Leveraging the MIT legacy – empowering students, alumni, and innovation

E14 Fund, established in 2017, was created to support MIT-affiliated entrepreneurs in transforming groundbreaking ideas into impactful companies. About one-quarter of E14’s companies are direct MIT spinouts, while the majority stem from the broader MIT community, including alumni, researchers, and students. E14 was founded to serve this community, channeling early-stage capital and targeted resources to founders working on deep-tech solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The fund connects founders with mentors, practical resources, and a powerful MIT network, fostering startups focused on societal impact in fields such as healthcare, climate sustainability, and beyond.

Community-first approach to venture capital

E14 Fund’s model is defined by a “community-first” approach, with a deep responsibility to foster a healthy, supportive network within the extended MIT ecosystem. Calvin Chin, co-founder of E14, describes the fund’s philosophy as “community is our business model,” underscoring its mission to be more than a traditional venture fund. E14 provides practical support, access to networks, and a partnership that continues well beyond early funding stages, ensuring founders can navigate the transition from concept to market with confidence.

E14 operates as both an investor and a resource for the MIT community at large. Whether founders are actively raising capital or just beginning to explore their ideas, they can turn to E14 for guidance, feedback, and connections that help bridge the gap between academia and industry. This collaborative mindset enables E14 to amplify the impact of MIT research, building a supportive network where new ideas can thrive.

Collaborating with happiness capital to scale societal impact

Happiness Capital, one of E14 Fund’s earliest partners, shares a commitment to investments that bring about positive change. This partnership enables E14 to focus on companies that not only excel financially but also deliver measurable impact. Happiness Capital’s early support was instrumental in helping E14 cultivate a community-first approach, allowing the fund to pursue investments that emphasize societal benefit alongside profitability.

Together, they support ventures that integrate seamlessly with real-world institutions, such as government bodies and healthcare providers, showing E14’s commitment to working within systems for broader impact.

A vision of long-term responsibility and amplified impact

Looking forward, E14 Fund remains committed to its responsibility to the MIT community, emphasizing long-term support that goes beyond individual investments. As it expands its impact, E14 aims to collaborate with more labs, researchers, and alumni from across the MIT ecosystem, creating a ripple effect that fosters a new generation of MIT innovators. The fund is also exploring partnerships with similar institutions to extend this vision of sustainable impact.

E14’s approach is grounded in the belief that MIT’s legacy of innovation can continue to drive meaningful change, generation after generation. By acting as a bridge from academia to the market, E14 enables MIT founders to bring their ideas to life and make measurable, positive contributions in fields that matter – from climate sustainability to public health. With its unique position within the MIT ecosystem, E14 Fund will continue to support a future where technology meets real-world needs, helping MIT’s brightest minds shape a better tomorrow.