Innovation is rarely linear.
As you’ll see when you link to the stories featured below, major discoveries can arise from a failed experiment, a childhood invention or a vial of green, glowing fluid. The Deshpande Center’s unique contribution is placing talented researchers in the path of these catalytic moments and helping them recognize and pursue opportunity when it knocks.
Beyond funding breakthrough research projects, our program exposes grantees to a rich network of people and resources that help them explore potential markets, commercialize their inventions and launch startup companies.