Technology Commercialization Specialist, Capital Funding Consultant, Business Development Professional
Derek has a proven track record in identifying, evaluating, and advancing technologies from university, industry, military, and federal sources.
Derek’s integration with Equitas provides greater access to the technology pipeline and capital, both internally and externally.
From 2008 to 2024, he served as Senior Investment Manager for the South Carolina Research Authority, leading technology-driven economic development initiatives to identify investment-grade opportunities in South Carolina and beyond. With a 30-year track record in assisting early-stage companies, he specializes in capital formation strategies, including convertible debt, angel capital, venture capital, and overcoming the “valley of death.” Since 2008, he has directed over $35 million in early-stage investments, resulting in more than $2 billion in follow-on funding.
For 10 years, Derek facilitated collaboration between the U.S. Navy Innovation Warfare Center (NIWC), small businesses, and educational institutions to license technologies and support technology transfers. Through the South Carolina Research Authority’s commercialization expertise, he worked closely with the Navy’s Office of Research and Technology Applications and Federal Labs to bring NIWC innovations and intellectual property to the commercial market. This valuable partnership has brought technology and intellectual property, generated and developed by NIWC researchers and engineers, to the commercial market.
Derek has an extensive industry network and has provided decision-support and risk-reduction services to more than 250 companies. He is proficient in using non-Federal Acquisition Regulation-based Contract Vehicles (845 OTA) to develop prototypes for Title 50 and Title 10 technology development and acquisition.
Derek has an extensive track record as a start-up, operations, and general management expert who excels at planning and coordinating the resources and activities of distributed teams amid dynamic market changes, ambiguity, and uncertainty.
Derek earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Relations from Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia. He is currently a recipient of Secret Clearance with the U.S. Department of Defense.