Steven Sponder awarded FAU BOT Service Award
Release Date: Apr 30, 2012
Steve Sponder is a serial entrepreneur and inventor who has founded innovative companies in multiple industry sectors. He has created everything from restaurant concepts to information technology companies as well as mass market consumer goods.
Leading U.S. and European Venture Capital firms and corporate venture funds have backed Sponder with several rounds of investment. Over the past twenty-five years, he has led organizations through all stages from original concept development, raising capital, building a management team, forming strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions.
Sponder was chosen for joint-venture partnerships with global leading companies. Microsoft Corporation was the first global company to select Sponder for a strategic joint-venture partnership. In 1994, Microsoft chose Sponder to create Hospitality Industry business content for the launch of MSN – The Microsoft Network. Sponder interacted directly with top Microsoft executives (including co-founder Bill Gates.) Microsoft’s Board of Directors identified Mr. Sponder as one of their most innovative partners. AOL Time Warner also selected Sponder’s venture capital funded company for a joint-venture partnership to build the majority of AOL’s industry tailored business content and tools used by millions of AOL subscribers worldwide.
Sponder is a passionate advocate for FAU and volunteers in several areas including The Foundation Board, The College of Business Dean’s Executive Council and The College of Engineering and Computer Science Advisory Council. He also mentors FAU students who are aspiring entrepreneurs and speaks to classes about his diverse business creation experiences.
Sponder is currently the founder and CEO of VPLENISH®, Inc., located in the FAU Research & Development Park. His company developed a patent pending taste-free 100% RDA multivitamin in a tabletop sweetener-style packet.