Venture Forward

Michael O’Neil founded GetWellNetwork (GWN), while he was a Georgetown JD-MBA student. His company equips hospital patients to be better informed and more involved in their care and recovery. Over the past several years, GWN’s patient engagement platform has transformed the hospital experience for patients and their families. 

Robert Bolen invented a useful device, as a teenager, that is now creating quite a stir among its target audience. He caught the attention of two high profile neurosurgeons who encouraged him to take his product on the road. He’s now partnering with a large health care system to refine it, trial it, and get it in the hands of those who need it most.

We’re revisiting an interview with Shavini Fernando, Founder of the life-saving device, OxiWear.  She invented OxiWear as a tool for herself, after she was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart and lung ailment.  Exposure for her product idea grew exponentially after she won Georgetown’s Bark Tank Pitch Competition in 2018. With the help of a team of medical specialists at Johns Hopkins University  Hospital, and other savvy advisors, Shavini and OxiWear were off and running.  

Originally from Sri Lanka, Shavini is a graduate of Georgetown, and winner of several awards including DC Fem Tech and Citi Ventures.  

Rebecca Cox, Georgetown’s undergraduate Entrepreneur of the Year, is running a social impact venture, Project Olas, that is making a real difference in the lives of her front-line employees and those they serve. She’s living full time in Guatemala this year, in order to stand alongside the women she employs, and create a healthy corporate culture in which they can thrive. 

As a National Geographic design-team member, Katie Pearson Fucci has leveraged her creative skills to tell important stories and inspire others. Now she is focusing her creative energy on bringing beautifully designed, conservation-inspired beauty products to market.  

Jordan Foley, juggles law school at Georgetown along with culinary school, while overseeing a new venture, Chow that provides culinary training, certifications, and resources for aspiring food truck & restaurant owners.  His co-founder, Charlie McGovern, keeps all the plates spinning as they navigate the ups and downs of running a nonprofit that serves military veterans. 

Robert Bolen invented a useful device, as a teenager, that is now creating quite a stir among its target audience. He caught the attention of two high profile neurosurgeons who encouraged him to take his product on the road. He’s now partnering with a large health care system to refine it, trial it, and get it in the hands of those who need it most. 

This season features up and coming Georgetown CEOs who've  launched companies while still in school or just after graduating.   

David McCourt is an entrepreneur and investor in the technology, media and telecommunication industries. He is also an Emmy award-winning producer of the PBS series Reading Rainbow, and several documentaries; and a best-selling author. 

Spindrift is a stand-out in the beverage industry with it’s fruit-infused sparking water in eleven tasty  flavors.  As founder and CEO, Bill Creelman has built Spindrift into a $100 million company with enthusiastic customers, a recognizable brand, and a commitment to give back to the community.