IdeaStream: NextGen expands the field

April 29, 2025
event

Growth was the theme at IdeaStream: NextGen this year, both for the MIT alumni presenting and the annual program itself.

More than 200 people gathered at the MediaLab on April 29 to hear from 15 MIT spinouts, ranging from ones just leaving the lab to an established international company. Their common goal? Business development.

“We’re all here to find and create value,” said Rana K Gupta, executive director of the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation.

NextGen marked an expanded format for the center’s IdeaStream program, by turning attention to companies looking to achieve new milestones. Only three speakers represented projects still in MIT labs — but preparing to start companies within the next 12 months.


The Deshpande Center guides MIT faculty and their research teams toward commercializing their technologies. Through its grant program, the center works with teams to develop and derisk their first products to attract corporate or venture funding.
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Photos by Gretchen Ertl 

A man speaks to an audience. Behind him, the words "Decide Fast to Avoid Macro Impacts" are displayed on a screen.
Arunas Chesonis of Safar Partners​ kicked off the program as keynote speaker.
A man speaks at a lectern
Juejun Hu, John F. Elliott Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, speaks about 2PI Optics
A woman speaks at a lectern
Shreya Dave of Via Separations speaks to the audience
Two men speak to each other at a table
David Brown, of Helix Carbon (left), speaks with Deshpande Center Catalyst Chuck Paul.