McMaster University and Silicon Valley company Celesta Capital have announced a new partnership. From left to right: Provost Susan Tighe, Celesta founding managing partner Sriram Viswanathan, President David Farrar, Celesta CEO Nicholas Brathwaite, Associate Vice-president of Research Leyla Soleymani and acting Vice-President of Research Andy Knights.
McMaster University and Silicon Valley company Celesta Capital have announced a new partnership meant to “spur the development of an emerging and sustainable ecosystem of Canadian deep tech entrepreneurs.”
Celesta Capital, founded in 2013, is a global multi-stage deep technology venture capital firm that builds and scales global businesses.
They reportedly have a portfolio of over 100 early-stage technology investments.
McMaster President David Farrar said in a press release that “McMaster is committed to moving research from the lab and into the hands of those who can put it to work out in the world.”
“This partnership with Celesta Capital allows us to combine our research, talent, and intellectual property with their entrepreneurial expertise and vast network of investors to create companies that benefit both the Canadian economy and broader society.”
Nicholas Brathwaite, Founding Managing Partner of Celesta Capital also commented on the partnership, saying: “We believe Celesta will add tremendous value to McMaster’s budding entrepreneurs, helping to nurture their innovations into successful companies and supporting them with investment, intellectual capital, network connections, and more.”
Notably, Brathwaite is a McMaster alumnus.
McMaster and Celesta have listed at least five different key initiatives and areas of collaboration going forward.
First, Celesta will provide access to emerging companies, providing potential investment opportunities and partnerships with their existing portfolio of companies.
The second initiative is collaboration on pitch competitions with access to capital, where Celesta representatives will serve as judges at McMaster start-up pitch competitions, mentor entrepreneurs and provide potential investment.
Third, Celesta representatives will be serving on the McMaster Entrepreneurship Academy (MEA) Advisory Council, providing mentorship to MEA fellows.
Fourth, Celesta will connect researchers, tech industry leaders, and venture investors through bi-annual industry summits at McMaster.
And fifth, Celesta will assist the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO) “in navigating IP procedures, maximizing startup competitive differentiation, and advising on invention optimization.”
The first round of initiatives in the partnership will be a pitch competition at McMaster later this month, followed by an entrepreneurship residency in Silicon Valley for MEA fellows, and then a co-hosted advisory summit.
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