Curtis Wadsworth, JD, PhD
Curtis Wadsworth, J.D., Ph.D. (“Curt”) is a Partner at Jordon Voytek Capital Partners. He has built a career at the intersection of science, law, and entrepreneurship, helping businesses thrive from conception to sale. As a scientist, lawyer, and entrepreneur, he is a trusted advisor, offering a deep understanding of intellectual property and business law, coupled with practical guidance on team building, investor relations, and scaling and exiting businesses.
As an entrepreneur, Curt founded DorothyAI, a company commercializing patent search technology developed at Carnegie Mellon University, and NerdLawyer, which leverages large language models to enhance legal research. He is an active participant in Pittsburgh’s technology and startup ecosystem, contributing to organizations such as the Pittsburgh Technology Council, RustBuilt, Founder Institute, and FoundersBoost. Curt collaborates with portfolio companies at Innovation Works, AlphaLab, AlphaLab Gear, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, and Ascender, offering real-world business operations experience to deliver strategic, practical, and transactional advice.
His technical expertise spans biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, material science, computer-related inventions, and artificial intelligence. With his keen understanding of the nuances of intellectual property in these industries, Curt is an indispensable member of deal teams for transactions involving IP assets. As an intellectual property lawyer, Curt draws on his Ph.D. in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from the University of Pittsburgh and extensive experience crafting and implementing IP strategies. He has built valuable IP portfolios for clients ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
Curt holds a B.S. in Biology/Biochemistry from Bethany College, where he was awarded a Howard Hughes Fellowship to conduct research at the University of Pittsburgh. There, he earned his Ph.D. in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, uncovering the steps and energy requirements for viral DNA integration into host genomes and elucidating the biophysics of neural molecular motor proteins. He later earned his J.D. from Duquesne University, further blending his expertise in science and law.
In his free time, Curt is an active member of the maker community, focusing on blacksmithing and welding projects. He is also a strong advocate for intellectual property awareness, encouraging fellow makers to protect their work by trademarking logos, patenting inventions, and adding watermarks to their creative assets. A music enthusiast, he has curated an eclectic collection of concert posters. Most weekends, Curt can be found meticulously restoring his 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia Weekender or enjoying camping adventures, meetups, and vehicle rescues with the Pittsburgh Vanagon Club.