We turn untapped IP into commercialized opportunity

Each year, university labs generate 8,000+ patents across high impact verticals* - but funding volatility puts this pipeline of breakthroughs at risk.

Tandem solves this by providing capital to these labs, operationalizing product and business development, and transforming their current and future IP into commercial outcomes.

*Source: AUTM Licensing Activity Survey, FY2022

Tandem operates as a structured pipeline

Fund the lab

We direct tax-advantaged capital to top-tier academic labs working on breakthrough research in our defined opportunity verticals.

This early funding unlocks research acceleration, creates alignment with commercialization pathways, and secures access to resulting IP.

Secure the IP

Through structured agreements with universities and tech transfer offices, we secure exclusive rights to high-potential IP.

We ensure clean assignment, defensibility, and licensing terms optimized for future spinouts or technology transfer.

Commercialize IP

We build or support entities around the most promising IP, pairing lab innovations with experienced operators and GTM strategy.

Pathways include startup spinouts, IP licensing to strategic partners, or bundling IP into multi-asset SPVs.

Provide Returns

Tandem structures returns across philanthropic and commercial pathways - delivering upside to donors, investors, and universities.

Capital is recycled into the next cycle of lab funding, creating a sustainable engine for deep tech venture creation.

We then build venture-scale opportunities at the edge of academic discovery

In partnership with top university labs, we identify IP with strong commercial potential and choose the best path forward between commercialization through licensing or venture incubation.

Our focus: commercialization of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, robotics, and advanced materials - where defensible innovation compounds into enterprise value.

Built to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact

Your Partners

Kristine Pachuta

Partner

Kristine is a seasoned product leader and founder who has launched ventures and innovation programs across Fortune 100s and startups.

She led computer vision checkout at Walmart and built 0→1 ventures at BCG in healthcare, energy, and consumer tech.

Darrell Whitelaw

Partner

Darrell is a multi-exit founder and former executive who has led product strategy and design for some of the world’s top brands.

He’s scaled startups and advised Fortune 100s on digital transformation, AI, and physical product systems.

Mike France

Partner

Mike combines enterprise expertise with early-stage execution as a data science and product leader.

He led AI product development at Walmart and scaled startups and PE-backed companies using data-driven systems across industries and technologies.

Stephen Hadinger

Partner

Stephen is a product design leader who has built flagship software and hardware for top global brands and startups.

He specializes in turning complex business problems into scalable, high-craft solutions from concept to launch.

Steven Duval Ruilova

Partner

Steven is a full-stack product and engineering leader with experience across the startup lifecycle and enterprise-grade solutions.

He’s worked on founding teams, Y Combinator startups, and patented AI-powered retail systems.

Be part of the journey, from lab to launch

We transform university breakthroughs into scalable companies.

Stay informed as research becomes products, markets and lasting change.