Membership

The Rocket Fund is a membership-driven granting organization. Rocket Fund members leverage their funds to provide non-equity grants for developing minimum commercial prototypes (MCP), that allow awardees to validate their products with customers.

The Fund is governed by the Membership Board, consisting of member representatives. The Member Review Panel oversees the awards process guided by advice from the Rocket Fund's Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) of more than 30 experts, under the leadership of Neil A. Fromer, RSI's Executive Director of Programs, Rocket Fund Board Member and Chief Scientific Advisor of the TAC.

As a Rocket Fund Member you will you will be part of an elite network accelerating innovative but early startups to commercial success and financial independence. You will gain access to vetted, viable, relevant technology and teams, have a mechanism to fund early-stage companies, and network with professionals with similar goals. Members also guide the strategic direction of the Fund, including its growth.

As a Rocket Fund Partner you will assess the business potential and technical viability of applications, recommend semi-final and final awards, and provide in-kind support where mutually beneficial.

Concierge Benefits: Members at the upper levels of commitment are entitled to concierge benefits that meet the strategic needs of the member, including added due diligence and private meetings with select Rocket Fund awardees, and opportunities to apply for government grants with Rocket Fund partners. Concierge partners may also propose a separate track addressing their particular strategic interests, as an additional membership benefit. This named track will feature technologies and companies addressing the member's interests, and members can assign representatives from their organization to the Technology Advisory Committee to judge this track.

Access to Caltech: For top tier members Rocket Fund will also arrange curated access to Caltech campus. This includes select introductions to the RSI Director; organized meet & greet events with Caltech graduate students and post doctoral researchers; introduction to the Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships; tour of select labs; meetings with faculty open to corporate collaboration; and guest invitations to select Caltech events.

For those wishing to explore the full range of Rocket Fund's opportunities, including the tiered Membership Program that ranges from $5k Observer to $100k Platinum level contact Stephanie Yanchinski, RSI Director of Entrepreneurial Programs, 626-395-1968.