Alex Espalin

Alex Espalin

Alex Espalin is Partner and Co-Founder of Cantu Restaurant Concepts--a restaurant venture offering a feast for all the senses in an immersive, imaginative and inspiring setting showcasing the latest molecular gastronomy.  In addition, Alex oversees a dynamic venture portfolio with an interest in several start-up companies and is a lecturer at Georgia Tech University's College of Management.

Throughout his career, Alex has evaluated over $5 billion in capital acquisitions, investments, and new product opportunities; and he has either led or significantly contributed to the commercialization of many new products currently enjoyed by millions of consumers worldwide.  Alex's corporate career includes roles in business development, marketing, and innovation for such industry leading companies as Disney and Coca-Cola. 

Alex has been featured by CNN, Food Network, USA Today, and other media sources.  Most notably, he was credited as the “marketing brains” behind a revolutionary, all natural fruit product called “Fizzy Fruit”--winner of Popular Science magazine's "Best of What's New" award for innovation.  Fizzy Fruit is currently served in school cafeterias across the United States. 

Alex earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and Harvard University.
 

For inquiries related to Cantu Restaurant Concepts, please contact Alex Espalin at:

aespalin[@]cantudesigns.com

Linda Suzu Kawano
Ph.D

Vice President
New Business Development 

As Vice President, New Business Development, Dr. Linda Kawano is responsible for implementing the creations and concepts of Chef Homaro Cantu. Dr. Kawano's experience in evaluating and commercializing new technologies spans over nineteen years. Early in her business career, Dr Kawano held postions at Amersham Corporation in technical sales support, marketing and new business development. She has served as the director of Northwestern University's intellectual property licensing office and later negotiated technology aquisition agreements for Abbott Laboratories. For the past nine years, as the founder of GroupOptima, she has rendered intellectual property management and high technology business services to corporations and universities throughout the US, Canada and Japan. Dr. Kawano is a former board member of the Association of University Technology Managers. She received her BS in Biological Sciences and PhD in Biological Sciences and Experimental Pathology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The diverse applications of Cantu Designs' technology span multiple business sectors. To see if Cantu Designs can be of assistance to you in your organization's next project please call (773-763-7987) or email us at lkawano[@]cantudesigns.com to discuss your interests.