Check out EO Detroit’s events. To register for each, login to the EO Network site. Click each to view more information.
From Ann Arbor to a $1.5 Billion Exit: In the Boardroom with Don Hicks
June 17 @ 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm EDT
Description :
Join EO Detroit for an exclusive “In the Boardroom” evening with Don Hicks — an intimate, behind-the-scenes conversation with one of Michigan’s most successful entrepreneurs and visionary founders.
This is not a keynote. It’s not a presentation. It’s a rare opportunity to sit in the room for a real conversation with the founder behind one of only two unicorn companies ever built in Michigan.
During this high-impact two-hour conversation and Q&A, Don Hicks will share the story behind the rise of LLamasoft — from startup to a global supply chain technology powerhouse that ultimately reached an approximately $1.5 billion acquisition.
You’ll hear the real story behind scaling at the highest level:
the wins, the pressure, the pivots, the leadership lessons, the risks, the failures, and the decisions that shaped the journey from founder to unicorn.
Don Hicks is the founder and former CEO of LLamasoft, the groundbreaking supply chain modeling and analytics company that transformed the industry through advanced technology, optimization, and innovation. Today, he serves as Founder and CEO of Optilogic, a next-generation AI-powered supply chain design platform helping organizations build smarter, more resilient businesses.
Beyond technology, Don is also the Managing Director of Multiverse Investments and proprietor of Blue LLama Enterprises and Blue LLama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor — blending entrepreneurship, innovation, hospitality, music, and culture into one unforgettable experience.
This event combines elevated conversation, exceptional atmosphere, dinner, and live music for a uniquely curated EO Detroit experience.
Following the conversation and Q&A, members will transition directly into dinner, networking, and an evening surrounded by the energy of live jazz and meaningful connection.
If you’ve ever wanted an honest look inside what it really takes to build something extraordinary — this is the room to be in.
Come for the conversation. Stay for the experience.