{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Owl Have You Know","title":"Entrepreneurship is in the Rice DNA feat. Al Danto ’00","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/ab688332\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4409,"description":"Al Danto, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship, has been a trusted mentor and beloved member of the Rice Business community for more than two decades. A serial entrepreneur, he launched his first company at the age of 23, growing it through multiple acquisitions before selling to a private equity-backed group. After earning his MBA at Rice Business, he returned to teach New Enterprise, Enterprise Acquisition and their corresponding E-labs – guiding students as they build and acquire businesses of their own. He is also a driving force behind the Veterans Business Battle. Beyond his professional success, Al has had a personal journey few could imagine. In May 2022, Al experienced two life-threatening medical crises and was placed on advanced life support. Sixty-five days later, he walked out of the hospital determined to return to the classroom, and by October, he was back. In this episode of Owl Have You Know, Al shares his extraordinary career journey, his story of recovery and why he urges everyone to “grab life” and make a difference. Episode Guide:00:22 Meet Al Danto: The Entrepreneurial Legend01:01 Al Danto’s Early Ventures and Successes07:56 Scaling the Business and Strategic Exits12:32 The Rice MBA Experience16:55 Launching Universal Worker20:31 Rice Alliance and the Rice Business Plan Competition25:52 Teaching and Mentoring at Rice29:22 Identifying the Secret Sauce of Successful Entrepreneurs33:42 Personal Health Challenges and Overcoming Adversity43:38 The Role of Mentorship and Support in Success49:00 The Veterans Business Battle: Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs51:24 Vision for the Future of Rice UniversityOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On the tough realities of entrepreneurship and success[26:44] Maya Pomroy: For people to sign up to really take these risks, what do you think that it is that you bring? That people are so excited about.[26:53] Al Danto: First thing I try to do is talk...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/TJ_bP9v1zp60qvMRjx8jTuTiOVRFDdgjR-9C4xy2Tmg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzE1ODMyLzE2MDM5/OTczNzQtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}