MIT MechE Launches 1 Hardware Startup Class, Tapping Alumni From iRobot to Formlabs
Updated
Updated · MIT News · Jul 9
MIT MechE Launches 1 Hardware Startup Class, Tapping Alumni From iRobot to Formlabs
1 articles · Updated · MIT News · Jul 9
Summary
Spring 2025 marked the debut of MIT Mechanical Engineering’s “Founder’s Journey” course, built around weekly sessions on hardware startup hurdles including fundraising, supply chains and scaling.
More than a lecture series, the class uses alumni founders as case studies and discussion partners to spur student entrepreneurship and help move MechE-born technologies into the market.
12 alumni speakers joined the inaugural run, including leaders from iRobot, Formlabs, SolidWorks, Onshape, Markforged and AeroShield across robotics, energy, 3D printing and consumer products.
MIT framed the effort against a large founder base: a 2015 report counted more than 30,000 active MIT alumni-founded companies employing about 4.6 million people worldwide.