Michelle Tokarz | Co Owner

Dr. Michelle Tokarz is a passionate Materials Scientist with significant experience in technology development for leaders in many markets, and she is a successful entrepreneur - guiding start-ups through preliminary technical research and market analysis / customer discovery initiatives. Michelle’s insight and judgement comes from her unique combination of academic best practices and industry’s problem-solving challenges experience.

Dr. Tokarz developed her science and business acumen in the pharmaceutical industry, holding research chemistry and subsequent production roles for Merck and Eli Lilly. Participating with and assisting several groups in NSF ICorp customer discovery sessions, she led several teams through initial and full-scale, national programs. Michelle has also participated in several NSF SBIR review boards. She earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science and a dual Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Michelle has spent the last 18 years as a tech entrepreneur, currently with The Coretec Group as Vice President of Partnerships and Innovation, working with potential partners and customers to evaluate their products and mapping out a relevant tech roadmap for the organization. She has done similar work for Scops Coatings, LLC, a Michigan State University spinout. Prior, she was part of an energy-efficient lighting company, BDT LightSource/ AGT, which grew annual sales to $7.0 million+. After completing four rounds of funding, controlling interests were sold to Ushio American.

Michelle’s introduction to tech startups was as a cofounder of MetaGlass Coatings, based upon her doctoral work at The University of Michigan. MetaGlass Coatings earned both Phase I and Phase 2 NSF STTR funding.

• Entrepreneurial Experience/Tech startups
• Materials Science and advanced characterization, including broad range of microscopy techniques
• Extensive pharmaceutical knowledge
• Extensive knowledge in performing in-depth market research and analysis
• Ability to guide teams and grow organizations