A collection of upcoming events and opportunities, from both VentureWell and the innovation & entrepreneurship community.
From VentureWell
FLIPspace 2.0
Unleash your potential through federal innovation! FLIPspace offers a unique opportunity to explore and apply federal intellectual property (IP) to real-world challenges facing regions and communities. Participants work alongside peers to explore solutions to regionally relevant challenges—including challenges related to mobility, logistics, sustainability, and access across urban and rural contexts. Participants may join with their own ideas they wish to validate, or may research the technology available through national labs to spark ideas and validate business models. Apply by May 10, 2026!
DEBUT 2026
With $190,000 in prizes, the DEBUT Challenge is open to undergraduate student teams working on innovative solutions to unmet health and clinical problems. Applications are now being accepted for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and VentureWell Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge, a competition that recognizes undergraduate excellence in biomedical design and innovation. DEBUT challenges teams of students in undergraduate biomedical education to solve real-world problems in healthcare. Apply by June 5, 2026!
VentureWell Ocean Enterprise Accelerator
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of the Ocean Enterprise Accelerator are now open! This program, built in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), helps teams kickstart their innovation journey, building the future of the blue economy through industry-specific mentorship and access to a pipeline of $140K in technology development awards. Apply by July 7, 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.
Stay in the loop with our newsletter, featuring VentureWell grants, competitions, workshops, and programs, and upcoming activities in the broader innovation and entrepreneurship community—sent straight to your inbox. Subscribe now.
