Mary Spaeth

Mary Spaeth is a retired associate professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin–Stout Polytechnic, specializing in economic development, entrepreneurship, and international business. She is the founder and president of Transmera AB, a consultancy focused on innovation ecosystems, startup development, and economic policy.

She has held senior leadership roles in research parks, science parks, and regional development organizations in the US and Sweden, with extensive experience in technology commercialization, foreign direct investment, and business development. Throughout her career, she has also taught entrepreneurship, innovation, international business, marketing, and English at universities in the US, Sweden, Mexico, and the UK.

A serial entrepreneur, Spaeth has founded and managed three companies and has advised businesses and governments on innovation and new venture creation. She represented Sweden on a European Commission task force that contributed to the first EU Small Business Act on SME access to public procurement.She has published academic and professional work, mentors, entrepreneurs, serves as a judge for university business competitions, and sits on advisory and nonprofit boards focused on entrepreneurship, technology, democracy, and social justice. Spaeth holds degrees in creative writing, literature, international child studies, and a PhD in business specializing in entrepreneurship in the creative industries.