Chair

Laura A. Schoppe founded Fuentek in 2001, and under her leadership the company has become one of the world’s leading technology transfer consulting companies. Fuentek serves university, government, corporate, and nonprofit research organizations throughout the United States as well as in the European Union, the Middle East, and Asia.

Recognized as a leading expert in technology commercialization, Laura has an impressive track record of success in helping clients manage their technology proactively, efficiently, and effectively. She has helped clients move their technologies into new markets as well as find sources for technology solutions to address their own R&D needs and product development. Her expertise includes restructuring/establishing technology management organizations; intellectual property portfolio management; open innovation; technology marketing and strategic communications, including the use of social media tools; negotiating licenses, collaborative R&D partnerships, sponsored research agreements, and other deals; and entrepreneurship training for innovators/researchers. She also has numerous publication and speaking credits.

Laura is frequently invited to serve on key advisory panels at the state and national level, including multiple White House panels and the strategic advisory board for the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. She previously served as AUTM’s vice president of strategic alliances, spearheading the design, development, and deployment of what is now known as the AUTM Innovation Marketplace (https://aim.autm.net). Continuing her service to AUTM, she currently serves as the board chair for the AUTM Foundation.

Laura is passionate about encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM fields. She served on the board of FIRST North Carolina for five years and is still a sponsor and a judge during robotics competitions.

Laura also has 12 years of experience leading research. She worked for several defense contractors as an engineer and manager. For example, at GE-Aerospace/Lockheed Martin, she was responsible for national and international new business development and R&D projects for advanced submarine and surface ship programs.

Laura holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and Princeton, and she earned her MBA at the University of North Carolina.

About Fuentek

Fuentek provides comprehensive technology-related consulting services for leading university, government, and corporate decision makers around the world. Fuentek’s experienced consultants have a broad range of technical expertise, real-world business experience, and unparalleled communications capabilities. The company meets the specific needs of each client, with a commitment to being value-added in its innovation management, strategic consulting, branding and marketing, deal-making, market research, and training services.