Kedma Ough is the Innovation Director and Superhero
is our guest on Episode 58 of the Invention Stories Podcast.
I recently came across the profile of Kedma Ough, who is the Innovation Director at Mt Hood Community College Small Business Development Center in Oregon on Linkedin. I read some of her articles, watched some of her videos and thought she would make an excellent guest on the Invention Stories Podcast. Some people seem to shine…one of them is Kedma Ough. And I might add…a Superhero!
Innovation Director
Kedma Ough, MBA is the Innovation Director at Mt Hood Community College Small Business Development Center in Oregon. Under this directive she supports the Inventor Resource Program which includes SBIR/STTR Federal Innovation Grants and working with inventors from idea to commercialization. She has supported inventors from product licensing through building product development firms.
The Huffington Post has recognized Kedma for fueling innovation and Inc. She is also a contributing writing for Entrepreneur Magazine. Her past awards have included the SBA’s Women Champion of the Year, Small Business State Champion Award, and National Small Business Influencer Leadership.
Avid Inventor
As an avid inventor. Kedma is currently working on a food product concept with her three young boys. She is a board member for the United Inventors Association, a 501c3 support inventor education and resources.
In 2019, Kedma will have her book published “Target Funding” in collaboration with McGraw Hill. The book will focus on finding resources and funding for inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
She is also a proud fifth generation entrepreneur and her great-great grandfather peddled various products throughout Ireland.
It is for these reasons we thought Kedma would make a great interviewee. So I contacted her and we recorded this Episode 58 of the Invention Stories Podcast.. To listen, please click on the button on the top left. Thank you and please, tell a friend.
Experience
(copied and pasted from Linkedin profile)
Innovation Director
Mt. Hood Community College
Jan 2018 – Present
Gresham, Oregon
Breaking through barriers goes hand-in-hand with innovation.
You can’t focus on disruptive thinking and NOT break through old processes.
When I venture to innovate, I focus on the methodology as well as the intuitive magic of the idea itself.
Aha moments don’t usually come in a board room meeting. They are found in the middle of sticky ideas that can solve big problems.
In my role as Innovation Director, I get to play in the innovation sandbox all day long.
Under my direction, our team supports the Small Business Development Center program and guides our 19 centers with Signature Programs that are cutting edge and relevant to our community.
Each signature program is designed to build relevancy to the needs of entrepreneurs by removing barriers and cultivating more opportunities to thrive financially especially with diverse firms.
The four specialized programs that I helped design in less than 3 years are:
1. A National Professional Franchise Education program for SBDC advisors and trainers.
2. A Statewide SBIR/STTR program designed to win Federal Grants for innovative technology.
3. A Statewide Youth Entrepreneurship Program teaching middle and high schools students to launch successful side hustles.
4. A Statewide Cybersecurity Program providing training, advising, and resources for small businesses. www.cyberoregon.com
It would be hard to convince me to leave my current role as I absolutely LOVE my work and community.
Having worked with 10,000 businesses I have an eye to see problems and resolve th...
