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About Me

I’m a designer and entrepreneur with a strong and unique background at the intersection of additive manufacturing, engineering, startup operations, marketing, communications, intellectual property, and grant writing. I thrive in energetic environments and within ambitious creative teams that approach new challenges with curiosity, empathy, and a good sense of humor.

awards

2018

Association for Robots in Architecture

Pioneering Industry Award

LaunchTN Accelerator

Execute Award

2017

NASA 3D Printed Habitat Challenge

1st Place - Phase II Level 3

2016

Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce

Spirit of Innovation Award

Hanley Wood HIVE (Housing, Innovation, Vision, Economics)

1st Place: Design Category

Hanley Wood HIVE (Housing, Innovation, Vision, Economics)

Top 100 Innovators

TENN Accelerator

Traction Award - $60,000

2015

Chattanooga Startup Awards

Runner-Up: Startup of the Year

Chattanooga Startup Awards

Best in Hardware

Chattanooga Startup Awards

Best in 3D Printing

GIGTANK Accelerator

Investors’ Choice Award

Grants

national science foundation

SBIR Phase IIB (2018)(Supplement)

Additive Manufacturing in Construction - $500,000

SBIR Phase II #1632267 (2016)

Additive Manufacturing in Construction - $750,000

SBIR Phase IB (2015) (Supplement)

Additive Manufacturing in Construction - $50,000

SBIR Phase I #1520482 (2014)

Additive Manufacturing in Construction - $150,000

Patents

United States

US10272613B2 (2013)

Additive Manufacturing of Buildings and Other Structures (Issued April 2019)

US20170217088A1 (2016)

Cellular Fabrication and Apparatus for Additive Manufacturing (Issued November 2019)

 

Media

2018

Living on other planets is an age-old dream, but with new technology which makes it possible to create 3-D printed habitable structures in remote locations, that may be possible sooner than later. Branch Technology is revolutionizing the use of 3-D printing to create architectural elements and structures that will enable new home designs for Earth and beyond.

2017

Branch Technology is developing a 3-D printing process that can build structures on Mars. Step into their Tennessee workspace in 360 degrees.

Chris Weller speaks on the optimism it takes to go forward. Chris Weller at CreativeMornings Chattanooga , April 2017. Free events like this one are hosted every month in dozens of cities. (Please excuse the video - the sunlight that morning made it difficult to see the presentation.)

2016

In Chattanooga, entrepreneurship and technology go hand in hand. In our third installment of The Leap, which explores the challenges and successes of startups in our community, our host James Chapman talks with the team at Branch Technology, a company who is changing the way that we build by asking the question: "What if you could build like nature?"