Episode Description

In this episode of Entrepreneur in Residence, hosts Terrence Orr and Ilya Tabakh interview Dan Goodman, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovation consultant with over 40 years of experience. Dan shares his extensive journey, highlighting his roles as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) across various institutions, including the University of Maryland, George Mason University, Columbia University, and MIT. The conversation covers Dan's early entrepreneurial ventures, his insights into tech commercialization, and his passion for mentoring climate tech startups. They delve into the evolving role of EIRs, the challenges and opportunities in fostering innovation within large corporations, and the importance of building strong professional relationships. This episode offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the impactful role of EIRs in bridging academia and industry.

Key Points from This Episode:

• Dan Goodman’s extensive background and journey as an EIR across multiple institutions.
• The significance of early entrepreneurial exposure and its impact on career trajectory.
• Insights into tech commercialization and the role of EIRs in universities.
• The importance of volunteering and building professional relationships.
• Challenges and strategies for fostering innovation within large corporations.
• The evolving role of EIRs and their impact on economic development.
• The necessity of customer discovery in developing successful products.
• The value of vetting business partners thoroughly.
• Dan’s transition from mentoring startups to investing in climate tech companies.
• The cultural shift in academia towards embracing commercialization.

Links:

• Dan Goodman on LinkedIn
• Sandy Spring Climate Partners
• Terrence Orr on LinkedIn
• Ilya Tabakh on LinkedIn
  
  

• (00:00) - The Journey of Entrepreneurship
• (05:11) - Insights from Dan Goodman
• (06:08) - The Role of EIRs in Innovation
• (20:12) - Challenges in Corporate Innovation
• (30:16) - Lessons from Experience
• (34:36) - Dream EIR Roles and Future Trends
• (41:22) - Current Work in Climate Tech