From Everest to Innovation: The Life of Entrepreneur and Inventor Fritz Braunberger

Fritz Braunberger

Entrepreneur • Inventor • Test Pilot • Advisor • CEO

Contact:
Cell/Text: (206) 817-9102
Email: fritz@fritzbraunberger.com


About Fritz

Entrepreneur, inventor, and aviator Fritz Braunberger has spent more than three decades building companies, developing breakthrough technologies, and advising early-stage ventures.

Over the course of his career, he has been awarded 71 United States patents, founded and led a telemedicine company to the IPO stage, and built a technology incubator whose innovations span industries ranging from autonomous vehicles to consumer health technologies.

Companies including Google, Apple, Ford, Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai have licensed his intellectual property.

But Fritz’s story of leadership began long before the boardroom.

As a teenager, he was voted Captain of his High School Football Team, leading the team to an undefeated season. His competitive drive later carried into aviation, where he became a World Co-Champion Hang Glider Pilot, achieved a career world ranking of #3, and captained the first hang-glider expedition granted permission by the Government of Nepal to launch from Mt. Everest.

These experiences shaped a philosophy he still shares with founders today:

“Wisdom comes from mistakes made.”

After decades of building companies and solving complex problems, Fritz now helps entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes that derail promising ventures.


Entrepreneur & CEO

Fritz’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of seven when he worked in his father’s retail business, stuffing advertising letters into envelopes. Over the next twenty years he worked nearly every role in the company as it grew into the largest home-entertainment retail chain in Northern California.

In 1996 he founded IntraCom, an early telemedicine company that grew to 50 employees and over 500 shareholders.

As CEO he:

  • Raised $14 million in capital
  • Led the company to the IPO stage
  • Achieved an $80 million valuation by UBS in 2000

After his CEO stint, Fritz founded Vision Works IP Corp. in 2002, a technology incubator focused on innovation across multiple industries, including:

  • Automotive technology
  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Advanced learning platforms
  • Water purification
  • Consumer health technologies
  • Electro-Chemical sensors
  • Inertial Measurement Units (IMU)

Innovation & Patents

Fritz has been awarded 71 United States patents across a wide range of industries.

His intellectual property has been licensed by major global companies, including:

  • Google
  • Apple
  • Ford
  • Honda
  • Toyota
  • Hyundai

His work focuses on identifying overlooked opportunities where innovation can solve real-world problems.


Aviation & Exploration

Aviation has played a central role in Fritz’s life.

Career highlights include:

  • World Co-Champion Hang Glider Pilot – Pico World Invitational
  • #3, World Ranking in hang gliding competition
  • Featured on the cover of Hang Gliding Magazine (Aug 1978), flying over the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Captain of the first hang-glider expedition permitted to launch from Mt. Everest
  • Private Pilot with Instrument Rating
  • Test pilot for experimental jet-powered and non-powered aircraft

Community & Mentorship

Fritz continues to contribute to his community and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs.

  • Volunteer Firefighter – Lewis District 9, WA & Janesville, CA
  • Former President of Skwim Toastmasters
  • Competitive public speaker and mentor to young innovators
  • Boxing Coach – All American Boxing, Susanville CA

Personal

Fritz is a husband, father, mentor, and lifelong aviation enthusiast. Outside of his work in innovation and entrepreneurship, he enjoys flying experimental aircraft and ultralight gliders.

He currently shares his life with one wife, four dogs, and two horses.


Contact:
Cell/Text: (206) 817-9102
fritz@fritzbraunberger.com