MIT Professor Robert Langer Shares Startup Wisdom

Langer reflects on passion, failure, and the courage required to turn entrepreneurial ideas into real impact.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an interview, MIT professor Robert S. Langer, a pioneer in drug delivery and tissue engineering, shared advice for students and young scientists interested in entrepreneurship. Langer emphasized the importance of learning fundamentals, finding true passion, and not being discouraged by early failures. He recounted his own experience of persisting through initial rejections of his ideas, and encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to aim high and not be afraid to try big things, even if they don't achieve the absolute top.

Why it matters

Langer's insights provide valuable perspective for the growing number of students and young researchers drawn to the startup world, cautioning against premature commercialization while also highlighting the value of entrepreneurial experience and the resilience required to turn ambitious ideas into real impact.

The details

Langer, who has founded dozens of companies and holds over 1,000 patents, said he didn't pursue entrepreneurship until about 10 years into his academic career. He emphasized the importance of having mentors and support structures to help young entrepreneurs avoid mistakes. Langer also reflected on the influence of his postdoctoral advisor, Dr. Judah Folkman, who persisted with unconventional ideas that ultimately led to cancer treatments affecting millions.

  • Langer joined the MIT faculty in 1978.
  • MIT hosted its second annual Startup Career Fair on February 12, 2026.

The players

Robert S. Langer

A David H. Koch Institute Professor at MIT, Langer is a pioneer in drug delivery and tissue engineering who has founded dozens of companies and holds over 1,000 patents.

Judah Folkman

A surgeon who was Langer's postdoctoral advisor, and a visionary whose unconventional ideas ultimately led to cancer treatments affecting millions of people.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think that one of the best things about being at a university, whether it's undergraduate or graduate, is learning fundamentals. I think that's the most important thing. That being said, getting a taste of things, including entrepreneurship, is good.”

— Robert S. Langer, MIT Professor (thetech.com)

“I actually think it's okay to try and fail — people have failed throughout history. But what would be bad is to try and fail and then feel that because the failure was so painful, you'd never do it again.”

— Robert S. Langer, MIT Professor (thetech.com)

What’s next

Langer plans to continue mentoring and advising students and young researchers interested in entrepreneurship, drawing on his decades of experience founding successful startups.

The takeaway

Langer's advice underscores the value of building a strong academic foundation, finding genuine passion, and persisting through early failures in order to translate ambitious ideas into meaningful real-world impact - a lesson that could benefit the growing number of students drawn to the startup world.