The arduous yet rewarding trajectory of establishing and scaling a startup is replete with unforeseen challenges and invaluable learning opportunities. For aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those at the foundational stages of their careers, insights gleaned from the lived experiences of successful founders offer not only practical guidance but also profound inspiration. Recognizing this critical need, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has inaugurated a specialized program designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world entrepreneurial practice, with a distinct focus on hardware technologies.
Cultivating Entrepreneurial Spirit and Global Impact
John Hart, the Class of 1922 Professor and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE), articulates the core vision behind this initiative. "There are so many amazing entrepreneurial stories among our alumni. We want to bring those stories to our students and our community and build networks with our incredible alumni founders," Hart states. He emphasizes that through the "Founder’s Journey" class and complementary new programs, the institution aims to "cultivate interest in entrepreneurship among our students and expand opportunities to bring MechE-born technologies to the world." This strategic move underscores MIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and translating groundbreaking research into tangible societal and economic value.
MIT’s profound influence on the global entrepreneurial landscape is well-documented. A comprehensive 2015 report on MIT’s global entrepreneurial impact revealed an astonishing statistic: over 30,000 active companies founded by MIT alumni worldwide. These ventures collectively employ approximately 4.6 million people and generate annual revenues in the trillions, rivaling the GDP of major economies. This legacy of innovation forms a powerful backdrop for the new course, highlighting the potential for current students to contribute to this tradition. Marina Hatsopoulos SM ’93, founding CEO of Z Corp. — an early market leader in 3D printing — and a key architect of the new course, stresses a vital lesson for budding founders: "So much of this has been done before. I want them to understand that this is a well-trod path." Her insight aims to demystify the entrepreneurial process, reassuring students that while unique challenges will arise, fundamental principles and common pitfalls have precedents.
The Founder’s Journey: Navigating Hardware Startup Realities
The newly launched course, designated 2.S977/2.S979 (Founder’s Journey: Launching and Scaling Hardware Startups), directly addresses the complex, multifaceted challenges inherent in developing and commercializing physical products. Unlike software startups, hardware ventures often entail significant capital expenditure, intricate supply chain management, complex manufacturing processes, and longer development cycles. These distinct hurdles necessitate a specialized pedagogical approach.
First held in Spring 2025, the inaugural class was meticulously structured to "find and activate their entrepreneurial energy" in students. The curriculum delves into the real-life dilemmas confronted by founders and their teams across various developmental stages of new hardware-focused companies. Topics span a wide array of critical areas, from securing initial seed funding and navigating subsequent investment rounds to establishing robust supply chains, managing intellectual property, prototyping, manufacturing, market entry, and scaling operations.
Each weekly session of the course was designed around a pivotal challenge in the development and growth of a hardware startup. These challenges were not merely presented theoretically but were brought to life through the direct involvement of the instructors and a rotating roster of distinguished guest speakers. These speakers were primarily founders of successful companies spanning diverse frontier technologies, including robotics, energy solutions, advanced 3D printing, innovative consumer products, and other emerging sectors. Student engagement was a cornerstone of the course, with participants actively preparing questions for the speakers and participating in rigorous follow-on discussions and reflective exercises throughout the semester. This interactive format fostered a dynamic learning environment, allowing students to directly tap into the wisdom and experiences of those who have successfully navigated the startup landscape.
Leadership and Alumni Engagement
The "Founder’s Journey" class was co-led by Ken Zolot, a senior lecturer at MIT, and Marina Hatsopoulos, who together developed the course alongside Professor John Hart. Professor Hart himself participated as an alumni speaker during the course’s inaugural iteration, sharing his personal journey as a co-founder of VulcanForms. This advanced manufacturing company, specializing in additive manufacturing for critical industrial applications, originated through a collaborative effort with fellow co-founder Martin Feldmann MEng ’14, exemplifying the powerful synergy that can emerge from MIT’s academic and research ecosystem.
The roster of alumni speakers represented a veritable who’s who of hardware innovation, providing students with unparalleled access to diverse entrepreneurial narratives. Notable speakers included:
- Mick Mountz (Kiva Systems, acquired by Amazon)
- Jon Hirschtick (SolidWorks, Onshape)
- Max Lobovsky (Formlabs)
- Elise Strobach (AeroShield)
- Greg Mark (Markforged)
- Seemantini Nadkarni (Coalesenz)
- Eran Egozy (Harmonix)
- Renuka Babu (DOTS Technology)
- Davide Marini (Inkbit)
- Loewen Cavill (Amira)
- Colin Angle (iRobot)
These founders, each with unique stories of triumphs and tribulations, collectively painted a comprehensive picture of the hardware startup journey, from initial ideation to global market leadership.
Alumni Spotlights: Visions Realized
The personal narratives shared by these alumni offered particularly poignant lessons.
Colin Angle ’89, SM ’91, Co-founder of iRobot
Colin Angle, co-founder and former CEO of iRobot, and now CEO and co-founder of Familiar Machines and Magic, articulated a lifelong passion for creation. "This idea that you can create something from nothing, that you can have an idea and not just draw it, but build it and make it real, is something I’ve always loved," he reflects. He credits MIT’s "strong, hands-on ethos" with powerfully resonating with this innate drive. Angle’s entrepreneurial spirit was further kindled during his undergraduate years at MIT, where he observed multiple multimillion-dollar companies emerge from his Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity house, a vivid demonstration that demystified the startup process.
Angle’s journey with iRobot began with a grand, almost philosophical vision rather than a specific product. "We’re supposed to have robots. So, if not us, who? And if not now, when? It was a magical day," he recounts. This audacious vision ultimately led to the development of the Roomba, the autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner that revolutionized home cleaning and established iRobot as a household name. Beyond consumer robotics, iRobot’s impact extended to critical humanitarian and defense applications. The PackBot tactical mobile robot, deployed in Afghanistan, saved thousands of lives by disarming improvised explosive devices and performing reconnaissance in dangerous environments. The company also pushed the boundaries of exploration, sending robots into the Great Pyramid in Giza for live broadcasts on National Geographic, showcasing the diverse capabilities of robotics. Angle views his entrepreneurial journey as a means to "build bigger things, from building teams to building a company capable of building something far beyond what I could have ever imagined doing myself." He concludes, "we created inventions that no one thought possible, simply because we believed we could."
Elise Strobach SM ’17, PhD ’20, CEO and Co-founder of AeroShield
Elise Strobach, CEO and co-founder of AeroShield Materials, exemplifies the transition from groundbreaking academic research to commercial innovation. AeroShield, co-founded with Kyle Wilke PhD ’19 and Aaron Baskerville-Bridges SM ’20, MBA ’20, develops super-insulating transparent window inserts. The core technology stems from transparent silica aerogels that Strobach developed during her PhD research in Professor Evelyn Wang’s lab. "I wasn’t thinking of myself as an entrepreneur at that time, but looking back, that’s definitely where that seed was planted," Strobach admits, highlighting how foundational research can unexpectedly morph into entrepreneurial ventures. She cherishes the "freedom to find the best problem to solve and to continue to seek the best way to solve that problem" that entrepreneurship affords.
Aerogels, first invented nearly a century ago and initially commercialized by NASA for space equipment insulation, traditionally possessed a hazy blue tint, limiting their broader applicability. Strobach and her team’s breakthrough involved creating a completely see-through aerogel material, unlocking a myriad of new everyday applications, particularly in energy-efficient building materials. AeroShield’s innovative work recently achieved a significant milestone, with their technology featured at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, a testament to its scientific and practical importance. Strobach’s advice to aspiring founders is pragmatic and empowering: "You don’t have to know everything to start. You just have to know that this is what you want to do and just get started."
Maxim Lobovsky SM ’11, CEO and Co-founder of Formlabs
Maxim Lobovsky, CEO and co-founder of Formlabs, arrived at MIT’s Media Lab already immersed in 3D printing. As he neared the completion of his master’s degree, he identified a significant market opportunity. Alongside fellow Media Lab graduates David Cranor SM ’11 and Natan Linder SM ’11, Lobovsky founded Formlabs, aiming to develop and manufacture professional-grade 3D printers that were significantly more affordable and user-friendly than existing market offerings. At a time when industrial 3D printers commanded prices of $100,000 or more, Formlabs introduced a product starting around $3,000, embodying a classic disruptive innovation strategy. "We definitely built Formlabs in a classic, disruptive innovation path," Lobovsky confirms.
Their remarkable cost reduction was achieved through a combination of ingenious engineering and the strategic integration of modern consumer electronics components, such as the laser diodes originally developed for Blu-ray Disc players, replacing outdated 1980s technology. Raising the initial round of funding proved to be a challenging "long grind," involving participation in MIT’s 100K competition and numerous pitches to potential investors with limited initial success. Formlabs’ pivotal moment arrived unexpectedly, stemming from an overheard conversation. Lobovsky, an admitted "naturally introverted, shy engineer," recalls a dinner with a potential investor that was not going well. Fortuitously, Mitch Kapor, the founder of Lotus Software and a pioneer in the PC industry, overheard their discussion at Legal Seafoods in Harvard Square. Kapor, recognizing the revolutionary potential, subsequently led Formlabs’ first funding round. This serendipitous encounter highlights that sometimes, "talking loudly at a restaurant is actually a good way to get things going." Today, Formlabs stands as the world’s largest supplier of professional stereolithography and selective laser sintering 3D printers, a testament to their disruptive vision and execution.
Jon Hirschtick ’83, SM ’83, Co-founder of SolidWorks and Onshape
Jon Hirschtick, co-founder of SolidWorks and Onshape, traces his entrepreneurial inclination back to his undergraduate years. "I had heard about startups, and it sounded like a lot of things that I was drawn to… a sense of being able to realize your vision, express yourself; a sense of excitement, of making money, and even the idea of a chaotic environment," he explains. Hirschtick has dedicated over four decades to building computer-aided design (CAD) software, a journey that began as an intern at MIT in 1981. His motivation was simple yet profound: "I thought, ‘hey, the world could use this software.’ It’ll be a better place with the software that I envisioned."
He characterizes CAD as a "meta product design" — a tool used by others to design products. "We’re designing a product that other people use to design products, and that’s just really cool to me," he elaborates. For Hirschtick, startups are a natural fit. "The excitement, the idea of trying to solve a lot of problems at the same time. MIT is a place of problem-solving… and a startup is a place where there’s lots of problems to solve." While large companies also innovate, he notes that "startups are always doing things." The pervasive influence of CAD in modern manufacturing is undeniable; most manufactured products today are first modeled in CAD. He encourages those interested in product development to engage with CAD systems, as it allows them to participate in "the world’s product development."
Hirschtick offers a sobering yet realistic perspective on the inherent uncertainties of entrepreneurship. "Nobody knows for sure when they start a company whether it’s going to be successful or not. If it were, if there was a way of knowing for sure, then there wouldn’t be all these classes in entrepreneurship. They’d just tell you the secret. There’s always risk. Visions and hallucinations, they look and feel the same. You only find out which is which once you really try to realize them." This statement underscores the courage and conviction required to embark on an entrepreneurial path.
Broader Impact and Future Outlook
The "Founder’s Journey" course represents a significant enhancement to MIT’s already robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. By systematically exposing students to the practicalities and challenges of hardware startup creation through the direct mentorship of accomplished alumni, the program aims to:
- Inspire and Equip: Provide students with both the inspiration and the tangible tools, frameworks, and network to pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures.
- Strengthen Alumni Ties: Foster deeper connections between current students and the vast network of MIT alumni founders, creating a powerful feedback loop of mentorship and support.
- Drive Technological Translation: Accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research and innovative ideas developed within MechE and across MIT into commercially viable products and services, addressing critical global needs.
- Reinforce MIT’s Leadership: Further solidify MIT’s reputation as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the challenging but high-impact domain of hardware development.
The focus on hardware startups is particularly pertinent in an era demanding sustainable solutions, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and tangible technological advancements across sectors like renewable energy, robotics, medical devices, and smart infrastructure. By cultivating a new generation of hardware entrepreneurs, MIT is not merely educating students but actively shaping the future of technological innovation and economic growth. The insights gained from the course, combined with the unparalleled access to seasoned founders, promise to be an invaluable asset for students ready to embark on their own journeys of creation and impact.
A version of this story appears in the 2026 issue of MechE Connects, the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s magazine.
