UVA Entrepreneurship - Winter Edition
Welcome back – we hope that you enjoyed your winter break! We plan on sending quarterly updates to keep you posted on all entrepreneurial happenings at the University, and within the greater Charlottesville community.
As always, should you have any questions about Entrepreneurship here at UVA, feel free to check out our website, sign up for the newsletter, or email startup@virginia.edu.
:: WAHOOWA ::
UVA Darden Alumnus Manoj Sinha (MBA ’09), CEO and founder of power company Husk Power Systems, has been named in TIME’s Top 100 Climate Leaders of 2023.
And, in other news…
In service of the University’s “Great and Good” 2030 Strategic Plan, UVA has announced the development of a pan-University entrepreneurship initiative to connect the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Grounds.
Darden broke into the top 10 in a new global ranking, with the Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine ranking the University of Virginia Darden School of Business the No. 8 graduate program in the world for entrepreneurship.
Eighteen ventures across UVA presented their startups at a Demo Day, marking the end of the 2023 i.Lab Incubator. Read this article to catch up on other notable i.Lab alumni ventures.
Got News? Let us know
:: HELP WANTED ::
Looking for connections to a co-founder or need help with a project? Email startup@virginia.edu.
:: WHAT’S HAPPENING ::
UVA Cancer Center Research Retreat – today, January 19
The UVA Cancer Center is hosting a research retreat today for members of the Cancer Center. The event features a dedicated breakout session on research commercialization and available internal/external resources. The new AIF will be discussed, and the UVA Licensing and Venture Group will provide an overview of their service and their intellectual property process.
Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) – January 19-20 , February 2
VCIC Practice – today, January 19, 1:30-6pm, iLAB (CLA180/190)
VCIC Internal Competition – Saturday, January 20, 8:30am-3:30pm, CLA 140
VCIC External Competition – Friday, February 2 @ Cornell Tech
Learn to think like a venture capitalist by competing in the VCIC, an annual international venture capital competition run by UNC Kenan-Flagler. Unlike business plan competitions in which students pitch their own ideas to investors, in the VCIC students act as investors, and real entrepreneurs pitch to them. REGISTER HERE.
Jefferson Trust Flash Funding Grants - First Cycle is Live
January 31: First cycle closes
February 15: First cycle grants awarded
The Jefferson Trust provides Flash Funding, a month-to-month cycle for grants up to $10,000. The application requires a description of the idea, the impact, and the budget – an in-person pitch is NOT required. The second cycle will open on February 1, 2024.
The School of Medicine Biannual Research Retreat - February 2-3
The Forum Hotel at UVA Darden
The Biannual Research Retreat will feature a dedicated session on research commercialization featuring overviews on four translational research funds, UVA Licensing and Ventures Group, UVA Seed Fund, and I-Corps Mid-South Hub. The retreat will also feature an interactive panel discussion by researchers that have translated their technology into startup companies. An inaugural pitch competition, in the style of Shark Tank, will be held with five teams vying for $150,000 in support funding to put together a NIH U (Cooperative Agreement) or P (Program Project) or grant award application. The deadline to register for this retreat has been extended to today, January 19, 2024.
Discovery Competition – February 21
4:30PM in the iLAB (CLA180/190)
The second stage of the UVA Entrepreneurship Cup (E-Cup), the Discovery Competition, is all about customer and product development. $25,000 in total prize money will be awarded as part of the Discovery Stage. Submissions are due Friday, February 2, 2024, at 12PM ET (High Noon). Finalists will be announced on February 13, and finalist videos are due February 18. APPLY NOW.
For inspiration, skim the list of 2023-24 UVA E-Cup Finalists and Award Winners here.
UVA Cancer Center Accelerating Innovation Fund - Request for Applications
Required Pre-Application Meeting with Program Director Deadline: March 1, 2024
Application Deadline: April 1, 2014, 5 pm EST
The UVA Cancer Center Accelerating Innovation Fund was created by the Cancer Center to support innovative cancer-relevant biomedical research projects at the University of Virginia. The goal of this program is to support cancer research projects that turn scientific insights into tangible advancements that can positively impact the lives of patients, such as developing new therapies, improving diagnostics and screening technologies, creating digital interventions, and enhancing patient care practices. This is a multidisciplinary effort that requires collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and/or professionals who work with the targeted population.
The program plans to make 5 awards averaging $150,000 each for 12 months. Investigators interested in submitting a proposal are required to contact Sharon Krueger (Program Director) to discuss their idea and obtain approval to proceed with the full application. Written approval (email is acceptable) from the Program Director is required to submit the proposal in the InfoReady application portal.