The Hatchery

Make Room for Innovation (MRI) funding compensates you for the time you invest in developing your idea/project, reducing the time you need to dedicate working on-campus for someone else.

To receive this funding, you will need to apply and be accepted to The Hatchery.* If you are not in The Hatchery, you are not available for MRI funding.

Students receiving MRI funding will be paid the base Smith hourly rate for up to 10 hours of work per week on your project. In the same way that you would be expected to show up to your work study position every week, you are expected to attend all weekly sessions of The Hatchery.

*As this opportunity will serve as on-campus employment, if you hold a position on campus that does not allow for a secondary job, you will not be able to participate. If you are unsure of your eligibility to participate, please speak with Student Employment.

• Build accessible benches that encourage community and connection
• Support women in the digital creator economy
• Launch professional development program for young adults in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone
• Manufacture women’s sporting equipment

Dave Peak, M.B.A.

Dave has driven digital innovation and AI at several large firms. He currently leads an AI startup, is an LP at Companyon Ventures, and is a Venture Architect with AI Venture Studio C10 Labs. With 15 issued patents, he was previously Chief Innovation Officer for a public fintech company. In 2023, his team supported $100 million in AI investments within the pharma sector. Dave has spent a decade as a judge, mentor, and partner at MassChallenge, a nonprofit accelerator that has helped 2,000+ startups in 40 countries. Meet with Dave.

Gillian Isabelle, Ph.D.

For over 20 years, Gillian has focused her career at the intersection of science and business, leading multi-disciplinary teams and building collaborative partnerships to advance early-stage businesses towards commercialization. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Enlivity Corporation, a Boston-based company developing supportive care products for cancer patients. Gilliand received a masters in material science and engineering from U.C. Berkeley, and both a bachelors of science and doctorate in material science and engineering from M.I.T. Meet with Gillian.

The Hatchery is a flexible idea incubation space for current Smithies who desire to work on building out innovative projects—from ideating to prototyping to validation—with the direct support of staff, subject-matter experts, and their peers. The Hatchery provides a dedicated working space, expert advisers, and relevant programming for even the earliest stage ideas or projects. The Hatchery is designed to improve the chances of your ideas becoming successful, tangible realities.

Fall sessions will focus on introducing you to tools, techniques, and resources needed to make your vision a reality. Spring sessions will focus on defining/refining your idea, building your team, and helping you plan and test the desirability, feasibility, and viability of your idea. *Note: session topics are subject to change based on participant needs.

Conveniently located in the Conway Center, Neilson Library Room 103, The Hatchery will meet every Wednesday evening when classes are in session, from 5–8 p.m. (dinner will be provided for all participants).

The space features: moveable tables and chairs, whiteboards, comfortable lounge area, basic “making” materials, helpful books and resources, and games for when you need a break!

YES! The Hatchery is open to all current undergraduate students at Smith, regardless of major or graduation year. Whether this is you are a first year just starting out or a senior getting ready to graduate, you are welcome to participate in this exciting new initiative!

YES! We encourage all students interested in meeting and networking with like-minded peers to apply. If you have an interest in creating something new, you’ll discover opportunities to address some of our world’s most pressing challenges. We are excited to join you on your journey from finding an idea that makes you light up, to prototyping, to validation, with the hope that you will continue to grow your idea beyond your time here at Smith!

YES! If your current commitments won’t allow you to fully participate in The Hatchery at this time, we encourage you to attend the three open sessions each semester (see Activities for details).

YES! Even if your project team members are not participating in The Hatchery, you are welcome to apply. We highly recommend that your full team schedules and attends regular check-in meetings with an Entrepreneur-In-Residence, to ensure that you are making progress collaboratively and address any concerns about project roles.