I embedstartup psychologyinto Fortune 500s
"I was one of the first Corporate EIRs int he world and literally wrote the book on it."
Former EIR at Molson Coors and Treasury Wine Estates. Author of Innovating Innovation. I bring 20+ startups, 4 exits, and the T.A.I.L. framework to help corporations think and act entrepreneurial.
Former EIR: Molson Coors, Treasury Wine Estates
Author: Innovating Innovation
Why EIRs Are Essential for AI Implementation
AI is moving faster than any technology in history. Most AI companies are startups themselves. It takes an entrepreneur to evaluate and implement entrepreneurial solutions.
The Market Entry Analogy
If you were expanding your business into a new country, would you use ONLY your US-based team or hire a local expert who understands the language and culture of the region?
AI is a new territory. The landscape is dominated by startups moving at startup speed. Your corporate team doesn't speak their language. An EIR does.
Why EIRs Excel at AI Strategy
Startup Fluency
Most AI solutions come from startups. EIRs speak their language, understand their business models, and can separate signal from noise.
Speed Recognition
AI is evolving weekly, not yearly. EIRs are trained to move at startup velocity and can help you keep pace with rapid change.
Risk Assessment
EIRs understand calculated risk. We know which AI bets are worth making and which are just hype—because we've made those bets ourselves.
Implementation Reality
Your consultants will give you a 200-page AI strategy. An EIR will help you ship an AI pilot in 90 days and learn from real market feedback.
The bottom line: When everything is moving this fast and most players are startups, you need someone who thinks like a startup founder to help you navigate. That's what an EIR brings to your AI strategy.
Death by a Thousand Cuts
It's not Coke vs. Pepsi anymore. It's Coke vs. 10,000 lean, fast-moving startups—each targeting a different advantage you thought was defensible. The tools of innovation are cheaper than ever. The talent is choosing entrepreneurship over corporate roles.
The Typical Response
Innovation Theater
- Hire innovation consultants with zero startup experience
- Run design sprints and hackathons
- Build innovation labs that never ship
- Death by committee and corporate politics
The EIR Difference
Real Entrepreneurial Expertise
- Embedded expert with 20+ startups and real exits
- Startup psychology and lean methodology
- Political cover for tough kill decisions
- Early warning system for disruption
The T.A.I.L. Framework
How I help corporations think and act entrepreneurial—bringing startup psychology, tools, and techniques into corporate teams.
TEACH
Entrepreneurial Mindset
I teach executives to "think and act more entrepreneurial" by bringing startup psychology, tools, and techniques into corporate teams. Entrepreneurs have been so successful that many innovation tools are calibrated to the entrepreneurial way of thinking.
ADVISE
Strategic Filtering
I advise by listening to problems and filtering them through extensive entrepreneurial experience. I'm not afraid to tell you what you don't want to hear—like when a startup has already solved the problem you're trying to tackle.
INVENT
IP Creation
I take problems and invent/ideate solutions with scarce resources in risk-prone environments. My experience provides a fresh perspective and "pure mind" on problems that may have plagued your company for years.
LIAISON
Bridge Builder
I network between teams, departments, and external ecosystems—stepping outside political hierarchy to bring collaborative perspectives. I act as glue, sticking teams together in new ways and protecting innovators.
Ready to Embed Entrepreneurial Thinking?
The T.A.I.L. framework has transformed innovation at Molson Coors, Treasury Wine Estates, and other Fortune 500 companies.
What I Deliver
Embedded Expertise
I'm not a fly-by consultant. I'm in residence—embedded in your culture, available to your innovators and executives, providing the entrepreneurial perspective when you need it most.
Political Cover
I provide board-ready language and external validation so you can make tough calls with confidence. If you aren't failing sometimes, you aren't truly innovating.
The High Multiple
I tell every client: somewhere in our engagement, I'll share one insight that either saves you 10x my fee or creates something worth 10x my fee. Just one thing. That's the ROI.
Mike Stemple
Corporate EIR Pioneer
One of the first Corporate Entrepreneurs in Residence—I literally wrote the book on it. Former EIR at Molson Coors and Treasury Wine Estates, leading innovation strategy for billion-dollar portfolios.
Built 20+ startups valued at $100M+. 4 successful exits including Skinit and Original Wraps (acquired by 3M).
Worked with 3M, AT&T, Target, Ford, Disney, and Verizon to develop game-changing products and services.
Author of Innovating Innovation: Why Corporations Fail at Innovation and What to Do About It—the definitive guide on Corporate EIR programs.
EIR Services
From fractional EIR engagements to building your own EIR program—choose the model that fits your innovation needs.
Fractional Corporate EIR
2-8 hours per week. I embed with your team to provide ongoing entrepreneurial expertise:
- Teach: Train your teams in startup psychology and lean methodology
- Advise: Filter innovation challenges through real entrepreneurial experience
- Invent: Create IP and solutions using entrepreneurial approaches
- Liaison: Bridge teams, departments, and external ecosystems
Starts with free 15-min introduction to see if the EIR model fits your needs.
EIR Program Design
Want to build your own Corporate EIR program? I'll help you design, launch, and operationalize an EIR function within your organization.
- Define the EIR role and mandate
- Recruit and vet EIR candidates
- Design governance and reporting
- Train internal teams to work with EIRs
Based on my experience building EIR programs at Fortune 500 companies.
Innovation Audit
Not sure if you need an EIR? I'll audit your current innovation approach and show you where you're losing to startups, what your consultants are missing, and how the T.A.I.L. framework would apply.
- Review current innovation pipeline
- Identify startup threats you're not seeing
- Assess innovation team capabilities
- Provide actionable recommendations
30-minute assessment. No pitch, just value.
I Wrote the Book on Corporate EIR
Insights from being one of the first Corporate Entrepreneurs in Residence and advising Fortune 500 companies on innovation strategy.
"Mike is the best person I have ever met at the ideation stage of a business. He has a repeatable process for finding opportunities that others miss."
Jim Franklin
Former CEO of SendGrid (NYSE: SEND/TWLO), Previously VP/GM at Oracle
"Provocative and opinionated - exactly the way you'd expect Mike Stemple to be! A completely necessary read for anyone working in innovation."
Dr. Lara Ramdin
Chief Innovation Officer, Dole Sunshine Company
Innovating Innovation
Why Corporations Fail at Innovation and What to Do About It
The definitive guide on Corporate EIR programs and why corporations struggle to innovate in the age of the entrepreneur. Learn the T.A.I.L. framework and how to embed entrepreneurial thinking into your organization.
Get on AmazonTestimonials
Hiring Mike as Molson Coors' EIR has been our single best investment in helping transform our ability to create and execute Disruptive Growth Initiatives. His ideas, insights, drive and patience have been instrumental.
Scott Cooper
Former Chief Innovation Officer
Molson Coors
Mike was a blast to work with. He always brought a ton of energy, a unique perspective, and a desire to solve any problem we put in front of him. I'm a Stemple fan.
David Coors
President
AC Golden Brewing Company
Mike is one of the most inspiring individuals I've ever met. He provides lateral business thinking from an entrepreneurial lens, and brings resources we would have never tapped into.
Maria Eugenia Del Rio
Global General Manager, Clearly Kombucha
Molson Coors
I have not worked with anyone who can transform, challenge and expand ideas and innovative thinking as Mike can.
Jeanne Cate
VP, Global Development & Innovation
The Coca-Cola Company
Mike has taught me a lot about how to think and act like an entrepreneur. He provides lateral business thinking from an entrepreneurial lens, and brings resources we would have never tapped into.
Melissa Hayes Potdar
Chief Strategy Officer
McDonald's
What started as an engaging 3 hour session turned into the most valuable multi-year lesson on pushing the boundaries of innovation mindset that helped us chart a new path.
Maluwa Behringer
VP Global R&D/Innovation
Molson Coors
Stop Hiring Innovation Consultants
Start Embedding Entrepreneurial Expertise
Ideal for Chief Innovation Officers, Chief Strategy Officers, and CEOs facing startup disruption.