Early Stage Innovators

8 Podcasts We Can’t Stop Listening To

Podcasts shaping how we think about the future of science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

Masters of Invention: What Lonnie Johnson and Franziska Trautmann Teach Us About Innovation

Invention takes many forms, shaped by time, place, and perspective. For Dr. Lonnie Johnson, it began with tinkering in his family’s home in Mobile, Alabama,…

The Challenges of Bringing a Revolutionary Innovation to Market—And Some Solutions

Some innovations are so groundbreaking that the excitement around them can hinder their path to commercialization. When an innovation sounds too good to be true,…

Summer Reading Picks From the VentureWell Executive Team

Members of our executive leadership team share a selection of books that have recently inspired or challenged them.

Sustainable Industrial Laundry Using Ultrasonic Waves: A Journey of Customer Discovery

Ultropia, an E-Team Program and Aspire Climatetech alumnus, is working to revolutionize the laundry space, with ultrasonic technology that works faster and uses less water and energy.

Stepping Back To Move Forward: Practical Strategies for Healthier Startup Cultures

Founder mental health isn’t a peripheral issue. It’s a critical factor in startup outcomes.

Creative Funding Sources for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs: Interview With Brian Kerns

Aspire mentor Kerns advises that creative founders turn over all rocks when pursuing funding—exploring federal, state, and local options as well as accelerators, incubators, and assistance programs.

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.