About the Automation and Robotics Vertical
The Automation and Robotics Vertical recruits and coaches startups with solutions that utilize hard tech, AI. and connected devices. These solutions impact multiple industries including Manufacturing, Materials Handling, Sustainability, Healthcare, Transportation, Food and Beverage, Agriculture, and Consumer use. ATDC’s deep coaching and collaboration resources, in conjunction with our unique relationships with the Georgia Tech Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM) and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), provide unmatched support for the commercialization of your technology.
Automation and Robotics is in huge demand to solve the urgent needs of better quality, increased demand and reliable, cost-effective labor. If you are a startup founder solving any of these problems and looking for industry connections, investment and/or commercialization support, we can help.
About the Lead Catalyst
Ward is a serial entrepreneur with significant manufacturing technology experience in bringing products to market, managing business growth and advising startups.
As co-founder of the healthcare technology company, (IPA)® (thinkipa.com/), Ward served as Executive VP and COO and was an integral part of taking the company from product concept to market leader and setting up in-house product development and manufacturing operations. IPA provides an integrated hardware/software dispensing and retrieval system for hospital scrub suits and linens. These products solve a significant pain point in hospital operations and are currently installed in more than 1,000 hospitals across the United States and internationally. IPA was sold to a Fortune 500 Company (Roper Technologies) in 2014 after which Ward stayed on as VP of Product Management and International Business Development and Strategic Advisor until his exit in March 2017.
Prior to IPA, Ward was co-owner and President of Design and Manufacturing Services (DMSI), an electro-mechanical product development and contract manufacturing firm. DMSI’s customers included numerous hi-tech startups in the areas of manufacturing, satellite communications and medical devices. More recently Ward served as a consultant and advisor to multiple healthcare startups and taken on fractional CEO and COO operational roles.
Ward holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech with an emphasis in Manufacturing and Automation. Ward also has an MBA from Georgia Tech with a focus in Startups and Management of Technology. Ward holds multiple technology patents and is actively involved in the Atlanta startup community as a mentor, advisor and investor.
Contact options:
Email | 678.488.3988 (M) | LinkedIn
About the Sponsor
Amazon Robotics is the vertical sponsor and offers significant resources for startup support. According to Amazon, “Our mission is to support infrastructure for startups and to help foster compelling startup companies with tremendous talent that solve big problems….Equally important to us is Georgia Tech’s track record of working with and supporting entrepreneurs from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.”