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

Summary

For a successful deep tech startup, the laboratory breakthrough is only the first step. To spin out an innovative technology into a scalable business, a founder has to navigate a complicated legal process. But translating a lab discovery into a startup is less about the “eureka” moment and more about everything that comes after. “I got up the courage to address my advisor in a like we need to have a serious conversation about me spinning out this company and starting it,” Capella said. And that conversation was the beginning of a long process of building geCKo materials. Connect with all the people who’s work lead up to the big breakthrough. Kerst offered these contributors the options to join the company, become advisors, or receive compensation.

Form the company and lawyer up. In this case, Stanford provided a list of lawyers Kerst had to use. Once the licensing agreement is finalized, it’s time to shift from PhD to CEO. The company’s material is already in use on the International Space Station, and Kerst says the long-term vision includes replacing traditional attachment methods like Velcro or suction systems. Be sure to say you heard about Startup Battlefield from the Build Mode podcast. TechCrunch Disrupt: If you’re thinking about applying to Startup Battlefield, then October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, they're back for TechCrunch Disrupt, where the Startup Battlefield 200 takes the stage.