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Roberts Innovation Fund

Roberts Innovation Fund

Accelerating the engine of innovation at the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science (Yale Engineering).

The Roberts Innovation Fund was launched in 2022 to provide funding, mentoring, and strategic support for Yale faculty-led projects to assist in the commercialization of breakthrough inventions that solve real-world problems. Faculty applicants also receive valuable feedback from an experienced team of advisors, including the Fund’s director and an external advisory board from industry, all of whom have invested in and/or built technology ventures.

Led by Claudia Reuter, Director of the Roberts Innovation Fund in Yale Ventures, and overseen by the Office of the Dean of the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, the Fund focuses on breakthrough technologies developed by Yale Engineering faculty. The Roberts Innovation fund is supported from a generous gift from Yale alumnus Will Roberts ’90.

Why Apply?

All Applicants to the Roberts Innovation Fund Receive:

Thoughtful Feedback: All applicants receive a detailed review of their submission by a member of the Yale Ventures team.

Access to Early Support: All applicants with viable proposals gain access to the Yale Ventures team, who support market research, competitive landscape mapping and more.

Consideration for Cash Funding: Initial awards up to $150,000.

World-Class Support: All awardees are matched with EIRs and have an opportunity to participate in a Venture Lab workshop to help align on goals for the year.  Throughout the year, multiple associates are assigned to help support market research, customer discovery, financial modeling and more.

Exposure: Increased visibility to potential investors and early employees through associated publicity and events, including the Yale Innovation Summit.

Award Timeline

 
January: Finalists present and awards begin.    
Application Guidelines: Applicant teams must have at least one faculty member with a primary or secondary appointment in SEAS.   
2024 deadline: November 4, 2024.  Applications are now closed.

For a full list of criteria, visit the Roberts Application Information page.

Past Events