The TomKat Center's Innovation Transfer Program helps Stanford inventors of sustainable energy technology bridge the gap between research and commercialization. Grants are awarded to develop prototypes, to refine business plans, and to conduct customer trials and market research. The teams, which mostly comprise Stanford students, must have a Stanford faculty advisor to compete for a grant.
The program assigns an industry mentor to each funded project for ongoing guidance as the teams assess market opportunities, plan the commercialization of their inventions, and prepare to launch startup companies. The program helps participants develop a business-centric approach through Stanford resources, like the Stanford Entrepreneurship Network. We also connect teams with relevant entrepreneurs, executives with experience in startups and venture investors.
INNOVATION TRANSFER AWARDEES
Since the program began making awards in the fall of 2013, it has funded 21 projects. To learn more about these projects, please choose a topic area below or click on "Full List of Innovation Transfer projects" to the left.
SPIN OUT COMPANIES
A partial list of sustainable energy startups that are affiliated with the Innovation Transfer Program:
- Aurora Solar
- Ceres Imaging
- Citrine Informatics
- DragonFly Systems (acquired by SunPower)
- OhmConnect (commercialization partner)
- Summer Technologies
- Spectrum
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about the Innovation Program including scope and eligibility please contact the Innovation Program's executive director, Brian Bartholomeusz; brianjb@stanford.edu (650) 723-3870
For questions about the application process and ongoing grant administration please contact the Innovation Program's administrator, Danica Sarlya; dsarlya@stanford.edu (650) 724-1524
