Janeya Griffin- The Commercializer, LLC

Janeya Griffin, The Commercializer®️ is an Intellectual Property (IP) Advocate with experience providing workshops, trainings and assessments for HBCUs around IP and Technology Transfer. She has testified to congress on intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and diversity in patents, and is a commercialization expert having almost a decade of experience as a technology transfer specialist at NASA including being a former Federal Laboratory Consortium Executive Board Member. With a deep passion for serving others, Janeya advises aspiring entrepreneurs, universities, and small businesses, including formerly incarcerated individuals on building wealth by monetizing their talents and intellectual assets.

The Commercializer, LLC is a strategic consulting firm focused on connecting researchers, technologists, educational institutions, and companies in underserved communities who are often times excluded from new and routine opportunities with the resources necessary to sustain and grow. Our mission is to advise individuals and organizations on ways to seek new research, create sustainable economic ecosystems and connect with entrepreneurial prospects that result in the commercialization of their assets (skills, knowledge, facilities, technologies, programs, etc.).

Tyrome Smith

Tyrome “Ty” Smith brings over 25 years of experience in consulting and leadership development, guiding executives and their teams in understanding human and organizational dynamics. He has designed and led innovative programs for the Department of Defense, including coaching product development teams within internal incubators. Ty has also served as faculty and entrepreneur-in-residence at institutions such as Bowie State University, the University of Maryland Innovation Extension Program (ICorps), StreetCode Academy, Black Ambition, and TechStars, where he supported early-stage ventures and fostered innovation. He is a much sought-after public speaker, workshop facilitator, and podcaster. He most recently host the Federal Laboratory Consortium National Award Ceremony. Leveraging his deep expertise in business development and stakeholder engagement, Ty plays a critical role in preparing companies to access the funding and support necessary for sustainable growth.

Latane Brackett

Latane E. Brackett III is a dynamic leader at the forefront of inclusive innovation, technology commercialization, and partnership development. With over 30 years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry, Latane has repeatedly built and led high-performance teams, championed future leaders, and fostered diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems.

As an Innovation Program Manager at Jackson State University, a BVI Fellow at BLCK VC, and a former Principal Manager of Innovation Programs at the National GEM Consortium, Latane continues to empower deep tech co-founders, broaden access to underrepresented communities, and cultivate relational equity across multiple sectors.

Credentials

  • Honorary Member of the National Academy of Inventors (HonNAI)

  • Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP)

  • Black Venture Institute Fellow (BLCK VC)

  • Rule 31 Certified Mediator

  • OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer

Wearable Tech Ventures

Wearable technology touches almost every business sector, from mobile connectivity to medical monitoring to fitness trackers and smartwatches. The massive demand for wearable tech has jumpstarted new generations of smart devices and opened the door for technology so popular that people can’t seem to live without it. It’s no secret that wearable technology is taking the world by storm. And Wearable Tech Ventures is here to bridge the gap between corporations, investors, angel investors, government institutions. This means bringing people to the table to solve problems that directly affect them and supporting the development of those solutions.  First, we provide education and experiential opportunities to explore the world of wearables. Then, we identify promising Founders who can be developed as strong leaders and integrate them into our network of fellow innovators, investors, and promotional partners to assist in their success. By 2030, our goal is to contribute to 100 successful startups led by Founders who are traditionally under resourced.