Advising and Coaching

Eric is a biomedical engineer with 29 years of award-winning translational research experience, 24 years of experience consulting for the medical devices industry, and 13 years’ experience as a serial entrepreneur in the medical devices sector. He is an award-winning educator who has developed curricula and taught courses on design, product development, and technology transfer. He has served on advisory boards for Fortune 500 companies, foundations, and startups and he has played key roles in the establishment and growth of multiple technology-based ventures. Eric previously served as Vice President of Research & Development and Director of the Health Innovations Incubator & Technology Center at the Center for Disability Services in Albany, NY. Prior to that, he was a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 17 years. He also served as a Research Scientist in the Rehabilitation R&D Service at the Stratton VA Medical Center. Eric is also an Adjunct Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Albany Medical College. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and his MS and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Randy is an experienced leader in technology commercialization with a focus on strategies and methods needed to move new innovations, technologies, and products to the marketplace. Randy started his career as a research scientist for Eastman Kodak and then GE. He then became an entrepreneur and, in the role of CEO, he successfully led the launch and growth of four technology-based ventures over a 30 year period. He has also served as advisor to venture capital firms and as a strategy consultant to multiple public and private companies. He also served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for NYSERDA for six years. He joined the faculty in IT Web Science at RPI in 2019 and has taught business classes to scientists and engineers. He holds a BA in Chemistry from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from North Carolina State University. 

Industry Experts: We have assembled a roster of industry experts in a broad range of domains who will provide case-specific free advice related to their sector. Example domains include artificial intelligence and computing, biotechnology and medical devices, energy and the built environment, advanced manufacturing, materials, and much more.

Professional Advisors: We have created partnerships with elite technical advisors who have specific experience working with early-stage ventures. These advisors provide free guidance on topics including corporate formation, financial accounting, fundraising, patent law, and much more.

Contact severinocenter@rpi.edu to schedule an appointment with the BrainTrust Venture Advisor Network.

Industry Professionals: Are you interested in joining the RPI BrainTrust? Help us to grow our network of experts so we can support RPI founders and the challenges they face. Members are asked to give no more than 1-2 hours per month pro bono.

Christian Coyne, JD

Christian brings nearly a decade of experience representing a diverse portfolio of clients, from early-stage startups to global financial institutions, in complex corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital deals, and general corporate matters. His practice focuses on advising startups and growth-stage businesses, representing both investors and companies. 

Fermin Mendez, JD

Fermin is a professor at the Albany Law School where he directs the Community Economic Development Clinic. He is a corporate law and securities law expert, rooted in startup, venture capital, technology, and mergers & acquisitions. Fermin provides companies and entrepreneurs advice on employee onboarding, intellectual property strategy, intellectual property licensing and commercialization, securities offerings, and various other business considerations.  

Gunderson Dettmer is a specialty law firm that provides services to ventures during every stage of the lifecycle, from startups to publicly traded companies. Gunderson Dettmer has the expertise to provide strategic solutions at every business phase. From corporate governance and strategy to financing and transactions, Gunderson Dettmer can provide expert advice. Contact severinocenter@rpi.edu to schedule an appointment with Gunderson Dettmer.

Contact severinocenter@rpi.edu to schedule an appointment with the Justice Center. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.