Suggestions
Michael Markesbery
Co-Founder & CEO at Solarcore® and OROS Labs
Michael Markesbery is a deep-tech entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of OROS Labs, a material technology company focused on creating advanced thermal solutions.12 He is also the CEO of Solarcore®, described as "The Future of Insulation".14
Markesbery's journey began with a backpacking trip in the Swiss Alps, where he identified the need for better insulation in outdoor apparel.3 This experience led him to explore aerogel, a material used by NASA to insulate spacecraft. After a year of development, Markesbery and his co-founder Rithvik Venna created SolarCore, a flexible and durable aerogel composite.3
Key aspects of Michael Markesbery's career and achievements include:
-
Education: He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology/Animal Biology from Miami University (2011-2015).14
-
Early research: As an undergraduate, he conducted studies on brown adipose tissue's potential to combat obesity, diabetes, and cancer.14
-
Company foundation: Markesbery co-founded OROS Labs in 2015, which has since raised over $50 million in venture capital.24
-
Awards: He was awarded the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship in 2014 and was named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2017.4
-
Company growth: Under his leadership, OROS Labs has expanded its focus from direct-to-consumer apparel to serving consumer, commercial, and government sectors.2
-
Innovation: Markesbery's work has led to partnerships with entities such as Ad Astra and secured a multi-million dollar contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.2
Markesbery is known for his passion for building "napkin ideas into companies" and his expertise in early-stage startups.4 His LinkedIn username is michael-markesbery-32169088.4
Highlights




