T. Reid Lewis

Reid a software entrepreneur living in Maryland. He is a fan of technology, entrepreneurship, and outdoors. You can visit his website with a click on the button above.

Reid practices leadership, delegation, strategic planning, execution, and learns new skills by volunteering to catalyze outcomes and engagement on missions that are important to him.

Since 2018, I have worked to help university-born IP transition into viable commercial entities. My recent experience is rooted in the regional tech transfer ecosystem, including:

Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR): Most recently, I served as a Tech Transfer EIR with James Madison University (2023–2025), and a previous EIR project at Virginia Commonwealth University (2023 - 2024).
Fractional Spinout Leadership: I am currently providing strategic leadership as a Fractional CEO for spinouts from JMU (Chronic Cough Controller) and UMBC (Revlr) for deep-tech ventures, helping them navigate the complexities of early-stage growth and capital strategy. Previously, I served as a fractional product management executive for spinouts from Virginia Commonwealth University (Perfusion Medical, 2024 - 2025), UMD Medical School (Transplant Logistics, 2019), and Applied Physics Lab (Thermohalt, 2018 - 2019).
Grant Review & Commercialization Assessment: I maintain a high-level view of regional innovation through my work as a grant reviewer for TEDCO (2019–current), Midsouth REACH (2024–current), NC Innovation (2025–current), and supporting faculty applicants for JMU (2023–current).

I am a serial founder and innovator with a long-term commitment to cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs. I have been actively working with student innovators since 2008 as a volunteer and, more recently, as contract staff and tech transfer EIR since 2022.

My expertise aligns well with the goal of providing students with high-impact, experiential learning:
Lean Startup & Mentorship: I teach classes and serve as a mentor, speaker, and judge, helping students apply the Lean Startup methodology to validate their ideas and navigate the early stages of innovation.
Program Execution: I have significant experience in organizing and assisting with programs that provide hands-on innovation and entrepreneurship experiences.
Founder Insight & Inspiration: Drawing on my past experience as a founder and CEO—including bootstrapping, raising capital (friends and family, angel, venture, and strategic), building successful teams, scaling product lines, and successfully selling businesses—I am strongly positioned to inspire students and build their confidence.
Alumni Engagement: I also have a proven track record of organizing and mobilizing alumni networks to volunteer to speak to classes and mentor students and support each other professionally.

To fight anthropogenic climate change, Reid co-founded and co-chairs the Duke Alumni Climate and Sustainability network that connects Dukies for career networking and collaboration to effect the changes needed to achieve a sustainable future. Reid acts as liaison to other climate organizations, including CUSP, the College and University Sustainability Program organization founded by 11 universities, including Harvard and Stanford.

To help boys and girls learn leadership, teamwork, civics, and life skills, Reid volunteers for Scouts USA, formerly BSA. He served as Scoutmaster for 5 years, Cubmaster for 2 years, Eagle Advisor, Pack Committee Chair for 2 years, and as an active adult volunteer for more than 15 years.

To help innovative Duke alumni, Reid co-founded the Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network aka DukeGEN in 2008 with Fuqua School of Business Professor Howie Rhee. Reid has served as co-chair for more than 17 years organizing more than 40 simultaneous networking events in more than 20 cities around the world. Reid manages the online community of nearly 10,000 alumni.