Jacob Lopata
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Xoca World Ltd.
Jacob is a highly driven entrepreneur with management experience in aviation, space, Internet, and food & beverage startups. He has also provided strategic guidance and start-up mentoring for early stage companies in a wide range of industries including aerospace, video games, and renewable energy.
Jacob was a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, and then Chairman of the Board, of The Space Launch Corporation, a prime government defense and space contractor. As a leader within the company, Jacob was instrumental in developing and executing a business and technical strategy that led to the award and execution of launch system development contracts totaling $26M with the Department of Defense.
Jacob is currently a founder and CEO of Xoca World. Xoca is a functional beverage startup bringing to market a line of unique, all-natural energy drinks and prebiotic sodas made from the discarded and under-appreciated parts of the cacaofruit.
Jacob earned his B.S in Aerospace Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and his M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT. He is also a commercial pilot and flight instructor.
Innovative, Better for You Beverages: What’s Next?
There’s no more fluid, dynamic market than beverages, which showcase nearly every imaginable trend. What tastes, trends and topics dominated 2022—and what’s likely to influence new products in 2023? One expert with a broad and first-hand perspective is Chicago’s Imbibe Inc., a third-party consultant and product developer. Come hear Andy Dratt, Imbibe’s Chief Commercial Officer, lead a panel discussion exploring all angles of new, better-for-your beverages.