Building the Future of Bioscience in the Northwest | Michaele Armstrong

Building the Future of Bioscience in the Northwest | Michaele Armstrong

What does it take to build a thriving bioscience ecosystem outside of traditional innovation hubs like Boston and San Diego? In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Michaele Armstrong, PhD, MBA, Executive Director of Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster, to discuss the future of biotech, startup innovation, and the work required to grow a life sciences economy in the Inland Northwest. Michaele shares her journey from oncology research and academia to entrepreneurship, ecosystem development, and supporting early-stage life science companies. We explore what makes a biotech startup fundable, the challenges founders face when commercializing new technologies, and why collaboration between industry, academia, investors, and healthcare organizations is critical to driving innovation. We also dive into the role of incubators and innovation clusters, the realities of building a life science hub in emerging markets, the impact of AI in healthcare, and the opportunities shaping the future of bioscience. Whether you're a founder, investor, researcher, healthcare leader, or simply curious about the future of innovation, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-evolving industries in the world. Topics include: • Building a bioscience ecosystem in the Northwest • Life science startups and commercialization • What makes a biotech company fundable • The role of incubators, clusters, and community • AI in healthcare and emerging industry trends • Leadership, innovation, and long-term impact • Advice for first-time founders If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help us bring more conversations with founders, operators, investors, and innovators shaping the future of business and technology.

From Idea to Company: Njal Lundberg's Entrepreneurial Journey

What happens when you combine creativity, grit, and an obsession with building memorable experiences? In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Njal Lundberg, founder and CEO of Modern Dreamers, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the realities of building a consumer brand, and the lessons she's learned scaling a business from idea to impact. Njal shares how she identified an opportunity in the market, navigated the early challenges of entrepreneurship, and built a company that stands out in a crowded landscape. We also dive into marketing, customer acquisition, leadership, resilience, and what it takes to keep growing when things don't go according to plan. Whether you're an entrepreneur, operator, investor, or someone thinking about starting your first business, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections from the founder's seat. Topics include: • Building a business from the ground up • Finding product-market fit • Customer acquisition and brand building • Lessons learned through growth and setbacks • Leadership and company culture • Advice for aspiring founders If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help us bring more conversations with founders, operators, and investors shaping the future of entrepreneurship. #Entrepreneurship #StartupFounder #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #CowlesVentures #ModernDreamers #Podcast #FounderJourney #Innovation

Corporate Venture Capital in Energy Explained | Mark Gustafson

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Mark Gustafson, President of Avista Development and Director of Strategic Investments at Avista. Mark brings a unique perspective from decades spent at the intersection of utilities, energy infrastructure, software, innovation, and corporate venture capital. With experience spanning CTO leadership, strategy, data science, and startup investing, this conversation dives deep into what the “utility of the future” may actually look like. We cover: • Corporate venture capital in the utility industry • Grid modernization and energy infrastructure • AI, data science, and utilities • Challenges startups face selling into regulated markets • Innovation inside large organizations • The future of distributed energy and electrification • Strategic investing and long-term infrastructure bets Mark also shares insights on how utilities evaluate emerging technologies, where climate innovation is heading, and why the next decade of energy transformation may reshape far more than just the power grid. If you enjoy conversations around venture capital, startups, infrastructure, AI, clean technology, and the future of energy, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, operators, and innovators shaping the future of business and technology. #venturecapital #climatetech #energy #utilities #startup #ai #infrastructure #cleanenergy #corporateventurecapital #innovation #podcast

Entrepreneurship in Sushi?

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Isaac Cunnington to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, and the realities of building in today’s rapidly changing environment. We dive into: • Isaac’s path into business and entrepreneurship • Lessons learned from scaling teams and navigating growth • How founders should think about leadership and decision making • The role of resilience, adaptability, and long term thinking • Opportunities and challenges emerging across technology and business • Advice for young entrepreneurs looking to build meaningful careers This conversation explores what it actually takes to grow companies, lead people effectively, and continue evolving as both an operator and a person. Isaac shares practical insights, personal experiences, and perspectives on where business and innovation are heading next. If you’re interested in startups, entrepreneurship, leadership, venture capital, business strategy, or founder mindset, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, investors, and builders shaping the future. #entrepreneurship #startups #venturecapital #leadership #business #founders #innovation #podcast

The HealthTech Company Born from a Near Fatal Accident

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Dylan Avatar, Co-Founder and CEO of Credential Network, to talk about building in healthcare, overcoming adversity, and what it really takes to scale a company in a complex industry.Dylan shares his journey from a life-changing wingsuit accident to building a company focused on fixing one of the most broken systems in healthcare: credentialing.We get into:• The origin story behind Credential Network• How personal adversity reshaped his perspective on building• Why healthcare systems are so slow to change and where opportunity exists• His thoughts on AI and where it actually matters in healthcare• Hiring, team building, and what he looks for in early employees• Lessons from building in a highly regulated industry• The story behind writing his new bookThis conversation is a mix of resilience, ambition, and real talk on what it takes to build something meaningful in healthcare.If you’re interested in health tech, startups, AI in healthcare, or founder mindset, this episode delivers insight you can apply immediately.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors building durable businesses.Connect with Dylan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-avatar/Company: https://credentialnetwork.com/Learn more about FUEL Coworking:Website: https://fuelcoworking.comEmail: info@fuelcoworking.com