Sectors: AI, B2B SAAS, Marketplace, Automotive, Dual-Use Supply Chain Technology
The automotive space is evolving at lightning speed with higher fuel efficiency, autonomous vehicles and EV infrastructure expanding every day. Unfortunately, automotive supply chains are bogged down struggling to keep up because of out-dated systems. After COVID, we’ve seen how fragile our supply chains are, most notably in the automotive sector. Auto repair and insurance prices continue to sky rocket and in today’s age where conflict continues to escalate, there is no security for our supply chains even though transportation is at the heart of the US economy. As a Veteran owned startup, we intend to fix this problem for good while leveraging AI to revolutionize the way parts are supplied for both commercial and government fleets.
Charles Masters Rodriguez is a successful entrepreneur from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a proven track record in the automotive industry. With over six years of experience, Charles is an expert in e-commerce and marketplaces, specializing in B2B supply chain solutions - bootstrapping his automotive distribution company, MK3 Industries, from the ground up to $2 million in revenue. As a second-time founder, he launched Autoket, an AI-powered marketplace for automotive fleet parts, driven by the challenges he faced scaling his previous business online.
Charles graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Engineering Management and holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Florida International University. He served five years as an Army Dive Officer, with multiple assignment all over the pacific, where he gained firsthand insights into supply chain inefficiencies. His mission now is to leverage Autoket’s technology to revolutionize dual-use supply chains across land, air, and sea.
Autoket has already made waves, winning 1st Place in University Track and securing a Top 5 spot at the 2024 eMerge Americas Pitch Competition, earning a $30,000 grant. Charles has also won accolades like the 2023 Veterans Florida Expo Battle of the Pitches, where he took home a $10,000 prize.
Joseph “Joe” Wyatt is a seasoned logistics and influence operations expert based in Los Angeles, California. A Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of San Francisco’s ROTC program, Joe served nine years in the United States Army, starting as a logistics officer in the Pacific theater. He was later assessed and selected to join Special Operations (SOF) as a Psychological Operations (PSYOP) officer, where he specialized in product management, communications, influence strategies, and supply chain operations in challenging environments like Afghanistan and Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
Throughout his time in SOF, Joe collaborated with joint forces, including the Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan (SOJTF-A), NATO, various NGOs, and private enterprise. His firsthand experience with the inefficiencies in commercial and military supply chains directly aligns with the Autoket mission. Leveraging his expertise in dual-use products and Department of Defense communications, he plays a pivotal role in securing future government contracts for the company.
Joe holds a degree in Communications and Media Studies from the University of San Francisco and is a graduate of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center School. He also maintains a current Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
