A collection of upcoming events and opportunities, both from VentureWell and the innovation & entrepreneurship community.
from venturewell
DEBUT Challenge 2022
The DEBUT Challenge is open to undergraduate student teams working on innovative solutions to unmet health and clinical problems. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and VentureWell have come together to support and expand the Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) challenge, a competition that recognizes undergraduate excellence in biomedical design and innovation. Learn more and apply by May 31.
Partner with VentureWell on National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines
The National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) has announced the NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program, designed to jumpstart a region’s innovation ecosystem with up to $160M of NSF funding for up to 10 years. The NSF Engines funding opportunity is a unique chance to drive economic growth in regions that haven’t fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades. The program is seeking regional teams of industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society and communities of practice to catalyze and foster innovation ecosystems across the US. VentureWell is interested in supporting NSF Engines through collaborative proposals. We bring expertise in STEM innovation programming, research commercialization, and multi-sector network-building with universities, industry, investors, and other organizations, as well as extensive experience working with NSF. We are eager to partner with you and leverage our capabilities to help build innovation ecosystems across the country. Learn more.
from the i&e community
Nominations Open for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States. The medal is awarded to individuals, teams (up to four individuals), companies, or divisions of companies for their outstanding contributions to America’s economic, environmental, and social well-being. The award recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life, and strengthened the nation’s technological workforce. Nominations for 2022 are open until May 20 at 11:59PM ET. Access the nomination portal.
FORGE Offers Cleantech Grants for Female- and Nonbinary-Led Startups
The nonprofit FORGE has opened a new grant for cleantech startups with female and nonbinary leadership. This offering is dedicated to boosting the trajectory of these often underserved leaders who traditionally launch with less capital investment. The latest edition of the FORGE Product Development Grant program will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 in late June. The application deadline is June 3.
NACCE Innovation Center Bootcamp
Want to start an innovation center on your campus? Join the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) July 19–20 to learn how community colleges can benefit from the establishment of an innovation center. Beyond conducting facilitated innovation centers in the space, colleges will oftentimes use an innovation center to showcase their own innovations or new products to employees, investors, or even customers. Leveraging learnings from College of DuPage’s Innovation DuPage, this event will leave participants equipped to engage with their institution with a plan to develop and launch an innovation center. Register here.
National Science Foundation Introduces Regional Innovation Engines
The National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) has announced the NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program, designed to jumpstart a region’s innovation ecosystem with up to $160M of NSF funding for up to 10 years. The NSF Engines funding opportunity is a unique chance to drive economic growth in regions that haven’t fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades. The program is seeking regional teams of industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society and communities of practice to catalyze and foster innovation ecosystems across the US. Learn more.
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.
Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator
The Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator allows new ventures to tap into a growing global network of business mentors, venture capitalists, and enterprise executives. The program helps startups enter the Fortune 500 market and provides up to $1,000,000 in potential investments if your company is selected. Over the course of 6 months, companies will get access to coaching and learn how to commercialize their business. Applications for this virtual, non-exclusive program are accepted year-round.
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