Funding Startups using Innovation Challenges with Jade Garrett

Host Callye Keen discusses funding through challenges and accelerator programs for startups with guest Jade Garrett. Together, Garrett and Keen are involved in Embryia, an accelerator program. Keen and Garrett go on to discuss the clean tech industry, how it relates to defense, and what advice Garrett has for people interested in getting involved in the industry.

Episode Summary

00:00 - Introduction
Garrett gives insight into her experience applying for and winning a funding challenge to demonstrate the value behind connecting startups to these innovation challenges.

01:05 - CleanTech Startup Funding
Keen and Garrett discuss the work they’ve done in helping startups get non-dilutive funding through programs like the American Made Challenges, which issue awards rather than grants. Grants are sometimes characterized by difficult deliverables and questions and fund people to execute on a piece of research or business plan, versus an exploration endeavor.

04:31 - Embryia Mentors, Experts, and Community
Garrett details an accelerator program she founded, called Embryia, which brings together a community of experts to provide assistance for startups. Embryia’s “Experts on Deck” model facilitates a community of niche experts who provide hands-on, one-on-one work with the startup in an effort to mentor startups at any level, from a solo founder to raising their Series A.

09:05 - Embryia’s Facilitation of Funding through Challenges
Keen and Garrett discuss what sets Embryia apart from other accelerator programs. Embryia encourages a finite goal for startups to work toward and stay motivated by connecting startups to various challenges to win funding at increasing levels.

11:12 - How Clean Tech Relates to Defense
As energy innovations occur, the infrastructure must be built to be able to scale so that it meets defense needs. Startups in the clean tech space can work to innovate battery or solar technology, for example, to provide more resiliency through better operation and data.

15:25 - Advice for Innovation Challenges
Garrett’s experience applying for and winning a $250 thousand challenge highlights the importance of taking action on opportunities for startups.

Jade Garrett - Owner and Founder of Positive Deviancy
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Callye Keen - Kform 
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