About Us
The DaVinci Institute is a laboratory of the future human experience. As a non-profit futurist think tank based in the fertile proving grounds of Colorado, we are a community of revolutionary thinkers and innovators intent on unlocking the future, one idea, one invention, one business at a time.
We have seen the future and it is truly a magical place. We invite you to join us on our journey into the future, as we build tomorrows leaders through the visions, projects, and programs produced here at the DaVinci Institute.
Who We Are
We are a community of revolutionary thinkers and innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors, inspired visionaries and idea junkies.
For more information on the DaVinci Institute please go to davinciinstitute.com
Our Organization's Mission
The DaVinci Institute's mission is to educate, inform, train, connect and collaborate entrepreneurs who need the help to make their companies a success with entrepreneurs in all fields who have started successful companies.
Who We Serve
We serve entrepreneurs and inventors who want to connect with a diverse group of business people and successful entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their companies so they can take their products or services to market.
Our Programs
The DaVinci Institute is primarily an educational corporation. The company produces a number of unique events ranging from the two monthly networking events - the Night with a Futurist, where we recently had Ben Bova speak to a full house, and the Startup Junkie Underground where Jared Polis and Michael Bissonnette spoke to record large audiences - to a series of Boot Camps and Crash Courses primarily designed around serving the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. Our events feature some of the most talented thinkers and seasoned veterans who have fundamentally changed the business landscape with the sheer weight of the footprints they leave behind.
Upcoming Events
Night with a Futurist - Monthly (www.nightwithafuturist.com)
Startup Junkie Underground - Monthly (www.startupjunkieunderground.com)
Educational Boot Camps - Monthly (www.davinciinstitute.com)
Colorado Inventor Showcase - Nov 10, 2008 (www.coloradoinventorshowcase.com)
Leadership Profile
Thomas Frey is the Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci Institute, as well as Google's top-rated futurist speaker. Tom works closely with his Board of Visionaries to develop original research studies, which enables him to speak on unusual topics, translating trends into unique opportunities.
As part of the celebrity speaking circuit, Tom continually pushes the envelope of understanding, creating fascinating images of the world to come. His keynote talks on futurist topics have captivated people ranging from high level government officials to executives in Fortune 500 companies including NASA, IBM, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Lucent Technologies, First Data, Boeing, Capital One, Bell Canada, Visa, GE, Unilever, Ford Motor Company, Qwest, Hunter Douglas, Direct TV, NAFCU, Times of India, and many more. For more information go to: www.futuristspeaker.com
Before launching the DaVinci Institute, Tom spent 15 years at IBM as an engineer and designer where he received over 270 awards, more than any other IBM engineer. He is also a past member of the Triple Nine Society (High I.Q. society over 99.9 percentile).
Deb Frey is the Vice President of the DaVinci Institute responsible for Member Relations, Event Planning and Project Scheduling. She also oversees all of the administrative work associated with the Institute. Deb enjoys working with the DaVinci Institute Members and those who attend the events.
Deb serves as the agent and coordinator of Thomas Frey’s speaking engagements. This involves negotiating fees, writing contracts, setting up travel arrangements and making sure he is well taken care of when he gets to his destination.
Whenever Deb can fit in a few extra moments, she serves as a contributing editor to the Impact Lab, a DaVinci Institute blog billed as "a laboratory of the future human experience". The research she does to find stories keeps her on top of the latest trend research, news reviews, topical studies, that doesn't always get covered in the media.
Janice Wagner is the Administrative Assistant/Office Manager for the DaVinci Institute. Her computer skills, attention to detail, analytical thinking, organizational skills and ability to prioritize have made her a valuable asset to the DaVinci Institute. She is responsible for managing, organizing, scheduling and maintaining information for the company.
Janice is also a contributing editor for the company's blog site, Impact Lab.
Board of Directors
Thomas Frey - Executive Director - Chairman
Deb Frey - Vice President - Treasurer
Teresa Rabenberg - Secretary
Alice Swiontek - Board Member
Michael Cushman - Board Member
Board of Advisors
Governor Richard D. Lamm is the co-director of the Institute for Public Policy Studies at the University of Denver and the former three-term governor of Colorado.
Drew Crouch currently serves as Vice President, Strategic Development for Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp.
Paul Dusenbery is the Founder and Director of the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
Peter Giles was the President and CEO of The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, CA, retiring in March 2005.
Dr. Lawrence Farwell is the Chairman & Chief Scientist of Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories Inc.
Margaret “Meg” Walker Hansson is the former president and CEO of Aqualogic Inc., and founder and former CEO of Gerry Baby Products.
John Petersen, Executive Director of the Arlington Institute, is considered by numerous influential leaders to be one of the most informed futurists in the country.
Wil McCarthy is a science fiction novelist, Chief Technology Officer for Galileo Shipyards (an aerospace research corporation), and the science columnist for WIRED Magazine and the Sci Fi Channel. Wil is best known for inventing Programmable Matter concept.
Major Supporters and Sponsors
Townsend & Townsend & Crew
ColoradoBiz Magazine
Lynott & Associates
Electricshoes Productions
| Year Founded : |
1997 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
1997 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
2 |
| Volunteers : |
25 |
| Annual Income : |
$250,000 |
What Sets Us Apart
We bring in people who have had real world, practical experience to speak at our events. This increases the odds of entrepreneurs creating a successful business of their own.
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
The DaVinci Institute has set its sights on creating a museum of future inventions designed around our pursuit of inventions that will create a spot in the history books for people who develop them. Our goal is to find a home for the museum.
Reach out to 500 entrepreneurs and inventors to increase our membership as well as provide education to help make their new endeavors successful.
Find outstanding speakers for each of our events.
Increase our membership base for women-owned businesses.
Recent Accomplishments
In August, 2008 (August is usually by far our slowest month attendance-wise) we had Ben Bova speak to a full house of 90+ people.
We have had record attendance this year with several of our events.
We are starting a scholarship fund for starving entrepreneurs so they can attend our events for free or for a nominal fee.
We are working on a scholarship fund for women entrepreneurs.
We have had several outstanding speakers.
Our members and visitors have been showing up early to network.
