Last week, we kicked off a special two-part series with three of the five women joining the AUTM Board of Directors in February 2026. Today, we’re completing that conversation with Laura Schoppe, Chief Commercialization Officer at TechPipeline, and Patricia Stepp, Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer at Rice University.

For listeners who may not yet be familiar with Laura and Patricia, here’s a brief look at their backgrounds. Laura Schoppe is the Chief Commercialization Officer at TechPipeline, and the founder of Fuentek, which she built into one of the world’s leading technology transfer consulting firms. Over the course of her career, Laura has helped universities, government agencies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies proactively and strategically manage intellectual property, drawing on deep expertise in open innovation and IP portfolio management.

Patricia Stepp is the Assistant Vice President for Technology Transfer at Rice University, where she leads the strategic planning and day-to-day operations of the Office of Technology Transfer. With a background in biomedical engineering, she brings a thoughtful, hands-on perspective shaped by her earlier work at Arizona State University’s Skysong Innovations, where she launched a diversity initiative focused on expanding commercialization opportunities.

In This Episode:

[03:05] Patricia reflects on her background in biomedical engineering and what continues to motivate her about moving discoveries from the lab into real-world impact.

[04:45] The appeal of tech transfer is framed as constant learning, curiosity, and helping researchers see their work make a difference beyond campus.

[06:10] Laura explains what motivated her to found Fuentek, reflecting on her early work in government and university environments and the gaps she saw in how technologies were being commercialized.

[08:15] Building a fully virtual tech transfer consulting firm long before remote work was common proves to be a forward-looking decision.

[10:30] Internal and external perspectives on tech transfer are compared, highlighting why diverse vantage points strengthen strategy and governance.

[12:05] Board diversity is discussed as extending beyond identity to include professional background, institutional scale, and ecosystem role.

[14:10] Returning to board service is driven by timing, experience, and the freedom to speak more candidly about systemic pressures.

[15:45] AUTM’s role as a welcoming, formative professional community is cited as a major reason for stepping into board leadership.

[17:30] Budget constraints, shifting federal funding, and rising caseloads are identified as ongoing realities for tech transfer offices.

[18:55] The need to operate more strategically, including being more selective about what to patent, is emphasized as resources tighten.

[20:05] Artificial intelligence is discussed as a useful support tool for routine tasks, but not yet a replacement for expert judgment.

[21:40] Caution is urged against rushing AI adoption, with a reminder that many tools remain uneven or immature.

[23:10] The importance of proactively educating policymakers about how AI is actually used in tech transfer is highlighted.

[24:50] Looking ahead five years, the focus shifts toward becoming more proactive, efficient, and licensing-driven rather than reactive.

[26:20] Strengthening industry and venture capital relationships is seen as essential to improving commercialization outcomes.

[28:10] AUTM’s collaborative culture is highlighted as a defining strength that lifts the entire community.

[29:55] Expanding participation in committees and board service is framed as key to AUTM’s long-term resilience.

[31:15] Everyday technologies influenced by university tech transfer are cited as a reminder of the field’s broad, often unseen impact.

[33:10] Advice for those entering the field emphasizes gaining industry experience and leaning into networking and shared learning.

[35:05] Recharging outside of work ranges from creative hobbies to food, music, and film, underscoring the human side of the profession.

Resources:

AUTM

Laura Schoppe - LinkedIn

TechPipeline

Fuentek

Patricia Stepp - Rice University

Patricia Stepp - LinkedIn

We’re diving into the blue economy with a fascinating conversation about ocean innovation and entrepreneurship. The discussion focuses on the practical reality of building ocean-focused companies, including the scientific complexity, regulatory hurdles, funding constraints, and long development timelines that make this sector very different from more familiar startup environments.

Our guest is Tamara Kahn Zissman, Director of Founder Success at Seaworthy Collective, a Miami-based nonprofit accelerator supporting BlueTech startups focused on ocean impact. Before working with founders, Tamara spent more than a decade at sea using advanced geophysical sensors in demanding environments. Her work took her from the Arctic to the waters off Borneo, giving her a firsthand view of how ocean systems, climate pressures, and human activity intersect.

Tamara holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Advanced Studies in Climate Science and Policy from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. At Seaworthy Collective, she designs and leads programs built around human-centered design, helping “Sea Change Makers” grow ocean data technologies into viable, planet-positive businesses. We also discuss the Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator launching in February 2026, with applications open through January 28, 2026.

In This Episode:

[00:04] The blue economy and why ocean innovation is becoming a critical focus within research commercialization.

[02:44] Tamara Kahn Zissman explains what blue tech means and how the definition of the blue economy has shifted toward sustainability and regeneration.

[04:15] She describes the ocean as one of the planet’s most important climate regulators and explains why data gaps remain such a major challenge.

[06:21] We explore the founding vision behind Seaworthy Collective and how the organization evolved to better support ocean entrepreneurs.

[07:18] Tamara discusses Seaworthy’s emphasis on human-centered design and why supporting founders as people is essential for long-term success.

[10:20] Unique barriers ocean startups face, including capital intensity, long validation cycles, and regulatory complexity.

[12:30] How collaboration across accelerators can create stronger commercialization pathways than competition alone.

[13:36] What Seaworthy looks for in applicants and why alignment between founders and program support matters.

[14:42] Tamara outlines the structure of the Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator and the level of commitment expected from participants.

[16:28] The benefits of mixed cohorts that include both aspiring founders and early-stage startups.

[18:45] How community support within cohorts accelerates learning and confidence for first-time founders.

[21:30] We talk about the role of ocean data technologies and why they are central to the future of the blue economy.

[24:10] How Seaworthy helps founders translate strong science into viable business models without losing impact.

[27:05] Non-dilutive funding and why it plays a critical role in ocean innovation.

[30:15] How the Continuum network connects ocean enterprise accelerators across the country.

[33:20] We discuss how researchers and tech transfer professionals can better engage with ocean-focused startups.

[36:56] Details on Seaworthy’s Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator launching in February 2026 with a January 28, 2026 application deadline.

[38:21] What gives her hope about the future of ocean innovation and growing awareness of the blue economy.

[39:52] A call for researchers and entrepreneurs to turn ocean research into real-world solutions.

Resources:

AUTM

Seaworthy Collective

Seaworthy Ocean Enterprise Studio & Incubator

NOAA Ocean Enterprise Network

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Tamara Kahn Zissman - LinkedIn