Hometown: Austin, Texas

Business School: Kellogg School of Management/Northwestern University, 2013

Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin, 2002

Bio: Tabrez Ebrahim is a JD-MBA Candidate at Northwestern University. He has focused his career on the commercialization of technology, holding various positions in applied research, product development, technology transfer and incubation, and patent law. Tabrez began his career at Eastman Kodak Company, with assignments in the Research Labs and the Corporate VC-group. Prior to Northwestern, Tabrez was involved with early-stage Cleantech startups and university spinouts at the Clean Energy Incubator. Tabrez holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, a MS degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is also an inventor on an issued U.S. patent.

Venture/Entrepreneur Interest: Venture Capital

Sector Interest: Smart Grid

Springworks Project (Working) Title: Smart Grid Innovation

Springworks Project Description: My research investigates the challenges encountered with Smart Grid innovation. I propose to investigate: 1) the disconnect between entrepreneurs and utility companies, particularly with access to the electricity grid in the U.S., and 2) government and policy issues related to electricity infrastructure in emerging countries such as China and India. My analysis seeks to de-risk global Smart Grid development with the hope of promoting VC-backed Smart Grid investments. The audience for my research includes VCs and angel investors who are considering investments into Smart Grid technologies and startups, utility company executives who are seeking to improve their transmission/distribution infrastructure, and serial entrepreneurs who are investigating emerging Cleantech as an industry in which to start/operate their next venture.