David Lonsdale
Michael Helmstetter
Dr. Michael Helmstetter is Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of TechAccel LLC (Technology Acceleration Partners).
TechAccel is a technology and venture development company in the agriculture and animal health sectors. The company invests in or acquires new technology and funds science advancement programs with research university partners to assist in commercialization.
Michael also serves as Managing Partner of Covenant Animal Health Partners, a TechAccel subsidiary that focuses on development of “revenue-ready” animal health products for both companion and farm animals.
Before founding TechAccel, Michael served as the fifth President and Chief Executive Officer of MRIGlobal – one of the nation's most prominent research institutions. In his 14 years with MRIGlobal (formerly Midwest Research Institute), he led its growth from 2 to 17 national and international locations.
Michael has more than 30 years of experience working with the private sector and government agencies, including laboratory management positions at Applied Marine Research Laboratory in Norfolk, Va., and program management for the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Pierce, Fla. He was President and Chairman of startup Brevard Teaching and Research Laboratories, a post he held until the company was acquired by MRIGlobal.
Michael received a Ph.D. in Chemical Toxicology/Oceanography from Old Dominion University and a B.S. in Biology from Allegheny College. He has been a panelist, keynote speaker, lecturer, reviewer to several journals, and is the author of numerous publications, articles, book chapters, and technical reports.
He has served on several boards, including Labconco Corp. Board of Directors and University of Missouri-Kansas City Board of Trustees, as well as numerous civic organizations. He is a contributing opinion writer for Forbes.com.
Michael lives in suburban Kansas City.
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhelmstetter/
Brett Morris
Brett is a Principal for TechAccel LLC, a venture development and technology organization that invests across the agriculture, animal health, and food science industries. Brett leads venture investing and due diligence efforts for the firm and guides all corporate and asset-related transactions.
He also serves as a Partner with Covenant Animal Health Partners LLC, a TechAccel subsidiary dedicated to the development and registration of “revenue-ready” animal health products. Covenant addresses critical market needs across production and companion animals and advances new assets into industry partner portfolios.
Prior to TechAccel, Brett worked in corporate development for a commodity trading and handling company focused in agriculture, feed, and energy. He helped source, evaluate, and execute mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, joint ventures, and organic growth initiatives. Further, he led efforts to assess the Agtech venture capital industry and evaluated startups in several areas including imagery, sensors, trading and logistics, and artificial intelligence. Prior to this, Brett worked for a small strategic advisory firm and a local bank.
Brett serves as a selection committee member for InvestMidwest and the Animal Health Investment Forum and volunteers as a mentor for the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator, the Sprint Corporate Accelerator Program and the Ag Innovation Showcase. He also serves as a guest lecturer for the Blue Valley CAPS program.
Brett graduated from the University of Kansas and is a CFA® charterholder. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Kansas City CFA Society.
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-morris-cfa-962a9023/
TechAccel website: www.TechAccel.net
Covenant Animal Health Partners website: www.CovenantAH.net
Duane Cantrell
John Peryman
