Episode Breakdown
- Introductions and backgrounds of all guests.
- Origins and principles of MIT Proto Ventures: why a university-embedded venture studio?
- The “channel” model: focus areas, external funding, and entrepreneurial leadership.
- Incentive alignment for builder talent and founders.
- Lessons learned from five years in deeptech startup creation.
- Key takeaways from the R&D Venture Studio Playbook: bringing discoveries to market, scaling beyond MIT.
- Portfolio highlights:
- Vertical Horizons – Compact, efficient power supply units for AI/data centers (seed-funded, launched 2024)
- Hyperion Transport Systems – Satellite thruster innovation
- Interlink – Grid interconnection software
- The “translation gap” in academia and how Proto Ventures aims to move the needle.
- Vision for the future: universities as active engines of national security and economic dynamism.
Featured Guests
- Gene Keselman – Managing Director, MIT Proto Ventures (LinkedIn)
- David Cohen-Tanugi – Venture Builder, MIT Proto Ventures (LinkedIn)
- Andrew Inglis – Venture Builder, MIT Proto Ventures (LinkedIn)
- Host: Drew Beechler – VP Marketing, Alloy Partners (LinkedIn)
Referenced in the Show
- R&D Venture Studio Playbook
- The Hill: "Universities must become active launchpads for innovation"
- Vertical Horizons
- Embr Labs (founded by David Cohen-Tanugi)
Resources & Related Links
- MIT Proto Ventures
- Alloy Partners
- Advantaged podcast archive
Advantaged: An Alloy Partners Podcast