Startups

8 Podcasts We Can’t Stop Listening To

Innovation doesn’t just happen in labs and boardrooms; it unfolds in the stories we tell and the conversations we join. Podcasts bring those ideas to…

Why Wind Matters: Aloft Systems and the Quest for Smarter Shipping

The global shipping industry is under pressure to operate more efficiently and cut fuel costs, all while navigating tight timelines and aging fleets. With ships…

How Prospect Growth Is Revolutionizing Farming With Nanofertilizers

This E-Team Program and NSF I-Corps™ alumni startup is working to bring new technologies to farmers, helping them increase profitability while being responsible stewards of the environment.

FLIPspace in Action: Linking Federal Labs to Arkansas Innovators

At the final FLIPspace: Advanced Mobility Arkansas pitch event in May, attendees got a front-row seat to watch this bold VentureWell pilot unfold.

Designing for Change: How Kit Switch Is Rethinking Construction

The ongoing housing crisis in the United States has created widespread challenges related to access and affordability. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s…

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.

Five Essential (and Mostly Free!) IP Resources Every Innovator Should Know About

By Megan Aanstoos What do Broaster Chicken, “Shake It Off,” and the Sexy Illusions Push-Up Bra have in common? They are all products protected by…

The Impact of Angel Investing: Interview with Anne Maghas

After successfully founding three companies, Maghas realized she had valuable insights to share with other founders, particularly those facing similar challenges, as Black women in the innovation and entrepreneurship space.

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.

Mentorship Makes the Difference for Aspire Participants

A transformative part of the Aspire program is the networking, peer-to-peer learning, guidance, and expertise participants receive from working directly with mentors.