Training and supporting startups so they can tackle the world's biggest challenges.

My name is Jared, an experienced entrepreneur and program director. I am currently the Director of Innovation at the Biomimicry Institute where I help scientists and entrepreneurs tackle systemic sustainability challenges through nature-inspired design. Learn more about the Biomimicry Institute and some of my other work below.

Featured Work

Full-time Director of Innovation, focused on supporting & funding nature-inspired scientists & entrepreneurs.

Owner & COO of a beloved musical theatre school in State College, PA.

Creator of Startups Guts, a set of cards to help entrepreneurs and startup coaches understand their business model.

Entrepreneur in Residence for Penn State's Humanitarian Engineering & Social Entrepreneurship program, where I coached student and faculty led projects.

As Program Director of Thought For Food, I grew the TFF Challenge to reach 140 different countries and catalyzed 30+ social enterprises.

Hired by Happy Valley Launchbox powered by PNC Bank to cultivate the resources and connections needed to help Penn State startups thrive.

An original co-founder of GreenTowers (now known as BEEcosystem), an agricultural design firm. There I led operations and business development.

Served as a ThinkImpact Scholar in rural Kenya, where I used Human Centered Design skills to facilitate the launch of a food preservation company.

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Jared is an inspirational human being and a leader in the space of social impact and entrepreneurship. I hope that every purpose-driven entrepreneur out there has the opportunity to work with Jared, the value he delivers is immeasurable!

Christine Gould

Founder & CEO

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Thought For Food Foundation

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His experience living and starting a business in Africa gives Jared a peculiar perspective and understanding of what African startups are all about. He thinks outside the box and walked us through to solutions instead of just handing them out, which is what empowerment through instruction and mentoring is all about.

Albert Kure

Co-Founder

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Coating+

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Jared is a connector, someone who can speak easily and deeply with almost everyone he comes in contact with. In his leadership style, he challenges others in ways that work to bring out the best in people.

Dustin Betz

Founder & CEO

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BEEcosystem

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Jared was key to Agrosmart's development, making us important industry connections and providing business feedback. He is a problem-solver and makes it comfortable for anyone to approach him and ask for help. 

Mariana Vasconcelos

Founder & CEO

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Agrosmart

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Jared has an amazing ability to mobilize individuals and communities to reach their potential. His experience designing startup bootcamp experiences is outstanding. Jared's energy and passion for his work is contagious and he was a privilege to partner with!

Talis Apud Martinez

Co-Founder

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Crew 2030

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Jared is a kind, thoughtful leader who deeply understands the ins and outs of developing and executing business ideas. I am always impressed by his ability to create and facilitate immersive programming that helped young entrepreneurial teams refine, enhance and pitch their solutions for global change.

Holley M. Murchison

​Founder & CEO

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Oratory Glory

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