Show and tell with Ann Arbor’s tech visionaries.
October 3, 2025 | 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free | Liberty Plaza – Downtown Ann Arbor
Presented by Ann Arbor SPARK.
Tech Talk hits the stage during Tech Trek with rapid-fire tech demos from some of the region’s most exciting innovators. Liberty Plaza transforms into an open-air theater of invention where the public can see, hear, and touch what’s next. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s your chance to experience tech in action.
Tech Talk Speakers
Plus more being announced soon!
Mason J. Ferlic, MSE, OLY
Co-founder, President, and CEO
GripFusion
Mason Ferlic is the Co-founder, President, and CEO of GripFusion, a sports technology company pioneering AI-powered sporting equipment for real-time grip analysis and biomechanical feedback. Under his leadership, GripFusion has developed the ForceBall–the world’s first instrumented baseball capable of capturing grip pressure, finger placement, and release mechanics of every pitch. Mason has led GripFusion from concept to venture-backed company, overseeing core IP development, product engineering, and go-to-market execution. He is the lead inventor on multiple patents and has developed a cross-functional roadmap that spans hardware, software, and data science.
An accomplished athlete, Mason represented the U.S. at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the 3000m steeplechase and is a former NCAA National Champion. He continues to compete professionally on the international stage as a sponsored athlete for Team Adidas. His elite athlete background directly informs GripFusion’s mission—leveraging technology to enhance performance and mitigate injury through real-time, data-driven feedback systems.
Mason is also a Ph.D. candidate in Statistics at the University of Michigan, where he develops adaptive algorithms and novel experimental designs for precision medicine in mobile health applications. His research on dynamic decision-making and personalized interventions underpins GripFusion’s proprietary AI-driven platform, enabling intelligent, personalized coaching models and dynamic workload monitoring.
Prior to founding GripFusion, Mason managed the Michigan Performance Research Lab, leading biomechanical assessments and sensor integration projects with professional and collegiate teams. He has also held roles in aerospace engineering (General Atomics), data science (Tracksmith), and clinical biomechanics (UM Orthopedic Surgery), which have provided him with a multidisciplinary foundation for advancing human performance analytics.
Originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Mason now lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he met his wife, Catherine, a talented figure skater with a career in public health.
As CEO, Mason is currently raising a seed round to scale product manufacturing, expand GripFusion’s customer base in professional and collegiate baseball, and build the AI platform that will power the next generation of data-informed athletic performance.
Mason J. Ferlic, MSE, OLY
GripFusion
Nikunj Jain, Thought Labs
Founder
Thought Labs
Nikunj Jain is a creative thinker who has dedicated his career to fostering innovation across various industries. With a diverse background encompassing Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech, Transportation Styling from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and an MBA in Marketing Strategy from the SPJ Institute of Management & Research in India, Nikunj brings a unique perspective to problem-solving.
His approach involves viewing challenges from multiple angles – Strategy, Technology, Design, and Creative Business Models. Nikunj believes in the power of chaos to challenge conventional thinking and drive innovation. He has written extensively on topics such as imagination, creativity, preparing for challenge innovation, and cultivating an innovative organizational culture.
Through his work and writings, Nikunj aims to inspire others to embrace unconventional thinking and drive positive change.
Nikunj Jain
Thought Labs
John Sapp, Navitas Systems
President
Navitas Systems
As President of Navitas, an East Penn Company, John Sapp is responsible for all areas of the Lithium-Ion Battery division, bringing over 30 years of global high-tech Engineering, Operations, and Business Development experience to this role.
John’s visionary approach drives his ability to implement transformative strategies within the lithium-ion battery sector. His most relevant experience stems from over a decade at A123 Systems, a mid-sized Tier 1 automotive supplier that engineered and manufactured lithium-ion battery cells, modules, and both low and high voltage packs for numerous global OEMs. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in growing the automotive division from a 12-person U.S.-based start-up to a global company with 2,500 employees generating $500 million annually. The company operated facilities in the US, Europe, China, and Korea, producing tens of millions of battery cells and hundreds of thousands of battery packs.
John’s key leadership roles in Operations, Engineering, Program Management, Supplier Quality, and Business Development, along with his 2 years of experience as President of the China Division, where he oversaw over 1,000 employees across 1 million square feet of facilities in two cities, highlight his commitment to continuous improvement and high standards, which have been instrumental in driving operational excellence.
To complement his experience at A123, John also worked at Vertiv, a U.S.-based provider of critical infrastructure and services for data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments. As the Executive Director of Global Product Development Process and Governance, he was responsible for the Global Program/Product Management team, integrating battery backup products into the company’s portfolio. His analytical mindset enables him to identify patterns and trends, ensuring that product development aligns with market needs.
John began his career at TRW Automotive, one of the world’s largest Tier 1 automotive suppliers, where he help lead product development for vehicle stability control and anti-lock brake systems. As Chief Engineer of the North American Brake Systems group, he led a team of approximately 50 engineers. His involvement in industry firsts, such as the launch of Rear Wheel Anti-Lock brakes and Stability Control Systems, showcases his effectiveness in translating strategic objectives into tangible outcomes.
John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Systems Design/Optimization, both from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. John resides in Ann Arbor with his wife.
John Sapp
Navitas Systems
Dean Streck, APT Solar
CEO
APT Solar
Dean Streck is the CEO of APT Solar Solutions, an Ann Arbor–based company pioneering next-generation 3D solar technology. He brings over 25 years of experience leading technology-driven companies, with a proven record of turning complex concepts into market-ready innovations.
At APT Solar Solutions, Dean is spearheading the development of advanced cylindrical solar modules — a three-dimensional design that stacks panels vertically inside a clear tube. This breakthrough makes solar viable in places where traditional flat panels struggle, from smart city infrastructure and IoT sensors to rural and off-grid sites.
Before joining APT Solar Solutions, Dean built and scaled multiple companies serving global leaders in aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, earning recognition for his ability to drive both innovation and execution. Today, he’s channeling that expertise into advancing the future of accessible, sustainable solar power.
Dean Streck
APT Solar
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