Skip Navigation
Oklahoma State University

RICHARD GAJAN

RICHARD GAJAN

School of Entrepreneurship
Don R Brattain Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship

423 BUSINESS BUILDING
STILLWATER, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-2356

rgajan@okstate.edu

Biography

Richard Gajan is the Thoma Family Clinical Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship. From 2006-2011, Richard served as a Venture Advisor for I2E, Inc., a high profile Oklahoma non-profit organization that helps create high technology companies. During that period, he guided 27 I2E clients in launching businesses that collectively raised $13 million in equity funding and $4.5 million in grants. He assisted an additional 40 clients with business consulting, financial strategies, and bootstrapping. For the past year, Richard has owned and operated Gajan Consulting, where he has continued to advise and mentor startup companies. Richard works with the School of Entrepreneurship students and student teams who are working on forming their own business ventures. The School of Entrepreneurship works with students from across campus, including the Spears School of Business, Arts & Sciences, Engineering and Agriculture. Richard has an MBA from the University of Michigan, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He will also be a vital part of our growing Master's in Entrepreneurship program, which includes students from varied academic backgrounds.

Education

  • MBA, University of Michigan, 1998
  • MS, Texas A&M University, Mechanical Engineering, 1987
  • BS, Oklahoma State University, Mechanical Engineering, 1985

Awards and Honors

  • Entrepreneurship Outstanding Service Award (2020)
  • John Wiese Entrepreneurial Excellence Award (2018)
  • Excellence in Entrepreneurial Service (2017)
  • Entrepreneur Educator of the Year (2014)
  • Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year (2014)

Contracts, Grants, and Sponsored Research

  • NSF I-Corps Grant
    NSF
    January 1 2024 - December 31 2034
  • NSF I_Corps Sub Awardee for Southwest Hub Application
    National Science Foundation
    January 1 2023 - December 31 2027
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2021 - February 15 2022
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2021 - February 15 2022
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2020 - February 15 2021
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2019 - February 15 2020
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2018 - February 15 2019
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2017 - February 15 2018
  • National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant
    National Science Foundation
    February 15 2016 - February 15 2017

Academic, Military, and Professional Positions

  • Buffalo Brothers Brands LLC, CFO, May 12 2019
  • Oklahoma State University, Don R Brattain Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship, January 2013
  • MITO Material Solutions, LLC, CEO, September 18 2017 - April 16 2018
  • Gajan Consulting, Consultant, 2012
  • i2E, Inc., Venture Advisor, 2006 - 2011
  • Gajan Consulting, Consultant, 2005 - 2006
  • McElroy Manufacturing Inc., Venture Products manager, 2001 - 2005
  • Williams Communications, Independent Contractor, 2001 - 2001
  • FMC Corporation, Marketing Manager, 1998 - 2000
  • Bell Helicopter, Textron, Senior Engineer, 1994 - 1996
  • Aircraft Safety Technology Inc., Vice President, 1993 - 1994
  • Bell Helicopter, Textron, Senior Engineer, 1987 - 1993

Courses Taught

  • EEE 2023 (35 Semesters)
  • EEE 3673 (14 Semesters)
  • EEE 4010 (4 Semesters)
  • EEE 5610 (17 Semesters)
  • EEE 4113 (12 Semesters)
  • EEE 5133 (11 Semesters)
  • EEE 4610 (6 Semesters)
  • EEE 5863 (8 Semesters)
  • EEE 4080 (1 Semester)
  • EEE 5993 (5 Semesters)
  • EEE 3023 (4 Semesters)
  • EEE 3020 (2 Semesters)