Become an entrepreneur or intrapreneur.
New Product Tech Ventures (NPTV) Fellowship Program
New Product Tech Ventures (NPTV) Fellowship Program
The New Product Tech Ventures (NPTV) is a 15-month Fellowship Program for graduate students pursuing a master's degree in engineering, software, data science or information technology from the University of St. Thomas - School of Engineering. This advanced program is designed to provide a cohort of up to 15 graduate students with a unique combination of skills in engineering, software, business, and entrepreneurship, and to prepare them for careers as leaders and innovators in industry as entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs.
Through coursework, networking events with professionals and a venture project, the NPTV Fellows learn to synthesize their engineering and software expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset and obtain an unique lens into the product development process. The program includes a mentorship component, where students will work closely with experienced industry/technology professionals, and business leaders to refine their skills and gain insights into what it takes to conceive, design and bring to fruition a product that addresses a market need.
Contact
Dr. Kundan Nepal
Fellowship Information
Program Requirements
- Complete their master’s degree from the School of Engineering in four consecutive semesters (Fall-Spring-Summer-Fall)
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- Maintain a full-time student status (minimum of 2 courses each semester)
- Attend program orientation and other required cohort-based events and activities.
- Serve as peer mentors to new NPTV students during their second year in the program.
- Commit to the program full-time. NPTV Fellows will receive a full-tuition and monthly living expenses stipend during the program. No outside employment is permitted during the 15-month program.
Program Timeline and Coursework
- First semester - Fall (3 Engineering/Software graduate courses + cohort activities)
- Second semester - Spring (2 Engineering/Software graduate courses + 1 Tech Venture course + cohort activities)
- Third semester - Summer (1 Engineering/Software course + 1 NPTV Project+ cohort activities)
- Fourth semester - Fall (1 Engineering/Software course + 1 NPTV Project + cohort activities)
Program Benefits
- A full-tuition scholarship for the duration of the 15-month program.
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses (currently $2100/month).
- The opportunity to connect with faculty and outside mentors to integrate their engineering and software skills with business and entrepreneurial knowledge to explore bringing a new technology to market.
Application Deadlines
Applications for the Fall 2026 NPTV Fellowship Program are now being accepted.
There are currently two application phases with separate application deadlines:
- Phase 1 – Open to current University of St. Thomas undergraduate engineering seniors who will complete their bachelor’s degree in any engineering discipline from St. Thomas and gain conditional admission into a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering.
Application deadline December 15, 2025. Fellowship decision will be made by January 15, 2026. - Phase 2 – Open to graduate students who are admitted to start a master’s degree program from the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering in Spring 2026, Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.
Application deadline April 15, 2026. Fellowship decision will be made by May 15, 2026.
How to Apply for the NPTV Program
REQUIRED APPLICATION ITEMS:
The online application will ask you the following two questions which you will want to prepare before starting the application form. You will also need to upload a video pitch, your resume (PDF) and official or unofficial transcripts (PDF). (See details below.):
- What draws you to this Fellowship program and motivates you to apply? What strengths, abilities, and experiences do you have that will enable you to excel in the program? (Maximum: 500 words)
- NPTV fellows are often asked to identify a product or venture opportunity around a theme. Choose ONE of the following three themes:
a. Energy Technology - defined very broadly as energy generation technologies, storage, conversion, chemistry, management, energy modeling, energy software, data analysis etc.
b. Artificial Intelligence
c. Medical Devices and Technologies
Share a problem, opportunity, or concept you want to pursue around this one theme. How will this program support your growth as an entrepreneurially minded engineer and empower you to make an impact in that area? (Maximum: 500 words) - To complement your written response, please upload a video pitch of your idea (must be 30 seconds OR less). In your pitch, briefly state your product or concept, relate it to the theme, highlight its potential impact, and convey your enthusiasm for the project. Keep it concise and engaging. Your video should NOT be more than 30 seconds long.
Since there is no option to save a partially completed application, we recommend that you prepare your responses before beginning the application form.
Program Requirements
- Complete their master’s degree from the School of Engineering in four consecutive semesters (Fall-Spring-Summer-Fall)
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- Maintain a full-time student status (minimum of 2 courses each semester)
- Attend program orientation and other required cohort-based events and activities.
- Serve as peer mentors to new NPTV students during their second year in the program.
- Commit to the program full-time. NPTV Fellows will receive a full-tuition and monthly living expenses stipend during the program. No outside employment is permitted during the 15-month program.
Program Timeline and Coursework
- First semester - Fall (3 Engineering/Software graduate courses + cohort activities)
- Second semester - Spring (2 Engineering/Software graduate courses + 1 Tech Venture course + cohort activities)
- Third semester - Summer (1 Engineering/Software course + 1 NPTV Project+ cohort activities)
- Fourth semester - Fall (1 Engineering/Software course + 1 NPTV Project + cohort activities)
Program Benefits
- A full-tuition scholarship for the duration of the 15-month program.
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses (currently $2100/month).
- The opportunity to connect with faculty and outside mentors to integrate their engineering and software skills with business and entrepreneurial knowledge to explore bringing a new technology to market.
Application Deadlines
Applications for the Fall 2026 NPTV Fellowship Program are now being accepted.
There are currently two application phases with separate application deadlines:
- Phase 1 – Open to current University of St. Thomas undergraduate engineering seniors who will complete their bachelor’s degree in any engineering discipline from St. Thomas and gain conditional admission into a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering.
Application deadline December 15, 2025. Fellowship decision will be made by January 15, 2026. - Phase 2 – Open to graduate students who are admitted to start a master’s degree program from the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering in Spring 2026, Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.
Application deadline April 15, 2026. Fellowship decision will be made by May 15, 2026.
How to Apply for the NPTV Program
REQUIRED APPLICATION ITEMS:
The online application will ask you the following two questions which you will want to prepare before starting the application form. You will also need to upload a video pitch, your resume (PDF) and official or unofficial transcripts (PDF). (See details below.):
- What draws you to this Fellowship program and motivates you to apply? What strengths, abilities, and experiences do you have that will enable you to excel in the program? (Maximum: 500 words)
- NPTV fellows are often asked to identify a product or venture opportunity around a theme. Choose ONE of the following three themes:
a. Energy Technology - defined very broadly as energy generation technologies, storage, conversion, chemistry, management, energy modeling, energy software, data analysis etc.
b. Artificial Intelligence
c. Medical Devices and Technologies
Share a problem, opportunity, or concept you want to pursue around this one theme. How will this program support your growth as an entrepreneurially minded engineer and empower you to make an impact in that area? (Maximum: 500 words) - To complement your written response, please upload a video pitch of your idea (must be 30 seconds OR less). In your pitch, briefly state your product or concept, relate it to the theme, highlight its potential impact, and convey your enthusiasm for the project. Keep it concise and engaging. Your video should NOT be more than 30 seconds long.
Since there is no option to save a partially completed application, we recommend that you prepare your responses before beginning the application form.
Explore bringing new technology to market.
Venture Projects
The Venture Project is a two-semester project course related to commercializing a technological innovation.
- Students are supervised by an engineering faculty and mentored by an outside mentor who has experience with the business and commercialization portions of the product development cycle.
- Students learn to integrate their engineering and software skills with business and entrepreneurial knowledge to explore bringing a new technology to market.
- The NPTV project combines individual research, market study, faculty mentorship, prototype development, business planning, and final presentation of the project outcomes.
Spotlight: Get to Know Our NPTV Fellows
Mohamed Abdel Hamid
Degree: MS in Artificial Intelligence
Mohamed is a software developer and researcher passionate about advancing machine learning and cybersecurity applications. He has contributed to projects involving federated learning frameworks to enhance data privacy and AI-powered detection algorithms for network security. Mohamed enjoys exploring full-stack development, AI research, and developing innovative tools to solve real-world challenges.
In his free time, Mohamed likes coding projects, exploring new coffee shops and traveling.
Colin Fjelsted
Degree: MS in Electrical Engineering
From an early age, Colin was captivated by how the world works – a fascination that led him to earn degrees in Physics, Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering. His interdisciplinary foundation fuels his drive to apply scientific principles to real-world innovation, from developing advanced materials to contributing to next-generation laser weapon systems. Colin’s curiosity extends beyond the classroom, where he continually explores new ways to blend creativity and engineering to design technologies that make a tangible impact.
Outside of his studies, Colin is a two-time National Champion in Olympic Weightlifting, a self-taught electronic music producer, and an avid builder who enjoys experimenting with robotics and automation projects.
Micah Green
Degree: MS in Engineering Management
Meet Micah, an AB/BE dual-degree engineering graduate from Dartmouth College’s Class of 2025. At Dartmouth, he was a three-time Ivy League football champion, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and one of eight Dartmouth class marshals. His leadership and excellence both on and off the field earned him the honor of being selected for the 2024 Allstate Good Works Team. Now part of the NPTV program and a member of the University of St. Thomas football team, Micah continues to blend his passion for engineering, athletics, and service as he pursues new challenges and opportunities to lead in his respective fields.
Tidiane Kone
Degree: MS in Electrical Engineering
As an international student from Cote d’Ivoire, Tidiane was passionate about physics and mathematics. Although he started college as a Finance major, Tidiane realized in his second semester that Electrical Engineering aligned better with his interests in physics and math and his desire to pursue an education that could help his country. He did not hesitate to switch majors. With that mentality, Tidiane is now pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in power systems, with the objective of developing and innovating the power industry in his country.
Trayton Pescosolido
Degree: MS in Electrical Engineering
Meet Trayton, the guy who is always asking why and constantly driven to understand how things work beneath the surface. That curiosity is what brought him to machines and mechanical systems, which evolved into embedded design, and the cutting edge of AI. He will go wherever he needs to go, which could mean developing new skills, stepping into unfamiliar environments, or relocating entirely to make that vision real.
He's a lifelong athlete and loves pushing his body past its limits. He enjoys being outside, moving, training, and learning. That lifestyle is a big part of why he cares so much about how emerging technologies can elevate not just performance but quality of life for everyday people. He wants to use his talents to help others and build something real that can be shared with the world.
Xinsheng Tang
Xinsheng’s interest in data took shape early, drawn to the way patterns can explain complex systems and guide real-world decisions. This curiosity grew into a focus on data-driven problem-solving, leading him to explore analytics, machine learning, and intelligent systems with purpose and discipline. His work centers on uncovering meaningful insights from messy information, building models that capture the behavior of people and processes, and applying data science to practical challenges in technology, society, and everyday life.
Mentor a Fellow
Help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs.
This is a great opportunity for experienced professionals with expertise in technology entrepreneurship, business development, or commercialization. You might be an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, industry expert, or other professionals with relevant experience and knowledge who is willing to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs.
Expectations for Mentors in the NPTV Program:
- Guide and advise students on their projects and provide feedback and support throughout the 15-month program.
- Help students develop their entrepreneurial mindset and skillset.
- Meet with their assigned students on a regular basis and provide guidance.
- When suitable, mentors help students build their network by introducing them to industry experts and potential investors.
- Mentors do not have any claim to the intellectual property rights of the students' projects.
- Mentors do not take part in the development of the project.
Mentors will engage in a variety of activities throughout the year:
- Fall (First semester): There are two general meet and greet events with NPTV Fellows.
- Spring (Second semester): Idea refinement (once a month check-in with fellows).
- Summer (Third semester): Fellows start their project (weekly or biweekly meetings as needed).
- Fall (Fourth semester): Continuation of project (weekly or biweekly meetings as needed).
NPTV Innovation Network
A key element of the NPTV Fellows program is a group of experienced tech business development innovators that engage and help move the effort forward. The NPTV Innovation Network is a group of up to 15 tech leaders from the region supporting our NPTV Fellows with mentorship, new product ideation, and financial support of the program.
As a NPTV Innovation Network member you will have the opportunity to collaborate with the School of Engineering faculty in shaping this young program. Sponsors will also have facilitated access to competent future employees who have both the engineering know-how and a unique lens into the product development process. All while being connected to this forward thinking group of fellow Innovation Network members.
For more information on membership in the Innovation Network contact Curt Kietzer at curt.kietzer@stthomas.edu or 651-962-6913.
Contact Us
If you have interest in joining the NPTV Innovation Network, serving as a mentor, engaging with our students in networking events or have questions, please contact us.
Dr. Kundan Nepal
New Product Tech Ventures Director
kundan.nepal@stthomas.edu
651-962-5518
Dr. Don Weinkauf
Dean, School of Engineering
dhweinkauf@stthomas.edu
651-962-5760
Curt Kietzer
Director of Development, School of Engineering
kiet1596@stthomas.edu
651-962-6913