Dr. Quentin (גָּד) Jones is the co-founder and CEO of CooWe, a startup that emerged from his groundbreaking multi-million dollar NSF-funded research in computer-supported human coordination. As the Principal Investigator on these grants, Dr. Jones’s work was recognized for its commercial potential through the NSF i-Corps program. With expertise in Computer Supported Cooperative Work and specialized knowledge in recommendation systems—including social matching and location-aware technologies—he is poised to drive innovation and create impactful solutions that enhance human collaboration.

Dr. Jones’s career as an innovator spans three continents. He started in Australia, developing software that improved communication between oncologists and cancer patients. In Israel, he innovated mobile location-aware systems while earning a Ph.D. focused on online community interactions. In the U.S., he contributed to pioneering projects at AT&T Labs on social network visualization before becoming a professor at NJIT.

His research includes developing privacy-protection methods for mobile apps and social media, creating tools like ContactMap to prioritize relationships in communication, and exploring social matching systems that illuminate interactions in digital and physical spaces.

Fun fact: Dr. Jones coined the term “cyber-archaeology,” providing a theoretical framework for understanding virtual communities and their artifacts.

Sean Ballard, co-founder and COO of CooWe, has a rich background that seamlessly blends finance and tech innovation. He co-founded Metre, where he harnessed cutting-edge technology to unlock the potential of metabolic datasets, revolutionizing health and nutrition.

Prior to Metre, he co-founded Eigenvector, a hedge fund that demonstrated the financial benefits of innovative approaches and under-utilized datasets in capital markets. His journey began at Goldman Sachs, where he gained crucial insights into the financial industry, laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial ventures and his passion for data-driven solutions.

Sean serves on the Business Affairs committee of the board at Annual Reviews, a leading scientific publisher, keeping him at the forefront of scientific research. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Brigham Young University.

Fun fact: a former collegiate rower, Sean also leads medical teams internationally in response to sudden onset disasters and crises.

Asaf Yosifov, co-founder and CTO of CooWe, is a distinguished venture builder and innovator with deep expertise in early-stage startups. He founded Mindhub Group, which encompasses a venture studio, a software house under MindTech, and a network of international advisors, excelling in deep tech venture building.

Asaf’s tech industry journey is marked by his focus on bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications, consistently demonstrating the transformative power of innovation across various industries.

He serves on several advisory boards and innovation committees, staying at the forefront of technological advancements. Asaf holds an MBA from Bar-Ilan University and a B.Sc. from Hadassah Academic College.

Fun fact: Asaf has recently discovered his guitar skills and is planning a tour in the next 20-30 years.

Alessandra Franceschini is the Lead UX/UI Designer at CooWe, where she leverages her multicultural background and diverse experiences to create seamless and user-friendly interfaces.

Born to Mexican and Italian parents and raised in Monte Carlo, Alessandra has worked with clients around the globe, bringing a unique perspective to her designs. She has a rich history as an investor, having invested in her previous company ClowID in Sweden, and as an entrepreneur, founding her own handbag company in Milan.

Alessandra holds a double degree in Advertising and PR from Universidad Internacional de Cataluña in Barcelona and Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. Her design journey began with self-taught skills, driven by a lifelong admiration for beauty in fashion, interior design, and architecture.

She started designing her own website and handbag collection in 2016, showcasing her natural talent. The COVID-19 pandemic led her to focus on mastering design, completing a master’s program and continually learning new trends and techniques.

Fun fact: Alessandra is a talented pianist, having completed 10 years of conservatory in Monaco. Her diverse skill set and passion for beauty and functionality make her a key asset to CooWe.