START Entrepreneur

The START Entrepreneurs program is looking for candidates with the skills and desire to conduct innovative research and create and run an academic spinout. This 30-month program is part academic fellowship and part startup accelerator. The goal is to help aspiring commercial and social entrepreneurs translate academic scholarship into highly impactful new ventures.

The first 12-months will be spent on campus collaborating with a Princeton University faculty member on translational research that may generate new or enhanced innovations that can be developed by a for-profit or not-for-profit startup. During this time, START Entrepreneurs will receive training in entrepreneurship and tailored mentorship.

The following 18-months, START Entrepreneurs who are chosen to continue will be off campus at the Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs working full time as employees of their new startup or non-profit. Education and mentorship will be ongoing.

The program is fully funded and includes salary, benefits and a research stipend. All startups that are approved to participate in the Accelerator phase also receive a substantial additional investment in their startup.

The START Entrepreneurs program strongly encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to the University's diversity, broadly defined, including members of groups that have been historically, and are presently, underrepresented in academic entrepreneurship, such as racial and ethnic minorities.

Eligibility

*Earned, or will earn, an advanced degree by September 1, 2022.

*Authorization to work in the US.

*Strong preference for applicants with PhDs.

Research Proposal Requirements

The purpose of this program is to enable entrepreneurs to translate academic research into highly impactful new ventures. Princeton welcomes proposals from all academic disciplines.   

*All proposals must be based upon ideas that have a high probability of leading to a scalable and impactful spin-out.

*The research must be strongly aligned with the Princeton faculty member.

*You must be committed to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. This program does not allow for other, concurrent, work activities.

Sponsoring Faculty Requirements

*All faculty nominations must be accompanied by a signed START Faculty Agreement.

*If your sponsor is a Lecturer, their contract with Princeton must extend at least the first 18 months of your appointment.

Other Requirements

This program is designed to foster diversity, equity and inclusion, including to support and empower historically underrepresented entrepreneurs. Applicants must explain how their candidacy will contribute to this goal.

Application

PART 1: DUE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 2, 2022 11:59PM ET

Apply online at https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/22963 with the following:

*1-page research proposal (max 500 words);

*1-page spinout proposal (max 500 words);

*1-page personal statement describing your motivation for being an entrepreneur and why you want to pursue this particular idea (max 500 words);

*Statement explaining how you and your spinout will contribute to the University's diversity in academic entrepreneurship, broadly defined; (max 200 words);

*Curriculum vitae;

*A nomination letter from a Princeton faculty member with an agreed-to research plan

*Faculty must also sign a START Faculty Agreement - available at start.princeton.edu;

*At least 2 additional letters of support

*Do you have US work authorization? Y/N.

PART 2: Finalists will be invited to deliver a startup pitch to a panel of reviewers

Learn more at https://start.princeton.edu

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW