Eric Koester is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and through his unique programs as a professor at Georgetown University was recognized in 2020 as the National Entrepreneurship Professor of the Year.  He is one of today's leading experts on innovation, focusing on how top performing companies and organizations create more innovators and intrapreneurs to drive growth.  His 'Founder Factories' research identifies how today's most innovative companies including Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, Bain, eBay, Goldman Sachs and others hire, train and foster successful alumni-employees who go on to produce game-changing innovations and found high performing startups.  

Eric began his career in biotechnology and diagnostics before founding his own startup ventures that have collectively raised tens of millions of dollars in venture capital from investors from Kleiner Perkins, Ashton Kutcher, SV Angel, Floodgate Capital, Felicis Ventures, OS Fund, Meg Whitman and more.  He's a founding partner and previously served as the managing partner of NextGen Venture Partners, a seed stage venture capital fund.  Eric is a sought after public speaker, author, podcast host and coach, having been recognized by multiple 40 under 40 lists.