JB

Jonathan B. Miller

Sci-fi → Sci-fact 🌐 Lab-to-launch tough tech ventures

Greater Pittsburgh Region

Invests in

Stages:

  • Min Investment:

    $100,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $5,000,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $1,500,000.00

Work Experience

  • Project Manager

    2024

  • Lecturer

    2022

    Lab for Translational Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • Instructor

    2021 - 2022

    Co-instruct graduate MechE seminar course 2.s988 Translational Engineering with Prof. Giovanni Traverso. https://translational-engineering.com/

  • Publisher

    2023

    "The voice of deep tech." Informing our science-advantaged startup community. Sharing perspectives, resources, and coverage spanning aerospace-adjacent domains with engaging multimedia. Check out Telemetry, our ~weekly newsletter! https://www.endeff.com

2004

  • General Partner

    2004

    We are composed of WFS Research LLC and WFS Ventures. WFS Research provides well-informed opinions on technology commercialization. We perform primary source data collection on interdisciplinary 'tough tech' areas spanning multiple industries. As Chairman, I provide subject matter expertise to organizations such as U.S. Department of Defense, Strategy&/PwC, BCG, Alphabet X, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I started WFS Ventures as a venture creation and capitalization "umbrella" for stewarding projects to commercialization. I've been integral to commercializing technology ventures, having successfully created 6 companies to bring-to-market a plethora of products and services. As General Partner of WFS and functional CEO, CTO, and PM roles of subsidiaries, I have worked with, as partners or investors, more than a dozen companies: Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, Monotype, Adobe, Booz Allen Analytics, Banzan Group, Cabot Oil & Gas, Chief Oil & Gas, Saudi Aramco, Range Resources, Mechatronics Lab, and Blue Water Growth. I've also written 6 patent disclosures and built commercialization strategies and technical roadmaps from a portfolio of more than 16 patent disclosures. -LookAlive Studio -Pipeguard Robotics (dba Watertower Robotics) -Dimples Inc. -DryAll / Mad Dog Environmental Solutions -Muddy Charles -PopArchitexture -Self Inspection Company -Rogue Space -End Effector

  • Host

    2020

    Launched the premiere show featuring trailblazers who are building technologies today to solve tomorrow’s toughest challenges. Co-host: @ForrestMeyen 🎥 🎙 Watch, Listen, Subscribe, and Share :) https://toughtechtoday.com/ Every month we share stories, insights, and trends as seen from the eyes of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and other allies who are stewarding frontier technologies out of their labs and into the world.

  • Lecturer, Research Affiliate

    2019

    - Lecturer – Speak to the MIT community on tough tech venture building with respect to commercialization, investment, and working with the government. – Course Description: https://innovation.mit.edu/education-community/classes/dual-use-ventures-iap-course-2/ - Course Development – Perform foundational research for a new MIT course on "dual use ventures" (serving private and government sectors). Particular focus is on DOD and NIH. Interviewed dozens of venture capital partners, founders, and government representatives to document best practices and case studies from Silicon Valley to Boston and in other key regions.

  • Mission Innovation Lab Consulting Researcher

    2019 - 2019

    - Case Study Research – Prepare case study on mission-led innovation for the Department of Defense Laboratories Office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. - Innovation Ecosystems – Document best practices of and develop recommendations for NSWC Crane, other national laboratories, and the greater DoD innovation ecosystem.

  • Mission Innovation Lab Researcher

    2018 - 2018

    - Technology Lifecycle – Investigate technology research, development, transfer, and transition at NSWC Crane.

2019

  • Course Leader, Smart Manufacturing and Machine Learning

    2019

    I currently oversee one course: MIT xPro's Robotics Essentials. Previously, I helped develop and lead 1) MIT Professional Education's Smart Manufacturing, 2) MIT Schwarzman College of Computing's AI for the Enterprise, and 3) MIT CSAIL's Introduction to Machine Learning. I've led every run of a 10-week certificate course entitled "Smart Manufacturing: Moving from Static to Dynamic Manufacturing Operations" on behalf of one of the world's elite engineering management schools. Manage 200+ professional learners globally and moderate on behalf of 2 learning facilitators, professor, and SMEs. https://professional.mit.edu/programs/digital-plus-programs/course-offerings/smart-manufacturing For Introduction to Machine Learning, I managed 70 professional participants and conduct weekly office hours on behalf of MIT's Dr. Devavrat Shah for the course entitled "Machine Learning: From Data to Decisions", a 9-week certificate program. This program takes a look at machine learning through a lens of practical applications. It is designed specifically for decision makers who want to harness the power of machine learning and effectively manage the team of data scientists who make it possible. https://professional.mit.edu/programs/digital-plus-programs/course-offerings/machine-learning-data-decisions

  • Angel Investor

    2020

    Invested in Rise Companies, Corp., the parent company of Fundrise. "Fundrise is the first investment platform to create a simple, low-cost way for anyone to access real estate's historically consistent, exceptional returns."

  • Angel Investor

    2020

    Invested into StartEngine. "StartEngine is the largest equity crowdfunding platform in the US, where everyday people can invest and buy shares in startups and early-stage companies. The platform has helped more than 350 companies raise over $150M from a community of 250,000+ prospective investors."

2020 - 2023

  • Technology Principal

    2021 - 2023

    Managed investment activity globally, from top-of-the-funnel to post-IC deployment to LP fundraising. Led exploration and decision-making on the technological interests of the firm's investment thesis. With over $300MM USD in capital, Airbus Ventures is a non-strategic fund focused on financial returns. The firm is domiciled in the USA, with multiple LPs across AMER, EMEA, and APAC.

  • Chief Technology Advisor

    2020 - 2021

    Stewarding the tech investment thesis and managing deal flow globally. investment strategy <> autonomy, unconventional computing, aerospace systems