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Michael J. Maher
CEO, Start Media
Michael Maher is the CEO of Start Media. He is responsible for all creative and business activities of the organization with a focus on further growing the business though both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
Michael co-founded Wayfare Entertainment (now Start Motion Pictures), a producer and financier of studio quality independent motion pictures. He later founded Start Alternative, an investment vehicle with a focus on real estate, and Start Media, which unites his interests in a multi-faceted media organization bridging exhibition, technology, content production, and publishing.
Michael most recently produced PASSENGERS by Jon Spaihts, alongside Sony Pictures Entertainment. Previously, Michael served as Executive Producer on the science fiction adventure EUROPA REPORT; Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY, starring Zach Galifianakis for Focus Features; and Academy Award winner Neil Jordan's multi-award winning ONDINE, starring Colin Farrell. Michael and James Cameron served as Executive Producers on the 3D underwater adventure feature SANCTUM.
Michael is a graduate of Duke University and has an MBA from New York University.
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Vinay S. Kolla
COO, Start Media
Vinay Kolla serves as COO of Start Media and shares responsibility for the management and growth of Start Media along all of its business lines. Since co-founding Start Media with Michael Maher, Vinay has led the acquisition and investment processes for the company, including Start Alternative.
Prior to Start Media, Vinay was a Principal at Cloverleaf Ventures LLC, a privately held alternative investment group focused in healthcare, life sciences and technology. Vinay began his career at Lazard doing M&A in technology, media and telecommunications. Vinay also helped build the equity capital markets origination platform for both Lazard and HSBC.
Vinay is a graduate of Duke University and has an MBA from Columbia Business School.
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Jarred G. Weisfeld
President, Start Publishing
Jarred Weisfeld started his career as a Production Assistant for Vh1, where he pitched and sold a show to rap sensation Ol' Dirty Bastard and subsequently became ODB's manager. From there he created and produced television shows for Vh1, MTV, Spike TV and Nickelodeon. Recently Jarred has served as Executive Producer on "Gone Too Soon" which was seen in over 50 Countries, "Charlie Sheen: Hollywood Blackbook," and "Chasing Gaga."
Jarred currently serves as CEO of Objective Entertainment; full service literary agency that represents over 250 authors. Since joining Start Publishing, Jarred has acquired over 1300 eBooks in addition to the science fiction publisher Night Shade Books’ entire eBook catalog.
Jarred is a graduate of Lynn University with a BA in Communications.
