National Security
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
The National Security Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (NS-EIR) was launched in May 2022 to expand the current Entrepreneur in Residence Program to entrepreneurs with National Security experience. Each participant was selected based on their experience in the National Security sector, professional network, technical expertise, and current leadership role in the commercial sector. The benefit for UC San Diego is the ability to tap into this cadre of professionals versed in both the National Security and commercial sectors.
During the year, each NS-EIR will develop close ties with our inventors, entrepreneurs, students, and staff from our innovation and commercialization team to further develop our most impactful technologies. We hope to identify dual-technology opportunities that may be appropriate for startups or new business products and involvement is typically oriented to a range of activities including, but not limited to:
- Providing guidance to faculty, student entrepreneurs, and accelerators to foster startup formation
- Engaging with UC San Diego inventors to share commercial and industry development perspectives
- Speaking on campus about areas of expertise through lectures, workshops, panel discussions, or departmental presentations
Check out news corresponding to the National Security Entrepreneurs in Residence program.
Current NS-EIR Cohort
Interested in working with or becoming a more general entrepreneur-in-residence? Learn more about our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence.
Open Call for 2024 NS-EIR program (CLOSED)
Each year UC San Diego invites inquiries for the following year's National Security Entrepreneur-In-Residence program. We’re looking for enthusiastic, successful entrepreneurs to help our students and faculty develop their ideas, advise teams on the road ahead, and potentially find your next company.
Scope
Each year, we anticipate opportunities for 5-10 entrepreneurs beginning in March. Successful EIRs must be able to commit time, energy, and advising insight to teams within our innovation ecosystem. In practice, this can mean spending time at office hours to meet with entrepreneurs or inventors, speaking at events, serving as a judge for competitions, or lecturing for certificate or bootcamp courses. The fact is that this is an open-ended approach for EIRs with well defined outcomes - the formation of start-ups at UC San Diego.
Objectives
The EIR program is designed to accelerate new venture creation in San Diego. This is a hands-on program that partners alumni and other seasoned entrepreneurs with campus innovators to develop new startups.
EIRs have access to a portfolio of high-potential opportunities, resources, people and programs. You’ll have significant autonomy to develop commercialization strategies, consult with campus innovators, and contribute to the entrepreneurial culture. Depending on your interests, you might:
- guide early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers
- hold office hours
- participate in demo days, programs and events
- make professional connections
- serve as a guest lecturer
- act as an advocate for UC San Diego entrepreneurship
EIRs will be asked to report quarterly on the progress of opportunities, engagement with campus resources, and other community-building activities. You’ll also engage with fellow EIRs and campus innovation leaders as a domain expert.
Ideal Fit for EIR
We’re looking for experienced entrepreneurs who are excited about the energy on campus. Ideal candidates will be driven to identify and solve problems independently, with a demonstrated ability to work with students and/or researchers--particularly engineers, scientists and healthcare professionals. Typically, you’ve played a key role in starting one or more companies and been intimately involved in raising series A funds and beyond.
Success in this program is measured by the number of technologies evaluated, new companies formed, funds raised, teams advised, and introductions made, in addition to community engagement.
Those selected will be expected to:
- comply with university IP and conflict-of-interest policies (you may not enter into direct fee-based arrangements with campus companies during your residency)
- submit quarterly updates on activities
- Agree to the expectations of the program and the innovator's agreement
EIRs are asked to sign an agreement and to acknowledge the program expectations with signature. Given the open approach and individualized structure of the program, these documents enable a freer flow of information among our EIRs, teams, faculty, and students.
As long as you are able to spend regular time on campus, San Diego residency is not required.
Tracks
- Medical Device Technology
- Drug or Therapeutic Development
- Energy, Transporation & Smart Cities
- Blue Technology (Marine, Oceans, Rivers, etc)
- Defense: Dual-Use Technologies
- Social Impact (Education, Political Science & the Arts)
- Software Engineering and Applications
- Life Sciences (Biome, Biologics, Food & Nutriceuticals)
- Pitch, Media & Product Development
- Agriculture & Environmental
- Other - as needs and fit appropriate
Resources
You’ll also receive an initial campus orientation, access to licensing staff and invention portfolios, and introductions to university resources, entrepreneurs, and researchers. Other perks include free access to special events, invitations to private industry/university functions, and inclusion on university-wide committees for advancing the development of the innovation ecosystem.
We find that many entrepreneurs don’t want a lot of hand-holding, but we’ll be here to make your life easier however we can! This also includes a special permit addition for your purchased parking pass that allows greater access to campus on official university business.
Selection Criteria
We value all experience but prioritize substantial entrepreneurial experience, relevant industry knowledge, ability to communicate, leadership, and understanding of university systems and culture. If you have not already, please fill out the interest from or copy and paste this link:
https://forms.gle/Z8kSkZswMdymdkzm6.
How to Inquire
Expressions of interest are always invited. To help us understand your background, we welcome hearing about past company successes, fundraising, and any experience with mentoring or education as it relates to National Security.
We’ll follow up with select candidates. For questions, please contact eirprogram@ucsd.edu.
Schedule an Appointment
EIRs enjoy meeting UC San Diego inventors and learning about technologies at all stages of development. Faculty, researchers, postdocs, students, and staff are invited to schedule introductory conversations. For questions about the program, or to schedule a meeting, contact eirprogram@ucsd.edu.