For a successful deep tech startup, the laboratory breakthrough is only the first step. To turn an innovative technology into a scalable business, a founder must go through a complex legal process.

This week on Build Mode, Isabelle Johannessen speaks with Capella Kerst, founder and CEO of geCKo Materials. Kerst was a doctoral student at Stanford working on bio-inspired adhesives – materials inspired by the microscopic hairs that allow geckos to stick to walls. She wasn’t looking to be a founder, but when she made a breakthrough that made the material quickly and reliably, she knew it was a viable product.

But translating a laboratory discovery into a startup is less about the “eureka” moment than about everything that comes afterwards.

“I had the courage to really reach out to my advisor in the same way that we needed to have a serious conversation about building this company and building it,” Capella said. And this conversation was the beginning of a long process of creating geCKo materials.

Here’s a roadmap for founders launching a product outside of academia.

• Contact previous contributors. Connect with everyone whose work is leading to the big breakthrough. Kerst offered these contributors the opportunity to join the company, become advisors, or receive compensation.
• Make sure you meet the requirements of the licensing process. Kerst started conversations with Stanford’s technology licensing office early on and she learned how to make it work, she is expected to complete her Ph.D. These early conversations also helped prepare her for the process ahead.
• Form the company and the lawyer. In this case, Stanford provided a list of lawyers for Kerst to retain. “I spent time interviewing lawyers and learning about case studies, what other people got, what did you push for, what didn’t work, what got rejected. And so I learned a lot, chose my lawyer, and then we went to Stanford.” said Kerst, “I was like, I want a good deal, because I want it to be a great business, and I think it will benefit everyone.”
• Complete transition to the role of founder. Once the licensing agreement is finalized, it’s time to move from doctor to CEO.

Five years later, geCKo Materials continues to evolve and develop new ways to apply its adhesive technology which is being tested in applications ranging from robotics and manufacturing to automotive and even space. The company’s hardware is already in use on the International Space Station, and Kerst says the long-term vision includes replacing traditional attachment methods such as Velcro or vacuum attachment systems.

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