Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program
EIR’s take an active role in the companies they support as CEO, president, COO, or business development officer. There are nine EIR roles within Spartan Innovations that are dedicated to startups. Though EIR’s are paid a stipend through the program, they can also draw a salary + take equity in these companies as well. The goal is for the EIR to support the startup for 12 – 18 months before running the company independent of Spartan Innovations. An EIR can also serve as an advisory group to Spartan Innovations, sponsored startups, and other organizations that our ecosystem supports.

Current EIRs
- Michelle Tokarz, Ph.D. – Materials Science and Engineering
- James Vrbanac, Ph.D. – Life Sciences
- John McIntyre, Ph.D. – Agriculture
- Kendell Pawelec, Ph.D. – Life Sciences
- Matthew Rudd – Physical Sciences
- Vishalakshi Krishnan, Ph.D. – Life Sciences
- Michael Kloc – Life Sciences
- Bob Ranger – Physical Sciences
- Nancy Benovich Gilby – Information Technology
Current MIRs
Michael Kloc – Life Sciences
Apply Today!