HatchBridge Team
Meet our Program Staff.
Meet our Program Staff.
Bill has thirty years of entrepreneurial practice, founding ventures, commercializing university IP, directing incubator and accelerator programming, and enhancing startup ecosystems, with consistent focus on building structures that let founders succeed. His previous roles have included Managing Director at Purdue Foundry and Venture Discovery Director at Big Idea Ventures, as well as both CEO and CTO roles in startups.
warnol16@kennesaw.edu
Colin Ake leads HatchBridge Incubator and commercialization programs for Kennesaw State University. Colin has spent his career working with deep tech university spinouts and early stage startup companies. His startup experience includes business model development, customer development, growth strategy, government relations, and a focus on early-stage and deep technology ventures.
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Lauren supports founders at HatchBridge through practical, people-centered education that helps them refine ideas, test assumptions, and address customer needs. Previously, she spent seven years at Georgia’s Advanced Technology Development Center and supported entrepreneurial ecosystems through EI² Global at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Lauren earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in International Affairs from Georgia Tech, with a focus on global development, science, and technology.
Steve brings more than fifteen years of experience in program management, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community building. Through his work at the Zahn Innovation Center, Tommy Nobis Center, and now HatchBridge Incubator, he has helped entrepreneurs and individuals access the resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to move their ideas and goals forward.
Mark mentors founders, helps refine business strategies, and connects startups with the resources and relationships they need to grow. Drawing on decades of experience as a founder, investor, and advisor, he has built and led companies across industries from food to technology. At HatchBridge, Mark focuses on helping entrepreneurs gain clarity and focus in both their business and personal leadership, while fostering collaboration between startups, investors, and partners.
HatchBridge Startup Fellows play a key role in supporting our portfolio companies at KSU. By collaborating directly with founders and faculty, our students bring valuable skills and fresh perspectives to early-stage projects.
This fellowship provides hands-on experience, helping startups refine their ideas and grow while enabling students to further develop their professional skills.
