About Colleen Spiegel, Ph.D.

Founder, Advisor, and Thinking Partner for Technical Entrepreneurs

I work with founders who are building real businesses — often technical, often complex — and who want clear thinking, honest feedback, and structured guidance as they make high-stakes decisions.

Some of the founders I work with are just getting started. Others are already operating and trying to decide what comes next. Many are navigating funding questions — and just as many are deciding not to pursue funding yet.

If you are unsure where to begin, the best place to start is here:

My role is not to push a specific path, but to help founders see their situation clearly and choose deliberately.

How I Work With Founders

I approach this work as a thinking partner, not a cheerleader and not a taskmaster.

Founders come to me when they want to:

Pressure-test an idea before committing time or capital
Translate technical work into a viable business strategy
Decide whether funding makes sense — and what kind
Bring structure to a business that feels scattered or stalled
Prepare for growth without losing control of the company

My focus is on clarity before execution and strategy before tactics.

That applies whether a founder is bootstrapping, pursuing grants, preparing for investors, or intentionally choosing to grow without outside capital.

Why My Background Matters

My perspective comes from operating at the intersection of engineering, entrepreneurship, and advisory work.

Founder Experience

Before founding Semscio, I founded and operated multiple companies, including Clean Fuel Cell Energy, LLC, a profitable renewable energy business that served scientists, engineers, and universities worldwide.

That company:

I have also founded a media and education company, giving me firsthand experience with very different business models — and the decisions that come with each.

This matters because I understand business not just as a theory, but as something you must operate, sustain, and grow.

Technical & Industry Experience

I have worked as a scientist and engineer in regulated and high-stakes environments, including roles at:

My background allows me to engage deeply with technical founders and complex products — without oversimplifying or abstracting away the hard parts.

This matters because I understand business not just as a theory, but as something you must operate, sustain, and grow.

Advisory & Consulting Experience

Over the course of my career, I have advised 170+ companies, with more than 150 engagements focused on:

I have also worked with incubators, accelerators, and innovation programs, including university-affiliated and government-supported initiatives.

Teaching & Education

Since 2016, I have served as an adjunct professor teaching chemistry, physics, and engineering technology courses at St. Petersburg College. Teaching keeps my thinking sharp and reinforces my commitment to clear explanations and structured frameworks — the same qualities founders value in advisory work.

Author & Educator

I am the author of multiple technical textbooks and founder-focused business books. I use writing as a way to codify complex ideas into usable frameworks for founders.

How This Connects to Semscio

I founded Semscio in 2016 to create a platform where founders could access:

Semscio allows founders to engage at the level that fits their needs — from self-guided learning to one-on-one advisory work.

A Final Note

I do not believe there is one correct way to build a company.

I do believe founders do better when they:

If that resonates, we may work well together.

Free ebooks

Looking to enhance your business skills and improve your quality of life? Download our FREE eBooks and gain valuable insights into key aspects of entrepreneurship.

01. Create a Winning Grant Proposal

This Free eBook provides advice to assist you in compiling essential aspects of your grant proposal.

02. Your Value Proposition

Discover how to craft a compelling value proposition that resonates with your target audience and sets your business apart from the competition.

03. Commercialization Planning for New Products

This Free Ebook includes information on effectively conducting market research, performing a preliminary market assessment, and budget and financial considerations