INVERSE OUTSIGHTS
We deliver a bespoke and grounded, but high-impact approach to innovation
Expert insights for sustainable growth and success.
unlocking your nascent strengths
Our Mission
At Inverse Outsights our mission is to empower your own company to strategically design solutions based on what the future will bring.
Our Objective
We will help your company map out synergistic opportunities where broadened perspectives and deep challenges intersect
Unlock Your Company's Innovation Potential with InverseOutsi
What you don't need
Mid-cap companies looking to build and sustain innovation don’t need another generic industry conference or academic white paper. Inverse Outsights delivers a tailored, high-impact approach to accelerating innovation within your organization.
Leverage your innate strengths
We help companies map their innovation landscape potential, identify key internal and external resources, and cultivate an ecosystem of experts, mentors, and advisors—all customized to your unique challenges and goals. Through curated workshops, strategic partnerships, and deep industry-academic connections, we empower your teams to take control of their innovation trajectory and drive sustainable growth.
About Inverse Outsights - Co-Founders
Felix Lu, Ph.D., President
Tim Johnson, MBA, EVP of Manufacturing Innovation
Carlos Romero, MBA, EVP of Innovation
Felix has worked in the industry-academic collaboration space since 2014 at the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has worked with numerous consortia and corporations from startups to Fortune 500 companies, understanding their interests, priorities, and aspirations, helping them connect with talent, bandwidt
Felix has worked in the industry-academic collaboration space since 2014 at the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has worked with numerous consortia and corporations from startups to Fortune 500 companies, understanding their interests, priorities, and aspirations, helping them connect with talent, bandwidth, and subject matter experts, analytical resources, and the ability to continue to build out their innovation ecosystem. He spent 8-years as the co-founder of a high-technology federal contracting startup company in the RTP area of North Carolina. Before this, he worked at Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo, California on technology qualification for next generation satellite systems. He received his PhD in 2004 in Materials Science and Engineering. In his spare time, he enjoys playing ping pong, volleyball, and practicing martial arts.
Carlos Romero, MBA, EVP of Innovation
Tim Johnson, MBA, EVP of Manufacturing Innovation
Carlos Romero, MBA, EVP of Innovation
Carlos is a business mentor and advisor at MATTER-Chicago as well as an industry mentor at Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. Most recently Carlos served as Manager of Global Technology at Walgreens Boots Alliance where he led Consumer Healthcare Futures and was responsible for co-developing and managin
Carlos is a business mentor and advisor at MATTER-Chicago as well as an industry mentor at Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. Most recently Carlos served as Manager of Global Technology at Walgreens Boots Alliance where he led Consumer Healthcare Futures and was responsible for co-developing and managing the delivery of new technologies with partners to feed the healthcare innovation pipeline. His prior roles include 20+ years in the global innovation and commercialization of consumer, food, and medical technologies at SC Johnson, Nestle, Kraft and Johnson & Johnson. Carlos received his BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT, his MS in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from University of Virginia, and his MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Tim Johnson, MBA, EVP of Manufacturing Innovation
Tim Johnson, MBA, EVP of Manufacturing Innovation
Tim Johnson, MBA, EVP of Manufacturing Innovation
With over 15 years of experience driving successful product development, sourcing, and engineering initiatives, Tim Johnson thrives on improving innovation and operational excellence. Tim is known for his expertise in new product development, supplier innovation, and change management. At Illinois Tool Works, he created and led teams focu
With over 15 years of experience driving successful product development, sourcing, and engineering initiatives, Tim Johnson thrives on improving innovation and operational excellence. Tim is known for his expertise in new product development, supplier innovation, and change management. At Illinois Tool Works, he created and led teams focused on accelerating product launches and improving supplier engagement, achieving significant time-to-market reductions and enhanced product quality. His other roles include energy engineer for McCain Foods and the U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Center program, where he has driven multi-million dollar energy efficiency projects, and sourcing management for ITW and Regal Rexnord, optimizing supply chains for Fortune 400 and 500 companies.
Holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Tim combines a deep technical foundation with strategic insight to solve complex business challenges.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Tim enjoys working with students and has contributed to the academic community as a Teaching Assistant at Chicago Booth, helping aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of launching successful ventures, and as a Resident Head at The University of Chicago, managing Resident Assistants and mentoring students through both personal and academic difficulties.
Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
If you are near the Chicagoland area, this is easy and we'd love to learn more about you in person. If you have more distance, we can start with a call and decide next steps.
Inverse Outsights
