for sales inquiries, contact sales@synapticmash.com

1511 3rd Ave., Suite 808
Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: 206.340.0900
Fax: 206.340.0906
Email: info@synapticmash.com

The Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program is designed to help high potential software startups around the globe get access, guidance and support to accelerate their success on the Microsoft platform. Selected participants receive customized engagement plans to support their software and market development efforts. Accelerator companies are selected to join the program based on their innovation, high growth potential, funding, platform decision and strategic importance to Microsoft.

The Kirlin Foundation holds as its particular passion the relationships that constellate around children, and within their educational environments. These relationships determine, beginning as early as pregnancy, the nature and vitality of the child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual development.

Early Learning + Early Investing= Real Results. In collaboration with community partners, we support parents and caregivers as they guide their children through critical developmental years. We fund programs throughout the state that will aid in actualizing our vision.

Effective teaching improves student achievement. That simple statement informs all of Teachscape's services. Our professional learning opportunities are systemic and capacity-building, enabling educators throughout a school system—teachers, principals,
coaches, parents, staff developers, and others—to raise the quality of teaching and learning in every classroom.

Fostering technology-enhanced learning for citizens of today and tomorrow. Connecting a variety of intelligent software and rich-media technologies to organizations -- whose primary functions are to foster education and to support the aspects of life needed -- before learning can take place ~ shelter, safety and physical and psychological health.

Ramona brings extensive experience with the PK-20 education world as an academician, educator, district administrator, technology leader and change agent in large urban school districts. Her career began as a neuroscientist in university hospitals, which led to her advocating for students with learning challenges in the public school systems. Her work with education resulted in her innovating and developing enterprise level software solutions for data, assessment, and communication systems specifically for education. Ramona also founded Learning without Borders (L3RN Foundation), which provides technology and training to educators and learners since 2004.
Read more about Ramona

Rick Waddell is known as an industry leader in application security and scalable systems. Rick retired in 2005 from an executive position in Microsoft Corporation as the General Manager of Security and Compliance in the MSN Global Operations Division. His experience in enterprise software development, operations and network and application security will enable SynapticMash to provide Web services that span the globe while ensuring the highest degree of confidentiality for educators and their students.

Rick's career in technology began while serving in the U.S. Navy Aviation Corps. After leaving the military, Rick worked at McDonnell Douglas Automation Company as a computer programmer. He spent 10 years as a program developer and systems analyst with Marathon Oil Company, then 5 years as Director of Research and Development with Solomon Software before leaving to join Fox Software as Director of Quality Assurance. In 1991, Rick joined Microsoft Corporation after Fox Software was acquired, and he continued to grow his career at Microsoft for the next 15 years in various management/executive positions.

Joe has been working toward improving education though the use of technology throughout his career. He has most recently served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Department of Early Learning and Chief Information Officer for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. This is where he provided strategic direction and oversight for the implementation of the student identification system, assessment management applications and a multitude of web-based tools focused at improving decision making for school districts.

During Joe's tenure within the educational sector he not only has been focused on improving decision making through the use of data but changing what is actually taking place in the classroom. Joe is passionate about educational technology or how technology can be used to influence instruction. This was demonstrated by his participation in creating the first education technology division for the State of Washington.

Prior to serving for both the Governor and the State Superintendent, Joe had worked extensively managing and building systems focused towards finance, marketing and online sales in the private sector.

Debra is the Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Global Foundation Services, responsible for strategy and delivery of the foundational platform for Microsoft Online Services including globalization, operational infrastructure, networking and datacenters. Her organization supports MSN and Windows Live branded services, Microsoft communication and collaboration services as well as 150 additional Microsoft online services and web portals.

Previously, Chrapaty was senior VP of technology of Organic Inc., an Internet marketing company, where she led development of the company's technical strategy and was COO for AllBusiness Inc. Debra is perhaps most well known for her work as President & COO of E*TRADE where she designed and developed the companies award winning technology and destination site which won the Smithsonian Award for Technical Excellence. She was named Information Week's Chief of the Year for 1998. CIO Magazine named Debra one of the great thinkers for the next millennium.

Mr. Siegal is an entrepreneur and investor with a solid track record of starting and growing successful international and domestic companies. He has extensive knowledge and business experience in the areas of financial services, information technology, international trade, and oil and gas exploration.

Currently, Mr. Siegal serves as Chief Executive Officer of Raycliff Capital, a private equity firm headquartered in New York with a satellite office in San Francisco that invests across a diverse range of sectors including financial services, information technology, and real estate. As founder of Raycliff Capital, he has invested in and served as advisor for many growth companies, including Modern Bank. Mr. Siegal originally conceived of and incubated Modern Bank from inception through launch, and now serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is also a Principal of Crystal Energy Group, an oil and gas exploration and production company.

Previously, Mr. Siegal served as Chief Executive Officer of BigVine (acquired by AllBusiness.com), which he founded and financed with venture capital from leading investment firms. Mr. Siegal also co-founded and served as co-President of AmeriCash (acquired by American Express Company), a network of stand-alone automated teller machines, which he helped grow from startup through national expansion to acquisition. Earlier, he founded and led both TransGulf and Palace International, New York-based international marketing and business consulting firms that assisted major U.S. corporations in developing and implementing entry strategies for international developing markets.

Through a family foundation, Mr. Siegal is involved in a variety of philanthropic initiatives focused primarily on providing guidance, counseling and education for children. He is also a member of The Council on Foreign Relations and serves as a Trustee of Boston University.

Chris Brody is Chairman of Vantage Venture Partners, a private investment partnership. From 1972 to 1998, Chris was a Partner of Warburg, Pincus, and, for over 15 years, served as a member of its Operating Committee which managed the private equity and venture capital activities of the firm. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Intuit, Inc., and several privately held companies. His nonprofit activities include the Boards of: the Lasker Medical Foundation, the United Nations Association of the USA, and the Mount Sinai Medical Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He received a B.A. in English Literature in 1966 from Harvard College and received an M.B.A. in 1968 from Harvard Business School.

JJ McKay's experience in building strong organizations and business models reflects his desire to create stronger communities as a whole. With proven success in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, he continues to maximize his global connections and negotiation skills to create win/win results for his clients. During fourteen-plus years as Senior Vice President at the American Heart Association, McKay built nationally recognized community organizations within the Heart Association. As a recognized leader, he worked to establish benchmarks in both fundraising and organization process. His many accomplishments include spearheading the single largest fundraising walk in the United States, facilitating an appearance on the Oprah show, and playing key roles in establishing internal and external campaigns. McKay's media experience, including work on television has bought positive attention to organizations and causes close to him.

With a range of experience that encompasses local and national politics and policy making, the life sciences industry, branding and information distribution, JJ McKay and Company focuses on business-growth strategies, community positioning and pipeline development. McKay currently serves on the corporate boards of Reign Capital Management, Fiatlux3D, and as a corporate advisor to Atigeo. Noted for his wide range of contacts and extensive networking skills, McKay is also visibly active in the Northwest philanthropic arena. He currently serves as trustee for Seattle Opera, Pilchuck School of Glass, as well as numerous additional boards and committees.

Mr. Melillo has a lengthy banking and real estate career. His banking career includes leading Sunrise Federal Savings as President and Chief Executive Officer until its successful sale to Reliance Federal Savings Bank. More recently, Mr. Melillo served as a consultant on banking and real estate matters to Home Federal Savings Bank, Richmond Country Savings Bank, and New York Community Bank. He has also taught real estate courses at Hofstra University.

Mr. Melillo is on the Board of the Interfaith Nutrition Network (the INN) and Chairman of the Savings Institutions of Long Island. He served in the United States Marine Corps and attended Pace University in New York.

Sue Collins brings over 35 years of experience in the education and technology fields. Sue is well-known for her ability to bridge education, technology and public policy. In 2000, she was appointed by President Clinton to the Web-based Education Commission, and was named by eSchoolNews as one of the top 30 movers and shakers in education. Sue has also held industry board seats at ISTE and SIIA. She has been an involved with education technology organizations such as the CEO Forum, NSBA Foundation and the AASA Internet Standards Development Board.

Sue began her career in the education industry as a frontline educator, spending 5 years teaching science at the junior high and middle school level. After serving as a district science coordinator, she became Director of Instructional Service and Technology for the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. There, she designed and established regional educational technology centers, one of the first such programs in the country.

In the private sector, Sue developed and implemented strategic education initiatives for Apple Computer, including development of educational partnerships, development of multimedia-based strategic planning tools for educators and public policy creation. She led the development of K-12 and Higher Education initiatives at Compaq Computer, establishing them as a major player in the marketplace. Sue currently consults with education and technology businesses.