Luke Leafgren

Luke Leafgren is a multifaceted individual who has made significant contributions in both academia and entrepreneurship. Here's an overview of his profile:

Academic Career

Luke Leafgren serves as an Assistant Dean of Harvard College.3 He is also a resident dean at Mather House, one of Harvard's undergraduate houses.1 In addition to his administrative roles, Leafgren is an Arabic teacher and translator, showcasing his linguistic expertise.3

Entrepreneurial Venture

Leafgren is the inventor of StandStand, a portable standing desk that he created to address the health concerns associated with prolonged sitting.12 The StandStand is a lightweight, collapsible wooden structure designed to transform any table or desk into a standing workstation.2

StandStand Development

The idea for StandStand came to Leafgren during a morning meditation session, inspired by studies highlighting the health risks of excessive sitting.1 He developed the product through several iterations, finalizing the design during a summer week at a friend's cabinetry shop.1

Key features of StandStand include:

• Portability: Weighs only about two pounds and fits easily into a backpack
• Durability: Can support over 900 pounds
• Affordability: Priced at $50 for birch model and $90 for bamboo model
• Versatility: Available in three different heights

Crowdfunding Success

Leafgren launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance large-scale production of StandStand, which raised over $23,000 in about four weeks.12 This success demonstrates the market interest in his innovative product.

Education and Background

Leafgren holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University in Comparative Literature, highlighting his strong academic background.4 His diverse skill set spans academia, language, and entrepreneurship, making him a unique figure in both educational and business circles.

Through his invention of StandStand, Luke Leafgren has combined his academic insights with practical innovation, addressing a modern health concern while fostering connections with students interested in entrepreneurship and design.1