Harvard wants engineering students to bring their research to life.

The university launched an initiative last week aimed at helping affiliates transform their research into startups by providing funding, working space and mentorship opportunities.

The initiative, called “The Grid,” is a collaborative effort between the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Office of Technology Development.

The project expands on previous funding sources available to scientific and engineering researchers through OTD’s Physical Science and Engineering Accelerator, which has supported at least 16 startups since 2013. The Accelerator program is now part of the Science and Engineering Complex at Harvard University.

According to a press release announcing its creation, the new program, which can award “more grants,” will provide networking and mentoring opportunities for select early-stage entrepreneurs.

Paul N. Hayre, Executive Director of The Grid, said:

Sam T. Liss, executive director of strategic partnerships at Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development, said the initiative seeks to fill a “gap” in supporting early-stage startups.

Liss said the program could become a “feeder” for other existing startup initiatives, including the Harvard Innovation Lab.

“We are building connections to various complementary programs within the ecosystem,” he said.

Dean Francis J. Doyle of SEAS said in a press release announcing the program that startup founders will be empowered by providing more resources and mentorship opportunities to members of women and other underrepresented groups. said it aims to diversify the population of

Hayre, executive director of The Grid, said the program will reach a diverse group of entrepreneurs by working with student organizations across Harvard.

Marko Lončar, a SEAS professor who founded the company with the backing of Harvard University before The Grid in 2018, said the new program will benefit young entrepreneurs.

“Some students would benefit from just a little bit of guidance, but I think many will learn in the process,” he said.

He said he hopes The Grid will offer workshops on entrepreneurship and create opportunities for students to meet venture capitalists to help them “discover the market.”

“I think it would be nice to have a physical space where people interested in entrepreneurship can go,” he said.

Yaro Tenzer, CEO of Righthand Robotics, a startup that raised early funding from Harvard’s OTD accelerator before The Grid, called the new program “amazing.”

“When you’re starting a company, there are so many possibilities that the company will fail,” he said.

Having a “centralized place that knows how to guide entrepreneurs from conception to prototyping” to receive funding “really reduces the risk for entrepreneurs,” he added.

— Staff Writer Felicia He can be reached at felicia.he@thecrimson.com.

—Staff Writer James R. Jolin can be reached at james.jolin@thecrimson.com.