Industry Seminar Series - Chuck Meek, Managing Director at Solve for X, L3C

If you are reading this summary and considering whether to attend the seminar in October, you are a very special person. We know that is true because you are studying and conducting research at The University of Chicago’s PME – and you should be proud of your talents, skills, and hard work that got you here. You are rare indeed. Congratulations.<br /><br />

But you, like everyone around you, did not arrive here entirely alone; others taught you, supported you, sacrificed for you. It took a lot of effort by a lot of people for you to be here, reading this summary and considering. That is just the way the universe works.<br /><br />

Bringing any new technology to market requires more (much more) than your idea and hard work. Of course, you will need financial backing, but have you considered the necessary intellectual, social, and human capital? The earlier a pro forma business model is envisioned and created, the more likely it will be that all key factors are included.<br /><br />

Especially with esoteric technologies, the need is great for a common language and clarity regarding market opportunities. That proposed model becomes the platform for three-party discussions among research, industry, and the financial communities. Together, these aligned interests design and implement a technology commercialization strategy.<br /><br />

In this seminar, Chuck Meek will demonstrate a simple process to create a business model and platform from which to launch a new technology: to the right market, with the right people and the right financial backing. <br /><br /><br />

In 2020 Chuck Meek launched an innovative new business model: Solve for X, L3C is a Research & Development platform specifically designed to align and coordinate Philanthropic, Private Capital, Academic, and Industrial enterprises. As an L3C, Solve for X is a ‘social enterprise,’ which qualifies the firm to accept private foundation grants as a 501(c)3 proxy for Phase 1 proof of concept and Beta/pilot testing, before moving into Phase 2 with impact investors. Phase 1 allows us to ‘de-risk’ the model, which lowers Phase 2 cost of investment capital from VC to PE levels.<br /><br />

He is a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship, especially for freshwater ecosystems, and has led collaborative contract research initiatives on multiple topics, including:<br />
- Economic Impacts of Emerging Contaminants on Industry - Case Study in Environmental Insurance<br />
- Economic Impacts of Emerging Contaminants on Brownfield Real Estate Redevelopment<br />
- Economic Impacts of Emerging Contaminants on Municipal Bio-Solids Disposal Models<br />
- Scalable Water Purification System using Electrophysics, Integrated Ionization & Magnetic Separation<br />
- Rapid In-situ PFAS Diagnostics Using Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry<br /><br />

Chuck mentors post-graduate researchers and post-doctorate scientists at The University of Chicago – Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, helping them reframe their esoteric theses and dissertations in terms and language of private capital and industry audiences.<br /><br />

He is a Board Director for TCNewTech, a platform for innovation and economic growth in the Traverse City, MI region, and a mentor for the Water Innovation Lab in Toronto, Canada.<br /><br />

In addition to advocating for environmental stewardship, Chuck has been active in long-term affordable housing policy as well as short-term shelter needs for the homeless.<br /><br />

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies from The University of Chicago. He then served as a U.S. Navy Officer, deploying in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean theatre, after which he earned his MBA in Finance from The University of Chicago – Booth School of Business.

<a href="https://uchicago.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUldu6orTwjH9TwkGpkEirRCAzYX…; Register here</a>