FoundHERS From Bench to Launch: Spotlighting Women Innovators in STEM

Contributed by Nimisha Nandankar, Venture Analyst, Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund

The Duderstadt Center was pulsing with energy on October 7 as students, faculty, and entrepreneurs came together for FoundHERS: From Bench to Launch in STEM — a fireside chat hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund.

Three trailblazing founders — Priya Gogoi (Co-Founder of Celsee, Inc.), Madeline Eiken, and Charlie Childs (Co-Founders of Intero Biosystems) — took the stage to share their journeys from lab research to launching biotech startups.

Empowering Women in Innovation

FoundHERS was created to give women across U-M a space to connect, be inspired, and see what’s possible in the world of innovation. The series celebrates real stories, real challenges, and real wins — spotlighting women who’ve turned bold ideas into world-changing ventures.

From the Lab to the Market

The panelists kept it real — talking about everything from startup growing pains to chasing funding and fighting imposter syndrome.

“Believe in your data — and in yourself,” shared Gogoi, reflecting on her leap from academia to launching a diagnostics company.

Eiken and Childs opened up about the power of partnership, crediting their complementary skills and shared vision for driving Intero Biosystems from a spark of an idea to a mission-driven company.

“Believe in your data — and in yourself.”

Priya Gogoi

Connection, Mentorship, and Momentum

After the chat, students, founders, and faculty jumped into an interactive Q&A and networking session — swapping advice, stories, and LinkedIn connections. Many attendees said seeing successful founders who once sat in their seats was exactly the motivation they needed.

Building the Next Generation of Women Founders

FoundHERS is quickly becoming a go-to event for anyone looking to break into innovation and entrepreneurship. By highlighting women-led startups and honest conversations about the ups and downs of building something from scratch, it’s inspiring the next generation to make their own mark.

Stay Connected

Want to get involved?
Follow the Center for Entrepreneurship to catch the next FoundHERS event — and find the resources, community, and confidence to launch your ideas into impact.