Build a Fundable, Scalable Business — Without Guessing or Burning Out
The Coach for Founders Building What Others Can’t Understand
If you’re developing deep-tech or science-driven innovations, you need guidance from someone fluent in both the technology and the path to funding and commercialization. Work with Colleen Spiegel, a PhD engineer who helps technical founders bridge science, funding, and commercialization.
You Don’t Need Motivation — You Need a Real Plan
If you’re developing a deep-tech or science-driven innovation, you need more than generic business advice. You need a coach who understands both the technical complexity of your work and the strategic path to funding, commercialization, and early-stage growth.
- You have the skills, but not a clear path to market
- Funding feels confusing and fragmented
- You’re juggling too many priorities with no clear milestones
- Hustle isn’t working — the old paradigm no longer fits
Colleen helps high-tech founders turn complex ideas into fundable, scalable, high-performance companies. Her coaching focuses on execution, funding readiness, and sustainable performance — not generic mindset talk.
Why Work With Dr. Colleen Spiegel
- Founder of Semscio, helping startups since 2016
- Helped 175+ startups pursue NSF, DoD, and NIH funding
- Former founder of a scientific e-commerce business (Clean Fuel Cell Energy)
- PhD in Electrical Engineering; MS & BS in Chemical Engineering
- Author of several business books available on Amazon, including: Break Out of Your Job Now: The Innovator’s Guide to Launching Your High-Tech Business
What We Do for High-Tech Founders
Our coaching programs and consulting services are designed for innovators who want clear strategy, expert guidance, and measurable results. We help you:
Commercialization & Business Development
- Validate high-tech concepts with real market data
- Craft investor-ready business and commercialization plans
- Translate complex R&D into clear, compelling value propositions
- Build go-to-market strategies designed for deep-tech and scientific products
Product & Technical Alignment
- Develop strategic roadmaps for AI, biotech, engineering, and energy technologies
- Align technical milestones with business goals and funding requirements
- Accelerate product development with structured execution plans
Funding & Grant Strategy
- Identify the right SBIR/STTR and federal grant opportunities
- Build winning non-dilutive funding strategies
- Strengthen proposals with expert review, R&D planning, and budget support
Team & Operational Structure
- Establish scalable workflows, team frameworks, and decision-making systems
- Plan project teams for grant execution and product development
- Improve operational efficiency for R&D-heavy startups
Why Founders Choose Semscio
Deep Technical Insight
A rare blend of engineering, scientific modeling, biotech/medtech, and energy systems expertise—bringing clarity to complex technologies.
Commercialization Expertise
Real-world experience helping founders secure millions in non-dilutive funding, launch prototypes, and enter the market with confidence.
Analytical Problem Solving
Rapid diagnosis of technical, operational, and commercialization challenges.
Strategic Clarity
High-level thinking paired with precise, actionable steps—ideal for uncertain, technical, or emerging markets.
Proven Success
Founders we’ve coached have secured government grants, increased revenue, built funded prototypes, and achieved major product milestones.
What You Can Expect
- Direct, structured coaching—no fluff
- High-level strategy with clear action steps
- Weekly accountability and milestone tracking
- Faster clarity on product-market fit, pricing, and customer targeting
- Guidance that aligns R&D, funding, and business growth
Who We Work Best With
- Deep-tech founders
- AI, ML, and data-driven innovators
- Biotech and medtech teams
- Energy and clean-tech entrepreneurs
- Engineering and materials science startups
- SBIR/STTR-focused companies
- Academic spinouts and research-based ventures
- R&D-heavy companies building complex technologies
If you’re building something technically challenging and commercially promising—and you want a coach who understands both the science and the business— complete this application will help determine whether we’re a good fit to work together.
Testimonials
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Colleen’s input was extremely valuable and we were thankful to have her on our team!”
Sirma Pandev, Shero Diagnostics
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Colleen was so great to work with. She just got it and was proactive about making suggestions. We’re hoping to work with her again.”
Jeff Friesen, Radiant Labs
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Colleen goes above and beyond expectations. She is full of interesting ideas and insights. Hard worker she is! Many thanks.”
Alex Stolyarik, EcosystemOne
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Colleen is a very helpful coach and collaborator expert in the NSF SBIR program. I highly recommend and look forward to working with her again!”
Bob Levy, Virtual Cove
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Colleen has consulted with me on a number of projects. She always provides great guidance on research design and project development. I have a very high degree of respect for her professional guidance.”
James Yagley, Fafnir
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Super smart scientist. She was able to help us with a very tricky set of technical challenges. Wonderful experience and hope to have the opportunity to work together in the future.”
Eric Gilbert, Professional Service Solutions
Coaching That Leads to Funding Readiness
Unlike generic business coaching, my programs are designed to move you toward real funding and commercialization milestones. Many coaching clients later work with Semscio on grant strategy, commercialization plans, and proposal development once their business and technology are fully positioned.
Strategy Intensive: 90-Minute Business & Funding Strategy Intensive
Perfect if you want expert direction without a long-term program.
- 𓇻 Includes:
- ✦ Deep-dive into your business or startup idea
- ✦ Commercialization and funding strategy guidance
- ✦ Written summary of priorities and next steps
Program 1: Founder Launch & Funding Strategy Program Best for: Professionals transitioning from job to startup or early-stage founders
- 𓇻 What you’ll achieve:
- ✦ Clear business model and target customer
- ✦ Commercialization and revenue strategy
- ✦ Funding roadmap (non-dilutive first when appropriate)
- ✦ 90-day execution plan
- 𓇻 What’s included:
- ✦ Weekly 1:1 strategy sessions
- ✦ Market and customer validation guidance
- ✦ Milestone tracking and accountability
- ✦ Personalized funding strategy
- ✦ 12 weeks
Program 2: Growth & Decision Coaching for Active Founders Best for: Founders already running a business who need strategic support
- 𓇻 Focus areas:
- ✦ Priority and workload optimization
- ✦ Team and role planning
- ✦ Funding and growth decisions
- ✦ Scaling without burnout
- 𓇻 Includes:
- ✦ 2–4 strategy sessions per month
- ✦ Ongoing support between calls
- ✦ Quarterly planning sessions
Program 3: Burnout Recovery & Performance Reset Best for: High-performing founders who are exhausted but still responsible for growth
- 𓇻 Outcomes:
- ✦ Sustainable workload structure
- ✦ Decision simplification
- ✦ Rebuilt execution rhythm
- ✦ New motivation and operating paradigm
- 𓇻 included:
- ✦ Weekly coaching sessions
- ✦ Performance and energy management strategies
- ✦ Tactical workload restructuring
- ✦ 8 weeks
Apply for Business & Innovation Coaching
If you’re serious about building or scaling a business — or transitioning out of your job into the right business— this application helps determine whether we’re a good fit to work together.
I work with motivated professionals and founders who want clear strategy, honest feedback, and practical execution plans — not generic advice.
Please complete the short application below. If your goals align with my services, you’ll be invited to schedule a strategy call.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of founders do you work with?
I specialize in supporting deep-tech and high-tech founders building advanced technologies in AI, biotech, medtech, engineering, clean energy, materials science, and other R&D-heavy fields. I also work with SBIR/STTR applicants, academic spinouts, and research-driven startups.
2. Do I need to have a fully developed prototype before working with you?
No. I coach founders at all stages—concept, prototype, early traction, and pre-seed. What matters most is that you are developing a technically challenging and commercially promising idea.
3. Can you help me figure out which grants I qualify for?
Yes. I provide targeted grant research, help you identify eligible SBIR/STTR and federal funding opportunities, and build a non-dilutive funding strategy that matches your technology and stage.
4. Do you write the grant applications or only coach founders?
I offer both coaching and hands-on consulting. This includes proposal review, technical narrative development, commercialization strategy support, and budget feedback to help maximize your competitiveness.
5. What makes your coaching approach different from other startup coaches?
I combine deep technical insight (engineering, biotech, energy systems) with commercialization strategy and funding expertise. My approach is direct, analytical, and execution-focused—ideal for complex, uncertain, and science-driven technologies.
6. How does coaching help with SBIR/STTR applications?
Coaching ensures your proposal is strategically aligned, technically strong, commercially compelling, and fully responsive to agency requirements. I help streamline your R&D plan, budget, team roles, milestones, and commercialization sections.
7. How often do we meet?
Most clients meet weekly or bi-weekly for structured, goal-oriented sessions with clear action steps, milestone tracking, and accountability. Additional review or document guidance is provided as needed.
8. Can you help me validate my market or customer need?
Yes. I guide founders through data-driven market validation, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and pricing strategy—essential for grants, investors, and product development.
9. Will you help me prepare for investor pitches?
Absolutely. I help you clarify your value proposition, refine your pitch narrative, build slides, practice delivery, and align your story with investor expectations for deep-tech startups.
10. How do I know if I'm a good fit for your coaching program?
You’re a strong fit if:
• You are building a technology that is technical, scientific, or R&D-intensive
• You want expert guidance, not generic business tips
• You’re committed to taking action and making measurable progress
• You appreciate direct, structured coaching with clear outcomes
• You are building a technology that is technical, scientific, or R&D-intensive
• You want expert guidance, not generic business tips
• You’re committed to taking action and making measurable progress
• You appreciate direct, structured coaching with clear outcomes
11. Do you offer one-time consultations or only ongoing coaching?
Both. You can book a single strategy session, but most founders choose ongoing coaching for sustained progress on grants, product development, and market strategy.
12. How do I join the waitlist?
Simply complete the short intake form. You’ll answer three quick qualification questions and be added to the priority waitlist for the next available opening.