Background:

At On Deck, I created the Deep Tech fellowship to bring together early stage founders, investors, academics, and explorers to expand their career and advance their mission of creating more deep tech startups. Our 3 month programs allowed early startup founders to raise funding from our VC network, gave industry veterans an opportunity to engage with new technology firms, and placed top talent at key roles in deep tech companies.

To make this possible, I courted partner VCs from firms like Founders Fund, Lux Capital, Susa Ventures, Fifty Years, and Compound VC. I also recruited PhDs from MIT to Stanford and interviewed CEOs from companies like Astranis, AMP Robotics, and Solugen.

Problem:

The challenge we faced was how to bring together early stage founders, investors, academics, and explorers into one platform that would allow them to collaborate on deep tech startups. We needed a way for these individuals to connect with each other and access resources that would help them build successful deep tech startups.

Solution:

My team developed the Deep Tech Fellowship program which provided a platform for early stage founders and investors to connect with each other as well as access resources such as mentorship opportunities and capital investments. The program also provided industry veterans an opportunity to engage with new technology firms while placing top talent at key roles in deep tech companies.

Impact:

Members raised over $10 million in venture capital investments
Connected over 200 founders with experienced mentors
Placed top talent in key positions within deep tech companies

Team:

James Sinka: Program Partner
- Co-Developed product vision & strategy for the Deep Tech Fellowship Program
- Recruited partners & top talent for the program
- Hosted office hours & workshop sessions for participants
Abhijeet Patra: Program Director

Building a Talent Network for Deep Tech Startups