Sam Tetlow ‘93 was attracted to the flexibility of WPI’s academic program, as well as the university’s overarching mission of harnessing the power of engineering, science, and technology for the good of society. That WPI ideal is one of the reasons he recently endowed a fund in innovation and entrepreneurship at his alma mater.
After graduating with an honors degree in aerospace engineering, Tetlow joined General Electric’s Technical Leadership Program. After his training program, he joined the elite Corporate Audit staff and completed global assignments at Power Systems, Aircraft Engines, GE Capital, and Appliances, where he gained a breadth of experience in sales, financials, and mergers and acquisitions.
Having grown up with his parents as entrepreneurial role models, Tetlow eventually decided to turn back to his roots. He started a small consulting firm and then worked at a venture capital firm for seven years while earning his MBA at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Since 2007, Tetlow has built seven companies as either CEO or lead director. His current organizations include Grant Engine, which helps biotech companies earn grant funding and Prime Neuro, which is developing functional MRI technology to predict whether a child will progress to the autism spectrum.
Following his passion for innovation, Tetlow fulfilled his philanthropic goals when he joined the Alden Society in 2019 by gifting shares in his privately owned business to WPI establishing the Samuel C. Tetlow ’93 Endowed Fund for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Whether leading a company or on a mountain expedition, he is planning a summit bid for Mt. Everest in May 2021, Tetlow is not afraid to push beyond what may seem possible to achieve new innovations and achievements. He remains driven by his passions and hopes his endowed fund will inspire and support future generations of WPI students.