Over the years, I have met with and presented to more than 100 investors and have had the pleasure of working directly with a few wonderful startup investors. Though I hold a research chair at MARC, McMaster University, and serve as CEO of its entrepreneurial spinoff, Enedym Inc., I am a professor above all else. Occasionally I face investors who see my job as a professor as a liability. I try to help them see that it's quite the opposite. In fact, I think they could learn a thing or two from professors. Let’s think about what I do as a professor for every single PhD student of mine. More than 100 of them over the past 20 years. At the beginning of their PhD thesis, I support them before anyone else. I lean in and empower. I do it often when no one else is supporting them or even realizing what they can do. When the technology is in question and when others doubt it. When no one else has done it. I stay with them to take the work to the finish line to a successful PhD defense. During that process, sometime people throw tomatoes at the students and their ideas. I stand with them when others run away. Because I believe in them and because I feel joy in what they build. I strongly believe in willpower. I take risks with them because of their willpower, dedication, hardwork, and of course top-notch technical caliber. I would see it as my failure if they didn’t get to the finish line. They have never let me down. And the biggest joy of my professorial life is seeing them succeed, not just in completing their PhDs, but also in making real impact after graduating. We need more financial investors to adopt this mindset for startup companies. However, some investors think mainly about numbers and business models, without valuing enough what individual founders can do. In my view, the most important asset of a young startup company is its capable, committed, caring, fearless band of believers, who find a way to grow their business and make a difference even when they are backed into a corner. Nothing could be more inspiring or energizing for me. #MacEng #MARC #Enedym #BrighterWorld
Shams Nalakath
6mo
It is time for investors to think beyond models and numbers into dreams, passion, and capabilities of the team in order to achieve exponential growth and impact. Of course, there are risks but comes with greater returns! University spin-offs backed with several years of IPs and SMEs/Professors is a startup model that can bring top notch technologies backed up with science and engineering and should not be underrated. Agree with you Professor Ali Emadi! Wish you and the team the best!
We're very proud of you Ali Emadi!
Pedro Neto
6mo
One of the greatest gifts a student can receive from a mentor is the belief in their work; this mindset enchants me, it changes the world! I can't wait to learn from you
Piyush Desai
6mo
Ali Emadi, the legacy you leave behind is these scholars, scientists, engineers, leaders, and dreamers who give their best every day and constantly push the boundaries. Now, that's a real and lasting impact!
I feel incredibly proud to be part of this research group, and it's truly an honor to have a mentor like him. Thank you, Dr. Emadi, for your continuous inspiration and for making our life more brighter.
Raschid Assalmi
6mo
Love this way of thinking.
Babak Fahimi
6mo
I agree 100% Ali
Your motivation, support, and caring for your students are outstanding. Not all Ph.D. students had the privilege to work with such a dedicated leader professor (From personal experience, I had to do everything on my own). Honestly, I was thinking the same way as the investors you talk about, but this post changed my perspective. Thanks for sharing, Ali Emadi
Rajesh Gopinath
5mo
Very well put, Dr. Ali Emadi. Thanks for all the great work you do! You have been an inspiration for many of us.
Advanced Motion Systems Research Lab
6moAn effective technology transfer is in fact a human empowerment in a technological field. This is what some of us do to our graduate students in well established research labs at some universities. It is not just granting an academic degree. It is an invaluable endeavor usually not recognized by the industry and governments. It must greatly be recognized and supported by both.