The Lemelson Foundation
Inventions change our world.

We are a catalyst for impact inventions

Driving lasting social, economic and environmental benefits

Our broad partner network fosters an enabling environment by inspiring youth to become inventors, increasing access to invention and entrepreneurship education, and supporting the launch, early incubation and mentoring of invention-based enterprises.

Exponential Impact

Our grantees are delivering invention education programming and cultivating a new generation of invention-based entrepreneurs well beyond the borders of our geographic focus areas. We are one of many funders that support these efforts locally and globally.

Impact Spotlights

This Georgia Classroom Runs on Invention Education

Prizewinning student inventor Audrey Cristelli learned from educator Lisa Rogers how to think outside the box.

Meet the Woman Who is Transforming Early Breast Cancer Detection in India

Through her novel thermal imaging device, Indian entrepreneur Geetha Manjunath is making breast cancer screening more accessible to more women.

Fighting Global Infant Mortality Through Hypothermia Detection

Biomechanical engineer Ratul Narain shares his path to developing lifesaving neonatal devices and their impact on newborn health across the globe.

This Former Rugby Player is Now a Game-Changing Inventor

Personal experience drove Jessie Garcia to create her novel head impact indicator.

From Plastic Surgeon-in-Training to Inventor

Dr. Maria Artunduaga shares her journey from becoming a surgeon to creating affordable medical technology as an entrepreneur and inventor.

Engineer and Children’s Author Arlyne Simon Breaking Barriers for Female Patent Holders

Simon describes her own invention journey and how she works to inspire other young women and girls to enter STEM fields.

Featured Grantee Profiles

Grantee Profiles

May 1, 2019

SELCO Foundation: Improving lives and livelihoods in India with clean energy solutions
Grantee Profiles

January 31, 2024

Oregon MESA: Providing students in Oregon underrepresented in STEM with invention education opportunities
Grantee Profiles

April 17, 2024

The Smithsonian Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation: Sparking interest in invention for students
Grantee Profiles

September 15, 2018

The Henry Ford-STEMIE: Supporting invention and entrepreneurship education for U.S. K-12 students