Both will serve as entrepreneurs in residence, or EIRs, through the UofL Office of Research and Innovation. In this role, they will work with inventors to connect UofL technologies to industry and startups.

Phillips is a seasoned health care investor and startup operator, and spent the better part of the last decade building startups and leading early-stage investment and accelerator programs in partnership with some of the world’s leading corporations and international governments. He now is the CEO of Mandos Health Inc., a venture-backed men’s health care startup, where he is focused on scaling the nationwide digital clinic.

“There’s a ton of innovation happening in the health care space,” Phillips said. “I’m excited to leverage my own experience and work with the researchers and innovators at UofL to further new treatments, diagnostics and more that can help people lead healthier lives.”

Gora is a dynamic entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience across industries including medical device manufacturing, retail, education and technology. From scaling innovative startups to leading customer-centric retail ventures, Jeff has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. 

“I’m so excited and proud to support the work happening here at UofL to launch and grow startups,” Gora said. “This is an opportunity to be part of something that could make a big impact here and across the Commonwealth.”

Gora and Phillips join a class of EIRs that currently includes seasoned founders Tendai Charasika (software) and Bill Dawson (biotech). Charasika joined as an EIR in 2021 and helped lead the reimagining of UofL’s Launchit startup bootcamp, while Dawson joined in 2023.

The EIR program is led by the  team, which focuses on launching startups around research-born tech. The EIR program is in partnership with Amplify, an organization working to grow Louisville’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, with funding from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

“Jeff and Nick bring a lot of knowledge and experience as founders, and we’re excited to have them join the team,” said Will Metcalf, a UofL associate vice president for research and innovation. “They’ll make our already strong team even stronger, and I’m looking forward to partnering with them to advance our technologies and startups to the next level.”

Goldberg will serve as an entrepreneur-in-residence, or EIR, through the . In this role, he will work with UofL to connect inventions to industry and startups.

Goldberg brings nearly 30 years of experience as a medical doctor and C-suite executive, previously working for major brands and startups including ExpressScripts and Aetna Inc. Goldberg recently retired as Chief Health Officer of clinical laboratory Quest Diagnostics, where he also supported the enterprise investment fund and new ventures.

“UofL is doing some really interesting and impactful work in developing new diagnostics, treatments and therapies,” Goldberg said. “I’m excited to work with the team and with the university’s researchers to help drive those innovations to market and clinical settings, where they can help patients.”

Goldberg joins a class of EIRs that currently includes seasoned founders Alice Shade (healthcare), Tendai Charasika (software), Bill Dawson (health and biotech) and Chirs Bailey (manufacturing). Shade joined as part of the second round of EIRs in 2020, followed by Charasika in 2021 and Dawson and Bailey in 2023.

The EIR program is led by the Office of Research and Innovation’s UofL New Ventures team, which focuses on launching startups around research-born tech. The EIR program is in partnership with Amplify, an organization working to grow Louisville’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, with funding from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Goldberg join our team, and for the continued growth of the entrepreneurs-in-residence program in partnership with Amplify,” said Will Metcalf, a UofL associate vice president for research and innovation. “Our EIRs bring incredible experience and connection to UofL – Dr. Goldberg is the perfect example of that, joining us through a connection with another EIR, Alice Shade. His experience in health and medical innovation is a powerful addition to our already strong team and will undoubtedly drive innovation forward.”