Moore Impact: The Darla Moore School of Business Podcast

Qatalyst Health and Fostering New Businesses at DMSB

Episode Summary

Brandon Mendez has had a hand through student project teams in supporting two new businesses at USC: Qatalyst Health and SOS eCharging. In this episode we talk about both and unpack some of the questions business owners face when getting a new idea up and going.

Episode Notes

Season 2 Episode 28

Qatalyst Health and other Startups Fostered into Fruition at the Moore School

Host
- Dr. Kasie Whitener, Clinical Assistant Professor, Management
Guest
- Brandon Mendez, Clinical Assistant Professor, Finance

Brandon Mendez is a clinical assistant professor of finance at the Darla Moore School of Business. He teaches courses in corporate finance and investments. His professional experience includes time in financial services, internal auditing, controllership, and management consulting. He has previously served in the U.S. Navy as a naval flight officer.

Brandon earned his Ph.D in finance from Florida State University. His research interests are in corporate and labor finance. He has a particular interest in the art market and its function. Brandon teaches courses in corporate finance and investments.

We discussed SOS eCharging and I couldn’t remember the partner’s name, only Mac Whittle. Don Mills is the business partner and Founder and President of SOS eCharging. Watch the demo video here.

Some topics include:

Brandon’s involvement with Qatalyst and the challenge posed by Jeff Savage
The evolution of Qatalyst through contest wins and grant funding
The future for Qatalyst and the opportunity for DMSB to stay engaged
SOS eCharging and the evolution through project work of that idea
Comparable businesses and how companies get off the ground
SC Nexus and energy grid infrastructure
The business model for SOS eCharging and the possibilities