“Inclusive innovation is a catalyst for justice, for equity, for economic opportunity.” 

In the United States, IP-intensive industries account for more than 40% of opportunities and provide approximately 63 million jobs. However, in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion these industries are still far behind where they should be. 

In this episode, we are joined by the founders of Invent Together, an alliance of universities, nonprofits, companies, and stakeholders on a mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of their race or gender, has the opportunity to bring their ideas to life and patent their inventions.

Holly Fechner and Morgan Schreurs are, respectively, the Executive Director and Policy Director at Invent Together, and today they shed light on the issue of exclusion in the innovation space and how their organization is helping to close diversity gaps. 

In This Episode:

[00:35] The pressing issue that is the focal point of this episode.  

[01:56] Introducing Holly Fechner and Morgan Schruers, Executive Director and Policy Director respectively at Invent Together. 

[03:22] The mission driving Invent Together. 

[04:00] The value of IP to the US economy. 

[04:51] How Invent Together is closing diversity gaps in the innovation ecosystem. 

[06:27] Some of the bills that Invest Together has successfully led through Congress. 

[10:28] Invaluable members of the Invent Together community. 

[11:46] The motivation behind the founding of The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA) and the benefits it offers to historically underserved inventors. 

[14:20] How TIPA has evolved since its founding. 

[16:46] Partnerships that have played a hugely influential role in TIPA’s success. 

[19:28] The values and experiences that have helped Holly and Morgan shape and guide Invent Together.

[22:22] The power of inclusive innovation. 

Resources:

Invent Together 

The Inventor’s Patent Academy

Holly Fechner on LinkedIn

Morgan Schreurs on LinkedIn