Jack Manzella

Bio

Jack Manzella is the Chief Operating Officer of SoFab Inks, a chemical manufacturing startup developing novel materials used to produce next-generation perovskite solar cells. Jack is responsible for SoFab’s business development, finances, and operational stability. SoFab Inks was spun out of the University of Louisville in 2023 after receiving seed funding from the US Department of Energy.

Jack also serves as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence for the College of Business at the University of Louisville. There, he is responsible for coaching and mentoring student-led start-ups, teaching courses in management and entrepreneurship, providing support to strategic-level initiatives of the Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship, and developing relationships in the Louisville startup ecosystem.

Prior to working at SoFab, Jack lead new product development and digital commercial strategy for GE Appliances’ Innovation Lab, FirstBuild. FirstBuild’s mission is to invent the future of the home, and the organization has launched nearly 100 products, including several of the most successful appliance-related crowdfunds of all time.

Jack began his career at GE Appliances, completing the 2-year Information Technology Leadership Development Program, where he specialized in AWS Cloud Computing and built the IT Innovation Bay, which was responsible for engaging employees to develop innovative solutions to challenging digital problems.

Jack holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, a BS in Information Systems, and certificates in Information Technology and Distilled Spirits. Jack is also an AWS-certified Cloud Architect and Developer. In his free time, Jack teaches yoga, exercises, and listens to audiobooks.