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Support the Innovators of Tomorrow!

Programs

American Dream Makers Program

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s American Dream Makers Program provides support to Astronaut Scholars for advancement of their innovative ideas, ventures, and initiatives.


About the American Dream Makers Program

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s American Dream Makers Program seeks to empower and connect Astronaut Scholars who are pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, conducting cutting-edge research, developing inventive new products and processes, and commercializing innovations. ASF’s role in empowering scholars is to help establish relationships and provide access to people and resources that will result in advice, guidance, and other forms of support to advance their vision and assist in realization of their goals. This program facilitates opportunities for Astronaut Scholars to present their inventions, business plans, proposed ventures, research proposals, and other ideas and initiatives to potential investors and supporters. ASF adds value by enabling person-to-person relationships that result in highly customized support to meet specific needs related to entrepreneurship and innovation.


Innovation Corps areas of expertise:
  General business guidance
  (e.g., getting started, strategy, marketing, partnerships, investment, advisory board, leadership)
  Grants and funding navigation
  (e.g., Federal SBIR/STTR, pitch competitions, third party investment)
  Connection with outside resources
  (e.g., local innovation centers, incubators, small business assistance offices)
  Personal development
  (e.g., leadership training through ASF, writing feedback)

Note: The Innovation Corps does not provide legal advice, funding or application writing.



Experienced and Trusted Advisors


André Boulet

Title(s)

Managing Director
President


Company(s)

M.D., AX Space Engineering Services
Pres., V3 Consulting Engineering


Areas of Expertise

Entrepreneurship, Small Business and Technology Certifications, Venture Capital Pitch Competitions, Grants, Patents, Intellectual Property Protection, SBIR, Technology, Partnerships
Vivian Doelling, Ph.D.

Title

Vice President, Investments
Emerging Company
Development


Company

North Carolina
Biotechnology Center


Areas of Expertise

Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Pitch Competitions
Andrew Jones, Ph.D.

Title

Chief Executive Office and Co-Founder

Company

Activated Research Company (ARC)

Areas of Expertise

Startups, Small Business Innovation Research, Chemistry, Catalysis, 3D Printing, Chemical Analysis
Michael J. Keller, J.D.

Title

Of Counsel

Company

Halloran, Farkas, Kittila, LLP

Areas of Expertise

Entrepreneurship, Starting a Small Business, Patents, Venture Capital
Derek Lang

Title

Space Launch and Satellite Consulting

Company

Engineering Space

Areas of Expertise

Starting a Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Commercialization of Innovations, Venture Capital, Grants, Small Business Innovation Research, Patents, Idea Pitch Competitions
Betsy Lulfs

Title

Senior Program Manager

Company

Thomson Reuters

Areas of Expertise

Grants, Small Business Innovation Research
Michael Markesbery

Title

Chief Executive Officer

Company

OROS Apparel

Areas of Expertise

Starting a Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Commercialization, Patents, Idea Pitch Competitions
Lisa A. Schott

Title

President and Principal Acoustical Consultant

Company

Quietly Making Noise, LLC

Areas of Expertise

Entrepreneurship, Starting a Small Business, Small Business Certifications, Patents
Bruce C. Thornton

Title

President

Company

CMS Technology, Inc.

Areas of Expertise

Technology, Business and Corporate Governance, Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Start-ups, Regulation Compliance, Payroll and Taxation, Merger & Acquisition, Marketing, Equity Leverage and Management, Large Firm Management, Tax Strategies, Accounting, Cash Management
Karen White

Title

Research and Development Commercialization Facilitator

Company

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Areas of Expertise

Commercialization, Patents, Idea Pitch Competitions, University Technology Transfer, Research Development and Innovation Management, Intellectual Property Management, Licensing (Patents and Copyright), Early Stage Startups and Entrepreneurship
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