Are you a CSAIL entrepreneur? Are you curious about the resources that CSAIL Alliances, as well as the rest of the MIT Ecosystem can offer you?

Register for Time: https://calendly.com/ckalfas/office-hours

Sign up for Office Hours to ask these questions and more! Your questions may include: 

• Where can I get funding?
• Can I get connections to industry partners?
• How can I get pitch help?
• How can CSAIL Alliances help me?
• And more!

This month, CSAIL's Christiana Kalfas will be joined by Rob Ashcraft from Samsung Ventures, a CSAIL Alliances Member Company.

Christiana Kalfas, Senior Client Relations Coordinator (CSAIL Alliances), brings a rare blend of expertise to the entrepreneurial journey, anchored by an MS in Computer Information Systems and a BA in Neuropsychology. This background shapes her focus at the intersection of AI, machine learning, and human potential. With over eight years dedicated to accelerating ventures within the MIT ecosystem (including roles at CSAIL Alliances and MIT VMS), she has a proven track record of helping deep-tech ideas transition from the lab to the market. A recipient of multiple MIT Spot Awards, she specializes in building impactful programs and actively leveraging her role within CSAIL Alliances to directly facilitate connections between deep-tech ventures and senior industry leaders, helping translate complex research into scalable business plans. As an active Member of the Greek Scientists Society, she also offers an expanded perspective on global community and network building. Leverage her office hours to gain strategic guidance, access key institutional resources, and tap into the knowledge required to launch a successful MIT-affiliated venture.

Rob joined the Samsung Ventures in 2023. He explores broadly across the technology spectrum relevant to Samsung Group, with specific focus areas in energy storage & generation, clean & climate tech, display technologies, and advanced materials applicable many different fields. Prior to joining Samsung Ventures, Rob worked for 11 years in the Open Innovation group supporting the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), where he developed internal R&D strategy and supported external collaboration activities. He has experience in energy technologies, batteries, quantum computing, and advanced materials. Rob has also served as a volunteer mentor in the startup ecosystem, including for the Creative Destruction Lab and The Engine’s Blueprint program. Rob has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT and a BS in Chemical Engineering from NC State University. Prior to joining Samsung in 2012, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University in Belgium and worked for Exponent as a technical consultant in their Thermal Sciences practice.

Samsung Ventures is headquartered in Seoul and has a strong presence in the world’s innovation hubs across the United States, Europe, Israel, India, China, and Japan. SV backs emerging technology startup founders, whom we believe will pioneer and shape the future.

Curious to learn more about our Startup Programs? Info here.