Seven academic teams representing 11 higher education institutions across the U.S. have been named recipients of VentureWell’s Ecosystem Futures Catalyst Grant. Selected teams will receive two years of strategic support and $85,000 to advance their STEM innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem work.
The grant supports faculty at higher education institutions that have completed our Ecosystem Futures Fellowship, a one-year program to strengthen campus I&E through professional development opportunities, immersive campus experiences, and peer network connections. The catalyst grant is designed to scale the work teams developed during the fellowship program.
“The teams chosen for this grant have demonstrated their readiness to enhance and advance the STEM I&E institutional ecosystem,” said Mike Brizek, director of Higher Education Ecosystems at VentureWell. “We’re excited to provide funding and comprehensive program support to help grantees implement their institutional action plans to bolster their I&E ecosystems, from developing inclusive pathways to support I&E engagement in emerging communities to advancing innovative solutions that address urgent societal and environmental challenges.”
Meet the Awardees
Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University, and Clayton State University
Team Members: Dr. Jason Black, Dr. Harold Lundy
Expose, Empower, and Elevate (E3): Multi-University HBCU/MSI STEM I&E Ecosystem Enhancement Program
After increasing entrepreneurship initiatives individually at their respective Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) over recent years, Dr. Black and Dr. Lundy aim to more clearly formalize and enhance these efforts through the implementation of training opportunities and co-curricular activities across campuses and local communities. Their goals are to increase I&E event volume and participation at each institution and establish partnerships with related programs, including small business development center opportunities across three HBCU institutions covering regions in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.
Florida Atlantic University
Team Members: Dr. Kevin Cox, Regina Thompson
Building the Future of Interdisciplinary Innovation at FAU through the Ocean Economy and Beyond
Dr. Cox and Thompson plan to transform Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) STEM innovation ecosystem from siloed, program-based participation into a continuously regenerating pipeline of interdisciplinary venture teams turning research into real-world solutions. In addition to developing a network of faculty and students across disciplines and campuses who can recruit and support participants in I&E programming, the team will institutionalize a venture development pipeline to help teams move from concept to commercialization. Ultimately, the goal is to position the university as a leader in translating high-impact STEM research into measurable economic, environmental, and societal outcomes.
Montana State University
Team Members: Dr. Paul Gannon, Dr. Brooke Lahneman
Advancing Inclusive Engagement with the STEM I&E Ecosystem at Montana State University
Dr. Lahneman and Dr. Gannon plan to build a more inclusive and sustainable I&E ecosystem at Montana State University that reflects the values, voices, and visions of all communities across the state—specifically tribal, rural, and other underrepresented communities in STEM. Over the next several years, the team envisions that students from underserved communities see clear, supported pathways into STEM I&E programs and careers; tribal colleges and rural economic development entities are co-creators in shaping the ecosystem’s direction; and programs are infused with community-driven innovation challenges. Long-term, the project will serve as a model for other land-grant and R1 institutions seeking to build research translation readiness supporting place-based I&E ecosystems and contribute to a more resilient and representative STEM workforce.
Penn State Berks and Clark Atlanta University
Team Members: Prof. Elizabeth Deimeke, Dr. Sadan Kulturel-Konak
SEED: Strengthening Cross-Institutional Ecosystems for Entrepreneurial Development through Food Security Innovation
Dr. Kulturel-Konak and Prof. Deimeke continue to develop and establish a sustained, cross-institutional innovation ecosystem integrating STEM education, student innovation, and community partnerships to address food insecurity. Through community-engaged problem-solving and partnerships with food banks, the program will help establish a continuous pipeline of students addressing real-world problems. These coordinated structures—curricular integration, mentored pathways, and cross-institutional collaboration—will ensure continuity, positioning both institutions as scalable models for sustained STEM I&E and community impact.
Purdue University Northwest
Team Members: Prof. Matthew Hanson, Prof. Alexandra Moran
PNW PATHWAY
Prof. Hanson and Prof. Moran will operate a scalable STEM I&E ecosystem that provides clear, supported pathways from idea to commercialization within a coordinated institutional design. Students and faculty innovators will understand where to enter the ecosystem, how to advance through structured milestones, and how to access mentorship, financial modeling, and investor preparation. Ultimately, the team will generate a sustained pipeline of venture-ready startups, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and measurable increases in inclusive founder participation, positioning the university as a regional hub for STEM-driven economic growth.
University of Michigan–Dearborn
Team Members: Dr. Bruce Maxim, Dr. Jie Shen
Sustainability-Focused Computing Innovation and Education for the Digital Transformation of Electric Vehicles
Dr. Maxim and Dr. Shen aim to drive institutional transformation and ecosystem-level change at the University of Michigan–Dearborn through the integration of sustainability-focused computing education, industry collaboration, and community engagement. This effort embeds sustainability into computing research and curriculum, engaging students in hands-on, project-based learning in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and digital engineering. This initiative will be supported by two coordinated mechanisms: the Dearborn Modeling and Simulation Studio, and inclusive outreach initiatives that expand participation in science and technology innovation across economically distressed communities in the metro Detroit area.
Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College
Team Members: Dr. Charleson Bell, Evelina Naish
The Mid-South Innovation Dashboard
Dr. Bell and Naish will develop an AI-enabled dashboard for the Mid-South Hub to connect founders, institutions, and industry in personalized, scalable, and regionally rooted ways. Central to this vision is a consortium that includes three HBCUs and one Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), and additional higher education institutions, ensuring collaboration, access, and culturally relevant support are embedded from the inception of the pilot. The novice-track dashboard will expand into a multi-pathway platform, including advanced founder tracks and a business-facing portal where companies identify partnership opportunities through AI-driven matching logic. Through partnerships with the National Science Foundation, state innovation offices, and universities, the team plans to scale this into a replicable national model, creating a system in which innovators are further identified and supported and the ecosystem is connected and self-reinforcing.
Catalytic Support
Grantees will join a virtual kickoff event next month and participate in various Communities of Practice sessions and professional development workshops throughout the grant period to support the implementation of their action plans.
If you’re interested in participating in the Ecosystem Futures Fellowship, applications for the second cohort open Thursday, August 27. Sign up to receive updates and to be notified when applications are live.
Thank You to Our Funder
The Ecosystem Futures Fellowship is presented through the generous support of The Lemelson Foundation.