Imagine a world where renewable energy isn't just generated in massive solar farms far away—it's produced right on the buildings we live and work in, thanks to innovative startups pushing the boundaries of technology. That's the thrilling promise we're seeing unfold in the hard-tech startup scene, and it's sparking excitement—and some debate—about how innovation can reshape our energy landscape. But here's where it gets really intriguing: What if these breakthroughs could democratize clean energy, making it accessible for everyone, everywhere? Let's dive into the story of the first-ever PITCH.nano competition, where cutting-edge ideas took center stage and one standout winner emerged.
Hosted by MIT.nano's dedicated hard technology accelerator, START.nano, this groundbreaking event gave early-stage startups a spotlight to showcase their game-changing inventions to a crowd of fellow entrepreneurs, savvy investors, seasoned incubators, and key industry players in MIT and Boston's vibrant hard-tech community. The competition wasn't just about pitches—it was about spotlighting innovations that could solve real-world problems, from climate challenges to advanced materials.
And the grand prize? It went to Active Surfaces, a dynamic startup revolutionizing solar power by creating lightweight, flexible cells that produce renewable energy precisely where it's needed most. Picture this: their ultralight, peel-and-stick panels could transform how we integrate photovoltaics into our built environments, like sticking solar tech onto rooftops, walls, or even vehicles without the hassle of heavy installations. Shiv Bhakta, the CEO and co-founder who's also an MBA '24 and SM '24 graduate, wowed the judges and audience on September 30 with his pitch, securing the top award: 25,000 nanoBucks, which translates to $25,000 worth of access to MIT.nano's top-tier facilities. For beginners in the startup world, think of nanoBucks as a currency that unlocks cutting-edge tools and labs, giving fledgling companies a financial leg up without the usual costs.
Why is MIT.nano so passionate about fostering these entrepreneurial ventures? As Vladimir Bulović, the faculty director, put it at the event's kickoff, 'We need to ensure entrepreneurs can emerge from MIT, turning lab-born technical ideas into market-ready products that create millions of jobs worldwide.' And this is the part most people miss: starting a hard-tech company often requires a decade-long journey and over $100 million in funding, making it a tough road for innovators. But by connecting startups to open-access tools, MIT.nano aims to ease those early hurdles, helping more ventures reach the scaling phase where they can grow big.
Joyce Wu, the START.nano program manager and an SM '00, PhD '07 alum, shed light on another hurdle: attracting venture capitalists to hard-tech investments. 'It's notoriously difficult to get VCs excited about these areas,' she explained. Through START.nano, they offer discounted entry to MIT.nano's cleanrooms, testing equipment, and labs, enabling startups to prototype faster and cheaper, thus drawing in investments sooner. Their mission? To turn groundbreaking research into practical solutions for hard-tech challenges, bridging the gap between academia and the real world. And isn't this where controversy brews? Some might argue that such support favors MIT-affiliated ideas over global innovators, potentially stifling broader competition— what do you think?
Beyond tool access, START.nano weaves these early companies into the rich fabric of MIT and Cambridge's innovation ecosystem. PITCH.nano, modeled after the famous MIT $100K Competition, debuted this year as a fresh avenue for these hard-tech pioneers to connect with investors and industry experts. Twelve startups presented, judged by a panel of four experienced venture capitalists and founders themselves.
'It's incredible to witness the high caliber, variety, and creativity in this group of startups,' remarked judge Brendan Smith, PhD '18 and CEO of SiTration—a company that was in the very first START.nano batch. 'These founders are proving how fundamental hard-tech innovations can tackle the planet's biggest issues, while being scalable and profitable.'
The presenting startups covered a broad spectrum. In climate, energy, and materials, we saw pitches from Addis Energy, focusing on advanced energy storage; Copernic Catalysts, developing catalysts for sustainable processes; Daqus Energy, innovating in energy solutions; VioNano Innovations, specializing in nanomaterials; the winner Active Surfaces; and Metal Fuels, exploring metal-based energy sources. For instance, imagine Metal Fuels using metal reactions to store energy efficiently, like a high-tech battery that could power homes during outages. In life sciences, Acorn Genetics, Advanced Silicon Group, and BioSens8 presented—Advanced Silicon Group, which also snagged the 5,000 nanoBucks audience choice award for their next-gen biosensor improving pharma testing, is a great example of how these tools accelerate health tech breakthroughs. Finally, in quantum and photonics, Qunett, nOhm Devices, and Brightlight Photonics showcased quantum computing and light-based innovations. What ties them all together? Every single one relies on MIT.nano to propel their progress.
Bhakta from Active Surfaces echoed this sentiment: 'MIT.nano has been crucial in speeding up our path to market, especially for a team crafting a brand-new physical product. Access to elite characterization tools—typically unaffordable for startups—lets us verify scalability quickly. The START.nano network speeds up problem-solving, and the nanoBucks prize is fueling our upcoming prototypes for pilots.'
Now in its fifth year, START.nano has backed 40 diverse companies across life sciences, clean tech, semiconductors, photonics, quantum tech, materials, and software. Fourteen have graduated, moving from prototypes to full manufacturing. 'I see MIT.nano as having a golden chance,' said judge Davide Marini, PhD '03 and co-founder of Inkbit, 'to build the top incubator for hard-tech entrepreneurs globally.'
START.nano welcomes applications monthly, supported by generous funding from FEMSA. So, as we celebrate these wins, let's ponder: Is this the dawn of a new era for clean energy, where startups like Active Surfaces make solar power as simple as peeling a sticker? Or could there be unintended downsides, like over-reliance on institutional support that overlooks smaller, independent voices? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree that fostering hard-tech innovation is key to solving global challenges, or do you see potential pitfalls in this approach? We'd love to hear your take!
