Space industry executive holds faculty workshop on investment pitching

Iris Fujiura, a Washington State University alumna and space industry executive, will lead a workshop for faculty, researchers, and innovators on investment pitching.

Fujiura will discuss "Could your pitch win over an angel investor in 3 minutes?" at two events on the Pullman campus on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

An event for faculty will be held from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in ETRL 101, and she will meet with students at 3:30 p.m. in ETRL 119.

As the landscape for research support is changing, the workshop provides an opportunity for faculty to learn about the world of private investing. In the workshop, she will talk to faculty and students about how to hook investors quickly, avoid common mistakes, tell stories that land funding, and show budget numbers that matter.

Fujiura, who studied engineering at WSU, brings experience from Silicon Valley and angel investing in women-led startups. She has 30 years of experience in the space industry, where she was vice-president with Lockheed Martin. She is Chapter Chair Emeritus of the investment group, Golden Seeds, and has heard hundreds of pitches and invested in startups nationwide.

"WSU is a place where people are encouraged to think big, share bold ideas, and pursue innovation," said WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell. "Our faculty and students excel at bringing forward creative solutions. We are so fortunate that amazing WSU alumni like Iris come back home to Pullman to help us explore these opportunities together."