A collection of upcoming events and opportunities, from both VentureWell and the innovation & entrepreneurship community.
From VentureWell
Marketing Your STEM Innovation & Entrepreneurship Engaging Regional Economic Partners | Cross-Sector Dialogue Series
VentureWell members: Are you interested in growing your regional economic partner network? Join us on Thursday, November 13, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET as we hear insights from our members on how they’ve done this. We’ll then split into small groups to discuss specific examples and how you can take the next step at your institution. Register now. This is a members-only event; if you would like to attend and aren’t yet a member, learn how to join.
VIA Learning Series: Inspiring Inventions and Ideas
Universities are powerful engines of innovation—sparking creativity, entrepreneurship, and new ecosystems of impact. On November 17, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET, join us for the final VIA Learning Series session of 2025: Inspiring Inventions and Ideas: How University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centers Spark Student Creativity and New Ecosystems. Hear from innovation leaders at Georgia Tech’s Flowers Invention Studio, Penn State Berks’ CEED Center, and The Beach at the University of New Orleans Research & Technology Park as they share strategies for igniting creativity, launching ventures, and building thriving innovation ecosystems. Register now to save your seat.
E-Team Program
Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort of the E-Team Program are now open. This program helps students kickstart their innovation through a powerful mix of grant funding and entrepreneurship training. Selected teams receive up to $25,000 to launch their ideas, and work directly with the VentureWell team to explore possible pathways for their innovation. E-Team Program participants become part of a nationwide network of VentureWell Accelerator alumni, who include peer innovators and industry mentors. Apply by January 27, 2026.
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 Incubator at 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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