One of the most important resources available to Pitt innovators through the Innovation Institute's Innovation Commercialization team are our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs). They are experienced guides who can help point the way forward for faculty and students seeking to translate their ideas and innovations from the lab to the market.
We are thrilled to introduce our newest EIR, Priya Amin.
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your professional experience?
My name is Priya Amin, I'm the mother of two boys, 12 and 9, and an 8-year-old dog. I'd like to think I'm a professional "vagabond", having lived in 6 different states. I have a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Rutgers University and an MBA from the University of Arizona. I worked in corporate America for several years in product and brand management at IBM and Nestle. I left corporate America in 2012 to be a full-time stay-at-home mother to my two boys, which is what brought us to Pittsburgh. After being home for two years, I tried to re-enter the workforce unsuccessfully, which led me to entrepreneurship. I started my first company, ROKI, in 2014, followed by Flexable in 2016. Flexable gained regional and national attention for providing innovative childcare solutions, most notably on-site childcare at offices and events. Following my exit from Flexable in 2021, I was asked to join Robert Morris University as its Entrepreneur in Residence. I also joined a startup in San Francisco in 2022 called Cleo, running its marketing department. At the end of January 2023, I joined the Innovation Institute.
What attracted you to the opportunity to work with Pitt faculty and students on innovation commercialization?
Having been an entrepreneur in the Pittsburgh ecosystem, I wanted to take my experience to help and support the next generation of Pittsburgh startup entrepreneurs. In addition, I saw gaps in the ecosystem from a funding and representation perspective. I wanted to work with an entity where I would have the agency to invoke meaningful changes to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Also having a background to Biotechnology drew me back to the life sciences.
How do you view the role of an entrepreneur in residence?
As Entrepreneur in Residence, it is not only my job to support those principal investigators looking to commercialize their technology, but also keep a strategic view of the role the Innovation Institute plays within not only Pitt but the Pittsburgh entrepreneurial ecosystem. Deepening my understanding of the commercialization process while also paying attention to market trends, networking with key stakeholders around town and supporting our startups meaningfully and authentically is at the heart of this position.
What is your initial impression of the Pitt innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem?
I've never worked with a group of individuals as experienced, brilliant, yet humble as the people at the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It's been a pleasure working with such innovative and collaborative people. I am also encouraged by the network of support throughout the University for innovation and entrepreneurship through organizations like CTSI, the Center for Medical Innovation, and so many others.
What are some of your initial impressions of Pitt innovators?
Here's where I would insert the "mind blown" emoji! I have been absolutely blown away by some of the inventions that have come through the Innovation Institute, and especially thinking about how much else these PI's have on their plates (finishing graduate school/post doc work, being full time faculty etc.) it's incredible to see them want to license their innovations and even launch companies as well.
What is one common misconception academic entrepreneurs have about the commercialization process?
I do think there is more opportunity to educate academic entrepreneurs about the commercialization process, I think folks mainly think it's difficult or lonely, but there are so many resources available, whether they be mentorship, pitch competitions, the I-Corps HUB commercialization education program, and the entrepreneurs in residence to help guide these PI's, postdocs and others through the process.
If you are a Pitt innovator curious about exploring your innovation's commercial potential, you can contact Priya at pamin@innovation.pitt.edu.