Executive Director,
MIT REAP
Sarah Jane Maxted is an industry cluster and innovation ecosystem specialist with professional experience in research, business development and project management. She has spent significant time in the energy and environmental sector, including oil and gas, power and utilities, energy efficiency and renewable energy. She has led research and analysis and business development efforts for both public and private sector entities including Deloitte’s energy practice and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE National Laboratories. She developed and ran the inaugural U.S. Department of Energy National Clean Energy Business Plan; helping 750+ start-ups form and 70 ventures that have raised over $40M in follow-on funding. Currently, she is the Executive Director for MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP); focusing on economic growth for specific global regions through innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Most recently, she managed Harvard Business School’s Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness (ISC) U.S. Cluster Mapping Project; focusing on broader industry cluster growth and regional economic development under the direction of Professor Michael Porter. Outside of formal engagements listed below, she also strategically advises and independently contracts to energy start-up companies as well as incubator/accelerators and prize/challenge initiatives globally