Our Mission
Meet the Founder
& Chief Scientist,
Joel Berry
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.
Astound is built for researchers by researchers. I started Astound after working for years as a professor of Biomedical Engineering researching new treatments for cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer. We all know external funding is the essence of our lab success, but I found the struggle to find and secure it a soul-crushing grind. Beyond the constant federal funding treadmill, I spent way too much time constantly revisiting foundation websites or reaching out to industry partners to try to get more funding. All that time sifting through hundreds of potential funding sources meant I spent much less time pushing my research forward and building my lab.
So I decided to do something about it. Astound monitors all major sources of non-federal research funding, from the biggest names in industry to the smallest foundations and non-profits. We do this so that you don't have to. When we find something that's a fit for your lab or research goals, we will notify you and give you actionable next steps.
Our long-term vision is to be an end-to-end solution for finding and securing research funding. We're starting by helping researchers find the right funding opportunities quickly and easily. But over time, we want to help you with every aspect of keeping your research funded so you can focus on accelerating your science.
Meet the Founder
& CEO,
Morgan Cole
I'm passionate about driving exceptional customer success and service experiences. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building and scaling programs that not only engage customers but also build long-term loyalty and measurable impact. I thrive at the intersection of strategy, operations, and customer insight—leading teams to deliver solutions that elevate the overall customer journey.
Currently at Astound Research, I’m helping shape how we serve and grow with our clients by designing experiences that are both efficient and human-centered. My work often involves digging into data, identifying friction points, and building solutions that improve our customer’s journey toward funding their passion.
I'm also deeply committed to continuous learning and believe that staying curious is key to staying ahead. I’m constantly engaging with new ideas, connecting with peers, and refining my approach to leadership and service. Whether I’m mentoring a team member, launching a new initiative, or streamlining a workflow, my goal is always the same: to create experiences that make customers feel heard, understood, and supported.
We can make finding and securing funding so much easier. The technology exists to help us accelerate the entire process. Reach out and connect if you want or need help. We can dive in with you.