Entrepreneurs in Residence

The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program at Tufts University hosts seasoned entrepreneurs on campus for one to two years, during which time they collaborate with faculty and tap into the deep expertise of Tufts faculty to advance new ventures. 

The Tufts EIR Program is a launchpad for mission-driven innovation, enabling entrepreneurs to build impactful companies at the same time that they enrich the Tufts community.

The relationship between Tufts and our entrepreneurs in residence is a two-way partnership. The EIRs seek and provide strategic guidance on business models, product development, fundraising, and go-to-market strategies, while simultaneously focusing on their own startup ideas within Tufts’ interdisciplinary ecosystem.

Through partnerships with Tufts innovation hubs including the Derby Entrepreneurship Center, Tufts Launchpad | Biolabs, and the School of Engineering, the EIR program connects entrepreneurial leaders with Tufts’ top talent and research. In turn, ventures like Deco Labs benefit from an academic environment rich in mentorship, collaboration, and venture support.

Deco Labs is a design-tech spinout of Tufts in cellular agriculture and biotechnology. Supported by a Tufts EIR and Provost Caroline Genco, who oversees the EIR program, Deco Labs advanced its early-stage technology and venture strategy—moving through prototyping, customer discovery, and product development. The EIRs (pictured here) leveraged Tufts’ resources to refine the business model and position the company for seed-stage fundraising. 

More information about the EIR program is available by contacting ovpr@tufts.edu.