This book details her journey from wartime Vietnam to Wall Street success, providing a roadmap for aspiring women in business. She holds an MBA in Financial Management and a Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems from CSUF. Ms. Ta’s leadership in AI and proactive IP management shapes the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Her adaptability and visionary mindset drive the AI project, exploring transformative potential and achieving new milestones. From finance to tech, her journey inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and women in business. With her expertise and dedication, Ms. Ta is poised to make a significant impact in AI and beyond.
CUSTIS L. SPEARS
Strategic Partner
CURTIS SPEARS is the President & CEO of Andes Capital Group. In this role, Mr. Spears is responsible for overall firm strategy and day-to-day operations. Mr. Spears brings over 25 years of experience in the asset management arena. Prior to joining Andes, Mr. Spears held several senior leadership roles, including Senior Managing Director with Gray & Company, President of Gardner Rich, and Managing Director of Public Fund Sales with Fifth Third Asset Management. He also served as Vice President at The Northern Trust Company where he was responsible for client service and marketing investment products and services to the institutional marketplace. Before taking on client responsibilities, Mr. Spears managed domestic and international equity index portfolios for Northern Trust. Throughout his career, Mr. Spears’ level of excellence has enabled him to build strong relationships with top-tier financial firms and institutional investors. A native of Chicago, he also sees it as his duty to give back to the community. He currently serves on the Governing Board for UCAN and has served on auxiliary boards for the Steppenwolf Theater, the Field Museum and the Primo Center for Women and Children where he has raised funds crucial to operations, and helped to increase awareness. Mr. Spears received his B.S. in computer science from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from DePaul University. He holds the Series 24, 7, 63, 65 and 79 securities licenses.
