Thanks everyone for making our Innovation Celebration such a brilliant success! Bravo to the 2026 INNOVATE100 Leaders! Thanks to our partners: @RutgersU @RutgersResearch @BellLabs @citrincooperman @ValleyBank @bell_works Thanks LG @DaleCaldwell for your leadership. our hosts: Middlesex County, NJ | @ROINJNews | Aspire Studios | Jersey Tech + Innovation Our sponsors: @FDUWhatsNew | @crum_forster | @PSEGdelivers | @Uber | @gofoton | @hbkcpa | @RowanUniversity | @GearhartLaw_LLC | @ChooseNJ | @Siemens | @Lockton | @NJIT | NAI James E. Hanson | @PwC | @caregility | @CraniumAi | @mccarter Theatre |@GibbonsPC | @CogentConnect | @CentralReach | @OrbitVenturesVC | @RWJBH_Jobs | @oceanfirstbank | @Paylocity | Hill Research | @faithcareus | mTap | So Help Me Understand LLC | JumpStart NJ Angels | NJSBDC | TiE New Jersey | Chugh, LLP | ILSE | NJBIA | NetElixir | TAPinto #innovate100 #innovation #leadership #collaboration

It was great to chat with social entrepreneur, Phillip Wilson, CEO, @Ecofiltro, about his impressive global journey. Full convo Ep #159 youtu.be/ndwLRgNa4vA iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed a few things including: 1. His career journey 2. His transition to impact venturing 3. The ecofiltro story 4. Trends, opps and challenges in the impact ecosystem Phillip is an entrepreneur, father, and mentor. Driven by the vision of bringing purified water to communities across the country, they began working together toward that purpose. His mission is to bring health to families around the world through purified water, reducing child malnutrition rates as well as school absenteeism caused by the consumption of contaminated water that leads to gastrointestinal illnesses. In 2010, he took the initiative to transition from a foundation to a social enterprise. Today, after 16 years, the company has more than 150 employees nationwide, exports to 18 countries, and generates over 800,000 sales per year. The current catalog consists of more than 12 models available for different needs, budgets, and styles. Named "Social Entrepreneur of the Year for Central America" by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

Great to catch up with Craig Arnold, Vice Dean for Innovation, @Princeton University, and an #INNOVATE100 honoree. Ep #158 youtu.be/nQBTocNw3ew podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…  open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed: 1. His career journey 2. His research 3. Innovation at Princeton 4. Trends, opps and challenges relating to research/tech transfer in academia 5. Outlook for 2026-2027 As vice dean for innovation, Craig B. Arnold leads the Office of Innovation and oversees the University’s efforts to grow Princeton’s culture of innovation across disciplines. The role aims to strengthen the University’s capacity to engage with entrepreneurs, alumni, industry, technology investors and other potential partners. The vice dean for innovation works closely with offices across campus and within the Office of the Dean for Research, including Technology Licensing and New Ventures, and Strategic Partnerships and Engagement. Arnold is Princeton's Susan Dod Brown Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He leads a vibrant research program that ranges from basic science to applied technology aimed at developing a deeper understanding of materials synthesis and processing in areas including advanced manufacturing, energy storage and conversion, and optics and photonics. He served as the director of the Princeton Materials Institute from 2015 to 2022. In 2017, Arnold received an Edison Patent Award from the Research & Development Council of New Jersey for the creation of an adjustable lens that focuses light in response to sound waves. The tunable acoustic gradient (TAG) lens is now used in many industrial and research applications including robotics, machine vision, industrial metrology and ultra-high precision microscopy. Arnold holds 13 granted patents, and is the co-founder of two companies based on research conducted at Princeton. TAG Optics Inc. developed the TAG lens and was later acquired by a major precision instrument manufacturer. Invictis Technologies is working to create a safer and less painful automated intravenous injection device. Arnold is a preeminent researcher in the field of materials science; he and co-authors have published over 200 scientific papers and book chapters. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the 7th Edition of @volcanosummit: Echoes of Expansion, a unique space for co-creation, innovation, and impact. From September 5th to 7th, we'll move from rising to expanding through 7 Echoes: Purpose, Trust, Community, Innovation, Impact, Transformation, and Expansion. I’m thrilled to speak at Volcano Summit 2026 alongside leaders who are shaping the future of the world. See you there! volcanosummit.com #VolcanoSummit2026 #EchoesOfExpansion #OneConnectionAtATime

Great to catch up with @CoreySandersWA, SVP of Product at @CoreWeave, and an #INNOVATE100 honoree. Ep #157 youtu.be/kjnrVLE6lj4 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed: 1. His career journey 2. CoreWeave's trajectory 3. AI ecosystem/timeline 4. AI trends, opps and challenges 5. Outlook for 2026-2027 Corey is the Senior Vice President of Product at CoreWeave. In this role. He runs the product team focused on the Core AI Cloud, building out infrastructure and platform services for future growth and customer success. Prior to this role, Corey was the Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Cloud for Industry, developing tailored industry solutions at Microsoft as they transform into successful digital businesses. NJ AI Hub @NJEDATech @PlugandPlayTC #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

Great to catch up with one of my favorite leaders, @TomSzaky founder/CEO of @TerraCycle. We discussed his company's 25 year journey in the recyclables sector and his vision for growth. * Full convo - Ep #156: youtu.be/-P6DnldTiv0 iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… Tom is CEO of TerraCycle, an international leader in recycling, recycled content, and reuse. TerraCycle operates in 18 countries, working with some of the world’s largest brands, retailers, and other stakeholders to create national platforms to recycle products and packaging that otherwise go to landfill or incineration. Szaky and TerraCycle also created Loop, the circular reuse platform that enables consumers to purchase products in reusable packaging. Tom and TerraCycle have received hundreds of awards and recognition from organizations including the United Nations, World Economic Forum, Fortune Magazine and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Tom is the author of four books, Revolution in a Bottle, Outsmart Waste, Make Garbage Great and The Future of Packaging. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

Great to catch up with two of the nation's finest ecosystem leaders, @melmedina305, @emergeamericas [April 22-24] emergeamericas.com/ and @seobrien, Founder Institute *Full convo: Ep #152 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed: 1. Their career journeys 2. Miami ecosystem 3. Austin/Texas ecosystem 4. Trends, opps and challenges 5. Outlook for 2026 Melissa has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, investor, community leader and philanthropist. A native to Miami, she is CEO & Co-Founder of eMerge Americas with a mission of helping transform South Florida into a global tech hub. The eMerge Americas signature event, launched in 2014, is a global tech conference held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. With Melissa’s leadership, the eMerge Americas conference now attracts more than 20,000+ attendees from over 50 countries. In addition to the annual conference, eMerge organizes year-round executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, masterclasses, webinars, a world-class global accelerator program, as well as publishes venture activity and investment insights reports. ------ Experienced in economic development, public policy, and venture capital, Paul O'Brien puts a focus on shaping the systems that enable entrepreneurship and innovation. He leads legislative and coalition strategy for Founder Institute, around issues impacting startups, capital formation, and civic infrastructure, and as publisher of STARTUP ECONOMIST. With a passion for media innovation and investment, Paul seeded MediaTech Ventures, a media industry venture development group. Former Venture Partner in Meaningful Ventures, O'Brien is Founder and Director of Funded House and Director of Founder Institute for Texas. Historically, a seasoned marketer with an early career at Yahoo! and HP. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

So great to catch up with @GarnetHeraman,@ApertureVC and Gitte Pedersen @DNABARCODE, @GExInc on state of innovation ecosystem. Full convo: Ep #151 44 min video: youtu.be/XX34utlpVXM Pod podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed a few things including: 1. Your career journeys 2. Gitte's biotech venture 3. Garnet's venture capital firm 4. Discuss effects of federal policies on innovation ecosystem 5. Discuss outlook for 2026 Garnet Heraman is a serial entrepreneur and investor with 25 years experience at the intersection of innovation + technology. As a dotcom entrepreneur Garnet had 3 exits, one of which was to a publicly traded company. As an investor, he is co-founder and managing partner of Aperture Venture Capital, a seed stage fintech fund backed by seven different Fortune 500 corporations. He is also an LP in other VC funds such as NY InsurTech Fund II and the Berkeley Skydeck Fund, as well as a prolific angel investor. ------ Gitte Pedersen is a scientist, CEO, company builder, and investor with a mission to improve health and sustainability. RNA enthusiast. Focused on helping cancer patients survive through better diagnostics and treatment navigation tools. Serial entrepreneur. Advised several small and medium-sized biotech companies and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing in +$1B deals to Danish Biotech companies. Advised the European Commission on evidence-based innovation and investment policies. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

Thanks for your #leadership and responsiveness to the community, Phil @GovMurphy njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/… @NJSpotlightNews

So great to catch up with @mellie_chow, @techstars and Hamza Shad, @cartainc on funding trends and forecasts. Full convo: Ep #150 Youtube: 34 min video: youtu.be/1XQWyvpnHEo iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed a few things including: 1. Their career journeys 2. Carta 3. Archangel and Techstars 4. Current trends 5. Outlook for investing for 2026 Hamza Shad is an insights manager at Carta, where he analyzes data on startups and the venture capital ecosystem. He leads Carta's quarterly State of Pre-Seed report on early-stage companies and has spoken at Startup Grind, 500 Global, SOSV, the World Bank, and more. Previously, Hamza conducted research on entrepreneurship in emerging markets at Endeavor. He holds a bachelor's in economics and political science from the University of Chicago and a master's in international development from University of Oxford. ---- Mellie Chow is an Engineer turned Entrepreneur / Operator turned Angel Investor / Venture Capitalist with over 25+ years of experience across multiple industries including telecommunications & cable, utilities & power generation, banking, healthcare, government, and food. She is a Board Advisor at Techstars Toronto Accelerator and a Venture Partner at Archangel Network of Funds, Axion Fund, ventureLAB EIR and University of Delaware - Horn Entrepreneurship - Venture Acceleration Lab mentor. She is also an adjunct professor at New York University SPS and Elizabethtown College of Competitive Product Strategy. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering (University of Waterloo), an MBA (Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management & Schulich). #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

So great to catch up with @jefielding, cofounder/MP, @EverywhereVC and author of the new book, Venture Everywhere. Full convo: Ep #148 youtu.be/CEeGyMDX0hY Pod podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed a few things including: 1. Jenny's career journey 2. The funding environment, then your fund 3. What she is seeing at the universities she teaches at; trends in young talent 4. Her new book 5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re startup ecosystem Jenny is a seasoned venture capitalist and technology trailblazer with a diverse background in law, finance, and entrepreneurship. As the founder of two tech startups, she understands the challenges of building companies from the ground up. She's also the author of the new book, Venture Everywhere, lnkd.in/enzPMa3e #podcast #afewthingspodcast

Thanks everyone for making our Innovation Celebration such a brilliant success! Bravo to the 2025 INNOVATE100 Leaders! Thanks to our partners: @RutgersU @RutgersResearch @BellLabs @citrincooperman Bell Works @ValleyBank our hosts: Middlesex County, NJ | @NJBIA | Aspire Studios | Innovation+ our signature sponsors: @FDUWhatsNew | @PSEGdelivers | @PwCUS | @RowanUniversity | @GearhartLaw_LLC | @ChooseNJ | Smart IMS | @EisnerAmper | USI Insurance Services | @firstcitizens | NAI James E. Hanson | @caregility | @BeOneMedicines | @DayPitneyLLP | @JAGPhysical2 | County College of Morris | @audible_com | Cranium | Avlino | Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLP | @ZelisHealthcare | @mccarter Theatre | @GibbonsPC | Cogent Connections and these supporters: NJSBDC | South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of NJ | Chugh, LLP | ILSE | ROI-NJ | Marsh | Gensler | Fragomen | TAPinto #innovate100 #innovation #leadership #collaboration #innovatenewjersey

Great chat with Tara Thurber, CEO, DefinedTalent, head coach, Future Coach + Ben Kenyon, CEO, CLIMB Performance Coaching. Full convo #146: 38 min vid: youtu.be/mc3urkWqFUI Pod podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed: 1. Their career journeys 2. Ben's coaching approach 3. Tara's coaching approach; Future Coach for college students 4. Ben's book, CLIMB 5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re health and mental health. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast

Always great to chat with @thierry_klein, @BellLabs Labs about #AI, #GenerativeAI, #Space, #Tech, #Research, #Quantum, #Innovation among other topics. Full convo #145 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed: 1. Thierry's career journey 2. Nokia Bell Labs history and current research 3. AI and Generative AI 4. Space and network on the moon 5. Trends, challenges and opportunities in tech Thierry is the President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia. His global multi-disciplinary team conducts fundamental and applied research focused on new Nokia value chains, business opportunities and ecosystems. #Afewthingspodcast

It was great to chat with @geoffcook, CEO, @noom and Catherine Connelly, author, Designing Success; cofounder, @TheMeetGroup. Links to full convo: Ep #144 youtu.be/Ze0NltSrBB0 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast #entrepreneurship

It was great to chat with the visionary @KayKoplovitz, cofounder and Chair, @SpringboardEnt and @SpringboardGC. Links to full convo: Ep #143 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… open.spotify.com/show/7Eglgt… We discussed: 1. Kay's career journey 2. The startup/funding landscape, particularly for women 3. Springboard accelerator and thesis 4. Trends, challenges and opps re new ventures and funding Kay is the founder and former Chairman/CEO of USA Networks, the SyFy Channel and USA Networks Int'l, a multi-billion-dollar cable company. #podcast #AFewThingsPodcast