Bryan McGann, a veteran entrepreneur, inventor, investor and attorney, is the new executive director of the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network for North Carolina, which provides mentoring and other services to entrepreneurial companies.

McGann is currently an entrepreneur in residence at UNC-Chapel Hill and is a senior lecturing fellow at Duke University.

Judith Cone had served as interim executive director.

A lawyer at the Smith Anderson firm, McGann also was one of the Carolina Angel Network’s founders, according to BEN.

In the announcement of his selection, BEN notes that McGann “is the inventor and founder of the Pill Pockets® brand pet treats, the world’s leading medicine delivery aid for animals. His company was acquired by Mars, Incorporated and the Pill Pockets® brand is now sold across the United States and around the world under various Mars brands.”

McGann, who attended both UNC-CH and Duke, holds multiple degrees. He also is a co-owner of Sundial Homes at Lake Gaston, a general contracting firm.

BEN notes that is has now:

  • Participated in 1000+ startup events
  • Held over 10,000 feedback meetings
  • Made 25,000+ connections
  • Helped raise over $50 million
  • Impacted 300+ companies

Its 15 entrepreneur-in-residence mentors in NC have the collective experience of:

  • 46 companies founded
  • Over 5000 employees
  • Over $1 Billion raised (as founders)
  • Over $4.2 Billion raised (non-founders)
  • 6 IPOs
  • Exit values of $10.2 Billion

BEN at-a-glance

The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) was launched with a gift from The Blackstone Charitable Foundation in 2011. The Network provides expert venture coaching via a veteran group of Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIRs) who help identify marketable innovations out of area universities and regional startups with the greatest potential to become high-growth companies.

Blackstone EIRs work one-on-one and in a team setting with portfolio companies, helping them reach business milestones, and connecting them with sector experts, funders, and angel investors. BEN Companies and EIRs are supported by Blackstone Fellows, who conduct market research, financial modeling, competitive analysis and due diligence for companies in the Network.

BEN regional partners include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED).

Source: BEN

http://www.bennorthcarolina.com/