From Research to Revenue: Tomer Joshua, MBA '25, transforms PhDs into Entrepreneurs at the Cornell Tech Runway Program!! we chatted about:
- how PhDs can commercialize their research, and build a startup
- the Runway Program, how PhDs benefit from the amazing curriculum and community
- when to start thinking about entrepreneurship, how to first get started
(0:00) what is the runway program? (4:36) who should apply (8:54) the curriculum (11:40) transforming from a PhD to an entrepreneur (15:11) funding sources (21:08) Tomer's personal journey to runway program (23:37) Executive MBA programs at Cornell (27:03) how PhDs first think about startups (29:46) how to sign up for I-Corps courses (32:16) success metrics (37:20) professors encourage entrepreneurship (38:53) closing question

Professor Meredith Silberstein started Cornell's Engineered Living Materials Institute!! we chatted about:
- the power of biology in creating materials, to improve everyday life
- interdisciplinary research, collaborating between different colleges
- how to build a research institute, with an exciting research platform
(0:00) what are engineered living materials (7:39) culture of scientific creativity (10:37) interdisciplinary collaboration at Cornell (17:25) how to think up new projects (21:38) commonality between projects (26:08) how biology builds a new house (31:57) how Cornell encourages collaboration (35:26) build up the reputation of institute (40:02) bronze age, iron age, biomaterial age (42:27) closing question

Kristin Hook, PhD '16, is a Scientist, Running for Congress, for a 2nd time!! we chatted about:
- why it is important to run for Congress, how to be a good public servant
- how to build grassroots support, and recruit the volunteers and staff
- what is science policy, and how the government is important in science
(0:00) Why it's important to run for Congress (7:55) Listening to constituents on the campaign trail (11:28) Benefits of running for a second time (16:14) How to run a campaign (21:49) Leading a campaign (27:21) What is special about her district (29:02) What is science policy (37:26) Closing question

Betsy Lowe, MRP ’80, is Founder of the Wild Center, the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks!! we chatted about:
- building grassroots support, political support, and raising $30m to build the Museum
- how the museum grew over time, by adding more exhibits, and growing the membership
- the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, and the importance of public service
(0:00) NY State and Adirondacks (13:00) Starting the Wild Center (17:44) Building grassroots and political support (22:42) Wild Center experience (27:12) How to get good at fundraising (33:13) Building the initial team (35:29) Graduating from Cornell and career path (40:32) Closing question

Pam Marrone ’78 is a Serial Entrepreneur, she's sold 3 companies and took 1 public!! we chatted about:
- how her new startup protects ecosystems from invasive species, by discovering microbes that kill the species!
- the biologic pesticide industry trends, the distribution channels, sales processes!
- her career trajectory, from PhD in entomology to serial entrepreneurship!!
(0:00) What are invasive species? (6:16) The science behind discovering new products (11:34) How her startups get better each time she founds a new one (14:52) Pesticide industry trends (20:07) Distribution of the pesticides (28:31) Career trajectory (32:57) Investor dynamics (36:03) Taking a company public with IPO (38:34) Thought leadership in industry (39:45) Closing question

Deborah Muller ’87 is Founder and CEO of HR Acuity, the leading employee relations HR software!! we chatted about:
- the exciting HR function of employee relations, how every F500 company has an employee relations function now
- working with Private Equity firms, how growth equity can help grow the company!
- how she started the software business, transforming from consulting services to a software business!
(0:00) What is employee relations? and HR Acuity? (6:00) Employee relations best practices (13:11) Positioning the software business (15:16) How Deborah started the business (21:24) Transition from consulting to technology (26:59) Venture capital and private equity funding (33:00) Importance of capital in growing businesses (34:37) Leading the employee relations function (39:22) Closing question

Eli Lehrer ’98 is cofounder of a Think Tank in Washington, DC!! we chatted about:
- what is a think tank? how to develop policy ideas
- how to build expertise, and build credibility with policy makers
- how to grow a think tank to 80 full-time staff
(0:00) What is a think tank? (5:37) Policy areas to cover (10:31) How to build expertise (15:59) Expertise and influence (19:26) Example of influence on AI policy (26:42) How to grow a think tank (32:50) Financial side of a think tank (39:12) Closing question

Akhil Iyengar ’26 dropped out of Cornell, to go through YC, and start a Startup!! we talked about:
- how his startup helps retailers and PE portcos with pricing/promotion strategies
- the YC accelerator, how it made them more ambitious and think bigger
- what it was like dropping out of Cornell in his junior year
Startup: https://www.operand.com/
(0:00) What is his startup? What is pricing strategy? (8:28) How clients use their AI software (11:17) How the AI creates value (14:03) How to become the best in pricing strategy (18:10) Private equity firms are the ideal customers (20:57) Pricing for their own product (22:49) Journey from being a Cornell Junior to being a startup founder (26:02) Applying to Y Combinator (33:20) Startup fundraising process (35:17) Closing question