Robert Grajewski
Robert Grajewski is a serial entrepreneur and investor who is best known for his expertise in building businesses and leading high-performing teams to achieve outstanding results. Robert has a passion for identifying, fostering, and developing innovation while motivating others to pursue projects that transform the way we live.
As the Evans Family Executive Director of the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center, Robert’s main purpose is to foster a culture of exploration, innovation and “making.” His efforts include offering students a rich intellectual community and immersive experiences; investing in multi- and interdisciplinary programs; building programs that offer innovative, effective solutions to pressing societal problems; and transforming education models through technology and research. Likewise, Robert serves as the primary liaison to those in the community who would like to engage with the innovation and entrepreneurship culture at Vanderbilt University.
Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Robert served as President of Edison Nation Medical, a healthcare innovation marketplace and incubator dedicated to bringing innovative healthcare inventions and startups to life. In his role as President, Robert provided strategic leadership, financial oversight, and partnership cultivation combined with day-to-day operational leadership. Through the creation of healthcare partnerships with Carolinas HealthCare System, Mount Sinai Health System, and The Hospital for Special Surgery, retail partnerships with Rite Aid Corporation, Medline, Hill-Rom and Covidien, and media partnerships with Sharecare and VentureBeat among numerous others; Edison Nation Medical has grown into the leading healthcare innovation resource for the individual medical professional & entrepreneur. Due to its success, Edison Nation Medical was recognized in 2014 by TEDMED as one of the Top 40 innovative healthcare startups in the world.
Robert has also cofounded two successful startups, Heritage Handcrafted, a specialty furniture and gift manufacturer, and PRO-Techs, an antimicrobial supplier, which continue in operations today. Robert also spent 8+ years as a growth equity and venture capital investor across a variety of sectors – including early stage technology, healthcare, retail, business services, and specialty manufacturing – for leading firms including J.H. Whitney Capital Partners, Westwind Investors, and Kamylon Capital. Notably, with J.H. Whitney Capital Partners, Robert assisted in the successful acquisition and operational turnaround of Wellman Engineering Resins and Wellman Plastics Recycling, which was later acquired by a strategic industry conglomerate.
Robert received an MBA from The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and an AB degree from Harvard University.
