A collection of upcoming events and opportunities, from both VentureWell and the innovation & entrepreneurship community.
From VentureWell
Ascend Energy & Mobility Accelerator
Powered by VentureWell, TechTown Detroit, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s EPIC Prize, this eight-week intensive program prepares startups for the partnerships and investment necessary to launch their venture. We are partnering with entrepreneurship hub TechTown Detroit to deliver this programming, which aims to help entrepreneurs bridge the gap between customer discovery and commercial launch. We’ve refined our process to help deep-tech companies over the last 27+ years and bring this focused opportunity with support of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize from the DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT). Apply by July 15.
American-Made MSI Contract Readiness Prize
The American-Made MSI Contract Readiness Prize is a one-phase capacity-building prize that aims to boost equity across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contracting for small, medium, and large Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions. The prize will award up to $300K to increase the level of DOE-contract readiness for the above institutions. VentureWell is hosting a four-part webinar series and office hours from late June through mid-September to help prepare applicants for this prize, focusing on topics like federal contracting basics, creating a winning capability statement, DOE contract forecasting, and more. Register for all four webinars.
American-Made Solar Prize Round 8
With the recent launch of Round 8, the American-Made Solar Prize competition is now seeking innovators, entrepreneurs, and those with an idea to revolutionize the solar industry. That could be you! If you have an innovative solar solution, we invite you to compete in the Ready! contest, where you can win $50K by identifying an impactful idea or solution addressing a critical need in the solar industry. Twenty winners will be awarded $50K as participants compete for progressively larger prizes, including an optional justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion–focused (JEDI) prize that rewards efforts to lower barriers to solar adoption in underserved communities. Apply by September 26.
From the I&E Community
Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market Course
Developed in collaboration with the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard and the University of California San Diego, this self-paced, introductory course is being offered free on the edX platform. Enroll today to learn how entrepreneurs match technology with customer needs and bring cutting-edge innovations to market. The course will run over five weeks, with the option to pursue a verified certificate. Learn more.
ACRE @ Urban Future Lab
Rapidly scale and transform your startup into a vehicle for solving the world’s greatest challenge, climate change. ACRE provides unmatched access to strategic advisement, introductions to industry stakeholders, marketing and branding support, investor networks, and access to a community of like-minded founders solving real challenges in energy, water, waste, infrastructure, transportation, and resiliency. Learn more and apply.
Dorm Room Fund
Dorm Room Fund (DRF) is a student-run venture fund, backed by First Round Capital, that supports college students and recent graduates looking to grow their startups. Selected teams receive a $20,000 investment, plus access to mentors, resources, and the DRF community. At least one team member must be an undergraduate or graduate student to be eligible for the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Hosted by the National Science Foundation, the SBIR program aims to support scientific discoveries and technological innovation that is moving from the lab to the market. The program provides non-dilutive funding and entrepreneurial support at the earliest stages of company development. Consider applying if your discovery can be transformed into an innovation with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Applications are accepted throughout several seasonal cycles. Learn more.
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