Blueprint is a program designed by The Engine to help graduate students, postdocs, researchers, and their teams explore the translational potential for their breakthrough research and innovations.
First launched in 2020, Blueprint offers two cohorts a year: Fall and Spring. This primarily virtual program runs over the course of 8 weeks and is specifically curated for technologists who have been developing a Tough Tech innovation for over 6 months and who plan to pursue it full-time as a startup within the next 12-18 months.
The Blueprint program equips the next generation of Tough Tech leaders with the foundational knowledge and real-world insights of experienced Tough Tech founders in The Engine’s network. Participants gain the tools to conduct self-diligence, de-risk their ideas, and chart a clear path forward for their entrepreneurial journey. Through weekly sessions, mentorship, guides, and assignments, participants develop key entrepreneurial skills and progressively build a pitch deck for their Tough Tech innovations. The program concludes with the Blueprint Showcase, where participants present their work, receive feedback, and connect with stakeholders relevant to their next steps. Participants gain access to a robust network of resources and opportunities to connect with Tough Tech founders, investors, and entrepreneurial program leads that will be pivotal to their entrepreneurial journey.
Blueprint over the years
Participants
1,308
Teams
599
Institutions
128
Cohorts
9
Alumni Stories
Real Opportunities. Real Impact.
Identifying the series of milestones that will prepare you for commercialization.
Paris Smalls, PhD | Spring 2022:
Founder & CEO, Eden.
The Blueprint program focuses on nine critical learning areas that are essential for founders to build a successful, translatable Tough Tech startup:Intellectual Property,
Intellectual Property,
How to begin the intellectual property process and create a legal moat for current and future work.
Leadership,
Leadership,
Develop your role as CEO, understand your leadership style, and learn strategies for guiding your team through various stages of startup growth.
Tech Development & Product Roadmap,
Tech Development & Product Roadmap,
Build your technology strategically with a backward, milestone-driven roadmap.
Communications,
Communications,
Master the art of conveying your founder narrative to diverse stakeholders and audiences.
Team Building,
Team Building,
Attract and identify your founding members and create a thriving, human-first team that can scale.
Board Management,
Board Management,
Learn to leverage your board effectively for strategy, governance, and oversight.
Business Strategy,
Business Strategy,
Develop financing and business strategies that align with your technology and human capital development in the Tough Tech space.
Government Relations,
Government Relations,
Navigate how and when to engage with government agencies for your technology deployment.
andNetwork Development.
Network Development.
Connect and engage meaningfully with a range of stakeholders in the Tough Tech innovation ecosystem to support your company's growth.
There are two ways to participate in Blueprint:
Blueprint Participants
Blueprint Participants are technical graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, and their teams exploring the translational opportunities of their breakthrough or startup project.
Commercialization Collaborators
Commercialization Collaborators are individuals with business or tech commercialization experience who become part of our Tough Tech board of experts. Blueprint teams can reach out to them if they see fit for a potential collaboration.
Blueprint's comprehensive program elements offer personalized learning experiences and engagement opportunities, empowering technologists to navigate the challenges of Tough Tech entrepreneurship and make a strong debut in the ecosystem.
Blueprint Spring 2025 Program:
Session 1: Networking & CEO Life; April 4th
Session 2: Communication & Team; April 11th
Session 3: Leadership & Management; April 18th
Session 4: IP, Tech Development, Regulatory; April 25th
Session 5: VC & Business Models; May 2nd
Session 6: Market & Customer Discovery; May 9th
Session 7: Team & Board; May 16th
In-Person Blueprint Showcase: May 21st
Facilitated Core Sessions
Fireside Chats & Networking Events
Expert Office Hours & Mentor Groups
Product Showcase
“We created Blueprint, built for the earliest stages of company formation, to help researchers assess and de-risk their technology, and catalyze their transformation into entrepreneurs ready to tackle the unique challenges of translating Tough Tech.”
Ian JohnstonVP, Tech Translation & Ecosystem Development, The Engine
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Blueprint welcomes applications from graduate students (Masters or PhD), postdocs, research scientists affiliated with universities or national labs, and early-stage founders actively engaged in the commercialization process of innovative Tough Tech solutions. We welcome and encourage applications from across the U.S to apply to the Blueprint program.
The Blueprint program focuses on Tough Tech which is transformational technology that solves the world’s most important challenges through the convergence of breakthrough science, engineering, and leadership.
The program runs for 8 weeks, with 9 virtual sessions and ends with the Blueprint Showcase, which is an in-person event based at The Engine's 750 Main Street facility. Participants are expected to dedicate approximately 20 hours in total, attending all workshops, mentorship sessions, and program activities.
No, a company is not required. Individuals with a significant technical breakthrough and a desire to commercialize it are encouraged to apply, regardless of business formation status.
While teams are encouraged, individual applications are also welcome.
Selection is based on the technological breakthrough's merit and potential impact.
No, there is no cost to participate in Blueprint.
Blueprint offers mentorship, access to industry experts, and tailored workshops covering topics such as technology risk mitigation, market discovery, IP strategies, and effective storytelling.
No, The Engine does not take an equity stake or form a business relationship during Blueprint.
The program is primarily open to researchers based in the U.S. International researchers with compelling cases are encouraged to contact blueprint@engine.xyz to discuss their situation.
If you anticipate a conflict, mention it in your application. The Engine is open to deferring accepted participants to a later cohort that better aligns with their availability.
Yes, all application materials are confidential and only reviewed by The Engine's selection committee.
The program is primarily for graduate students and above. Undergraduate students with compelling cases should contact blueprint@engine.xyz to discuss their situation.
Any IP developed through your research remains yours.
Yes, applicants are welcome to reapply in future cohorts if not selected.
Commercialization Collaborators are individuals who become integral members of a dedicated Blueprint team for the duration of the program. These collaborators immerse themselves in the team dynamics, working hand-in-hand with their Blueprint counterparts.
Commercialization Collaborators are selected for their expertise and how well their experience aligns with the specific needs of Blueprint teams. The Engine team carefully matches each collaborator with a team to ensure a synergistic relationship. For further inquiries regarding Commercialization Collaborators, please reach out to us at blueprint@engine.xyz.
