What happens when brilliant PhD researchers want to turn groundbreaking ideas into real-world ventures, but lack the entrepreneurial playbook? In this episode, Ray sits down with Michael Escosia of Cornell Tech’s Runway Startups Program, a unique postdoctoral initiative that helps PhDs become startup founders. Michael shares how the program fills critical gaps in business skills, fosters team-building, and creates a strong network to support postdocs as they transition from academic research to commercial ventures.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [1:51] How Runway fills the gap between research and business
• [7:15] The power of community, mentorship, and networks
• [10:32] Success stories, alumni paths, and program outcomes

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Guest Name: Michael Escosia, Associate Director of Operations, Cornell Tech

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mescosia/

Guest Bio: Michael Escosia serves as Associate Director of Operations at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, a groundbreaking joint academic venture between Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. As an integral partner at Cornell Tech in New York City, the Institute brings together faculty, students, business leaders, and tech entrepreneurs to reinvent how we live in the digital age through innovative educational, research, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

With over seven years at the Institute, Escosia advances strategic goals through program development and management, including trek programs to Israel and San Francisco. His career spans healthcare systems design at Mount Sinai Health System, biomedical sciences program management at NYU, and nonprofit leadership as Director of Programs at VR Kids. He holds an MPA from NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, specializing in non-profit management and policy.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

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