Venture Forward
46 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsStories of Georgetown entrepreneurs, the companies they've launched, and the many lessons they are learning along the way.
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Episodes
Best of: Transforming the Hospital Experience
January 31, 2022 17:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBMichael O’Neil founded GetWellNetwork (GWN), while he was a Georgetown JD-MBA student. His company equips hospital patients to be better informed and more involved in their care and recovery. Over the past several years, GWN’s patient engagement platform has transformed the hospital experience for patients and their families.
Best Of: Inventing to Change Lives
December 31, 2021 18:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBRobert Bolen invented a useful device, as a teenager, that is now creating quite a stir among its target audience. He caught the attention of two high profile neurosurgeons who encouraged him to take his product on the road. He’s now partnering with a large health care system to refine it, trial it, and get it in the hands of those who need it most.
Best Of: OxiWear Founder is Saving Lives
November 04, 2021 19:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBWe’re revisiting an interview with Shavini Fernando, Founder of the life-saving device, OxiWear. She invented OxiWear as a tool for herself, after she was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart and lung ailment. Exposure for her product idea grew exponentially after she won Georgetown’s Bark Tank Pitch Competition in 2018. With the help of a team of medical specialists at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, and other savvy advisors, Shavini and OxiWear were off and running. Originally ...
An International Venture Takes Off
September 15, 2021 10:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBRebecca Cox, Georgetown’s undergraduate Entrepreneur of the Year, is running a social impact venture, Project Olas, that is making a real difference in the lives of her front-line employees and those they serve. She’s living full time in Guatemala this year, in order to stand alongside the women she employs, and create a healthy corporate culture in which they can thrive.
Parrotfish – An Eco-friendly Product Company is Launched
July 11, 2021 17:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBAs a National Geographic design-team member, Katie Pearson Fucci has leveraged her creative skills to tell important stories and inspire others. Now she is focusing her creative energy on bringing beautifully designed, conservation-inspired beauty products to market.
Let's Chow
May 20, 2021 17:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBJordan Foley, juggles law school at Georgetown along with culinary school, while overseeing a new venture, Chow that provides culinary training, certifications, and resources for aspiring food truck & restaurant owners. His co-founder, Charlie McGovern, keeps all the plates spinning as they navigate the ups and downs of running a nonprofit that serves military veterans.
A Student's Invention is Improving Lives
April 30, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBRobert Bolen invented a useful device, as a teenager, that is now creating quite a stir among its target audience. He caught the attention of two high profile neurosurgeons who encouraged him to take his product on the road. He’s now partnering with a large health care system to refine it, trial it, and get it in the hands of those who need it most.
Season Four Intro
April 08, 2021 19:00 - 2 minutes - 1.41 MBThis season features up and coming Georgetown CEOs who've launched companies while still in school or just after graduating.
David McCourt: Entrepreneur, Television Producer and Telecom Revolutionary
March 05, 2021 03:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBDavid McCourt is an entrepreneur and investor in the technology, media and telecommunication industries. He is also an Emmy award-winning producer of the PBS series Reading Rainbow, and several documentaries; and a best-selling author.
Bill Creelman, CEO of Spindrift
December 29, 2020 03:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBSpindrift is a stand-out in the beverage industry with it’s fruit-infused sparking water in eleven tasty flavors. As founder and CEO, Bill Creelman has built Spindrift into a $100 million company with enthusiastic customers, a recognizable brand, and a commitment to give back to the community.
Gretchen Hansen: Designing Beautiful Homes
November 20, 2020 17:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBGretchen Hansen is an entrepreneur with a flair for design. She founded an online interior design service, Decorist, that quickly caught the eye of national companies that wanted to partner. She raised several million dollars before selling the firm to Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Generating Energy for Change: The Purpose Tour 2020
August 13, 2020 17:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBThey fought their way out of the DC neighborhoods they grew up in, earned scholarships to Georgetown University and after graduating went back to their neighborhoods to build paths for others to get out too. Troye Bullock, Danny Wright and Darius Baxter are advocates, mentors, business advisors and activists who traveled across the country this summer, to meet with community leaders in 13 cities, in order to amplify the voices of these leaders and tell their stories. Troye, Danny and Da...
Mike Malloy Launched a Luxury Italian Sunglasses Company
May 20, 2020 15:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBMike Malloy left a lucrative management consulting career to run Waveborn, a high-end sunglasses company with a social mission. He based the company on a buy-one give-one model that was a source of inspiration to his team, the investors and the customers. Mike talks about the multi-stage journey that led him from running a company to investing in the lives of other entrepreneurs at Halcyon House, a Washington DC incubator for early-stage social impact entrepreneurs.
Mike Malloy and the World of Luxury Italian Sunglasses
May 20, 2020 15:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBMike Malloy left a lucrative management consulting career to run Waveborn, a high-end sunglasses company with a social mission. The company was based on a buy-one give-one model that was a source of inspiration to his team, the investors and the customers. Mike talks about the multi-stage journey that led him from running a company to investing in the lives of other entrepreneurs at Halcyon House, a Washington DC incubator for social impact entrepreneurs.
Halo Top Co-founder, Doug Bouton Built a $300M Ice Cream Company
April 10, 2020 20:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBDoug Bouton unpacks what it’s like to build a low fat ice cream company from the ground up. He describes the company’s rocky road to success, what it took for Halo Top to become a household name, and how and why he and his co-founder decided to sell the company.
Luke Schoenfelder, founder of Latch, a company that has shot past everyone's expectations.
March 03, 2020 21:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBLuke Schoenfelder co-founded Latch, a smart-lock company, in his mid-twenties, grew it to 200+ employees, and put the company on the map in the building access space. Latch has partnerships with UPS and Walmart, and counts many of the leading real estate developers among its clients. Luke talks about how he and his team grew Latch, the many obstacles they overcame and how he keeps his eye on the prize as the leader of a fast growing company.
GetWell:)Network
February 10, 2020 15:42 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBMichael O’Neil has built a multimillion dollar, multinational company, GetWellNetwork (GWN), that is singularly focused on equipping hospitals to allow patients to be better informed and more involved in their care and recovery. Over the past several years, GWN’s patient engagement platform has transformed the hospital experience for patients and their families.
Season 3 Ep2: GetWell:)Network
February 10, 2020 15:42 - 28 minutes - 28.9 MBMichael O’Neil has built a multimillion dollar, multinational company, GetWellNetwork (GWN), that is singularly focused on equipping hospitals to allow patients to be better informed and more involved in their care and recovery. Over the past several years, GWN’s patient engagement platform has transformed the hospital experience for patients and their families.
MGC Events
January 24, 2020 19:50 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBMary Giuliani is a NYC event planner and caterer to the stars. When she’s not on TV sharing party tips with Rachael Ray, she is often designing sets for movie and TV premiers, and creating tasty dishes that complement the theme. Mary is also the author of Tiny Hot Dogs: A Memoir Small Bites.
Season 3 Ep 1: Mary Giuliani Catering and Events
January 24, 2020 19:50 - 28 minutes - 27.7 MBMary Giuliani is a NYC event planner and caterer to the stars. When she’s not on TV sharing party tips with Rachael Ray, she is often designing sets for movie and TV premiers, and creating tasty dishes that complement the theme. Mary is also the author of Tiny Hot Dogs: A Memoir Small Bites.
Season 3 Intro
January 20, 2020 14:00 - 1 minute - 1.29 MBJacki Abbey, the host of Venture Forward, introduces Season Three and sets the stage for the award winning CEOs who will be appearing on the podcast over the next several weeks.
Patrick's Pet Care
December 29, 2019 03:51 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBPatrick Flynn’s pet care resorts have cultivated a loyal following of dog owners who are jumping through hoops to be a part of one of the several “pet playlands” that Patrick’s company operates in Greater Washington DC. He’s learned several lessons the hard way as he has devoted himself to building a best-in-class business in the ever-expanding pet care industry.
Season 2 Ep 6: Patrick's Pet Care
December 29, 2019 03:51 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MBPatrick Flynn’s pet care resorts have cultivated a loyal following of dog owners who are jumping through hoops to be a part of one of the several “pet playlands” that Patrick’s company operates in Greater Washington DC. He’s learned several lessons the hard way as he has devoted himself to building a best-in-class business in the ever-expanding pet care industry.
Wild Willett
December 07, 2019 22:35 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBCatherine Nguyen founded a snack food company that took off quickly and is being sought out by well-know retailers such as Balducci’s grocery store. Catherine has figured out how to pitch her company and win competitions and is continually funneling her winnings into improving her high-protein snack offerings and expanding her market.
Season Two Ep5: Wild Willett
December 07, 2019 22:35 - 23 minutes - 27.4 MBCatherine Nguyen founded a snack food company that took off quickly and is being sought out by well-know retailers such as Balducci’s grocery store. Catherine has figured out how to pitch her company and win competitions and is continually funneling her winnings into improving her high-protein snack offerings and expanding her market.
Season 2 Ep 5: Wild Willett
December 07, 2019 22:35 - 23 minutes - 27.4 MBCatherine Nguyen founded a snack food company that took off quickly and is being sought out by well-know retailers such as Balducci’s grocery store. Catherine has figured out how to pitch her company and win competitions and is continually funneling her winnings into improving her high-protein snack offerings and expanding her market.
One Tent Health
November 30, 2019 20:39 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBMackenzie Copley runs a non-profit health services organization that deploys 1000+ student volunteers from five colleges and universities in and around Washington DC. He’s only 23 but he has already caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other national and international health agencies with the ground-breaking work he does with One Tent Health.
Season 2 Ep 4: One Tent Health
November 30, 2019 20:39 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBMackenzie Copley runs a non-profit health services organization that deploys 1000+ student volunteers from five colleges and universities in and around Washington DC. He’s only 23 but he has already caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other national and international health agencies with the ground-breaking work he does with One Tent Health.
Season 2 Ep 3: Dafero
November 14, 2019 03:00 - 30 minutes - 37.7 MBLina Zdruli is an entrepreneur who uses food for social good. She runs a start up, Dafero, that employs women-at-risk to produce healthy snack foods. Lina, whose been featured in Forbes and on the Voice of America, draws on her experience at both the World Bank and the United Nations to run a company that is making an impact at several different levels.
Dafero
November 14, 2019 03:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBLina Zdruli is an entrepreneur who uses food for social good. She runs a start up, Dafero, that employs women-at-risk to produce healthy snack foods. Lina, whose been featured in Forbes and on the Voice of America, draws on her experience at both the World Bank and the United Nations to run a company that is making an impact at several different levels.
Season Two Ep 3: Dafero
November 13, 2019 21:08 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MBLina Zdruli is an entrepreneur who uses food for social good. She runs a start up, Dafero, that employs women-at-risk to produce healthy snack foods. Lina, whose been featured in Forbes and on the Voice of America, draws on her experience at both the World Bank and the United Nations to run a company that is making an impact at several different levels.
Season 2 Ep 2: Causal Design
October 30, 2019 23:38 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBKeith Ives founded an international development firm that helps USAID, NGOs and international organizations that are working to reduce poverty and inequality and respond to crises, evaluate the impact of their programs on the ground.
Causal Design
October 30, 2019 23:38 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBKeith Ives founded an international development firm that helps USAID, NGOs and international organizations that are working to reduce poverty and inequality and respond to crises, evaluate the impact of their programs on the ground.
Season Two Ep 2: Causal Design
October 30, 2019 23:38 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBKeith Ives founded an international development firm that helps USAID, NGOs and international organizations that are working to reduce poverty and inequality and respond to crises, evaluate the impact of their programs on the ground.
GOODProjects
October 17, 2019 16:05 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBThree football players at Georgetown founded GOODProjects, an organization that is now impacting thousands of kids and their families in DC’s underserved neighborhoods.
Season 2 Ep 1: GOODProjects
October 17, 2019 16:05 - 36 minutes - 42.3 MBThree football players at Georgetown founded GOODProjects, an organization that is now impacting thousands of kids and their families in DC’s underserved neighborhoods.
Season GOODProjects
October 17, 2019 16:05 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBThree football players at Georgetown founded GOODProjects, an organization that is now impacting thousands of kids and their families in DC’s underserved neighborhoods.
Season Two Ep 1: GOODProjects
October 17, 2019 16:05 - 36 minutes - 42.3 MBThree football players at Georgetown founded GOODProjects, an organization that is now impacting thousands of kids and their families in DC’s underserved neighborhoods.
Episode 7: The Happy Price Story
October 10, 2019 15:32 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBSahaj Sharda launched Happy Price, a company that sells access to a dynamic pricing algorithm that helps businesses price their products optimally.
Episode 6: The Truckr Story
October 02, 2019 03:24 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBHannah Williams developed Truckr, a mobile app that connects people to food trucks nearby to provide a more convenient and efficient food truck experience.
Episode 5: The Farley Craig Capital Story
September 24, 2019 19:37 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBDenis Craig co-founded Farley Craig Capital, a venture fund that backs underrepresented founders and empowers new investors to participate in the venture-capital ecosystem.
Episode 4: The M'Panadas Story
September 13, 2019 10:30 - 26 minutes - 18 MBMargarita Womack is the CEO of M’Panadas, a healthy food company that makes empanadas and sauces that are offered in grocery stores and hotels and large venues across the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Margarita is also a scientist and a mother of three who understands the need for healthy, tasty snacks and meals on the go.
Episode 3: The CAVALL Story
September 12, 2019 16:20 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBJuliette Silvain is the founder of CAVALL, a mobile app company that brings buyers and sellers of horses together at major equestrian competitions.
Episode 2: The Elenas Story
September 12, 2019 15:30 - 26 minutes - 18 MBZach Oschin co-founded Elenas, a social selling platform headquartered in Bogotá Colombia that is taking the beauty products industry by storm. In just over a year, Zach and his team have recruited 14,000+ Colombians to join the company to sell make up and accessories to women in their social circles.
Episode 1: The OxiWear Story
September 11, 2019 18:32 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBShavini Fernando is a Georgetown alum with a life threatening disease who invented a medical device to prolong and enhance the lives of the millions of people who suffer from this ailment. Her company, OxiWear, has turned this device into a fashionable accessory that monitors the oxygen level in the blood, and signals when that level drops dangerously low.It’s a niche product for people with pulmonary hypertension, who need to know immediately when their blood oxygen level drops. On a moment...
Season One Intro
September 11, 2019 18:27 - 2 minutes - 1.42 MBVenture Forward is a series of conversations with Georgetown entrepreneurs that explores the roads they’ve traveled to launch their companies, and unexpected turns that mark their paths. Season One features the stand out companies that won Georgetown’s most prominent pitch competition.