When Ernesto Borrego first met Dennis Smith at an American Chemical Society recruiting event, neither could have predicted that their conversation would eventually lead to the founding of a promising Mississippi startup. Borrego had just completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry and was exploring opportunities in industry.
Smith, a polymer chemist and newly appointed department head at Mississippi State University, stopped him to make the case for graduate school. What followed was a long conversation about applied chemistry, entrepreneurship, and the possibility of building something meaningful together. Within months, Borrego had joined Smith’s lab at Mississippi State, launching a partnership that would eventually become Hand Technologies.
“The more I talked to him, it was evident we were kind of on the same wavelength,” Borrego said. “I told him I wanted to do applied chemistry and entrepreneurship, and he had that same experience.”
Working closely in the lab, the pair began exploring several applied chemistry ideas with an eye toward commercial potential. Smith’s experience in polymer chemistry, combined with Borrego’s entrepreneurial mindset, proved to be a powerful combination. As they experimented and published research, they eventually stumbled upon a discovery that stood out from the rest: a polymer precursor that could convert to graphitic carbon far more efficiently than existing materials. The discovery immediately attracted attention at scientific conferences, where industry representatives began requesting samples and asking how the material could be scaled.
Graphitic carbon is a critical material used in advanced aerospace and defense applications because it can withstand extreme temperatures—up to 3,000 degrees Celsius—while maintaining structural integrity. It is particularly important in carbon–carbon composites used in hypersonic systems and other high-temperature environments. Traditionally, producing these materials is a complex process that can take 6 to 9 months. Hand Technologies’ polymer precursor offers a dramatically faster pathway. By enabling more efficient carbon conversion, the company believes it can reduce manufacturing timelines from months to just weeks.
“We happened to have the contacts and the wherewithal to really dive deep into this market need, and it turned out to be a national need—very important for strategic interests,” Smith said.
As the company formed, Borrego stepped into the role of CEO and began navigating the complex process of startup fundraising. Early support from Mississippi State University’s eCenter helped lower barriers to launching the company through facilities agreements and licensing. Hand Technologies also secured non-dilutive research funding through federal programs such as SBIR and STTR, raising more than $7 million to advance the technology’s development.
Along the way, the company engaged with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—including InvestMS, the Bulldog Angel Network, and other investors—who provided both capital and guidance as the startup prepared for larger investment rounds.
Looking ahead, Hand Technologies is preparing for its next major milestone: scaling its materials for production-level testing. The team plans to prototype their carbon precursor at multi-ton manufacturing scales while continuing development with aerospace and defense partners. With strong industry and federal collaborator interest—including work with the Missile Defense Agency—the company is focused on proving its technology in real-world applications.
For Borrego and Smith, the journey from a chance meeting at a chemistry conference to a high-potential deep-tech startup has been remarkable—and they believe the best chapters for Hand Technologies are still ahead.
Watch the full Founder Spotlight interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKHSS0liGGQ
