Paul Carlisle

Paul Carlisle is a strategic innovator and ecosystem builder with deep experience at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and regional economic development. As Director of Fuse SPC and Entrepreneur in Residence at Washington State University Tri-Cities, he leads programs that connect research to market, mentor founders, and expand access to innovation infrastructure. A former startup founder with a successful exit and a longtime advisor to founders, investors, and institutions, Paul brings a pragmatic, systems-level approach to scaling ventures and shaping resilient innovation ecosystems. His current work focuses on advancing commercialization pathways for breakthrough technologies and designing programs that translate complex ideas into actionable strategies.