Bringing a Product Design Perspective to Commercialization
Scott Glogowski is one of four Student Entrepreneurial Fellows who were brought on earlier this year to help Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) further its effort in commercializing technologies.
The students selected for the program have shown commitment to their education inside and outside the classroom, and since their involvement with TLA, have contributed their diverse skills and expertise to ensure that The University of Arizona continues to be a front runner in bringing positive change through innovative technologies.
Glogowski offers a unique set of skills and experiences and Tech Launch is excited to have him on board. His eclectic career background, accomplishment in product design, and years of national service are some of the reasons why TLA believes he brings a new and interesting perspective to the team. Scott began his career as a product designer for a local startup and helped the budding company maintain a strong trajectory by testing and launching key products. During this time, he helped create a product testing & market research program as well as winning the company a national product design award.
Realizing the impact his work was having, Scott decided to become a freelance designer/consultant and later started his own professional climbing gear company. His reputation for impeccable design persisted as he continued to win design awards including Climbing Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award for his newly launched company’s flagship product. Unfortunately, the economic turmoil many encountered during the dot com bubble made him close up shop and rethink his approach to work.. After shuttering his company, Scott enlisted in the US Army and went on to serve as a Green Beret in the 7th Special Forces Group. Following his military service, Glogowski worked as an instructor for the Department of Defense but later realized that his passion for product design remained. He enrolled at the Eller College of Management and pursue a Master of Business Administration in Marketing, in in hopes of returning to the field.
“My goal," he said, "is to expand my knowledge, improve my business acumen, and gain some more current experience in order to transition back into the product design industry.”
His commitment to knowledge and real-world experience makes him a valuable addition to the organization. Glogowski is excited to be paired with TLA Mentor-In-Residence Marie Wesselhoft and sees it as a rare opportunity to be able to work alongside her.
“Marie is extremely supportive and appreciative of the work I am doing. She also gives me a lot of latitude in how I approach problems and develop solutions. She is very open-minded; but also provides valuable insight.”
Wesselhoft brings 35 years of healthcare business experience in the diagnostic, device, and provider industry. She has contributed to TLA by bringing to market innovative technologies developed by some of the brightest researchers in the field. She specifically noted Glogowski's ability to build solid financial projections, which are essential in assessing the commercial feasibility of any new company.
"Scott has been extraordinary," said Wesselhoft. "The combination of his personal startup knowledge, product development, leadership, and understanding of financials is a rare combination."
While with TLA, he built financial models that TLA will use for many of its companies -- all of whom had only positive feedback about collaborating with him.
Said Wesselhoft echoing the sentiments of the entire TLA team, "We wish him well as he graduates with his MBA."
In January 2020 Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) launched its Student Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program to dovetail student talent and TLA’s commercialization efforts. Designed to engage students in the entrepreneurial process, the program links each Fellow with UArizona startup projects under the guidance of a TLA Mentor-in-Residence. Over the course of their employment with TLA the Student Entrepreneurial Fellows will work closely with the venture development team and gain valuable experience in the startup assessment, mentoring and launch process.
Read more about the program in our first profile from February 2020.
Interested in becoming a Student Entrepreneurial Fellow? Learn more and apply.