Entrepreneurs: The Insider's Guide to Funding Early-Stage Innovation with Judith Sheft + Others (Full Episode)

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Judith Sheft from New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation & Technology, Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick from Leading Young Women, Inc and Gaurav “G” Sharma from Hook.   How do you turn a brilliant idea into a funded startup? In this episode, innovation champion Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (NJEDA), shares how early-stage entrepreneurs can access grants, connect with top researchers, and test their ideas through real customer feedback. From cutting-edge clean tech to video games that treat eye disorders, Judith spotlights how founders can tap into the ecosystem, find talent, and turn vision into venture—with support every step of the way. Read more at: https://www.njcsit.gov/   Gaurav “G” Sharma is the founder of Hook, the ultimate app for music remixing and mashups, giving you the freedom to express your creativity like never before. Remix your favorite songs and craft unique mashups in seconds. Whether you want to create viral sounds for reels or just have fun, Hook makes music remixing effortless and enjoyable. Browse their catalog of licensed tracks, let your creativity flow, and use AI-powered mashups, genre-based filters, and sound effects to shape your sound. Take it to the next level with video editing tools and seamless social media sharing—Hook is your creative playground. Read more at: https://hookmusic.com/   Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick is the founder of Leading Young Women, Inc., a community-engaged non-profit organization delivering enrichment programs that address leadership, identity, and empowerment for middle and high school girls through partnerships with New Jersey school districts. Leading Young Women, Inc. is led by successful women of color who look to effect positive change in the lives of young women living in underserved communities. As women leaders, they understand the importance of providing representation of, exposure to, and interactions with successful women from their communities. Read more at: https://www.leadingyoungwomen.com/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes. Chapters (00:00:00) - Richard and Elizabeth on Starting a Business(00:00:24) - Passage to Profit(00:01:52) - What Advice Would You Give Yourself For Your Career?(00:04:55) - Who is the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology in New Jersey(00:07:41) - What an Entrepreneur Should Do to Maximize Their Success(00:12:19) - What are some other angles to entrepreneurism that you can share with(00:15:22) - What Makes New Jersey a Good Place to Start a Business?(00:17:48) - Small Business Health Insurance Hotline(00:20:05) - Passage to Profit: How to Get Started(00:20:59) - Meet Judith Scheff, the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation(00:22:33) - China's 300,000 Patent Applications in AI vs US(00:28:00) - Elizabeth's Spotlight: Content Creation Studio(00:30:32) - Is AI Affecting Your Brain?(00:32:14) - Hook Music: A Social Media Platform for Music(00:37:27) - Hook Music Launches With Record Label Artists(00:39:43) - Startups: Getting Hook Music Launched(00:43:04) - Dr. Tamika Quick on Leading Young Women(00:48:32) - Supporting New Jersey Girls: Challenges(00:55:30) - Diamonds and GEMS: The program(00:58:04) - Leading Women: Going Mainstream(01:02:21) - Passage to Profit: Judah Sheft(01:03:25) - Secret to Success: Creativity, Identity(01:06:46) - Passive to Profit