Why Do Great Ideas Get Stuck Between Vision and Reality? with Megan Johnston
Tuesday, December 1 · 1:00–2:30 PM CT
Nothing to prepare and nothing to present. Come curious, and we’ll guide you the whole way.
Live on Zoom. 90 minutes, and it moves. Register and we’ll send a calendar invite with the link.
Not recorded. The room is the point.
THIS SESSION
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Why Do Great Ideas Get Stuck Between Vision and Reality?
Megan Johnston trained as a biochemist. She never stopped thinking like one.
Over 20 years, she has taken ideas from a whiteboard to the real world. She grew a rare-disease patient registry from a $360,000 start into a national network that connected more than 5,000 Canadian patients to research. She designed the validation work behind the FDA clearance of one of the first AI-based medical imaging products. She built the project framework behind a $7B construction program.
Along the way, she noticed something. When organizations struggle, people usually blame a person. Megan looks at the system instead: the individuals, how they interact, and the interfaces where small imbalances ripple outward.
“The truth is what many founders recognize as the messy middle, it isn’t the middle of anything, it’s a failure to create a value delivery system.”
Today, through Analyte Projects, Megan partners with mission-driven technical founders (scientists, engineers, and builders who know how to create a product but not yet a company). She calls her approach Value Chemistry: right-sized operations that connect purpose, people, and process to profit, without overengineering.
This PopUpThinkTank is about where that work can go next.
—> What would it take for technical founders to recognize the “how” of their business as something to build early, and to find the right partner to build it with, before their great idea stalls in the chaos?
You’ll leave with more connections, and a resource co-created by the room.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Not a webinar, panel, or pitch. A room that thinks together.
01
Start with a shared question.
In a few minutes, we build a common starting point: the context, the tension, and the real question at the center.
02
Move through fast insight rounds.
Small breakouts and sharp prompts let you bring your ideas into the room and hear how others think. There’s no pressure to speak in front of the full group.
03
Leave with something of your own.
Most people walk away with a new perspective, an unexpected insight, or fresh energy. Complete the short follow-up survey and you’ll also get a resource built from the room’s contributions.
Camera on, with the option to unmute. Dress like any work or school Zoom. No expertise needed. We’ll guide you every step.
WHO YOU’LL SEE IN THE ROOM
The people make the session.
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Megan Johnston
Founder
Analyte Projects -
Maria Soyka
Lead Facilitator
PopUpThinkTank -
You, and people like you
Leaders, creators, coaches, professionals and curious people who work with other people, and want to think together.
“Exceptionally well run in a fantastic format.”
Gina Lensky, Lead L&D Consultant, Fusion Risk Management
“I loved it. 90 mins flew by.”
Jonah Katrina Jala
“I loved the pacing, the variety, meeting new people, and seeing the impact.”
Merry Lin, Author and Speaker
“Cool format, well facilitated—very enjoyable!”
Jill Morenz, President & CEO, Aviatra Accelerators
HOW IT WORKS
What is the format?
Every PopUpThinkTank follows a carefully designed rhythm. Not rigid. Not overproduced. Intentional.
Shared context, small-group conversation, reflection, and collaborative thinking, paced to build momentum. The structure is tight enough to feel safe and loose enough for real insight to emerge.
Small breakouts and tight pacing get conversations past the awkward part fast. People often tell us the same thing afterward:
“I didn’t expect to feel this energized.”
That’s by design.
Momentum for moments that matter.
Experiences that help people, teams, and organizations get ready to solve problems, navigate change, and move meaningful work forward.
90
minutes, and it moves.
1
shared challenge
0
pressure to speak in front of the full group
100s
ideas & connections
REGISTER TODAY
Still thinking? Join us.
Together, we’ll explore something no single person, expert, or AI tool can solve on its own. That takes the pressure off, and frees us to explore, discover, and co-create.
Saving a seat is a small act of generosity: you let others hear how you think, and you’re willing to hear them. Almost everyone leaves with something of their own.
Live on Zoom · Not recorded · 90 minutes
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