Caltech Fund

Traditional startups create products. University startups create new industries.

A new $11 million gift to Caltech supports the Gates Grubstake Program and Gates Investment Fund to help grow the Institute’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Discover how the Gates family’s legacy of strategic philanthropy is helping ensure Caltech innovations in science and engineering have societal impact: https://giving.caltech.edu/news/Gates-Family-Legacy-Spans-Generations-in-Championing-Caltechs-Entrepreneurial-Spirit

When Mason Smith (BS ’09) was earning his degree in computer science at Caltech, smartphones were a new technology, Facebook was just hitting the mainstream (the 'Like' button wasn't added until 2009), and artificial intelligence still felt more like science fiction.

Today, generative AI and large language models are pervasive. Introduction to Computer Programming is part of Caltech’s core curriculum and advanced computing is involved in many areas of study on campus.

To help the Institute keep pace with this accelerating landscape, Smith has endowed the Mason Smith Teaching Professorship Fund, helping to ensure that Caltech students have the tools to drive the next wave of AI-enabled breakthroughs. Read more: https://giving.caltech.edu/news/Teaching-for-an-Accelerated-Future

The Parsons-Gates administration team is ready to go on Giving Day. Your gift to the Caltech Fund today provides flexible support for research, learning, and discovery across the Institute. Give today: fund.caltech.edu/2026givingday.

Who's ready for Caltech Giving Day tomorrow? Be sure to tune in to our live stream from the Beckman Institute Gene Pool at noon PDT and don't forget to make a Giving Day donation at fund.caltech.edu/26givingday.