San Diego State University announced a new partnership with Launch Factory, a San Diego-based venture studio and early-stage investment firm, aimed at helping transform university research discoveries into venture-backed startup companies.

Under the partnership, Launch Factory will work directly with SDSU’s Division of Research and Innovation to identify promising technologies emerging from university laboratories and support their commercialization and startup development efforts.

Members of the Launch Factory team will hold office hours on campus, providing researchers with direct access to entrepreneurial guidance, commercialization support, and early-stage investment expertise designed to help move scientific discoveries closer to market readiness.

According to SDSU, the collaboration is intended to strengthen the university’s innovation ecosystem by helping researchers build scalable companies around deeptech and scientific innovations developed within the university’s engineering, physical sciences, and advanced technology programs.

Launch Factory operates using a startup studio model that focuses on pairing scientific founders with business-minded operators and entrepreneurial talent to improve commercialization outcomes and increase the likelihood of attracting venture capital funding.

The partnership builds on an existing relationship between SDSU and Launch Factory. Launch Factory co-founder Brad Chisum is an SDSU alumnus and entrepreneur who previously sold Lumedyne Technologies to Google and co-founded EyePop.Ai alongside SDSU supporter Andy Ballester.

Chisum and Launch Factory partner Alessandro Rinaldi have also participated in evaluating faculty applications for SDSU’s Pilot Innovation Fund, which provides up to $45,000 in funding to support commercialization-oriented university research projects.

SDSU said the new agreement creates additional opportunities for researchers to connect with investors, startup operators, and commercialization experts capable of helping advance deep technology ventures from the laboratory into the private sector.

The university has recently expanded efforts to commercialize patented technologies and industry-sponsored research across advanced materials and other emerging technology sectors.

SDSU officials stated that the partnership is expected to support startup formation, attract investment capital, and contribute to broader economic growth within the San Diego innovation ecosystem.

KEY QUOTES:

“This partnership with Launch Factory is a wonderful addition to the tool kit of San Diego State University’s innovation ecosystem.”

“Together, we hope to spin out more successful startup companies, simultaneously opening up researchers’ entrepreneurial options and benefitting the regional economy.”

Hala Madanat, Vice President For Research And Innovation, San Diego State University

“SDSU has deep research strengths in areas where San Diego can build important new companies.”

“Launch Factory’s role is to help connect those discoveries to market problems, entrepreneurial talent and early capital so more SDSU innovations can become venture-backable startups.”

Alessandro Rinaldi, Partner, Launch Factory

“SDSU’s objective is to become best-in-class for spinouts.”

“This partnership with Launch Factory opens new doors to venture capital investment and startup formation for our faculty and student researchers, spawning new businesses that could transform San Diego.”

Tommy Martindale, Director Of Intellectual Property Protection And Commercialization, San Diego State University