Blog

OPEN 2024 Deserves a Spot on Your Spring Calendar—Here Are Three Reasons Why

Still considering whether you might attend OPEN this year? Here’s what you missed at OPEN 2023.

Startup Horror Stories: Scary Situations Entrepreneurs Can Avoid with Stress Tests

Frightened to fail? Face your fears! Use our free stress test to identify your startup’s vulnerabilities and brainstorm contingency plans.

Beyond the Classroom: Challenging the Traditional Teaching Model for Engineering Students

Bayo Ogundipe of James Madison University shares his approach to introducing engineering students to the global nature of innovation.

Five Most Highly Rated OPEN 2023 Breakout Sessions

These five workshop sessions were rated by OPEN 2023 attendees as having “extremely” valuable content and as being “extremely” engaging.

No Stone Unturned: KLAW Industries Is Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Concrete

Jacob Kumpon, co-founder of KLAW Industries, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur with the support of the E-Team Program.

Training Future Problem Solvers Through Human-Centered Design and Design Thinking

Carlee Bishop of Agnes Scott College discusses her approach to integrating design thinking into human-centered design with the support of our Course & Program Grants.

The Inventor Series Sponsored By Qualcomm: Featuring Haley Noelle of 3D-OPS

Haley Noelle, CEO of 3D Organic Polymer Silk (3D-OPS), describes how Qualcomm’s Innovator Stipend Program helped develop her technology and earn important validations.

Sarah Says: How To Leverage School Breaks To Advance Your Innovation

VentureWell Program Officer Sarah Wharmby explains the ways student entrepreneurs can fit advancing their innovations into their schedules.

Reskilling: READI Is Gamifying Workforce Training Through a Virtual Reality Learning Platform

Elissa Russell, CEO and founder of READI, and Timesha Brooks, COO of READI, share their unique path to entrepreneurship with the support of the E-Team Program.

From End Zone to Market: Reaction Technologies Tackles ‘Heads Up’ Concussion Safety

Brandon Martin, CEO of Reaction Technologies, shares his unique path to entrepreneurship with the support of the Aspire program.

Teaching the Value of Waste

Course & Program grantee and Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas Taryn Mead offers advice for faculty seeking ways to integrate waste stream innovation into their courses.

Celebrating Sylvia Robles, Our 2023 Sustainable Practice Impact Awardee

Dr. Sylvia Robles from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was named our 2023 Sustainable Practice Impact Award winner.

Sarah Says: How To Find the Right Mentor

Sarah Wharmby offers advice for early-stage innovators on developing and maintaining mentor relationships.

13 Class Activities To Stimulate Inventor-Entrepreneurs

Inventor entrepreneurs are benefiting from cutting-edge I&E classroom exercises used by VentureWell’s Course & Program Grants recipients.

Inspiring Sustainable Design: Circular Economy—Design for a Lifetime

To help faculty engage students in green design methods, we spotlight key exercises from the Tools for Design and Sustainability course.

Cultivating Inclusivity: Why Mentorship Matters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Find out how to provide mentorship to students who may not feel like they belong in innovation and entrepreneurship.

At-Home DNA Testing: A Q&A with Ana Cornell of Acorn Genetics

Hear from Ana Cornell about her E-Team Acorn Genetics, which is developing a low-cost, at-home DNA testing kit that enables users to privately test for genetic conditions.

Combating Cardiac Arrest: A Q&A with Heather Holman of Heartbeat Technologies

Hear from Heather Holman about her E-Team Heartbeat Technologies, which is working to treat patients experiencing cardiac arrest by increasing blood flow to the heart.

Inspiring Sustainable Design: Green Materials—How To Build Better

Learn how to teach students to incorporate green materials into their inventions with exercises from the Tools for Design and Sustainability.

Sarah Says: What Customer Discovery Approach Is Right for You?

Sarah Wharmby defines the different types of customer discovery interviews early-stage innovators can use.