From the Startup Battlefield stage to the International Space Station: geCKo Materials built a sticky product

techcrunch.com ∙ 14 hours ago

From the Startup Battlefield stage to the International Space Station: geCKo Materials built a sticky product

Top line

Transforming academic deep tech breakthroughs into scalable businesses requires a structured legal and strategic process, as exemplified by geCKo Materials' founder Capella Kerst.

Summary

Spinning a deep tech innovation from academia into a successful business involves more than just a scientific breakthrough; it requires a deliberate navigation of legal and entrepreneurial processes. Capella Kerst, founder of geCKo Materials, shared her journey from a Stanford PhD student developing gecko-inspired adhesives to CEO, highlighting the crucial steps for founders. This roadmap includes engaging with prior contributors, fulfilling university licensing requirements early on, securing legal counsel experienced in university spin-offs, and transitioning from researcher to CEO. Five years on, geCKo Materials is scaling its technology, already in use on the International Space Station, with ambitions to revolutionize attachment methods. The article also promotes TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield and Disrupt events for early-stage companies.

Highlights

Launching a deep tech startup requires more than a laboratory breakthrough; it involves navigating a complex legal process to transform innovative technology into a scalable business.
Isabelle Johannessen, host of 'Build Mode,' interviewed Capella Kerst, founder and CEO of geCKo Materials, a 2024 TechCrunch Startup Battlefield runner-up.
Kerst, formerly a Stanford PhD student, developed bio-inspired adhesives modeled after gecko's microscopic hairs.
A significant breakthrough in the rapid and reliable production of this material led Kerst to recognize its potential as a viable product, prompting her to consider founding a company.
The transition from a lab discovery to a startup is characterized by the post-'eureka' activities.
Kerst initiated a critical conversation with her advisor about spinning out the company, marking the beginning of geCKo Materials' development.
A roadmap for founders spinning out products from academia includes several key steps:
1. **Reach out to prior contributors:** Connect with individuals whose work contributed to the breakthrough and offer them opportunities to join, advise, or receive compensation.
2. **Meet licensing requirements:** Engage early with university technology licensing offices; Kerst learned she needed to complete her PhD to proceed with licensing from Stanford.
3. **Form the company and hire legal counsel:** Choose lawyers experienced in university spin-offs, as Stanford provided a list. Kerst emphasized interviewing lawyers to understand case studies and secure a favorable deal.
4. **Transition fully into the founder role:** After finalizing the licensing agreement, shift focus from academic research (PhD) to executive leadership (CEO).
Five years post-founding, geCKo Materials is scaling its adhesive technology for diverse applications including robotics, manufacturing, automotive, and space.
The company's material is currently utilized on the International Space Station.
geCKo Materials' long-term vision is to replace conventional attachment methods like Velcro and suction systems.
The article promotes applications for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield (for early-stage companies with an MVP) and highlights TechCrunch Disrupt (October 13-15 in San Francisco) as a networking event for founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts.
A discount code 'buildmode15' is offered for TechCrunch Disrupt tickets.
Isabelle Johannessen is the host of Build Mode; Maggie Nye produces and edits it; Morgan Little leads Audience Development. The production acknowledges the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

From the Startup Battlefield stage to the International Space Station: geCKo Materials built a sticky product

techcrunch.com ∙ 14 hours ago

Top line

Transforming academic deep tech breakthroughs into scalable businesses requires a structured legal and strategic process, as exemplified by geCKo Materials' founder Capella Kerst.

Summary

Highlights

Launching a deep tech startup requires more than a laboratory breakthrough; it involves navigating a complex legal process to transform innovative technology into a scalable business.
Isabelle Johannessen, host of 'Build Mode,' interviewed Capella Kerst, founder and CEO of geCKo Materials, a 2024 TechCrunch Startup Battlefield runner-up.
Kerst, formerly a Stanford PhD student, developed bio-inspired adhesives modeled after gecko's microscopic hairs.
A significant breakthrough in the rapid and reliable production of this material led Kerst to recognize its potential as a viable product, prompting her to consider founding a company.
The transition from a lab discovery to a startup is characterized by the post-'eureka' activities.
Kerst initiated a critical conversation with her advisor about spinning out the company, marking the beginning of geCKo Materials' development.
A roadmap for founders spinning out products from academia includes several key steps:
1. **Reach out to prior contributors:** Connect with individuals whose work contributed to the breakthrough and offer them opportunities to join, advise, or receive compensation.
2. **Meet licensing requirements:** Engage early with university technology licensing offices; Kerst learned she needed to complete her PhD to proceed with licensing from Stanford.
3. **Form the company and hire legal counsel:** Choose lawyers experienced in university spin-offs, as Stanford provided a list. Kerst emphasized interviewing lawyers to understand case studies and secure a favorable deal.
4. **Transition fully into the founder role:** After finalizing the licensing agreement, shift focus from academic research (PhD) to executive leadership (CEO).
Five years post-founding, geCKo Materials is scaling its adhesive technology for diverse applications including robotics, manufacturing, automotive, and space.
The company's material is currently utilized on the International Space Station.
geCKo Materials' long-term vision is to replace conventional attachment methods like Velcro and suction systems.
The article promotes applications for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield (for early-stage companies with an MVP) and highlights TechCrunch Disrupt (October 13-15 in San Francisco) as a networking event for founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts.
A discount code 'buildmode15' is offered for TechCrunch Disrupt tickets.
Isabelle Johannessen is the host of Build Mode; Maggie Nye produces and edits it; Morgan Little leads Audience Development. The production acknowledges the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.