Thomas Katona

Thomas Matthew Katona is an Associate Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly).12 He has a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UC Santa Barbara and an MBA from the University of South Carolina.2

Dr. Katona's expertise spans both academia and industry:

1. Academic roles:

   • Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Cal Poly since 20141
   • Teaches in both the Orfalea College of Business and College of Engineering1
   • Faculty Director of the Innovation Sandbox at Cal Poly1
   • Director of Student Innovation Programs2

2. Industry experience:

   • Worked in technology-based startups, focusing on solid-state lighting and semiconductor technologies12
   • Held senior roles in three successive startups: SET Inc., Soraa, and NEXT Lighting2
   • Experience with various funding models, including founder, government, and venture capital funded startups1

His teaching focuses on entrepreneurship, product design, and design thinking.1 Dr. Katona uses project-based learning as his primary teaching method and has been instrumental in formalizing cross-college entrepreneurship curriculum at Cal Poly.1

Outside of work, he enjoys singing karaoke and participating in the SLO Holiday Parade, where he's known for dressing up as Buddy the Elf.2