GIST Innovation Talks: Recent Episodes
Genesis Lodise
GIST Innovation Talks is a monthly podcast exploring relevant topics for early-stage STEM innovators from around the world. Hosts and guests are industry experts in areas such as startup ecosystem building, early-stage financing, launching and scaling new ventures, fintech, agtech, edtech, healthtech and more.
In this episode of GIST Innovation Talks we explore Social Innovation with innovator and ecosystem builder, Kasia Weina of Evergreen Labs. VentureWell program officer, Khandle Hedrick, leads this discussion as we discuss what makes Social Innovation such an effective force and how to make this model work.
Topics discussed
- For-profit vs not-for-profit vs social innovation/enterprise
- Sectors that social innovation have most impact
- Structuring your business as a social enterprise
- Find grants to support your business in the early days and feasibility work
- Regional adoption of social innovation
- Exciting trends in social innovation
In this episode of GIST Innovation Talks we explore one of the first and most difficult steps an innovator can take on the road to entrepreneurship--leaving the lab and entering the market. Our guest is Christina Pellicane, the VP of Business Development at Lignolix, a cleantech startup focused on converting plant waste into sustainable ingredients and materials. She has a unique crossroads of experiences having begun her career in the laboratory but transitioned into teaching entrepreneurship programs around the globe. VentureWell comms specialist, Genesis Lodise, leads this discussion as we go from lab to market.
Topics discussed
- Transitioning from scientist to business owner
- Using the scientific method for your startup
- Building your team
- Intellectual property
- Company culture
- The role of mentors
In this episode of GIST Innovation Talks we explore ecosystem building with the co-founder of Startup Macedonia, Igor Madzov. Igor and his team engaged, empowered, and grew a relatively young North Macedonian startup ecosystem with great success. In the process, they have inspired the work of startups throughout the Balkans and GIST Innovation Hubs around the world. VentureWell program officer, Marie Silver, who facilitates the GIST Innovation Hub program, leads this discussion.
In this episode of GIST Innovation Talks we learn about the Lean Startup process from Grant Warner, Director of Innovation at Howard University. VentureWell senior program officer Christina Tamer leads the discussion.
In this episode of GIST Innovation Talks we discuss one of the most fundamental aspects of early-stage innovation--team building. Our guest is Ivy Schultz, director of entrepreneurship at Columbia Engineering. Ivy is also an I-Corps instructor, innovation coach, and frequent GIST collaborator. VentureWell comms strategist, Genesis Lodise, leads this discussion through the many facets of startup team building.
This episode of GIST Innovation Talks explores product development with Jaden Johnston, head of business development at Tugboat, a U.S.-based tech startup that has successfully spun off from its larger parent company. Jaden has extensive experience in taking products to market and building and leading cross-functional B2B teams. VentureWell comms strategist, Genesis Lodise, leads this discussion through the world of product development.
Key topics: * Creating new opportunities within your startup * Opening new revenue streams * Expanding from one business model to multiple * Incorporating customer feedback * Roadmapping to scale * Brand affinity & evangelizing * Inbound versus outbound strategy * Finding opportunities in risk
This episode of GIST Innovation Talks dives into ecosystem building with the founder of SizzleScience, Murali Prasad. SizzleScience was the in-country partner for the GIST Investors Malaysia programs and serves as the GIST Innovation Hub for Malaysia. As an innovator and angel investor, Murali Prasad has seen firsthand how important a healthy ecosystem can be to supporting entrepreneurs and investors. VentureWell program officer, Samer Yousif, leads this discussion through both high level and more specific solutions to building a thriving startup ecosystem.
Key topics:
- The four pillars of a thriving startup ecosystem
- Angel investor networks
- GIST's role in supporting ecosystems
- How to engage your ecosystem partners
Resources mentioned in this Talk:
Innovating for Good: GIST Innovation Hubs Roundup Part 3
GIST Celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week 2019 with Events to Support Global Innovators and Entrepreneurs
GIST IHub: SizzleScience
Malaysia Investment Ecosystem Getting Second Boost from GIST Investors
This episode of GIST Innovation Talks explores Global Investment Trends in Latin America with Juliana Garaizar, Board member of the Angel Capital Association, Launch Director of Greentown Labs, and GIST Investors Mexico instructor. She will discuss the exciting trends in global investment across Latin America.
The early-stage startup and investment ecosystem across North and South America is more intertwined than ever. Throughout Latin America, innovative companies solving critical problems are launching everyday. Cross-border investing, from investors across both continents has become the norm.
Early-stage founders face a huge list of hurdles from analyzing markets, designing their solution, to building their team, and fundraising. In this episode of GIST Innovation Talks, we discuss with InnovatorsBox founder Monica Kang about utilizing the creative mindset as a tool for decision making.
Startup founders are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of current events. We're seeing everything from supply chain disruptions to cancelled contracts to closures. And yet we're also hearing about founders using this as an opportunity to reevaluate their business model or pivot into new opportunities.
In today’s podcast we explore Leadership for Today with innovation strategist and lean liftoff educator Dr. Helder Sebastiao to get insights into what startup founders can do in the near-term to navigate their ventures through this unparalleled economic storm.
Host:
Steven Rodriguez
Regional Director, Techstars
Steven is an international speaker and has worked with organizations such as WeWork, World Bank, Techstars, Global Entrepreneurship Network, Gallaudet University, Halcyon House, 1776 in DC, Freelancers Union Spark DC, CMX Hub, and more.
Guest:
Dr. Helder Sebastiao
Innovation Strategist and Mentor
Helder provides consulting in lean startup / lean launch, design thinking, and blue ocean strategy, and mentors startup founders in successfully applying lean startup / lean launch principles to new products / ventures. He also serves as a an Instructor in the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program.