Douglas Katz
Co-Founder and Inventor

I'm a West Point graduate, a disabled Army veteran, and a lifelong problem-solver who believes that good design should make life easier, safer, and more connected. My career has taken me through rail transportation, telecom, and over two decades in residential lending, but the through-line has always been the same: turning real-world challenges into practical solutions.

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My shift into invention came from lived experience. Years of upper-extremity limitations—and my time caring for my father—showed me how poorly everyday products serve people who are aging, injured, disabled, or simply dealing with the ups and downs of being human. That realization pushed me to stop accepting "good enough" and start creating tools that restore independence and dignity.

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That led to NULU, an adaptive kitchen knife designed to work with the body, not against it—allowing anyone to cut safely, regardless of strength or dexterity.

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Then Came Golfresco

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One evening in my Trout Valley, Illinois community sparked the next invention. I watched friends and neighbors gathering along the riverbank with no easy place to set down food or drinks, even though we were surrounded by golf carts and UTVs. It hit me how much unused potential was sitting right behind every cart. That moment became the foundation for Golfresco—a hitch-mounted tabletop that makes spontaneous get-togethers and outdoor moments easier for everyone.

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I've always believed that when things are easy, community happens.

Today, I lead a veteran-powered team of over-50 professionals who share that same philosophy. We don't see age and experience as liabilities—we see them as competitive advantages. We've lived real lives, faced real challenges, and we build with that perspective in mind.

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I don't subscribe to the "move fast and break things" mindset. I believe something different:

• Innovation should honor the people it serves.

• Nothing is ever perfect and we should work to improve them in any way that we can.

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I continue to innovate in areas where small, thoughtful ideas can have an outsized impact. My focus is on simple, meaningful improvements that help people stay independent, reduce strain, gather more easily, and stay connected to the communities and activities they love. The best solutions aren't flashy—they're practical, human, and built with intention.

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I also speak as a keynote and panelist, sharing my journey developing NULU, Golfresco, and other innovations. My talks focus on resilience, adaptive design, the realities of independent invention, and how small, thoughtful ideas can change lives. And if I can shift how people think about ability, independence, and what it means to be human along the way, all the better.

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My work isn’t just about creating better tools—it’s about standing up for the people and communities that shaped me. I remain deeply committed to supporting fellow veterans through my involvement with the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois, which organizes Honor Flight for our region and ensures our veterans receive the recognition they deserve. I’m equally dedicated to protecting the rights of independent inventors through my involvement with US Inventor, advocating for the individuals who bring ideas to life but often struggle for fair treatment and protection. For me, innovation, service, and advocacy all come from the same place: the belief that people matter, and that we have a responsibility to support those who build, serve, and create.