Charge Up! Series
RSI Entrepreneurship Program Winter/Spring 2023
ZAP Program
NSFTM ZAP Program Lean Startup Workshop Series - Have an idea you might want to turn into a business? Learn how to take the first steps toward discovering customers and the potential market for your innovation. When: three sessions/month, via ZOOM. Information and Apply: Here
ZAP Lunch & Learns - When: February 16, March 16, April 20, May 18, 12 – 1.30 pm PT. Where: Resnick Sustainability Institute, Conference Room 224
Moderated Fireside Chats: Meet Caltech Entrepreneurs
Scientist Turned Entrepreneur: Cody Finke, (Ph.D., 2019) founder and CEO of Brimstone Energy (Rocket Fund 2019,2020). When: January 25, 4 – 6 pm PT Where: via ZOOM. Register Here
Engineer Goes Rogue: Kevin Noertker had followed the well-trodden path of engineering scientist, working at JPL, then Northrop Grumman when he jumped ship to co-found Ampaire, a company developing hybrid electric aircraft. Learn how Kevin managed reimagining aircraft propulsion while convincing government grant makers and private investors that it would work and to give him money. Ampaire has been funded with ~$30 million in venture capital and ~$20 million in government contracts and SBIR grants (NASA, DOE/ARPA-E, DoD, International). When: April 5, 4.30 – 6.00 pm PT Where: Earle M. Jorgensen Laboratory, Rm. 224 and ZOOM. Register Here for in person and ZOOM.
Scientist Turned Venture Capitalist: Jason Holt (Ph.D. 1997): Caltech Alum and partner in Baruch Future Ventures was a scientist before turning to entrepreneurship and founding two companies, and as investor, funded 6+ ventures. When: April 19, 4.30 – 6:00 pm PT, via ZOOM. Register Here
Workshops
Valuing Technology: Learn how to assess the value of your technology using technoeconomic analysis and carbon life cycle assessment from Dr. Hanna Breunig, Deputy-Head of the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Systems Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She is an environmental engineering expert with 13 years of experience helping startups with carbon life cycle assessment, technoeconomic analysis, and technology scale up. When: Thursday, February 16, 4 -5 pm PT. Where: via ZOOM
Fund-Raising Part I: Venture Capital: Discover steps to securing that elusive first investment from Carly Anderson, Principal, Prelude Ventures. When: March 16, 4-5 pm PT. Where: via ZOOM
Fund-Raising Part II: Government Grants, ARPA-E and SBIR: Hear about the rich variety of federal grants available and how to apply for ARPA-E and SBIR/STTR grants from Dr. Doug Wicks, Program Director, ARPA-E. When: April 25, 4.00 – 5.00 pm PT presentation and Q&A; 5.00- 6.00 pm PT Office Hours. Where: Earle M. Jorgensen Laboratory, Rm. 109 In person. Register via ZOOM THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE. INFORMATION TO COME
Patenting your Innovation: Hear best practices for licensing from Caltech from Rose Kiser, Assistant Director for Technology Transfer, Caltech's Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships and how to build company IP from John Peck, Partner, KPPB law firm. When: May 9, 4.30 – 6.00 pm PT. Where: via ZOOM
Pitching Your Story: Effectively pitching your research or business idea can make all the difference in securing job positions, partnerships, funding, and attracting key hires. But how do you simplify technical topics and connect with diverse audiences, such as collaborators, investors, and stakeholders, without diluting the essence of your work? Samantha Whitehouse, Founder and Coach of InnerVoice Studio, has worked with many scientists turned entrepreneurs and early investors. She'll explore the mechanics of effective pitching and storytelling, including how to tailor your communication to different audiences, create compelling stories, and avoid common pitfalls that can undermine your message. When Tuesday, May 23 4.30 – 5.30 pm PT Presentation and Q&A; 5.30 – 6.30 PT Office Hours Where: online via ZOOM.
Funding Opportunities
ROCKET FUND: https://rocketfund.caltech.edu/ This program provides non-equity grants of $25k - $100k for designing and building commercial prototypes for demonstrating with customers and attracting investment. When: Deadline: midnight March 3, 2023. Apply: https://rocketfund.caltech.edu/apply
Rocket Fund Pitch Event: Caltech students are invited to attend the Rocket Fund Finals as observers and see Rocket Fund candidates presenting to a panel of judges from industry, the utilities and VCs. When: Tuesday May 30, 8.30 am – 12.30 pm PT; Wednesday, May 31, 8.30 am – 12.30 pm PT. Where: via ZOOM
For more information and to register interest in attending contact: Stephanie Yanchinski, Director of Entrepreneurial Programs, stephanie.yanchinski@caltech.edu
IDEATION GRANTS: provide useful funding for expenses that don't qualify for existing sources of research money. Grants also provide additional benefits such as covering time spent away from research. Allowed expenditures include (see the application form for a more complete list):
- Technoeconomic support for evaluating technology
- Shared workspace & tech incubator facility fees
- Attending industry conferences, boot camps & pitch events
- Materials & supplies
- Purchasing informational resources e.g., subscriptions
Eligibility
To see if you qualify for an Ideation Grant, please consider the following:
- Project aligns with RSI's general mission of addressing climate change with impactful science and technologies
- Grants range from $5,000 - $15,000, level as per negotiation
- Grants support projects and potential spin-out companies
- The requested award must fall under the Ideation-approved categories (See the information contained in the budget and application forms)
- Intend completing the project within twelve months after receiving the grant
- Optional but particularly welcomed: recipients who have already or intend to participate in Caltech's NSF I-Corps ZAP program
Please check for eligibility in the application form and complete it, along with budget proposal and return to Stephanie Yanchinski .
APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.