Bill Fienup, mHUB Co-founder,VP of innovation services and Executive Director of the mHUB MedTech Accelerator program, is an entrepreneur focused on delivering new product innovation to clients seeking better solutions.
Prior to founding mHUB, Bill was a prolific hardtech innovator, entrepreneur, and product developer of consumer products and medical devices. With experience ranges from researching fusion energy at Los Alamos National Laboratory to designing toys for Hasbro, Bill began his career as a product development consultant for IDEO and Insight Product Development. MedTech innovations developed during his entrepreneurial career include: as a grad student at MIT, collaborating with Mass General Hospital to invent a biopsy needle; as a consultant at IDEO, working with Eli Lilly to prototype novel insulin injectors; at Insight Product Development, working with Abbvie to develop a wearable automated injection device; and collaborating with Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson Surgical Technologies company, to commercialize an articulating stapler.
After 7 years of innovation consulting, Bill became an entrepreneur and launched several product base businesses. After experiencing several challenges launching hardware startups, Bill founded Catalyze Chicago to provide entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, mentorship, and manufacturing networks needed to successfully develop products and launch new business.
Bill holds 12 patents — including 3d printing alignment, bandage dispenser, biopsy needle and a NERF Atom Blaster™ with more pending. Bill’s reputation as a thought leader extends beyond Chicago. He was named to Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 in 2018 and featured in Newcity’s Design 50: Who Shapes Chicago 2019. In addition to being a repeat visitor to the White House for topics ranging from international trade to the maker movement, Bill has appeared on national television with his inventions.