From Inventor to Entrepreneur: Julian Kage's Journey from Invention Convention to Biotech CEO

When Julian Kage entered his first Invention Convention as a second grader in Connecticut, he had no idea that the program would eventually shape his identity, his academic path and his professional future. What began as a childhood curiosity became a lifelong calling — and today, that calling is saving lives.

“I’m an inventor at heart,” Julian says, reflecting on his early years. “Some of my ideas were great, some were awful — but I loved every one of them.” That mindset — of loving the process, learning from failure and iterating forward — was instilled in him through years of participating in the Connecticut Invention Convention. He created an invention every year from second through eighth grade.

Julian’s first project was inspired by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: a reusable lattice of balls designed to clean up oil without harming marine life. “I was in over my head,” he admits with a laugh. “But the experience was amazing. Walking into that giant arena at UConn, I was just like, ‘Wow, this is something I want to keep doing.’”

By eighth grade, Julian had developed a rapid test for Lyme disease — an idea that would one day become the foundation for his company, Exactics. The device allowed people to test ticks for Lyme on the spot, enabling early detection and treatment. It was simple, powerful, and deeply personal: Julian had grown up in Connecticut, the state where Lyme disease was first discovered.

Thanks to the Invention Convention network, Julian won the Wilmer-Hale Patent Award at the 2018 NICEE competition (the precursor to Invention Convention Worldwide U.S. Nationals), which provided pro bono legal support to secure a patent for his invention. “I think I was one of their most difficult cases,” he jokes, citing years of filings and revisions. But that process taught him more than just how to protect intellectual property — it gave him the confidence to keep building.

In college, Julian studied economics and chemistry at the University of Chicago, where he officially launched his business. “I walked into the entrepreneurship center with my patent and asked, ‘What do I do now?’” he recalls. The team at UChicago enrolled him in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, where he validated the market and attracted early interest from the Department of Defense.

Since then, Julian has raised over $1.5 million in funding, assembled a passionate founding team (including college friends and lab partners), and is preparing for the launch of a rapid at-home Lyme disease test through their licensing partners at Tick Solutions Global. Exactics currently operates out of a biotech lab in Chicago and is developing additional diagnostic tests for other diseases.

Behind every milestone is the mindset Julian cultivated through years of inventing: embrace failure, start with nascent ideas and keep pushing. “What I really learned through invention convention was how to think, not just what to think,” he says. “It taught me how to ask questions and, more importantly, how to find flaws in my own thinking so I could improve.”

Now, as CEO, Julian leads not just with vision but with empathy. He ensures his teammates — many of whom didn’t have access to an invention education program growing up — have the space and resources to explore their own ideas. His dual background in science and business makes him a rare bridge between innovation and execution.

“I definitely see myself as an Invention Convention alumnus,” he says. “It was one of the most formative experiences of my life. It shaped who I am and what I care about.”

Julian’s advice to today’s young inventors? “Shoot for the stars, but don’t worry if it takes a while to get there. You’ll figure it out. Just keep going.”

He’s also passionate about what Invention Convention Worldwide’s new alumni program can provide: a sense of community. “Growing up, I would have really appreciated a network where I could bounce ideas off people — not just about inventions, but about what comes next,” he says. “How do I build a business? How do I get funding? What happens after I get a patent?”

It’s that kind of insight — the kind that comes only from someone who’s walked the path — that makes alumni voices like Julian’s so valuable to the next generation of inventors.

Exactics cofounder and COO Dylan Murray says, “Julian doesn’t just inspire others — he builds systems that let people explore, invent and lead. That’s rare. And that’s exactly what makes him a great CEO.”

Julian’s story is proof that invention doesn’t stop after a showcase or a trophy. For him, inventing is a lifelong practice — one that starts with curiosity and leads to real-world impact. And it all began with an idea and a passion, and a space to explore them both.