Dr. Dennis Rebelo joins host PJ Moynihan to discuss the evolution of the BIC’s accelerator program, and its growing focus on the Founder behind the venture. They explore leadership under pressure, Orienting Intelligence, peer learning, and why investing in Founders is as important as investing in their technologies.
In this episode of BIC Presents, host PJ Moynihan sits down with Dr. Dennis Rebelo, Chief Learning Officer at the Berkshire Innovation Center, to discuss the evolution of the BIC’s accelerator program and its growing focus on the founder behind the venture. After three cohorts supporting entrepreneurs with technical expertise, government relations, media, leadership development, and access to the BIC ecosystem, the program is shifting toward helping founders and key leaders navigate the human dynamics of building an organization. Dennis introduces Orienting Intelligence, his framework for understanding how leaders sense, adapt, and make decisions during high-pressure moments when relationships, priorities, or power dynamics can quickly change. The conversation explores why technical aptitude and funding alone may not prepare a founder to build and lead an effective team. PJ and Dennis also discuss the value of cohort-based learning, where founders can examine real experiences, develop a shared language, and learn from one another. The six-month Founders Accelerator brings that work together through a hybrid program designed to help founders develop alongside the companies they are building.
Links:
BIC Founders Accelerator:
https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program
Berkshire Innovation Center:
https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/
Narrative Research Group:
https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center:
https://www.masscec.com/
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center:
https://www.masslifesciences.com/