Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has recruited Damion Shelton as associate vice president and executive director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, two months after the promotion of Meredith Meyer Grelli.
Shelton has been tasked with leading CMU’s next growth phase in research commercialisation, startup creation, and entrepreneurship, working collaboratively with others in the innovation ecosystem, including the tech transfer office, the Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation.
His remit spans engagement with faculty, students, postdocs, and alumni, as well as strengthening connections with investors, industry partners, and mentors.
The Swartz Center has supported the launch of more than 400 startups since it was opened in 2016 with a $31 million gift from alumnus James Swartz.
Shelton has spent the past two decades working for two deep tech startups. First, as CTO at scanning technology developer threeRivers 3D from May 2007 until August 2015, and then as a 3D imaging consultant until December 2016.
He went on to co-found humanoid robots developer Agility Robotics, leading it as CEO from December 2015 to March 2024, before becoming president and then, in April 2025, becoming chair, which he remains.
Shelton will work closely with Meyer Grelli, who stepped down as leader of the Swartz Center in July to become CMU’s inaugural vice provost for entrepreneurship and associate vice president.
“Carnegie Mellon has always been a place where people tackle hard problems and aren’t afraid to build something new,” says Shelton. “I’ve been fortunate to experience that firsthand as a student, entrepreneur and founder. I’m excited to return and help more members of the CMU community take great ideas beyond the lab, navigate the challenges of building a company and create technologies that make a real difference.”
