These Kids Will Put a Dent in the Universe: MIT 2021 delta v Teams & Demo Day Presentations

The MIT delta v Demo Day is always my favorite day of the year. It is a chance to see the best of the best at MIT in entrepreneurship crystalize their one-year journey in entrepreneurship and it also welcomes the next wave of students who will be on the stage the next year.

It is a chance to be inspired by the next generation and see what problems they are focused on. Let’s be clear, there are a lot of problems to be addressed: climate change, social injustice, economic injustice, medical costs & access, financial inclusion, food security, crumbling and outdated economic infrastructure, and much more. It is overwhelming and can be depressing. Where do we start?

We must not be overwhelmed and we must try to do something feasible to make a difference. That is the essence of entrepreneurship. Do something small to start to get things going but have a path to greatness to solve big problems. Beachhead market to follow on markets. Land and expand. Nail it then scale it. Call it whatever you want.

The essence of innovation-driven entrepreneurship is to do something and have it work and then grow it.  You must have your feet on the ground and be able to take one step forward but have a plan to get to the top of the mountain where you touch the sky. Do something that will put a dent in the universe and make a difference in the enormous problems facing us all today.

That is precisely what the MIT 2021 delta v teams have done. Huge ambition but concrete plans to get from where they are today to that place of high impact.

I am beyond proud to present this year’s cohort so incredibly ably run by Trust Center Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) and Senior Lecturer Carly Chase in her first year after taking over the full reigns from Dr. Trish Cotter. Carly, along with the other Core EIRs Paul Cheek, Kit Hickey, and Kosta Ligris and swing EIRs Gabrielle Haddad, Sandy Kreis Lacey, Brint Markle, Dip Patel, and Kathleen Stetson did a fabulous job over the summer to prepare these teams for a Demo Day on September 10. At Demo Day, they presented to about one thousand people live (even in these COVID times) as well as many more than this online. The teams completely rose to this challenge too.

A huge thanks to the Trust Center Team led by Renee Benjamin, Brian Turnbull, Greg Wymer, and Magali Paoli. The teams were also supported by dozens of guest speakers and mentors as well as campus partners such as the Deshpande Center, MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund, MIT VMS, the Technology Licensing Office, and the Gordon Engineering Leadership Center. Finally, a special shout goes out to all of the 160 board members who volunteered their time for the month’s all-important mock board meetings. Thank you for lending your wisdom, expertise, and networks to help make the teams better. It certainly showed after each board meeting.

So without any further ado, let me introduce you to the MIT 2021 delta v cohort, the best of the best up and rising stars for entrepreneurship at MIT in the 2020-2021 Academic Year. The full list of teams, with details and links to connect to the ones you are interested in, can be found on the  MIT delta V accelerator page.

These are the new 2021 t=0 festival/Demo Day themed shirts, a concept originated by the Queensland University of Technology Entrepreneurship Group. Designed by Greg Wymer. Sponsored and made by Puma.