designX 2025
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Meet the MITdesignX 2025 Cohort!
MITdesignX Le Rosey Applications open for our newest accelerator program in Switzerland in collaboration with Institut Le Rosey Online courses at MITdesignX We are excited to offer a unique online course for venture creation and solution design.
Join us Our Supporters
Meet the MITdesignX 2025 Cohort!
Admission Timeline FAQ

We have selected the ninth cohort of MITdesignX. This diverse new group includes thirteen teams from across MIT, as well as teammates from Harvard, Yale and beyond tackling issues related to construction, sustainability, and social impact.

Acaciapulse
Correlating real-time incidents of war-related violence from social media platforms with displacement patterns to better coordinate humanitarian aid distribution.

ARCA
Pre-fabricated construction material built on the power of structural curves.

BioBoost
A small-scale biogas upgrader and generator for households.

Clima Energy
An AI software that dynamically adjusts temperature setpoints in multi-zone commercial buildings.

CROP-ED
Utilizing harvested crop stubble for construction as an alternative from crop burning.

Daero
Using speech-to-text, VLM, LLM, and low-tech tablets to better design and execute construction punchlists.

Geni
An AI-powered storytelling platform that combines large language models and physical play to allow children to co-create stories in real-time.

Helix
A fashion marketplace where secondhand stores and individuals can locally buy, sell, or rent their collections via an infinite commission model.

Kokus
A coconut fiber-based composite that offers a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials.

Tangible Impact
An AI-powered social impact assessment and informative platform tailored for real estate developers.

Traverse
A visual news platform that leverages machine learning technologies to curate and present news stories that are customized to each user’s unique informational needs, familiarity, and preferences.

StudCycle
A design-to-fabrication workflow to generate high-performance walls from salvaged or cutoff studs.

Selection

Up to 12 teams are selected for each cohort. Applicants can include graduate students, researchers, staff and faculty members from across MIT, as well as their colleagues from other institutions or industry.

Requirements

One participant on a team is required to be an active student, faculty, researcher or staff member of MIT.

Alumni

MITdesignX alumni teams include participants from all departments, labs and centers in SA+P and from across MIT including computer science, engineering, management, biology, and the humanities.

Application

Applications for the 2025 cohort opened on October 1. A selection committee will review all applications, and advance up to 20 finalists for interviews and presentations. Guidance is available for all teams during the application period. Applications were due November 1.

Accelerator Studio

The program begins with a bootcamp class during IAP. The bootcamp program requires full team participation for the full two week session. A 16-week accelerator course will follow the MITdesignX academic framework outlined in the about section.

Pitch-Out

Pitch-out is held after the completion of the Accelerator course. At pitch-out, teams present a professional pitch deck, and present their prototypes to a large audience, including peers, investors, stakeholders, and civic and industry partners.

After the Nov. 1 deadline, a selection committee will review all applications and advance up to 20 finalists for an interview stage, and to give a pitch presentation before a final panel and audience of peers on December 6. The MITdesignX venture accelerator starts with a bootcamp in January during the MIT IAP period, followed by an accelerator class in the Spring semester. After a final pitch-out and demo event in May, teams continue to work on the development and scaling of their ventures and have access to workspace and mentors until the end of the year. Please note: all participants must attend IAP and Spring courses.

Our selection committee looks at the following criteria when evaluating applications: Is the venture solving a valid problem or addressing an important opportunity? Is the proposed solution a good fit? Is the team capable of developing the necessary solution?* Is there a market need or societal need for the proposed venture? Will this venture make an impact on design, cities, and/or the human environment? Is there entrenched competition, regulations or lack of technology or accessibility that could make development of the venture impossible?**   * teams don’t need all technical members on board, but need to have a good connection or understanding of a proposed technology if applicable **we do like attempts to solve the impossible though, so work your way through this criteria if necessary.
After an initial first-round selection by our committee, we will invite up to 20 teams for a brief interview to speak and help clarify information from the application itself. Meetings will take place from Nov. 11-15, 2024.  Ideally, all members of the team will attend, but exceptions will be made for scheduling purposes. Finalists will then be invited to pitch their ventures in person on the afternoon of Dec 3 before a selection committee and select guests including MITdesignX alumni, partners and mentors. The committee will make a final selection of up to 10 ventures.  Decisions will be announced on Dec 9.
MITdesignX was originally created in SA+P to accelerate ventures in design, cities and the human environment, and provide a dedicated entrepreneurial program primarily for members of the SA+P community.  However, we accept teams from across MIT as long as the focus of the venture is in the realm specified above.
Yes, but you cannot attend a workshop based program at the same time as our bootcamp or Spring class (such as the I-Lab at Harvard).  Programs like Sandbox, 100K, or Creative Arts can we joined concurrent to designX.
Yes, ventures can join other programs such as DeltaV, Legatum, MIT100K, Sandbox, VMS, PKG and more. However, while in designX we require that you coordinate with us regarding mentors. Having multiple mentors in different programs can be unproductive.
Yes, many students interested in developing their thesis ideas into ventures apply to the program and take advantage of the vast entrepreneurial resources made available through MITdesignX to fast-track the development of their ideas, designs and technologies. You must discuss this with your thesis advisor.
At MITdesignX, IP is considered the property of the individuals and/or teams. MIT will not stake IP or patent claims to new ideas developed at MITdesignX. If your idea was created as part of prior research at MIT, or uses specific lab support of MIT, then MIT IP may apply. Teams must clear any MIT IP issues with the MIT TLO. Work by faculty or staff of MIT may also be subject to MIT rules pertaining to IP. The program offers resources to assist you in protecting and filing patents.
The grant is awarded to fund initial team expenses needed to develop the idea, including, but not limited to: data collection, database access, incorporation and legal costs, travel costs associated with meeting potential partners or customers, programming, marketing, or product development. MITdesignX reserves all rights to make decisions on acceptable use of funds. All expenses and procurement must be acceptable to MIT rules and guidelines.
No, funding can only be made to U.S. entities, or paid as reimbursements to MIT students, staff, affiliates and faculty.
No, grant funding from MITdesignX cannot be used for sponsored research funding at MIT.
No, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is not required to receive team grants. However, businesses receiving funds must be legally registered in the United States. Participants on student visas must check with the MIT International Student Office (ISO) to ensure their individual visa restrictions are carefully followed. Reimbursements or payments can be made by MITdesignX on a foreign student’s behalf if approved.
No, only teams receive funding. Individuals may receive payments based on reimbursements as per above. The grant is allocated to the venture not individual team members. In the case of changes made to team membership the grant follows the venture it was allocated to at the beginning of the program and is not awarded to individual team members.
Teams will only be eligible for funding after the first milestone assessment at the midterm break of the Spring semester, and upon incorporation of their business venture. If a venture is not incorporated at that time, incremental payments can be advanced to teams in the form of reimbursements or payments of accepted expenses and at the discretion of the executive director of MITdesignX. Funding for the 2023 cohort will be available until March 31, 2024. Teams who do not draw on their grants and meet milestones will not receive funding after this date. The balance of funds will revert to MITdesignX. Acceptance to the MITdesignX cohort does not guarantee funding.
Up to $10,000 will be granted to teams at designX based on milestone achievements during the Spring semester.  Milestones will be evaluated at the mid-term and end of Spring semester, and as necessary beyond this time.  Teams have until March 31, 2024 to receive funding, after which time, remaining funds will revert to MITdesignX.  Grants are not transferable.  Issuing of funds is at the discretion of designX leadership. In addition to allocated grants, 3 awards totalling $10,000 will be made to teams at the end of the Spring semester at our annual pitch night.
Please contact us and share your ideas. We make every effort possible to help form teams. Others may have come to us with similar ideas. We also host informal meetups called “soundings” to share ideas. Follow us online and on twitter to hear about upcoming events.
No, only team applications with a minimum of 2 members may apply.
No, only students are required to enroll in the courses, and only students can receive credit for their work in the accelerator. Other participants are still required to attend the courses.
Yes, the courses are an integral part of the accelerator. All team members are required to attend the bootcamp between January 18 and January 28, 2022, and the 2022 Spring accelerator class. Some minor exceptions could be made on an individual basis, but must be cleared prior to the start of the accelerator.
Students may receive a total of 18 academic credits (6 credits for completing the Bootcamp during IAP and 12 credits for the Spring semester accelerator program). MITdesignX classes are electives, please check with your departments regarding your individual credit fulfillments required for your degree.
Only the original idea and team composition selected by MITdesignX will be eligible for the accelerator program and funding unless (a) a team member voluntarily quits the team and the remaining members continue or (b) an acceptable pivot by members of the remaining team continues. Funding cannot be split.
Yes, new members may join a team at any time. However, only team members who participate in the accelerator will be recognized as having taken part in MITdesignX.
No, but serial entrepreneurs are of course welcome!
You do not necessarily need a full development team at the start of the accelerator unless progress on a prototype or application is wholly dependent on that technical expertise.
A team must apply and join with at least two people, and not more than five.
No, You can only apply with one team per year.
Yes, you are always encouraged to apply. Getting feedback and developing your ideas at every stage is critical.
Yes located at 77 Massachusetts Avenue on the third floor building 7 room 336. However, per health guidelines, the program will be completely online for the 2020-2021 cohort.
No, accepted teams must join the cohort they were chosen for or forfeit their position.
Eight (8) teams will be selected in each cohort.
For the 2019 cohort, one position will be open to a team without a member of SA+P. The team must include graduate students or researchers from MIT and apply with a venture that is aligned with the focus of MITdesignX as stated above.
Applications are open from October 5 to November 6, 2020. Applications must be filled in online via our website (follow the application open button on the left side).
A selection committee will review all applications and advance up to 20 finalists for presentations and interviews before a final panel. Guidance is available for all teams during the application period.
Judges will look at the strength of the idea and the solution being proposed, as well as the feasibility of the venture, the competition, market fit, team diversity and team composition.
Ventures must be aligned with the focus of the departments, labs and centers of SA+P, proposing solutions in the realm of architecture, planning, real estate, media arts and science, and arts, culture and technology. We are looking for ventures working on innovation in cities, design and the human environment.
MITdesignX, except for one exception explained below, is open to graduate students, researchers, staff, and faculty members from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), in addition to their partners from other schools and departments at MIT and beyond.
Become A Mentor Support Us Pilot With Us

Our carefully selected group of mentors include successful innovators and entrepreneurs, global executives, scientists, researchers and civic and government professionals. Mentors work closely with MITdesignX startup founders and their teams providing support and mentorship across industries and expertise such as sales and marketing, funding, IP protection, IT, manufacturing and supply chain, social impact, corporate law and more.

Do you want to help build a better world through design innovation and entrepreneurship?

MITdesignX supporters include businesses and individuals, alumni, and foundations. Funding for MITdesignX and the new ventures we launch relies on forward-thinkers like you who are interested in supporting the power of creative optimism and accelerating the unique skills and imagination found in entrepreneurs at MIT. Become a supporter of MITdesignX. For more information please contact us at: designx@mit.edu

Do you want to be involved with MIT entrepreneurs at the forefront of design innovation?  Yes, then join MITdesignX as civic or industry partner. The success of new ventures quite often relies on collaborative work with businesses, cities, and organizations in discovery, co-development or pilot projects. Collaboration with MITdesignX provides unique access to the next generation of technologies, products, services, and ventures and allows early stage startups with the opportunity to test and refine their work.

To become a Civic or Industry Partner contact us at: designx@mit.edu

MITdesignX Le Rosey Applications open for our newest accelerator program in Switzerland in collaboration with Institut Le Rosey

We are selecting up to 16 early-stage startups, on a rolling basis, to join our inaugural MITdesignX Le Rosey accelerator cohort starting September, 2025.

While there are no hard “early stage” criteria for selection, we’re looking for ventures still addressing product-market fit, solution design, MVP, and go-to-market challenges.

Applications close June 30

Online courses at MITdesignX We are excited to offer a unique online course for venture creation and solution design.
More Info

Designing High Impact Solutions

Svafa Grönfeldt and Gilad Rosenzweig

Enhance your decision-making, project management, and leadership capabilities by acquiring the tools and knowledge you need to identify, understand, frame, scale, and prioritize solutions to your most pressing challenges.

Offered by MIT Professional Education in English / en Español / en portugués

Next course starts: July 1, 2025

 

 

Littor.al logo
Littor.al
Predictive mapping to protect coastal communities and regions.
Loopa logo
Loopa
Furniture asset manager and marketplace.
SofDesk logo
SofDesk
Medium is the Massage. Tailor-made technology that feels you.
Ingot AI logo
Ingot AI
A computer vision-based 3D monitoring technology synced with a marketplace that helps contractors efficiently manage and resell construction waste
Chakula bora logo
Chakula bora
Safer food systems for all
romps logo
romps
A good fit for growing feet
The Middle Frame logo
The Middle Frame
Not your typical Arab images
Visible Hands logo
Visible Hands
Inclusion improves innovation.
Rarify logo
Rarify
Experience rare design.
Harness the Heat logo
Harness the Heat
Urban comfort out of thin air
Tangible logo
Tangible
A location Intelligence, AI prediction platform built to help tangible businesses scale.
ReFuse logo
ReFuse
Using the value of waste to create better living conditions in refugee camps.
Somoto logo
Somoto
Somoto transforms community infrastructure into creative learning spaces for young people
T-Space logo
T-Space
Improving transit stations through revolutionary retail
p(art)ner logo
p(art)ner
Matching developers with diverse artists and managing public art requirements
Out of the Box logo
Out of the Box
Creating exceptional learning environments, right out of the box
Elements logo
Elements
Design learning in a box
ECHO logo
ECHO
Digital platform to improve housing and mobility choices of lower income populations
Buy-In logo
Buy-In
Database and platform to improve government buy-out process of flood prone properties
acelab logo
acelab
Preconstruction intelligence for architects and manufacturers
Starlings Technology logo
Starlings Technology
Enhancing the sustainability, safety, and harmony of urban streets with peer-to-peer synchronized technology for micromobility
TULU logo
TULU
Live Large in Small Space
Quipu logo
Quipu
A marketplace digitalization of informal economies operating in low income environments
Bandhu’ logo
Bandhu’
Enabling low income workers in India to make insightful seasonal migration decisions for employment, housing and transportation.
Ogee! logo
Ogee!
A business-to-consumer company that will help homeowners save their architectural histories using digital fabrication.
Spatio Metrics logo
Spatio Metrics
Creating a world where every building makes us healthier
Zilper Trenchless logo
Zilper Trenchless
A novel machine for installing pipelines in urban environments without digging trenches.
Nesterly logo
Nesterly
A social enterprise that matches empty nesters with graduate students to provide housing and social solutions.
HostaLabs logo
HostaLabs
Software algorithms to turn simple pictures into intelligent 3D models for design and renovation.
Placeful logo
Placeful
Technology to identify, design and develop neighborhood-scale housing with the efficiencies of larger development.
LearningBeautiful logo
LearningBeautiful
Creating Montessori-inspired toys for young children to learn computer science-without using computers.
Bitsence logo
Bitsence
A space utilization analytics company helping managers of physical space maximize the utility of their assets through automated monitoring.
Biobot Analytics logo
Biobot Analytics
Measuring the concentration of drugs that are excreted in urine and collected in sewers and mapping this data to empower communities to tackle the opioid epidemic in real time.
Alight logo
Alight
Transforming public buses into vehicles of urban exploration by employing audio-augmented reality on smartphones.
Airworks logo
Airworks
Capturing and converting aerial imagery into digital CAD plans for site surveys and construction monitoring.
Frolic logo
Frolic
Revolutionary new financing model for homeownership that allows a greater cross section of society to engage in the housing market.
Kawsay logo
Kawsay
Connecting infrastructure providers with people living in informal communities in the developing world.
predictRE logo
predictRE
Software to help commercial real estate investors, brokers, and lenders make data-driven investment decisions based on planning and environmental trends and forecasts.
Spaceus logo
Spaceus
Empowering creative communities in cities by transforming vacant and underutilized buildings into collective and collaborative artist studios and gallery space.
Season Three logo
Season Three
Next generation all-weather boot sold direct-to-consumer.
SkinPixel logo
SkinPixel
Real-time diagnostic "smart tattoo" for human skin to monitor levels of blood analytes like glucose, sodium, potassium, albumin, and others such as those found on a basic blood panel.
Dormio logo
Dormio
Physical and digital interface to influence and record your dreams.
PREPHub logo
PREPHub
Public space infrastructure for disaster resilience and response.
Credi logo
Credi
Early childhood learning environment furniture in rural and developing parts of India.
Adaviv logo
Adaviv
AI-enabled adaptive environment for improving yields in indoor agriculture.
MIT Accelerating Innovation in Design, Cities, and the Built Environemnt
Littor.al Predictive mapping to protect coastal communities and regions.
Loopa Furniture asset manager and marketplace.
SofDesk Medium is the Massage. Tailor-made technology that feels you.
Ingot AI A computer vision-based 3D monitoring technology synced with a marketplace that helps contractors efficiently manage and resell construction waste
Chakula bora Safer food systems for all
romps A good fit for growing feet
The Middle Frame Not your typical Arab images
Visible Hands Inclusion improves innovation.
Rarify Experience rare design.
Harness the Heat Urban comfort out of thin air
Tangible A location Intelligence, AI prediction platform built to help tangible businesses scale.
ReFuse Using the value of waste to create better living conditions in refugee camps.
Somoto Somoto transforms community infrastructure into creative learning spaces for young people
T-Space Improving transit stations through revolutionary retail
p(art)ner Matching developers with diverse artists and managing public art requirements
Out of the Box Creating exceptional learning environments, right out of the box
Elements Design learning in a box
ECHO Digital platform to improve housing and mobility choices of lower income populations
Buy-In Database and platform to improve government buy-out process of flood prone properties
acelab Preconstruction intelligence for architects and manufacturers
Starlings Technology Enhancing the sustainability, safety, and harmony of urban streets with peer-to-peer synchronized technology for micromobility
TULU Live Large in Small Space
Quipu A marketplace digitalization of informal economies operating in low income environments
Bandhu’ Enabling low income workers in India to make insightful seasonal migration decisions for employment, housing and transportation.
Ogee! A business-to-consumer company that will help homeowners save their architectural histories using digital fabrication.
Spatio Metrics Creating a world where every building makes us healthier
Zilper Trenchless A novel machine for installing pipelines in urban environments without digging trenches.
Nesterly A social enterprise that matches empty nesters with graduate students to provide housing and social solutions.
HostaLabs Software algorithms to turn simple pictures into intelligent 3D models for design and renovation.
Placeful Technology to identify, design and develop neighborhood-scale housing with the efficiencies of larger development.
LearningBeautiful Creating Montessori-inspired toys for young children to learn computer science-without using computers.
Bitsence A space utilization analytics company helping managers of physical space maximize the utility of their assets through automated monitoring.
Biobot Analytics Measuring the concentration of drugs that are excreted in urine and collected in sewers and mapping this data to empower communities to tackle the opioid epidemic in real time.
Alight Transforming public buses into vehicles of urban exploration by employing audio-augmented reality on smartphones.
Airworks Capturing and converting aerial imagery into digital CAD plans for site surveys and construction monitoring.
Frolic Revolutionary new financing model for homeownership that allows a greater cross section of society to engage in the housing market.
Kawsay Connecting infrastructure providers with people living in informal communities in the developing world.
predictRE Software to help commercial real estate investors, brokers, and lenders make data-driven investment decisions based on planning and environmental trends and forecasts.
Spaceus Empowering creative communities in cities by transforming vacant and underutilized buildings into collective and collaborative artist studios and gallery space.
Season Three Next generation all-weather boot sold direct-to-consumer.
SkinPixel Real-time diagnostic "smart tattoo" for human skin to monitor levels of blood analytes like glucose, sodium, potassium, albumin, and others such as those found on a basic blood panel.
Dormio Physical and digital interface to influence and record your dreams.
PREPHub Public space infrastructure for disaster resilience and response.
Credi Early childhood learning environment furniture in rural and developing parts of India.
Adaviv AI-enabled adaptive environment for improving yields in indoor agriculture.
Meet the MITdesignX 2025 Cohort!
MITdesignX Le Rosey Applications open for our newest accelerator program in Switzerland in collaboration with Institut Le Rosey Online courses at MITdesignX We are excited to offer a unique online course for venture creation and solution design.
Join us Our Supporters
Meet the MITdesignX 2025 Cohort!
Admission Timeline FAQ

We have selected the ninth cohort of MITdesignX. This diverse new group includes thirteen teams from across MIT, as well as teammates from Harvard, Yale and beyond tackling issues related to construction, sustainability, and social impact.

Acaciapulse
Correlating real-time incidents of war-related violence from social media platforms with displacement patterns to better coordinate humanitarian aid distribution.

ARCA
Pre-fabricated construction material built on the power of structural curves.

BioBoost
A small-scale biogas upgrader and generator for households.

Clima Energy
An AI software that dynamically adjusts temperature setpoints in multi-zone commercial buildings.

CROP-ED
Utilizing harvested crop stubble for construction as an alternative from crop burning.

Daero
Using speech-to-text, VLM, LLM, and low-tech tablets to better design and execute construction punchlists.

Geni
An AI-powered storytelling platform that combines large language models and physical play to allow children to co-create stories in real-time.

Helix
A fashion marketplace where secondhand stores and individuals can locally buy, sell, or rent their collections via an infinite commission model.

Kokus
A coconut fiber-based composite that offers a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials.

Tangible Impact
An AI-powered social impact assessment and informative platform tailored for real estate developers.

Traverse
A visual news platform that leverages machine learning technologies to curate and present news stories that are customized to each user’s unique informational needs, familiarity, and preferences.

StudCycle
A design-to-fabrication workflow to generate high-performance walls from salvaged or cutoff studs.

Selection

Up to 12 teams are selected for each cohort. Applicants can include graduate students, researchers, staff and faculty members from across MIT, as well as their colleagues from other institutions or industry.

Requirements

One participant on a team is required to be an active student, faculty, researcher or staff member of MIT.

Alumni

MITdesignX alumni teams include participants from all departments, labs and centers in SA+P and from across MIT including computer science, engineering, management, biology, and the humanities.

Application

Applications for the 2025 cohort opened on October 1. A selection committee will review all applications, and advance up to 20 finalists for interviews and presentations. Guidance is available for all teams during the application period. Applications were due November 1.

Accelerator Studio

The program begins with a bootcamp class during IAP. The bootcamp program requires full team participation for the full two week session. A 16-week accelerator course will follow the MITdesignX academic framework outlined in the about section.

Pitch-Out

Pitch-out is held after the completion of the Accelerator course. At pitch-out, teams present a professional pitch deck, and present their prototypes to a large audience, including peers, investors, stakeholders, and civic and industry partners.

After the Nov. 1 deadline, a selection committee will review all applications and advance up to 20 finalists for an interview stage, and to give a pitch presentation before a final panel and audience of peers on December 6. The MITdesignX venture accelerator starts with a bootcamp in January during the MIT IAP period, followed by an accelerator class in the Spring semester. After a final pitch-out and demo event in May, teams continue to work on the development and scaling of their ventures and have access to workspace and mentors until the end of the year. Please note: all participants must attend IAP and Spring courses.

Our selection committee looks at the following criteria when evaluating applications: Is the venture solving a valid problem or addressing an important opportunity? Is the proposed solution a good fit? Is the team capable of developing the necessary solution?* Is there a market need or societal need for the proposed venture? Will this venture make an impact on design, cities, and/or the human environment? Is there entrenched competition, regulations or lack of technology or accessibility that could make development of the venture impossible?**   * teams don’t need all technical members on board, but need to have a good connection or understanding of a proposed technology if applicable **we do like attempts to solve the impossible though, so work your way through this criteria if necessary.
After an initial first-round selection by our committee, we will invite up to 20 teams for a brief interview to speak and help clarify information from the application itself. Meetings will take place from Nov. 11-15, 2024.  Ideally, all members of the team will attend, but exceptions will be made for scheduling purposes. Finalists will then be invited to pitch their ventures in person on the afternoon of Dec 3 before a selection committee and select guests including MITdesignX alumni, partners and mentors. The committee will make a final selection of up to 10 ventures.  Decisions will be announced on Dec 9.
MITdesignX was originally created in SA+P to accelerate ventures in design, cities and the human environment, and provide a dedicated entrepreneurial program primarily for members of the SA+P community.  However, we accept teams from across MIT as long as the focus of the venture is in the realm specified above.
Yes, but you cannot attend a workshop based program at the same time as our bootcamp or Spring class (such as the I-Lab at Harvard).  Programs like Sandbox, 100K, or Creative Arts can we joined concurrent to designX.
Yes, ventures can join other programs such as DeltaV, Legatum, MIT100K, Sandbox, VMS, PKG and more. However, while in designX we require that you coordinate with us regarding mentors. Having multiple mentors in different programs can be unproductive.
Yes, many students interested in developing their thesis ideas into ventures apply to the program and take advantage of the vast entrepreneurial resources made available through MITdesignX to fast-track the development of their ideas, designs and technologies. You must discuss this with your thesis advisor.
At MITdesignX, IP is considered the property of the individuals and/or teams. MIT will not stake IP or patent claims to new ideas developed at MITdesignX. If your idea was created as part of prior research at MIT, or uses specific lab support of MIT, then MIT IP may apply. Teams must clear any MIT IP issues with the MIT TLO. Work by faculty or staff of MIT may also be subject to MIT rules pertaining to IP. The program offers resources to assist you in protecting and filing patents.
The grant is awarded to fund initial team expenses needed to develop the idea, including, but not limited to: data collection, database access, incorporation and legal costs, travel costs associated with meeting potential partners or customers, programming, marketing, or product development. MITdesignX reserves all rights to make decisions on acceptable use of funds. All expenses and procurement must be acceptable to MIT rules and guidelines.
No, funding can only be made to U.S. entities, or paid as reimbursements to MIT students, staff, affiliates and faculty.
No, grant funding from MITdesignX cannot be used for sponsored research funding at MIT.
No, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is not required to receive team grants. However, businesses receiving funds must be legally registered in the United States. Participants on student visas must check with the MIT International Student Office (ISO) to ensure their individual visa restrictions are carefully followed. Reimbursements or payments can be made by MITdesignX on a foreign student’s behalf if approved.
No, only teams receive funding. Individuals may receive payments based on reimbursements as per above. The grant is allocated to the venture not individual team members. In the case of changes made to team membership the grant follows the venture it was allocated to at the beginning of the program and is not awarded to individual team members.
Teams will only be eligible for funding after the first milestone assessment at the midterm break of the Spring semester, and upon incorporation of their business venture. If a venture is not incorporated at that time, incremental payments can be advanced to teams in the form of reimbursements or payments of accepted expenses and at the discretion of the executive director of MITdesignX. Funding for the 2023 cohort will be available until March 31, 2024. Teams who do not draw on their grants and meet milestones will not receive funding after this date. The balance of funds will revert to MITdesignX. Acceptance to the MITdesignX cohort does not guarantee funding.
Up to $10,000 will be granted to teams at designX based on milestone achievements during the Spring semester.  Milestones will be evaluated at the mid-term and end of Spring semester, and as necessary beyond this time.  Teams have until March 31, 2024 to receive funding, after which time, remaining funds will revert to MITdesignX.  Grants are not transferable.  Issuing of funds is at the discretion of designX leadership. In addition to allocated grants, 3 awards totalling $10,000 will be made to teams at the end of the Spring semester at our annual pitch night.
Please contact us and share your ideas. We make every effort possible to help form teams. Others may have come to us with similar ideas. We also host informal meetups called “soundings” to share ideas. Follow us online and on twitter to hear about upcoming events.
No, only team applications with a minimum of 2 members may apply.
No, only students are required to enroll in the courses, and only students can receive credit for their work in the accelerator. Other participants are still required to attend the courses.
Yes, the courses are an integral part of the accelerator. All team members are required to attend the bootcamp between January 18 and January 28, 2022, and the 2022 Spring accelerator class. Some minor exceptions could be made on an individual basis, but must be cleared prior to the start of the accelerator.
Students may receive a total of 18 academic credits (6 credits for completing the Bootcamp during IAP and 12 credits for the Spring semester accelerator program). MITdesignX classes are electives, please check with your departments regarding your individual credit fulfillments required for your degree.
Only the original idea and team composition selected by MITdesignX will be eligible for the accelerator program and funding unless (a) a team member voluntarily quits the team and the remaining members continue or (b) an acceptable pivot by members of the remaining team continues. Funding cannot be split.
Yes, new members may join a team at any time. However, only team members who participate in the accelerator will be recognized as having taken part in MITdesignX.
No, but serial entrepreneurs are of course welcome!
You do not necessarily need a full development team at the start of the accelerator unless progress on a prototype or application is wholly dependent on that technical expertise.
A team must apply and join with at least two people, and not more than five.
No, You can only apply with one team per year.
Yes, you are always encouraged to apply. Getting feedback and developing your ideas at every stage is critical.
Yes located at 77 Massachusetts Avenue on the third floor building 7 room 336. However, per health guidelines, the program will be completely online for the 2020-2021 cohort.
No, accepted teams must join the cohort they were chosen for or forfeit their position.
Eight (8) teams will be selected in each cohort.
For the 2019 cohort, one position will be open to a team without a member of SA+P. The team must include graduate students or researchers from MIT and apply with a venture that is aligned with the focus of MITdesignX as stated above.
Applications are open from October 5 to November 6, 2020. Applications must be filled in online via our website (follow the application open button on the left side).
A selection committee will review all applications and advance up to 20 finalists for presentations and interviews before a final panel. Guidance is available for all teams during the application period.
Judges will look at the strength of the idea and the solution being proposed, as well as the feasibility of the venture, the competition, market fit, team diversity and team composition.
Ventures must be aligned with the focus of the departments, labs and centers of SA+P, proposing solutions in the realm of architecture, planning, real estate, media arts and science, and arts, culture and technology. We are looking for ventures working on innovation in cities, design and the human environment.
MITdesignX, except for one exception explained below, is open to graduate students, researchers, staff, and faculty members from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), in addition to their partners from other schools and departments at MIT and beyond.
Become A Mentor Support Us Pilot With Us

Our carefully selected group of mentors include successful innovators and entrepreneurs, global executives, scientists, researchers and civic and government professionals. Mentors work closely with MITdesignX startup founders and their teams providing support and mentorship across industries and expertise such as sales and marketing, funding, IP protection, IT, manufacturing and supply chain, social impact, corporate law and more.

Do you want to help build a better world through design innovation and entrepreneurship?

MITdesignX supporters include businesses and individuals, alumni, and foundations. Funding for MITdesignX and the new ventures we launch relies on forward-thinkers like you who are interested in supporting the power of creative optimism and accelerating the unique skills and imagination found in entrepreneurs at MIT. Become a supporter of MITdesignX. For more information please contact us at: designx@mit.edu

Do you want to be involved with MIT entrepreneurs at the forefront of design innovation?  Yes, then join MITdesignX as civic or industry partner. The success of new ventures quite often relies on collaborative work with businesses, cities, and organizations in discovery, co-development or pilot projects. Collaboration with MITdesignX provides unique access to the next generation of technologies, products, services, and ventures and allows early stage startups with the opportunity to test and refine their work.

To become a Civic or Industry Partner contact us at: designx@mit.edu

MITdesignX Le Rosey Applications open for our newest accelerator program in Switzerland in collaboration with Institut Le Rosey

We are selecting up to 16 early-stage startups, on a rolling basis, to join our inaugural MITdesignX Le Rosey accelerator cohort starting September, 2025.

While there are no hard “early stage” criteria for selection, we’re looking for ventures still addressing product-market fit, solution design, MVP, and go-to-market challenges.

Applications close June 30

Online courses at MITdesignX We are excited to offer a unique online course for venture creation and solution design.
More Info

Designing High Impact Solutions

Svafa Grönfeldt and Gilad Rosenzweig

Enhance your decision-making, project management, and leadership capabilities by acquiring the tools and knowledge you need to identify, understand, frame, scale, and prioritize solutions to your most pressing challenges.

Offered by MIT Professional Education in English / en Español / en portugués

Next course starts: July 1, 2025

 

 

news 10.31.2023
MITdesignX Global Reach

MITdesignX Extends Its Reach With Seven Highly Successful International Programs

More is this MAD MIT story.

news 10.21.2023
Ganadores del programa acelerador para la Transición Energética en México

MITdesignX CDMX 2023 supported twelve startups addressing the energy transition this summer and awarded three top prizes to Oxtron, VEU, and Batu.

Read more (en español) at Fortuna

 

news 10.21.2023
How startup Tulu is upending the bias for ownership

Tulu (MITdesignX 18)  is working to change the bias for ownership. It provides modular rental units for buildings, offering household items such as vacuum cleaners, home theater projectors and waffle makers. The company seeks to reshape consumption habits, particularly in cities where space and financial constraints make many purchases wasteful and unnecessary.

Read more at Greenbiz

news 01.20.2023
Learning Beautiful brings MIT’s “mind and hand” ethos to early childhood education

With so many educational tools that are “screen-based and focused solely on coding,” Kim Smith Claudel created Learning Beautiful (MITdesignX 17) – a business making tactile and beautiful materials to teach computation without computers.  Read about Kim’s work in MIT news.

 

 

news 11.14.2022
Influence your dreams with the Dormio V3

Now available: the The Dormio V3 – a hand-worn device that tracks changes in three bio signals to identify when there is a window of opportunity to play audio that will influence your dreams. Find out more at MAKE:

news 11.14.2022
TIME magazine names Biobot one of the 100 Best Innovations in 2022 for Social Good

COVID may have mainstreamed wastewater epidemiology, and Biobot is the leader: TIME Best Innovations of 2022

news 09.21.2022
Out of the Box (MITdesignX 2020) honored as finalists in FastCompany’s 2022 Innovation by Design Awards

The team is a finalist in the “Learning” category for their classroom-in-a-box product. Read the list here: https://www.fastcompany.com/90772183/learning-innovation-by-design-2022

news 09.19.2022
Dormio (MITdesignX 2018) shares guide to create DIY wearable “Dream Incubator”

Learn about the team’s latest version of their sleep tracker, which they refer to as the “Dormio Dream Incubator”. Read more: https://makezine.com/projects/dormio-dream-incubator/

news 06.27.2022
MIT News and Quipu Marketplace CEO Mercedes Bidart Discuss Decentralized Banking

MIT News interviews co-founder and CEO of Quipu Market, and MITDesignX 2019 alumna, Mercedes Bidart (SM ’19). Bidart discusses her startup’s growth and its vision for decentralized banking. Read the story at: https://news.mit.edu/2022/quipu-market-business-loans-0624

news 05.27.2022
Mariana Matus (co-founder, Biobot Analytics) is ranked on the Boston Globe’s ‘Tech Power Players 50’ list

Mariana is the co-founder of Biobot Analytics (MITdesignX 2017) is ranked #8 among the 50 top people influencing the technology industry in Massachusetts. Read more: https://bostontechleaders.bostonglobe.com/people/mariana-matus-biobot-analytics/

news 05.24.2022
Visible Hands (MITdesignX 2020) partners with Google on Latinx entrepreneur training

Together with Google, Visible Hands will launch a program called VHLX to train 20 selected individuals on the basics of building a start-up and attracting funding. Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/24/business/boston-vcs-partner-with-google-entrepreneur-training/

news 05.17.2022
Biobot Named Top 50 CNBC ‘Disruptor’ Company

Biobot Analytics (MITDesignX 2017) is among the top 50 private companies named on the CNBC Disruptors list. Read their entry here: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/17/biobot-analytics-disruptor-50.html

news 04.22.2022
TULU (MITdesignX 18) closes $20 million Series A round led by VC New Era Capital Partners

Read more: CTECH

news 04.22.2022
Roofscapes’ (MITdesignX 20) approach to greening roofs highlighted in Le Figaro

Read here (in French): Le Figaro

news 03.25.2022
Kelly Leilani Main, Co-Founder of Buy-In Community Planning (MITDesignX 20), Named A Grist 50 2022 Fixer

Cofounder & Executive Director of Buy-In Community Planning, Kelly Leilani Main, is named a Grist 50 2022 Fixer. She joins a group of emerging leaders in sustainability, climate, and equity. Read her story here: https://grist.org/fix/grist-50/2022/#kelly-leilani-main

news 03.09.2022
Quipu Market (DesignX ’19) is named a top 10 Most Innovative Company in Latin America by Fast Company

Co-founders Mercedes Bidart, Juan Cristobal Constain, and Viviana Siless continue their work of building communities by supporting microbusinesses. Read the list here: https://t.co/vwe2SHUDd8

news 03.07.2022
Roofscapes (x20) is among leading innovators featured in this must-read piece by Axelle Parriaux from the BBC

https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/the-people-building-edible-cities/

news 02.08.2022
Jean-Jacques Degroof (PhD ’02 Sloan) Shares the Story of Entrepreneurship at MIT Through the Lens of MITDesignX

With MITDesignX and Biobot Analytics as the focus, Jean-Jacques Degroof explores the entrepreneurial ecosystem here at MIT. Read more: https://mitsap.medium.com/from-the-lab-to-the-marketplace-5edc49920f06

news 01.20.2022
Mariana Matus (co-founder, Biobot Analytics) Explains COVID-19 Case Forecasting Using Sewage Data

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/health/covid-omicron-wastewater-sewage.html

news 01.05.2022
Lamarr.AI (DesignX 2022) Joins Gensler For Second Phase of US Department of Energy E-ROBOT Prize

The team will join Gensler as a partner, where the team will share their expertise and suite of built environment AI tools. Read more here: https://www.gensler.com/blog/recruiting-robotics-against-climate-change

news 01.03.2022
Biobot Analytics (MITDesignX ’17) among top wastewater analysis leaders tracking Covid-19 surge

Read how they are responding here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna10451

news 01.03.2022
Mariana Matus (co-founder, Biobot Analytics) details the predictive power of wastewater analysis

Mariana Matus, co-founder of @BiobotAnalytics (MITdesignX 17) explains how wastewater analysis can give a very early indication of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) in cities. Read more here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-track-covid-19-surges-scientists-are-studying-sewage-11640082603

news 12.23.2021
Biobot Analytics (MITDesignX 2017) is named a Newsweek Disruptor

Read the list here: https://www.newsweek.com/2021/12/24/americas-greatest-disruptors-enterprising-idealists-1659084.html

news 12.23.2021
Out of the Box (MITDesignX 2020) shares their curriculum development with Dorm Room Fund

Read the interview here: https://blog.dormroomfund.com/post/how-education-startup-out-of-the-box-builds-preschool-curriculums

news 12.23.2021
Zilper Trenchless (MITDesignX 2019) receives funding from Bertzman Social Ventures

Read more here: https://bertzman.com/bertzman-funds-zilper-trenchless

news 10.22.2021
Biobot Analytics (x17) raises $20 million in Series A financing

Read more at the following link: Bloomberg

news 09.13.2021
Roofscapes (x20) debuts exhibition for the 2021 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.

Designed for the 2021 Seoul Biennale, it is currently on view in Paris, France. Learn more: https://www.roofscapes.studio/newsfeed/head-in-the-clouds-at-academie-du-climat

news 07.22.2021
Adaviv (DesignX 2018) Raises $2.3M in Seed Round

Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/adaviv-raises-2-3m-upsized-124900792.html

news 07.14.2021
Acelab (DesignX 2020) Announces $3.5M Seed Round

Read more: https://blog.acelabusa.com/acelab-announces-3-5m-seed-round-to-build-marketplace-for-architects-and-manufacturers/

news 06.30.2021
Visible Hands Receives $750,000 Philanthropic Contribution

Visible Hands (DesignX 2020) has received a $750,000 philanthropic contribution from JPMorgan Chase in support of their inaugural fellowship program. Read More: https://medium.com/visible-hands-vc/visible-hands-receives-750-000-philanthropic-contribution-from-jpmorgan-chase-ed2295c0405a

news 06.07.2021
Visible Hands (x20) highlighted for their work increasing diversity in venture capital

Read more: Boston Globe

news 06.07.2021
Two DesignX alumni teams are winners of the 2021 Virginia RISE Coastal Community Resilience Challenge

Hosta Labs (DesignX 2017) and Zilper Trenchless (DesignX 2019) are finalists of the RISE challenge that will enable them to perform pilots, in addition to their grant prizes. Read more: https://t.co/smBzPWXy97?amp=1

news 05.18.2021
How a Confluence of Technology and Social Concerns Will Shape Infrastructure in the Post-Pandemic City

The DesignX hosted symposium, “Design >> Fast-Forward”, is featured in this review and discussion of the infrastructure design and construction topics presented across panels.

Read more.

news 04.09.2021
Visible Hands’ (dX 2020) inaugural virtual fellowship highlighted

Visible Hands’ newly announced virtual fellowship is highlighted in BostInno. Applications for their fellowship are open now. Read more here.

news 03.05.2021
Zilper Trenchless (dx 19) is listed on Forbes’ Top 30 Business Promises in Colombia for 2021

Zilper Trenchless, members of the 2019 designX cohort, currently operate in Colombia. Read more here (ESP): https://forbes.co/2021/03/05/emprendedores/las30deforbes-zilper-trenchless/amp/

news 02.26.2021
Entrepreneurial journey of UMarket (dx21) co-founder Aiyah Josiah-Faeduwor and his family are featured in the Boston Globe.

Read more here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/26/metro/evicted-boston-new-west-african-restaurant-is-being-welcomed-providence/ 

news 02.17.2021
Biobot’s (dx 17) wastewater expertise highlighted in fight against rising COVID strains – Vice News

Read more here: https://www.vice.com/en/article/3anemj/we-need-a-national-poop-testing-strategy-to-stop-mutant-coronavirus-strains

news 01.14.2021
Natasha Sadikin (designX 2020) speaks to MIT News on real estate and design

Natasha Sadikin, member of designX 2020 venture P(art)ner, speaks to MIT News about the confluence of design and real estate in her work. https://news.mit.edu/2021/sadikin-real-estate-design-0114

news 01.05.2021
Biobot Analytics recognized as a top 100 GovTech company for 2021

Read more here: https://www.govtech.com/biz/Essential-The-2021-GovTech-100.html

news 01.04.2021
Acelab selected as a top architecture startup to follow by Startupill

Acelab (designX 2020) has been recognized as a top architecture startup to follow. See the complete list here: https://startupill.com/38-innovative-architecture-startups-worth-a-follow-in-2020/

news 12.10.2020
Biobot Analytics’ work recognized as Technology of the Year by Smart Cities Dive

Biobot Analytics’ (MITdesignX 2017) wastewater epidemiology tech has been recognized as “Technology of the Year”.

Read more: https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/technology-of-year-biobot-analytics-2020/588313/

news 11.25.2020
Biobot Analytics and MIT professor highlight epidemiological power of toilets

Biobot Analytics (MITdesignx 2017) and MIT professor Eric Alm explain the public health insights to be gained from our toilets. Read more here.

news 10.28.2020
Biobot Analytics wastewater expertise highlighted by CNN amid rising Covid cases

As Covid-19 cases rise across the U.S., Biobot’s technology and analysis are being used as part of the public health arsenals of municipalities across the country. Read more here.

news 10.15.2020
Quipu Places Third in the Visa Everywhere Initiative

Quipu, members of the 2020 MITdesignX cohort, placed third in the Visa Everywhere Initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. You can learn more about the initiative and watch the virtual showcase here.

news 10.04.2020
Biobot helping get schools reopened sooner

“What we measure today predicts what happens in the community in four to seven days. So it’s sort of like looking into a crystal ball in the shape of a toilet,”

Watch here on WGBH

news 07.23.2020
Season Three discusses boot design with Design Milk

Season Three (MITdesignX 2018) walks Design Milk through the creative process of their first boot, the Ansel. Read more: https://design-milk.com/season-three-breaks-down-the-design-process-behind-the-ansel/

news 07.22.2020
AirWorks selected as finalist in 2020 New England Innovation Awards

AirWorks, member of the 2018 MITdesignX cohort, is among 25 firms selected from New England to move onto the finals in October. Read more here.

news 07.20.2020
The first QuipuMarket is profiled in El Heraldo

The community of Villas de San Pablo in Barranquilla, Colombia, the location of the first QuipuMarket created by team Quipu (2019), is featured. Read more. 

news 06.30.2020
Scientific American highlights work of Biobot Analytics and wastewater-based epidemiology

Read more.

news 06.22.2020
Season Three’s Brand and Start-Up Journey Featured

Season Three, a fashion brand and alum of MITdesignX (2008), share their history and their brand philosophy in this feature. Read more.

news 05.12.2020
DesignX Team TULU Offers Renters In-Building Products and Services

DesignX 2018 team TULU is equipping New Yorkers with household products, printers, and mobility options right from their own building. Read more.

news 04.27.2020
Biobot Analytics raises $4.2 Million in funding, supporting COVID-19 research

Biobot Analytics, member of the inaugural MITdesignX cohort, has raised $4.2 million in funding to support their research into COVID-19. Read more. 

news 04.26.2020
Nesterly teams up with the City of Boston to promote volunteerism for the elderly

Nesterly, a MITdesignX alumna team, has partnered with the City of Boston to launch the ‘Good Neighbors’ program. Read more. 

news 02.04.2020
AirWorks named one of Boston’s “50 Startups to Watch in 2020”

AirWorks, alum of the 2018 MITdesignX cohort, is listed among Built In Boston’s 50 Startups to watch this year. Read the list here: https://tinyurl.com/s8yxjsq

news 02.04.2020
Biobot Analytics listed on New York Times’ 2019 “Good Tech Awards”

MITdesignX 2017 alum, Biobot Analytics, has been listed on the New York Times’ 2019 “Good Tech Awards”, in recognition of their work tackling the opioid crisis. Read more.

news 02.04.2020
SpaceUs discusses the future of artists spaces with Fast Company

A wonderful feature on SpaceUs, an MITdesignX 2018 alum, and the future of artist spaces. Read more.

news 02.04.2020
Season Three founders discuss brand building with Forbes

Season Three, graduates of the MITdesignX 2018 cohort, are interviewed about their unique branding strategy. Read more.

news 12.03.2019
MITdesignX alum Lipifai featured on list of upcoming assistive tech in Israel

Lipifai, an alum of MITdesignX cohort 2019, is featured on a list of burgeoning, Israeli-based assistive tech. Read more.

news 07.29.2019
MITdesignX Faculty Director’s firm designs new marine city in China

Professor Dennis Frenchman and his firm, Tekuma Frenchman, win competition to reimagine the waterfront in Shenzhen, China. Read more at MIT NEWS

news 07.24.2019
Nesterly CEO interviewed by NPR to discuss housing crisis

Nesterly (MITdesignX cohort 2017) CEO Noelle Marcus discusses the global housing crisis through the lens of renters and senior homeowners.

Read more.

news 06.28.2019
Zilper Trenchless highlighted in The Buzz

A member of the 2019 MITdesignX cohort, Zilper Trenchless is highlighted in The Buzz. Read more about their history and their future here.

news 06.07.2019
MITdesignX highlighted as source for design entrepreneurs in Architect Magazine

MITdesignX’s curriculum is highlighted in this May Architect Magazine’s survey of entrepreneurs in the building industry. Read more.

news 05.24.2019
Nesterly featured in Wall Street Journal article on innovations in urban senior living

Read more.

news 04.10.2019
Zilper Trenchless wins prizes at Rice University Business Plan Competition

MITdesignX 2019 venture Zilper Trenchless wins multiple cash prizes at the annual Rice Business Plan Competition. In total, they won $435,000. Read more.

news 04.10.2019
MET Fund launched to support MITdesignX

Seed fund will support venture-design education and entrepreneurship in the School of Architecture and Planning. Read more. 

news 03.27.2019
Zilper Trenchless inducted into Imagine H2O’s 10th annual accelerator

MITdesignX 2019 venture Zilper Trenchless has been accepted into Imagine H20 2019’s cohort. They also received the Audience Choice Award at Imagine H2O Demo Day.

Read more

 

news 03.21.2019
Storefronts go from empty to artistic

Spaceus, MITdesignX 2018 alums, are among those featured in this article on transforming empty storefronts in Massachusetts.

Read More

news 03.19.2019
Rethinking What Makes a Great Roommate

MITdesignX venture Nesterly (Cohort 2017) is featured in this AARP article:

Read More

news 03.07.2019
Israeli and Palestinian architects and planners seek common ground on innovation, entrepreneurship

Read More

news 02.21.2019
Biobot Analytics (MITDesignX 2017) Named a Forbes Women-Led Startup “Crushing Tech”

Biobot Analytics is included among 50 top women led startups, curated by Forbes magazine (2019). Read more here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/allysonkapin/2019/02/20/50-women-led-startups-who-are-crushing-tech/?sh=7293a66d52b3

press 02.01.2019
Cohort 2018 team AirWorks raises $2.3M seed round

Read more

press 12.04.2018
MITdesignX Selects New Cohort: Nine multi-disciplinary teams join MIT’s design entrepreneurship accelerator

Read more

 

 

press 07.31.2018
This MIT Startup, AirWorks, Aims To Be The Top Aerial Data Analytics Service For Construction Firms

Read more

press 07.19.2018
Seniors have too much house. Millennials have none. And a business model is born.

MITdesignX Cohort 2017 start-up nesterly featured in the Globe and Mail:

Read more

press 06.25.2018
Scientists can track the spread of opioids in sewers. But do cities want to know what lies below?

Biobot helps cities transform sewage into actionable public health data to tackle the opioid crisis.

Read more

press 04.21.2018
Inside MIT’s Future Factory

Cohort 2018 startup Dormio featured on 60 Minutes:

Watch here

news 05.11.2017
How Startup Accelerator DesignX Turns Architecture Students into Entrepreneurs

Read more

  • It is pitching season, and the 2025 MITdesignX cohort is ready to launch!
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-04-29
  • Join us for MAD in Dialogue — an evening of short talks and conversation on the future of design education at MIT and beyond. ⁠ Th...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-04-18
  • Join our friends and colleagues for the MIT Arts Startup Incubator 2025 pitch event! Five teams of MIT students present their vent...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-04-10
  • MITdesignX is super excited to be one of the pillars of this new collaboration with LUMA Arles. Join us next week at the inaugural...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-27
  • MITdesignX Faculty Director Svafa Gronfeldt joins author Kevin Bethune next week at the MIT Museum for what is guaranteed to be a...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24
  • What a great week hosting the Executive MBA at Reykjavik University students!
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24
  • Another inspiring day in Boston as EMBA students put their final projects into action! With the incredible support of the MIT team...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24
  • 📰 Help MIT researchers revolutionize how we consume news! 📱 A team from the MITdesignX 2025 cohort is developing an innovative pla...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24
  • Lamarr.AI (MITdesignX 22) continues to excel, from this early win, to recent pilots and amazing development of their technology. L...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24
  • As part of our course "Building an Impactful Creative Career: Entrepreneurial Tools and Strategies," led by EIR Giuliano Picchi, w...
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24
  • Remarkable go-to-market success for Acelab (MITdesignX 20) !
    Source: MITdesignX | LinkedIn Published on 2025-03-24

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2021 Cohort
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2020 Cohort
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2019 Cohort
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2017 Cohort
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2025
crop*d Utilizing harvested crop stubble for construction as an alternative from…
Geni An AI-powered storytelling platform that combines large language models and…
acaciapulse Correlating real-time incidents of war-related violence from social media platforms…
Helix A fashion marketplace where secondhand stores and individuals can locally…
reframe A design-to-fabrication workflow to generate high-performance walls from salvaged or…
CLIMA Technologies An AI software that dynamically adjusts temperature setpoints in multi-zone…
ARCA Pre-fabricated construction material built on the power of structural curves.
DAERO Using speech-to-text, VLM, LLM, and low-tech tablets to better design…
Axiom Creating second-life battery solutions.
Traverse A visual news platform that leverages machine learning technologies to…
Kokus A coconut fiber-based composite that offers a sustainable alternative to…
TangibleImpact An AI-powered social impact assessment and informative platform tailored for…
BioBoost A small-scale biogas upgrader and generator for households.
2024
Cortado Giving coffee grounds a second life – Coffee Leather has…
Vassar Robotics Advanced automation for metal 3D printing post-processing.
Numanac An agri-knowledge management solution powered by a knowledge graph-grounded AI…
Civic Leaders of Today A peer-to-peer learning platform aimed at making government more efficient,…
BosaiPlus+ Helping people better prepare for everyday uncertainties by designing a…
Empati Indonesia’s AI-assisted virtual primary care clinic dedicated to women’s sexual…
COBI Empowering homeowners and contractors to build modular, flexible structures with…
TOPPA Developing dynamic surfaces that support health and wellbeing, such as…
BridgeHealthAI Bridging gaps in access by centralizing health and social services…
ONE Community Helping struggling informal businesses reach more customers, secure a steady…
BendShelters Adaptable, modular, and easily deployable bamboo structures to create spaces…
Mí.katã Leveraging generative AI, VR, and AR to create immersive simulations…
2023
Owl Sights Activating surveillance cameras for real-time crime detection and preventing incidents…
Jane Any home can be a net zero home
Littor.al Predictive mapping to protect coastal communities and regions.
Loopa Furniture asset manager and marketplace.
SofDesk Medium is the Massage. Tailor-made technology that feels you.
Ingot AI A computer vision-based 3D monitoring technology synced with a marketplace…
Construct(); (easily) create 3D environments via speech-to-space AI.
AfterStock Carbon-conscious reuse platform, coordinating a second life for materials from…
Chakula bora Safer food systems for all
Capture Your needs, Your Energy
Purifyx Providing clean water solutions in India with low-tech, low-cost, high-impact…
Cradle Wherever You Go, We Go!
romps A good fit for growing feet
2022
News Detective Fighting misinformation on social media.
Atacama Accelerating the transition towards a circular economy by developing new…
Lamarr.ai An autonomous solution for rapid building envelope diagnostics using aerial…
Brella Reinventing apparel return infrastructure to reduce environmental and economic waste.
Grain Box Optimizing post-harvest value chain for smallholder farmers in rural India.
La Firme Democratizing access to architectural and engineering services in Latin America…
Civic Atlas Helping local governments build trust and fight gridlock through simpler…
Cohab Improving quality, costs, and resiliency of home maintenance for low-to-middle…
RE: Stacks Designing the residential garage of the future.
tervi Completing affordable housing in Columbia.
AiRCAD 3D modeling technology to make content creation easy and accessible…
2021
The Middle Frame Not your typical Arab images
Harness the Heat Urban comfort out of thin air
Tangible A location Intelligence, AI prediction platform built to help tangible…
Vertify Analytics Combining drone technology and digital collaboration tools to revolutionize urban…
ReFuse Using the value of waste to create better living conditions…
Clearstory Creating equity through negotiation.
Somoto Somoto transforms community infrastructure into creative learning spaces for young…
Share a Shelf An urban microbusiness cultivator for retail and food vendors of…
2020
Visible Hands Inclusion improves innovation.
Rarify Experience rare design.
T-Space Improving transit stations through revolutionary retail
p(art)ner Matching developers with diverse artists and managing public art requirements
Out of the Box Creating exceptional learning environments, right out of the box
Roofscapes Making Green Places on the Roofs of Paris
Elements Design learning in a box
ECHO Digital platform to improve housing and mobility choices of lower…
Buy-In Database and platform to improve government buy-out process of flood…
acelab Preconstruction intelligence for architects and manufacturers
Starlings Technology Enhancing the sustainability, safety, and harmony of urban streets with…
2019
Quipu A marketplace digitalization of informal economies operating in low income…
Bandhu’ Enabling low income workers in India to make insightful seasonal…
DomusAI An AI-powered system that generates customizable interior designs, cost estimation,…
PlaceInt Decoding human behavior in physical spaces to enable customer knowledge
Ogee! A business-to-consumer company that will help homeowners save their architectural…
Spatio Metrics Creating a world where every building makes us healthier
Roux Supporting economic growth by connecting customers to minority owned businesses…
Stakd A flat-pack pre-fab house that can be rapidly deployed after…
Zilper Trenchless A novel machine for installing pipelines in urban environments without…
2018
TULU Live Large in Small Space
Alight Transforming public buses into vehicles of urban exploration by employing…
Airworks Capturing and converting aerial imagery into digital CAD plans for…
Frolic Revolutionary new financing model for homeownership that allows a greater…
Kawsay Connecting infrastructure providers with people living in informal communities in…
predictRE Software to help commercial real estate investors, brokers, and lenders…
Spaceus Empowering creative communities in cities by transforming vacant and underutilized…
Season Three Next generation all-weather boot sold direct-to-consumer.
SkinPixel Real-time diagnostic "smart tattoo" for human skin to monitor levels…
Dormio Physical and digital interface to influence and record your dreams.
PREPHub Public space infrastructure for disaster resilience and response.
Adaviv AI-enabled adaptive environment for improving yields in indoor agriculture.
2017
Nesterly A social enterprise that matches empty nesters with graduate students…
HostaLabs Software algorithms to turn simple pictures into intelligent 3D models…
Placeful Technology to identify, design and develop neighborhood-scale housing with the…
LearningBeautiful Creating Montessori-inspired toys for young children to learn computer science-without…
Mediate Wearable devices for people with visual impairment.
Bitsence A space utilization analytics company helping managers of physical space…
Biobot Analytics Measuring the concentration of drugs that are excreted in urine…
Credi Early childhood learning environment furniture in rural and developing parts…
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