Chris Donovan

Background

About Chris Donovan

Chris is Director of Strategic Development at New England Invents. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NEI is the oldest organization in the U.S. dedicated to the support of independent inventors. NEI helps innovators learn how to turn a great idea into a patentable, manufacturable, commercial product. NEI offers monthly educational seminars, in-person networking events, one-on-one consulting, and product pitch sessions. Our mission is to foster inclusive innovation- specifically to democratize access to inventor education, patent ownership, and product commercialization. NEI recently has launched two key initiatives to support inclusive innovation. The first targets K-12 students, offering educational and mentorship programs to encourage young creators and inventors. The second initiative supports military veterans and their families, offering tailored programs to assist their transition into careers in independent inventing. Finally, as part of our dedication to educating independent inventors, NEI is in the process of developing a twelve- part certification course addressing each step of the product commercialization lifecycle, from intellectual property protection, funding, prototyping, marketing, licensing, manufacturing, and retail sales. This practical online course will provide a clear, step-by-step guide through the entire process of invention, and provide actionable knowledge for aspiring inventors of all backgrounds. Before New England Invents, Chris was a Business Development Executive for One Digital through July 2022. One Digital is one of the largest insurance, financial services, and HR consulting companies in the U.S. Before One Digital, Chris headed up business development for Amplified Insurance Partners until its acquisition by One Digital. Before Amplified, Chris headed a global business development group for Raytheon for 14 years. Chris is also a former director and co-founder of the Startup Coalition, one of the most influential entrepreneurial resource groups in New England. Members of The Startup Coalition represent a variety of service industries, and collectively cover virtually all services that startup founders and companies need to grow profitably. Chris has worked with inventors and entrepreneurs for 40 years and has served as a longtime advisor to MassChallenge, a global network for innovators working to solve massive challenges.