My journey: Inventor, entrepreneur, creator
Boston University is proud to present a discussion with Aaron Rasmussen (COM’06, CAS’06), Co-founder of MasterClass and Founder of Outlier.org, and a serial entrepreneur in education, robotics, consumer packaged goods, and video games; moderated by Gerry Fine, Professor of Practice in the College of Engineering at Boston University, and Director of EPIC (Engineering Product Innovation Center) and Executive Director of Innovate@BU, Boston University’s innovation center.
Throughout his career, Aaron Rasmussen has blended his creative and technical skills with purpose. While attending Boston University for a BS and a BA, Rasmussen created the world’s first sentry gun, gaining international attention across the Internet, and garnering him a visit from the US Army’s experimental weapons research department in his dorm room. He co-created the video game BlindSide, a terrifying audio-only adventure game, set in a fully-immersive 3D world you’ll never see, which was inspired by his temporary blindness as a result of an explosion in high school chemistry. BlindSide won the Most Innovative Award in the 10th Annual Games for Change Festival in 2013 and is currently being adapted into a feature film by Radar Pictures. MasterClass was his first venture into online education, giving people the opportunity to pursue their passions with online classes taught by award-winning chefs, writers, and performers. And now, his company Outlier.org is revolutionizing opportunity to higher education with accredited online college courses.
Aaron and Dr. Fine discuss growing a company in a pandemic, how to spot opportunities, and lessons learned from 2 careers in innovation.
About our featured speaker:
Aaron Rasmussen (COM’06, CAS’06)
Founder and CEO, Outlier.org
Aaron Rasmussen is an American entrepreneur, inventor, and game designer. He is currently the Founder and CEO of Outlier.org, a company that creates the world’s best online college courses. Outlier.org was named as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2020 for its work in making education accessible. Students in Outlier.org courses earn real, transferable college credit for just $400, more than 80% less than the cost of a traditional college course. Outlier.org is reimagining higher education as a resource that is accessible, equitable, and affordable for everyone.
Previously, Rasmussen co-founded MasterClass, where he served as both Creative Director and CTO, responsible for the company’s aesthetic, production process, and technology. The company has raised over $230 million in capital and developed over 85 online courses led by renowned instructors, including Serena Williams, Gordon Ramsay, Malcolm Gladwell, and Natalie Portman.
Rasmussen has also founded and led successful companies in the gaming, robotics, and consumer packaged goods industries. He has earned multiple awards for a video game he co-created, BlindSide. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Boston University, which he attended on a Pell Grant.
About our moderator:
Gerald (Gerry) Fine
Professor of the Practice (ME, MSE)
Director of EPIC
Boston University
Dr. Gerald J. Fine is Professor of Practice and Director of the Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC) at Boston University and Executive Director of Innovate@BU, Boston University’s innovation center.
Prior to his appointment at Boston University, Fine was President and CEO of SCHOTT North America, Inc. from 2008 until 2011. Dr. Fine was responsible for the overall strategic direction of the 16 production facilities and 3,000 employees of SCHOTT NA. His portfolio of businesses included Solar, Electronic Packaging, Advanced Optics, Lighting and Imaging and Pharmaceutical Packaging. During his tenure, Schott NA revenues increased more than 50%. In addition to his duties at Schott NA, he also served on the Board of Directors of six private companies. He remains on the Board of two: Kotura Inc. and Schott NA.
Dr. Fine started his career at Corning in 1985 as a research scientist in the Research and Development Division and served as Manager, Consumer Products Development from 1990-1992. He held management positions for Corning Asahi Video Products and was named Deputy General Manager-Advanced Display Products in 1995. He was named Vice President and General Manager-Photonic Technologies Division in October 1997. In December 2000, Dr. Fine was named Executive Vice President-Photonic Technologies. This division manufactured and sold optical components to the telecommunications industry. He was also previously a Professor in the Department of Manufacturing Engineering at Boston University from 2003 until 2007, specializing in Product and Business Development.
Dr. Fine holds a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology. He holds nine U.S. patents and is the author of numerous articles in both technical and trade journals.