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Explore Four Female Alumni from the Wolfpack who've Established Tech-driven Companies backed by Scientific Research

Four entrepreneurs, all women and alums of NC State, sharing their insights and advice on launching and running startup companies founded on university research, with two of them hailing from the Wilson College of Textiles.

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Four entrepreneurs, all women, who have successfully founded and spearheaded businesses built on NC...
Four entrepreneurs, all women, who have successfully founded and spearheaded businesses built on NC State research, particularly two from the Wilson College of Textiles, were consulted for their wisdom and perspectives.

Explore Four Female Alumni from the Wolfpack who've Established Tech-driven Companies backed by Scientific Research

Running a startup as a woman can be challenging, with only 20% of all startups worldwide being led by one or more female founders, according to Statista. To celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we chatted with four women from NC State who lead startups based on university research. Here are their inspiring stories and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Ericka Ford

Assistant professor in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Ericka Ford founded Nicelle Technologies. Nicelle aims at onshoring the production of acrylic fibers in a more eco-friendly manner. These fibers play a key role in protective textiles and serve as a precursor to carbon fiber.

"We're making it in a greener way," Ford explains.

Ford, who also holds a joint appointment with The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), draws from her extensive experience in industry-focused research projects. It was a close friend's encouragement that finally convinced her to start her own business. Ford credits two National Science Foundation (NSF) programs she completed as a graduate student with inspiring her and preparing her for entrepreneurship, particularly the NSF IGERT program.

Key Insights

  • Mentorship and Networking: Seek advice from experienced entrepreneurs and mentors to gain practical insights.
  • Programs for Entrepreneurship Preparation: Enroll in courses or programs emphasizing entrepreneurship, business planning, and financial management.

Jeanine Fry

Ph.D. candidate in textile technology management at NC State's Wilson College of Textiles (WCOT), Jeanine Fry founded LOOM3D. LOOM3D is developing a process for weaving seamless apparel, specifically pants. This innovative approach aims to eliminate the waste created during the traditional sewing process, reducing offcut waste and streamlining production.

Fry attributes crucial support for her journey to Lauren Woodbridge, another Ph.D. advisor, and Lisa Chang, who ran the Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (TEC) program. She also appreciates the assistance from the Office of Research Commercialization, specifically Brian Eller and Bradley Aycock.

Key Insights

  • Collaboration: Engage with colleagues from different fields to leverage diverse expertise and perspectives, which can enrich your entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Office of Research Commercialization: Utilize your university's resources and services, such as financial support and networking opportunities, to help your startup succeed.

Tahira Pirzada

Research scholar in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tahira Pirzada co-founded Soteria Formulations. Soteria aims to revolutionize agriculture by offering biodegradable, plastic-free platforms for pest-control formulations derived from upcycled agricultural residues. By adopting Soteria's solutions, manufacturers can address regulatory risks, optimize agricultural efficiency, safeguard food security, and promote ecological sustainability.

Born in Pakistan, Pirzada first traveled to America as a visiting scholar at NC State when she was completing her doctorate. She credits her Ph.D. advisor, Saad Khan, for encouraging her to try entrepreneurship. Pirzada recommends the NSF I-Corps program for entrepreneurs seeking customer discovery, market validation, and networking opportunities.

Key Insights

  • Customer Discovery: Engage with target customers to gather feedback and validate your business idea, ensuring it addresses their needs effectively.
  • NSF I-Corps Program: Participate in federal programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help develop and validate your business concept.

Jennifer Warrillow

Co-founder of Fathom Science, Jennifer Warrillow built an ocean intelligence company that integrates observational ocean data from multiple platforms to deliver comprehensive insights on weather, marine life, and oceans. Fathom Science focuses on maintaining accurate models of both the atmosphere and the ocean, a unique approach among competitors.

From a young age, Warrillow admired both science and marine life. Fathom's opportunities caught her by surprise, as she never envisioned herself as a tech entrepreneur. After taking ten years off to care for her son, Warrillow returned to work in the lab of Ruoying He, a Goodnight Innovation Distinguished Professor in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences. Warrillow enrolled in NC State's Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization program to improve her business acumen.

Key Insights

  • Resilience and Adaptability: Balance family and career responsibilities, as unexpected challenges may arise that require time off and adjustments.
  • TEC Program: acquire adequate business skills to flourish in the startup world by enriching your understanding of market analysis, finance, and branding.
  1. Ericka Ford, an assistant professor, founded Nicelle Technologies, focused on producing acrylic fibers in a greener way, emphasizing protective textiles and carbon fiber precursors.
  2. Ford, with her background in research, identified the NSF IGERT program as crucial for inspiring and preparing her for entrepreneurship.
  3. Jeanine Fry, a Ph.D. candidate at NC State's Wilson College of Textiles, founded LOOM3D, aiming to weave seamless apparel, reduces waste, and streamlines production.
  4. Fry accredits key support to Lauren Woodbridge, Lisa Chang, and resources from the Office of Research Commercialization.
  5. Tahira Pirzada co-founded Soteria Formulations, offering biodegradable pest-control solutions derived from agricultural residues, promoting sustainability in agriculture.
  6. Pirzada encourages entrepreneurs to participate in NSF I-Corps for customer discovery, market validation, and networking opportunities.
  7. Jennifer Warrillow, co-founder of Fathom Science, built an ocean intelligence company, integrating multiple data platforms to provide comprehensive ocean insights.
  8. Inspired by marine life, Warrillow developed her business acumen through NC State's Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization program.
  9. Warrillow recommends balancing family and career responsibilities, as unexpected challenges may necessitate time off and adjustments.
  10. Started by a woman, Nicelle Technologies is working towards onshoring the production of acrylic fibers more sustainably, impacting industries from protective textiles to carbon fiber manufacturing.
  11. LOOM3D, established by Jeanine Fry, is developing a novel weaving process for seamless apparel, reducing waste and streamlining production, which could revolutionize the apparel industry.
  12. Soteria Formulations, co-founded by Tahira Pirzada, offers sustainable pest-control solutions for agriculture, addressing regulatory risks, optimizing agricultural efficiency, safeguarding food security, and promoting ecological sustainability.

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