Karl T. Ulrich

Karl T. Ulrich is CIBC Endowed Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, holding dual appointments as Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions and Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He has established himself as a leading authority in innovation, entrepreneurship, and product design, with significant contributions across academia and industry. His institutional impact includes founding Venture Lab, Weiss Tech House, and the Integrated Product Design Program, as well as designing Tangen Hall, the world's largest facility for student entrepreneurship.

Dr. Ulrich earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT, establishing the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach that bridges engineering and business. His educational expertise spans product design, innovation management, and entrepreneurial strategy.

Professor Ulrich's research spans innovation methodology, sustainable product design, and entrepreneurship education. His work on innovation tournaments has transformed how organizations generate and select ideas, while his recent publications on housing requirements and protein supply chains demonstrate his commitment to addressing complex societal challenges through rigorous analytical frameworks. His research consistently applies engineering principles to business problems, creating practical tools for real-world application.

His publications reveal a consistent trajectory toward addressing complex societal challenges through systematic innovation frameworks. Early work established foundational methodologies for product development, while recent publications tackle housing sustainability and ethical food systems. The recurring theme across his work is applying structured analytical approaches to complex problems, whether designing physical products or reimagining systems like education and food production.

• Anvil Award - The Wharton School
• Miller-Sherrerd Award
• Excellence in Teaching Award - Undergraduate Division
• Teaching Commitment and Curricular Innovation Award - MBA Program
• Distinguished Fellow - POMS College of Product Innovation and Technology Management

Professor Ulrich has mentored numerous entrepreneurs through Venture Lab and Weiss Tech House, with student ventures including Terrapass Inc. and Smatchy Inc. His teaching innovations, particularly the studio format for product design courses, have transformed how students engage with hands-on learning. His grant work focuses on sustainable innovation, with projects spanning housing design, food systems, and entrepreneurial education infrastructure.

Professor Ulrich leads several innovation initiatives including Venture Lab, Weiss Tech House, and the Integrated Product Design Program. These interconnected entities form an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports students from concept development through commercialization. His Tangen Hall facility represents the physical manifestation of this ecosystem, providing workspace, mentorship, and resources for student entrepreneurs across all Penn schools.