When Lilly Field took the stage at Pitch Party Asheville, her presentation didn’t just inspire the crowd; it sparked curiosity. You may remember her from her time at Hatch as part of Me2We, and seeing how her ideas had evolved left us wanting to know more. We knew there was a story worth telling, one about growth, adaptability, and the journey from concept to clarity.
That journey began last spring, when Lilly met co-founder Nathan Phillips through Hatch This! Their idea was simple but ambitious: to help founders find compatible co-founders. What followed is a story of evolution, adaptability, and learning to listen to what the market truly needs.
Evolving from Connection to Collaboration
What began as a matchmaking concept for startup founders grew into something much more layered. Through the early stages of testing and mentorship, Lilly and Nathan watched teams form and then struggle to stay aligned once real challenges appeared. Over time, they realized that the hardest part of building a business isn’t always finding the right people; it’s learning how to work well together once you do.
That realization became the foundation for Celium, a platform designed to strengthen team engagement and understanding through AI-driven personality insights and communication tools.
They discovered that listening to feedback and being willing to evolve would help them find their true focus. Today, Celium is running pilot programs with several teams while gathering feedback to refine the platform for mission-driven companies that prioritize people, planet, and profit.
Co-Founders in Sync
The partnership between Lilly Field and Nathan Phillips has continued to grow since their early days developing the initial concept through Hatch. Together, they’ve built Celium by learning to balance their different working styles and decision-making approaches.
Their ability to adapt and learn from one another reflects the core purpose of Celium itself. using awareness and understanding to strengthen collaboration and support collective growth.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Celium is inspired by mycelium — the underground network that connects trees and helps forests thrive. Like its namesake, Celium is built on principles of connection, awareness, and growth.
It aims to strengthen organizations from within, helping people understand one another and communicate in ways that make the whole system healthier — a vision that continues to guide Lilly and Nathan as they grow together as founders.
Lilly’s Superpower: From Shy to Speaker — How She Turned Her Challenge Into Strength
Behind Celium’s thoughtful approach is Lilly’s own transformation. Growing up with a speech impediment, she spent years in therapy learning to slow down, think intentionally, and articulate her words clearly.
What once felt like a limitation became an advantage. The discipline of pausing before speaking, and the awareness that came from years of practice, evolved into one of her greatest leadership strengths.
Her background in dance also helped shape her awareness of body language and presence. And a mentor’s advice to “enter every room with a question that helps you connect” became a lasting mantra, one that mirrors the essence of Celium itself.
Those early lessons became her superpower, turning what once felt like a challenge into a foundation for confident communication and connection.
Advice for Founders: Evolve With the Work
Lilly’s journey is a reminder to every new founder that your first idea doesn’t have to be your final one. The best entrepreneurs listen to their users, their team, and themselves.
The more you grow, the more your idea will too. Don’t cling to what you thought it had to be; let the process guide you.
And for anyone who’s ever felt like they weren’t “enough” to lead: too quiet, too anxious, too uncertain, Lilly’s story proves that the very traits you think might hold you back could be your greatest advantage.
Looking Ahead
Celium is now expanding its pilot program and seeking partnerships with startup incubators and business accelerators to test its tools with diverse teams.
To learn more or get involved in the pilot, connect with Lilly Field on LinkedIn and visit Celium’s website: https://www.joincelium.com/.
Continuing the Connection
Stories like Lilly’s are what make Hatch Innovation Hub’s programs and events so meaningful. From early ideas sparked to inspiring moments on stage at Pitch Parties across Western North Carolina, we’re proud to see founders continue to evolve, adapt, and lead with purpose.
Every pitch, workshop, and connection helps fuel the entrepreneurial ecosystem — and we can’t wait to see what’s next for Celium and the growing community of innovators building from right here in our region.