Leo Ochoa
About Leo Ochoa
Leo Ochoa is an Accelerator Manager and entrepreneur with a diverse background in design, business, and technology. He focuses on developing innovative mobility products and provides mentorship to startups in strategic marketing and business development.
Work at VertueLab
Leo Ochoa serves as an Accelerator Manager at VertueLab, where he provides coaching to companies by assessing their business strategies, value propositions, and technology viability. He also mentors entrepreneurs in strategic marketing, business development, and strategic partnering. In addition to his role as Accelerator Manager, he holds the position of Entrepreneur in Residence at VertueLab, focusing on supporting climate tech startups.
Education and Expertise
Leo Ochoa studied at the University of Oregon, where he achieved a Double B.A. in Design, Ethnic Studies, and Business Administration from 2001 to 2006. He furthered his education at ArtCenter College of Design, earning a Bachelor of Science in Product Design from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, he completed a program in Footwear Design at Pensole Footwear Design Academy in 2012. His diverse educational background equips him with a strong foundation in design, business, and entrepreneurship.
Background
Leo Ochoa comes from an immigrant family and grew up in rural Oregon. His early career included work as a GS-4 Wildland Firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service from 2001 to 2005. He transitioned into design roles, including internships and positions at GarageGames and Columbia Sportswear Company, where he developed his skills in product design and management. His journey reflects a commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Achievements
Leo Ochoa is the founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Dorsum, a company focused on wearable body supports. He invented a flexible exospine designed to stabilize the user's spine and distribute added weight evenly, aimed at improving musculoskeletal health. He has led projects through design, engineering, and manufacturing, and holds several design degrees and utility patents, showcasing his contributions to the field of design and innovation.
Professional Experience
Leo Ochoa has held various roles in design and innovation, including positions at Philips Design as an Industrial Designer for Healthcare Consumer Products and at Columbia Sportswear Company in multiple capacities, including Footwear Product Line Manager. He has also served as a Startup Mentor at PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) since 2019, where he guides entrepreneurs in their business endeavors. His extensive experience spans multiple industries, emphasizing his versatility as a designer and entrepreneur.