The Drexel University Innovation Fund

The Drexel University Innovation Fund is an exciting initiative for early-stage Drexel student and postgraduate-led startups, as well as startups founded to commercialize the results of scientific research being developed at Drexel.

The University aspires to play the role of a friends and family investor by being the first money in with an investment of $150,000 per startup and up to four startups per year. There have been three cohorts of investment so far, with commitments to invest in six startup companies. See News-Announcements for related stories.

The Fund program is currently on pause with no new application rounds scheduled at this time.

How does it work?

Experiential Learning

A unique aspect of the Innovation Fund is an experiential opportunity for Drexel students to learn venture capital investing through credit-bearing courses and experiencing the Innovation Fund’s investment process with hands-on activities. Following the mission to provide a valuable, rigorous, experiential education, students work with a faculty member to perform due diligence, develop recommendations, and present their findings to an investment committee. With the Fund program on pause, there are other opportunities to learn due diligence. Students interested in this type of coursework should contact Professor Robert Morier at rlm343@drexel.edu.

The Drexel Innovation Fund was developed by leaders from the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, Office of Research and Innovation, Office of the Provost, Drexel Solutions Institute, the Office of Executive Vice President, Treasurer & COO and an advisory group consisting of university trustees and distinguished alumni in the venture capital industry. An Investment Advisory Committee, comprised of industry experts and early-stage investors selected by Drexel Applied Innovation and the Close School, consult on program management.