Harvard Grid

This past Tuesday, the Industry Insights lecture series welcomed back to campus two former members of the Harvard SEAS community, Michael Bell, PhD (Co-founder and CTO at Fleet Robotics) and Christophe Chantre, PhD (Co-founder and CEO at Tender Food). Both companies spun-out of Harvard labs and incubated at Greentown Labs. As Christophe remarked, climate is “more of an affiliation than an industry.” While their technologies are vastly different (underwater robots and lab-grown “meat” respectively), they both tackle specific environmental challenges. The umbrella of climate challenges can be daunting but by focusing on specific problems, results can be realized!

What happens when climate scientists, MS/MBAs, Masters, tough tech VCs, PhD Founders, and more all walk into the largest Aldrich MBA classroom for an all-day Saturday Sprint on Launching Climate Ventures? Well, if we weren't tech innovators, we might say, 'sheer magic,' but since we are, we would say that business models are sharpened and new teams are catalyzing so that many big ideas are closer to preserving and better stewarding air, terra, and water on our shared big blue dot. HBS Prof Jim Matheson and the Grid's Paul Hayre were our conductors, and we thank dearly those that brought their lived experiences and talents to support Harvard climate venturers: Sukanya Punthambaker, Ph.D., Breaking, Inc. Adam Slavney, Pascal Technology Emily Stoler, Wyss Institute Michael Bell, Fleet Robotics Ben Schlatka, Material Impact Sam Liss, Harvard OTD Ted Wiley, Form Energy Tom Clay, HBS & Xtalic Ann DeWitt, Engine Ventures Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard Office of Technology Development (OTD), Harvard Business School, Wyss Institute at Harvard University, HBS Business and Environment Initiative, Harvard Innovation Labs, The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University, HBS Institute for Business in Global Society.

This past Wednesday, the Grid's Lab to Launch Lounge hosted an inspiring event featuring Harvard PhD alums Douglas Selinger, CEO and Founder of Plex Research and Drew Volpe, Founding Partner of First Star Ventures. Doug shared valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of launching a startup, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision and unwavering passion. Drew reinforced this sentiment, highlighting First Star's commitment to investing in technologies with the potential to make a significant impact. Thank you both for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for venturing with our community! #HarvardGrid #ToughTech #Research #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

Last night, we hosted Shardule Shah, PhD, MBA, Co-Founder and CEO of Lime Therapeutics (focusing on innovative cancer therapies), and Wenbo Shi PhD, Founder and CEO of Singularity Energy (decarbonizing the grid with AI). They shared their incredible entrepreneurial journeys, from the initial spark of their ideas to navigating the world of startups. As Wenbo wisely advised, “If you think you want to start a company, start as early as possible.” Both speakers emphasized the importance of being persistent in the early stages from fundraising to networking. The co-founders of Lime met by chance at a networking night. Both recognized the importance of receiving that first check, no matter the size. For Lime, this was the Allston Venture Fund and for Singularity this was the Grid Accelerator (formerly the Harvard Office of Technology Development (OTD) Physical Sciences and Engineering Accelerator). #HarvardGrid #ToughTech #Research #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

Last night, we hosted Shardule Shah, PhD, MBA, Co-Founder and CEO of Lime Therapeutics (focusing on innovative cancer therapies), and Wenbo Shi PhD, Founder and CEO of Singularity Energy (decarbonizing the grid with AI). They shared their incredible entrepreneurial journeys, from the initial spark of their ideas to navigating the world of startups. As Wenbo wisely advised, “If you think you want to start a company, start as early as possible.” Both speakers emphasized the importance of being persistent in the early stages from fundraising to networking. The co-founders of Lime met by chance at a networking night. Both recognized the importance of receiving that first check, no matter the size. For Lime, this was the Allston Venture Fund and for Singularity this was the Grid Accelerator (formerly the Harvard Office of Technology Development (OTD) Physical Sciences and Engineering Accelerator). #HarvardGrid #ToughTech #Research #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

Dive deeper into Harvard's innovation ecosystem! #OTD's FY24 Impact Report showcases faculty stories, research breakthroughs, and successful startups emerging from the university.

🔄Throwback Thursday Great discussions had during the Navigate a Warming World panel back in June for #HarvardClimateActionWeek 🌎! Panelists from across Harvard shared their innovative research on mitigating climate change - fascinating to hear about solutions for emissions reduction & adaptation. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Harvard #HarvardGrid #Innovation

For the second consecutive year, Harvard Grid hosted eight student-led start-ups from the University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika (UNISA) as part of an international student exchange program in Boston designed for leaders and executives that want to make an impact in the world by solving complex societal challenges through entrepreneurship. During the innovation immersion week, students were exposed to the exciting Boston innovation ecosystem by visiting numerous accelerators and universities. During their visit at Harvard Grid, students shared their projects and had a lively discussion on topics ranging from minimum viable product to sustainable business models. Thank you to Basanda Pongoma for your efforts in organizing the visit, we hope to see you and your students again next year!

Harvard Grid hosted the Harvard Medical School MEDscience Moonshot Visionaries cohort at The Node this week. This group of high school students from around the country learn the design-thinking process and build working prototypes that are evaluated by industry professionals. Students employ computer science, artificial intelligence, surgical robotic design, and engineering, and the experience sets them a path to become big impact healthcare innovators. During a design break, they toured the Science & Engineering Complex and saw first-hand how Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences researchers are building and deploying soft robots in myriad applications. The final design competition is Friday, July 26. From fast ideation whiteboarding and exuberantly creative dialog, we know judging will not be easy! Best wishes to each amazing team. #STEMEducation #YouthInnovation #VenturingatHarvard #HarvardGrid

Huge shoutout to our amazing panelists and all the students and researchers who came out yesterday to mingle, network, and fuel their innovative fire. We were lucky to have two incredible Harvard alumni share their wisdom: Travis Busbee, co-founder and CEO of Voxel8, reminded us to "Choose a business goal that if accomplished will make you feel like you did something real to help the world." Dr. Jill S. Becker, founder and CEO of 02139 Inc., offered invaluable insights and said, "Trust your gut and go for it!" It was an inspiring afternoon filled with brilliant minds and a shared passion for turning groundbreaking research into real-world solutions. #HarvardGrid #ToughTech #Research #Innovation #Entrepreneurship