Since 2007, Paul has worked closely with university researchers to create startup companies that utilize University of Pittsburgh discoveries. He is intimately involved in the Pitt Venture’s First Gear Program that is designed to guide faculty and students in experiential customer discovery initiatives relating to the commercialization of their university developed technology. Previously, Paul was a member of the Innovation Institute’s Entrepreneurial Excellence team providing hands-on business development consulting to regional technology-based companies. He maintains an expertise in the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and has consulted with over 80 participant companies, with successful awards well in excess of $25 million. Relatedly, he authored “A Guide to Federally Funded Research, Budgeting and Accounting,” a how-to tome to help small companies manage federal funding. In 2006, he received the prestigious national Tibbetts Award recognizing his services connecting Western Pennsylvania’s technology innovators with SBIR funding for product development. He has served on several loan and proposal review committees, including serving as Chair of the Pennsylvania Innovation Partnership Funding Committee. He is a member of the American Institute and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.