When you think of innovation, you might picture cutting-edge tech or groundbreaking business models. But for CFE instructor Grace Hsia, innovation starts with something much more fundamental: empathy. As the founder and CEO of Warmilu, she’s saving lives with non-electric warming technology—and now, she’s taking center stage in Comcast NBCUniversal’s Culture Capital as one of the visionary entrepreneurs reshaping the future by putting people first.
In Culture Capital, Grace joined a powerful lineup of entrepreneurs of color who are reshaping their industries and breaking barriers. Hosted by Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, the series gives an inside look at these founders’ journeys as they grow their ventures and make real-world change.
Warmilu: Innovation with Heart
At the core of Grace’s work is Warmilu, her life-saving startup that creates non-electric warming blankets to combat hypothermia, especially in newborns. Each year, 11,000 babies are kept warm thanks to Warmilu’s innovative technology. Warmilu’s tech can be found in hospitals around the globe, particularly in low-resource areas where electricity is scarce. For Grace, this isn’t just about technology—it’s about people.
As she explains in the documentary, “The business of empathy is one of the most human-centric parts of innovation. When you are designing something brand new that the world has never seen before, you have to center that innovation around people.”
Grace’s approach to entrepreneurship focuses on more than just solving problems. For her, it’s crucial to recognize that innovation is about creating solutions that change lives: “I think it’s really important to think of entrepreneurship and innovation as being people-first and people-centered.”
Grace’s Journey on Culture Capital
Grace’s feature in Culture Capital reflects her determination to build businesses with purpose. She stands alongside other changemakers in the series—people who, like her, are driven by empathy and a desire to make the world a better place. As Grace puts it, “We’re at a table full of changemakers—people who break the mold and recognize that innovation is human-centric. It’s going to change the world!”
Streaming now on Xfinity, Peacock, and Xumo Play, Culture Capital dives into the unique challenges Grace and her fellow entrepreneurs have faced as they scaled their ventures. Her story of resilience, empathy, and people-centered innovation resonates deeply with viewers and entrepreneurs alike.
Comcast’s Culture Capital celebrates diverse entrepreneurship and the power of inclusive innovation. Entrepreneurs like Grace are breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and building businesses that make a real difference. At CFE, we’re honored to have Grace as an educator – one who’s teaching the next generation how to put people at the center of their entrepreneurial journey.
Make sure to watch Grace Hsia’s incredible journey in Culture Capital, now streaming on Xfinity, Peacock, and Xumo Play. Her story reminds us that when innovation meets empathy, it changes the world—one warm heart at a time.