
MEET THE JUDGES
Demo Day brings you the best of two worlds. One group focusing on the dynamic service industry, while the second dives headfirst into the ever-evolving realm of technology-focused industries.

AVOILAN BINGHAM
Service/Retail Judge
Avoilan Bingham has over ten years of retail experience at Tiffany & Co, Smile Direct Club, Saks Off 5th, and other premium retailers. Since 2019, Avoilan has become an integral part of the Atlanta startup and tech ecosystem and is one of the Founding 100 Stakeholders of The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and a Foundation Member at Atlanta’s The Gathering Spot. Avoilan became a Venture Partner with Republic before 2020 and continued researching investing and venture capital while building relationships with people in VC. In 2020, Avoilan became the Managing Partner with Vertical404. He is now the General Manager (Atlanta) in Drive Capital.

TAMARA BROWN
Service/Retail Judge
Tamara Brown is a dynamic serial entrepreneur with a track record of 18 years as a mega agency owner of two thriving Allstate Insurance agencies. In addition to her insurance ventures, Tamara is the owner and instructor of Gatson Training Associates, where she imparts her wealth of knowledge to aspiring Georgia agents and adjusters for 17 years. She has also expanded her business acumen into real estate, running a Property Management Firm specializing in short-term rentals. Adding to her diverse portfolio, Tamara is the proud owner of the Independent Book Cafe, a literary haven serving the Metro Atlanta community.

RAHIM CHARANIA
Product/Tech Judge
A published writer, Rahim B. Charania is a nationally recognized business and community leader with extensive experience acquiring and reorganizing business operations into efficient, highly profitable companies. He serves as Woodvale’s Founder and Managing Partner, a leading alternative investment firm focused on commercial real estate investments and developments. Mr. Charania founded American Fueling Systems (AFS) and Three Ring Studios (TRS). He is now the chairman of TRS, renamed Cinelease Studios. He received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and Outstanding Alumni in 2023 from Georgia State University. He sits on the Board of Advisors for the J. Mack Robinson College of Business and Center for International Business, Education and Research (CIBER).

MEL CLEMMONS
Service/Retail Judge
Mel Clemmons is a sought-after motivational speaker, writer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and trained instructor. He has built several multimillion-dollar companies from scratch, including negotiating over $500 million in business sales. He currently owns a successful insurance agency in the metro Atlanta region. He is a published writer. Mel has also created several other millionaires through his nationally recognized firm, SAMM CONSULTING. He co-founded The Superheroes Foundation with his wife. Through his foundation, he offers scholarships and mentoring for countless people. Mel owns SAMM INVESTMENTS, which is a real estate investment company. His most recent investment is Uncle Nearest Whiskey, a Fortune 5000 Company.

BAHEEJAH CRUMBLEY
Product/Tech Judge
Baheejah Crumbley serves as an Investment Associate at Collab Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm committed to empowering Black founders driving innovation in critical sectors: work, care, and infrastructure. Baheejah’s expertise lies at the intersection of finance and technology. Before her role at Collab Capital, she held the position of Investment Associate at Vestigo Ventures. Before Vestigo, Baheejah excelled as the Canadian and Latin American Regional Lead for Twitter’s Corporate/Revenue Finance division. She is the Founding Co-Lead of BLCK VC’s Boston Chapter and serves on the Board of Directors for the Make A Play Foundation and The CFO Leadership Council. Furthermore, she lends her expertise to the Investor Advisory Board for the HBCU Founder’s Initiative.

KEREL FRYAR
Product/Tech Judge
Kerel Fryar is an experienced digital strategy, innovation, and management consulting professional with a diverse background spanning various industries, including automotive, consumer goods, financial services, hospitality, retail, supply chain, telecommunications, and travel. In addition to his corporate experience, Kerel is an entrepreneur and was the Founder/CEO of Dynheer, a venture he led successfully before exiting and transitioning to his next professional endeavor. He is currently responsible for driving the Truist early career data science accelerator program’s success and providing strategic guidance to support the growth and development of employees.

DON HUNTER
Service/Retail Judge
Don Hunter is a Vice President, Small Business Community Officer at Bank of America who is dedicated to the Atlanta Metropolitan Market. Don has over 19 years of commercial banking experience and specializes in Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate, Working Capital, equipment/vehicle financing, Credit Lines, inventory financing, and supporting the capital needs of Health Care Professionals. In his current role, Don is focused on partnering with businesses that are minority and women-led and in new to emerging stages. He supports clients as their strategic advisor by delivering access to capital, allowing business growth, providing access to financial educational resources, and implementing technologies that improve cash flow.

CADE JOINER
Product/Tech Judge
As a proud Georgia native, the highlight of Cade Joiner’s career has been founding, growing, and advising on more than a dozen different businesses. One year after earning his BBA in Marketing, Joiner founded Shred-X Secure Document Destruction, now the largest independent shredding company in the southeast. He is a strategic partner at Brookwell Capital. Joiner serves as a board member of the UGA Entrepreneurship Program, Chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation, Member of the Georgia Board of Regents, Member of the Board of the Georgia Research Alliance, Member of the Athletics Board at the University of Georgia, and Chairman of the USG Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. Joiner has been featured on Fox News, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal to discuss business issues.

SHELVIN MACK
Service/Retail Judge
Shelvin Mack is a CBS Sports analyst and front office for the Brooklyn Nets. A former NBA player for eight years and an international professional basketball player for three years, Mack is most known for leading the Butler Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA championship games in 2010 and 2011. Mack is an angel investor who has invested in Uncle Nearest, a premium whiskey brand highlighting the first African American Master Distiller — Nearest Green, Wild Things Clothing brand, and residential real estate. Additionally, Mack developed the non-profit organization — The Mack Foundation, providing unity amongst the youth through a positive sports atmosphere, and partnered with Atlanta’s ‘The Skills Factory.’ Mack enjoys providing accessibility to emerging entrepreneurs and rising adolescent athletes.

MORGAN PHILLIPS
Product/Tech Judge
Morgan Phillips leads venture partnerships at Cox Enterprises, which includes running two Techstars accelerator programs along with several other venture partnerships (e.g., Engage, Startup Runway and Endeavor). Morgan is passionate about the tremendous growth happening in Atlanta’s venture ecosystem, and she is focused on finding new ways for Cox to support founders in their journey to making the world a better place. She has a background in management consulting, corporate strategy and M&A.
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Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute
Atlanta, GA 30303