For someone who’s navigated multiple careers and passions, starting in music, pivoting to tech, and now teaching engineering entrepreneurship, Jeffrey Babin, practice professor in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics (MEAM) at Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, is quick to stress that his career path has been anything but linear.
As a Practice Professor in the Penn Engineering Entrepreneurship program, Babin draws from decades of experience in both the tech and business worlds to mentor students who are eager to make their mark as entrepreneurs. Whether it’s advising students in the Venture Lab, mentoring through accelerator programs, or teaching core innovation and entrepreneurship courses, Babin is committed to helping students bring ideas from the lab to the marketplace.
His path starts in an unexpected place: the music industry. After completing his bachelor’s in physical anthropology at Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences, the lure of rhythm and creativity led him to pursue a career as an R&B drummer.
“It was my passion and interest in making and producing music that brought me to computers,” Babin reflects. “In the ’80s and ’90s, computers were revolutionizing the music industry; they became integral in production and distribution. One passion led to another and I saw an opportunity to merge my artistic talents with emerging technology.”
This insight would be the catalyst for his transition into the tech world. After returning to Penn to earn his MBA at the Wharton School, Babin launched into the world of enterprise software, founding companies and consulting before selling his ventures and seeking a new challenge.
“We don’t need more entrepreneurs,” he says. “We need more entrepreneurial thinkers. At Penn Engineering Entrepreneurship, we are teaching a mindset that transcends starting a business. It’s about identifying and seizing opportunities, whether you’re launching a startup or advancing research in a lab.”
In the classroom, Babin focuses on the fundamentals of innovation. Students don’t just learn how to start businesses, they learn how to think critically about the problems they want to solve and how to use their resources to create real solutions. And, in an era where challenges often feel overwhelming, Babin emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability.
“Entrepreneurship is about creating something from nothing, but it’s never really ‘nothing.’ It’s about building on the experiences, knowledge, and resources you already have,” he explains.
Read more at Penn Engineering Today.
