WHO WE ARE
Maven Scouts is a product development & market intelligence firm focused on the commercialization of Dual Use Technologies. We specialize in Accelerator and Small Business Consortia Management, Product Development, IP Formation/Commercialization consulting and Testing Inspection Certification services
MEET THE MAVENS
Grant Rogers
Founder / Chief Executive Officer
Mr.Rogers is an 8-year U.S. Army Veteran and entrepreneur leveraging over 17 years as a leader and change agent whose operations and founding experience possess a demonstrated history of using training and team building to create operational efficiency and effectiveness in organizations of over 1K employees. Skilled in Operational Planning, Project Management, Intelligence, counterintelligence, Business Intelligence, Analysis, and Product Development. He is a trusted technology scout to C-level executives. He is skilled in research, analysis, and examination of operational practices and procedures. Accustomed to working in fast-paced environments with the ability to think quickly and successfully navigate difficult situations.
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Zanoni is a 22-year U.S. Air Force veteran, leveraging over 25 years as a leader and connector with a demonstrated history of working in SBIR/STTR, funding, and industry. He is skilled in Training and development, Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of Defense, and Security Training. He has Organizational Management and Operations skills focused on Organizational Leadership from Ashford University. Currently, he is working on SBIR, innovation, and problem-solving. He is developing and modifying products to meet the DOD's needs
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Upshaw is a private equity investor and an Accounting-Audit/Management Consultant, CFO with over 14 years of experience in Serves Integrated Risk Services as a Managing Partner leading the strategic vision and overall operations of the company and its Managers including fundraising & reporting, compliance, and portfolio management. Mr. Upshaw has 15 years of experience working in the financial domain. Mr. Upshaw served as a senior associate for KPMG where his areas of focus included: treasury management, property, plant, and equipment, internal use software, stock-based compensation (ASC 718), equity, ASC 606 assessments, internal controls, and consolidation. Mr Upshaw currently works for BG Solutions where he works on credit unions for the Real Estate Lending Department. His primary responsibilities in this role are Return on Assets (ROA) for mortgage loans held for investment, mortgage loans held for sale, equity lines of credit, and originated
mortgage servicing rights (OMSRs). Additional responsibilities include assembly of the annual financial plan (AFP) information, presentations to department leadership, and preparation of deliverables for report 5300 to the National Credit Union Association (NCUA). Mr. Upshaw has a BBA in Accounting with a minor in Management from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Venture Capitalist / Board Member
Mr. Upshaw is an experienced cross-functional executive who recently exited from VC Mgmt company and 9 related seed investments made from 2017-2022 in small business research companies working with the Dept of Defense and critical industry. His current portfolio includes commercial and residential real estate (LA and CO) and regulated service companies. He has significant experience in M&A, product development/launch, change management, negotiation, corporate strategy, capital stacks, deal assembly, regulatory & risk management, government procurement, business development, business model development, corporate finance, and private investments across real estate, traditional and non-traditional asset classes.
Chief Evangelist Officer / Board Member
Mr. Barnett, has 30+ years experience as an accomplished and driven leader with a strong portfolio of effective and documented business successes focused on growing market share through technological innovations combined with enriched business and operational practices.
Mentor / Board Member
Dr. Alethea Duhon brings over two decades of expertise in national security, defense, and engineering, where she has held several key senior executive and senior technical leadership roles across both government and private sectors. Recognized widely for her contributions, Dr. Duhon has an impressive collection of publications, patents, and awards. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is an entrepreneur, angel investor, children’s book author, and startup advisor, who still manages to prioritize mentoring. Her commitment not only underscores her vast knowledge but also her dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators