Early Stage Innovators

Building a Strong Network as a Medtech Company: An Interview With Jason Kang

Jason Kang, co-founder of Aspire alumnus Kinnos, shares advice for other early-stage founders.

The Inventor Series Sponsored By Qualcomm: Featuring WAVED Medical

Kendra Batchelder, co-founder of WAVED Medical, explains how the Qualcomm Innovator Stipend Program helped pay for legal fees associated with securing rights to intellectual property.

It Takes An Innovation Ecosystem To Grow a Student Entrepreneur

Angel Teagle was a student at Elizabeth City State University with an idea that would become Car Seat Companion. An ecosystem of resources helped him grow into an entrepreneur.

Accelerating Climate Justice Through Solar Energy

Entrepreneurs whose innovations have been funded by the American-Made Solar Prize and the JEDI Contest and a mentor who worked closely with applicants share their insights into the competition and its benefits.

Meet American-Made Solar Prize Finalist Monique Dyers of EmpowerSun Solutions

Monique Dyers, founder and CEO of EmpowerSun Solutions, shares her experiences with being a finalist for the American-Made Solar Prize Round 7 and winner of the JEDI Contest.

Do You Have the Right Answers to these Intellectual Property Questions?

In honor of World Intellectual Property Day, we put together a quick-reference guide on the role IP rights play in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Celebrating ReJoule, VentureWell’s 2024 Sustainable Practice Impact Awardee

ReJoule won our 2024 Sustainable Practice Impact Award for its circular economy for lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Protecting Patient Privacy: Acorn Genetics Is Revolutionizing DNA Testing

Max Derbyshire, COO of Acorn Genetics, shares how the E-Team Program and the Aspire investor-engagement program advanced his innovation.

The Inventor Series Sponsored By Qualcomm: Featuring CurveAssure

Evan Haas and Antony Fuleihan, CEO and CFO of CurveAssure, describe how Qualcomm’s Innovator Stipend Program helped in allowing them to file their first provisional patent.

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.

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.

Sarah Says: How To Find the Right Mentor

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

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.

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.

What Is Non-Dilutive Funding and Why Is It So Important for Early-Stage Innovators?

When you’re just starting out as an early-stage innovator, the number of funding opportunities can be overwhelming. Learn how non-dilutive funding can be right for your venture.

Sarah Says: Mapping Three Paths for Student Innovators

Sarah Wharmby maps out three possible paths student innovators can take on their entrepreneurial journey.