Chief technologist at the United States Small Business Administration doesn't immediately sound like the most exciting title, which is part of why after three years, G. Nagesh Rao prefers to be known as the Geek In Residence. He's responsible for coordinating and leading programs to boost entrepreneurship via the SBA and in partnership across nearly a dozen federal agencies as with the Small Business Innovation Research program. But Rao ranges far beyond just his job. He's an advisor for half a dozen entrepreneurship related groups including local organizations like Village Capital and LAUNCH, a group jointly run by Nike and a handful of federal agencies.
How do you describe your various roles?
I'm the chief technologist at SBA but I really do prefer Geek in Residence. I have a unique kind of job. My portfolio is primarily advising SBA Office of Investment & Innovation leadership on the SBIR program but I also contribute, help advise and lead special project endeavors for our inter-agency programs across the SBIR participating 11 agencies. One of the big things I've worked on was the SBIR website, SBIR.gov, revamping the database to create a meaningful tracking system for evaluation of the companies we are funding. It's part of building out the innovation pipeline. We want to know what tech trends to consider. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy handles a lot of but so do we, especially from the data perspective.
How does what you do impact innovation in the U.S.?
Everyone knows what we do but they forget that it's SBIR funding that made so many amazing companies happen. Qualcomm, 23andme, iRobot, so many others. Historically, government agencies have been siloed, especially in the executive branch, but we are getting over that, fostering trust and encouraging a sharing of credit [in our projects]. We all have the same goal, we all want to move the needle forward and encourage innovation.
What set you on the path to this kind of career?
I'm the son of immigrant entrepreneurs. Me and my sisters were cultivated with a vision of a path forward where we contribute to a better society. My parents struggled and worked hard when they made their way over from India. They were leaders in their community here and my sisters and me carried that passion. They encouraged us in the sciences especially. I'm an ex-engineer and all my sisters are scientists and doctors.
How did you go from engineer to your current gig?
I was interested in patent law so I studied patent law at Albany Law School and then eventually got a job as a patent examiner. It's such a funny world in patent examining. It was tough at times but a great experience where I learned a lot. And I loved how you could see what industries are thinking by looking at what they file. I saw Apple's solar-powered phone concepts in 2007 and they haven't come out yet, but it's a signal of what may come.
Where do you look for inspiration and creativity?
My inspiration is always going to a museum. I also sometimes need a digital detox where I just turn everything off and go to museums. I also love comic book and science fiction movies, they're a guilty pleasure but inspiring.
My [engineering background] comes up sometimes when trying to inspire [my team]. I was a materials engineer and I was always fascinated by how organic and inorganic work together to make stronger materials. I use that metaphor a lot. I also always tell them that Delta S prefers to be greater than 0 [the equation for entropy and how everything is always getting more chaotic]. Embracing chaos is easier when you understand that is the preferred state.
