Sustainable Enterprise Speaker: Zach Gentry - Adura Tech.

On October 18^th, Net Impact and the Center of Entrepreneurship sponsored the first event in the Sustainable Enterprise Speaker Series. Zach Gentry, CEO of Adura Technologies, came to the UC Davis Graduate School of Management to discuss his company's technology and strategy. After a half hour of socializing over local pizza, Zach began with his presentation.

Adura Technologies specializes in wireless lighting controls by means of a pervasive "mesh" network. Zach's company has placed itself ideally in the marketplace by designing a technology that is simultaneously more cost-effective to install, more efficient to run and more easily serviceable than traditional wired control systems. In addition to describing Adura's technology, Zach spoke about the company's unique business model: Adura sells themselves as a lighting service provider rather than a "widget-maker". Because of this, Adura has guaranteed themselves a steady revenue stream in the face of evolving technology, as well as appealing to buyers who don't want large capital expenditures up front.

Zach finished up his presentation by giving advice on entrepreneurship and technology development. He spoke to about 25-30 MBAs and researchers present at the event, advising both on qualities to look for in the other. It was an educational and inspirational event. For more information about Zach Gentry and Adura Technologies, visit www.aduratech.com. To learn more about the Sustainable Enterprise Speaker Series, click here.

-Jon Mesh, GSM '09