UC Davis-associated Startup RePurpose Energy

Leading EV Battery Repurposing

Solar energy is stored in converted electric vehicle batteries at RePurpose Energy.

For Jae Wan Park, a UC Davis professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, giving retired lithium-ion batteries a second life seemed logical.

Car manufacturers lack incentives to assess the state of retired batteries or refurbish components that may not be visibly damaged. While a vehicle, weighing 1 or 2 tons, places huge demands on a battery, repurposing the retired battery for stationary energy storage involves much lower power requirements. In this sense, RePurpose Energy is addressing three significant battery issues: testing, repurposing, and creating a sustainable product.

RePurpose Energy, Comstock Magazine's October 2023 Startup of the Month, spun out of UC Davis in 2018 and has since installed its battery-based sustainable energy systems on the campus, with many other projects in the works. The startup’s products include battery packs, battery management systems, system housing with thermal management system, and Energy Management Systems (EMS) to optimize building energy management, and services for system monitoring and maintenance.

Aggies for Climate Equity (ACE) and Student Startup Center Host Climate Solution Contest

On October 31st, the UC Davis Student Startup Center and Venture Catalyst's Aggies for Climate Equity (ACE) hosted a Climate Solution Contest where students/teams pitched their ideas for mitigating, adapting to, and creating resilience to climate change.

Students were asked to put together a one-minute pitch to market their idea and deliver to a panel of five expert judges. Students competed for one $500 prize per category, and one grand prize for $1000 for best overall pitch. In total, 15 teams were chosen to compete. The pitches were so good that we had a tie for grand prize and were able to award an additional team $1000!

Idea competitions are a way for ACE, in collaboration with internal and external partners, to enhance workforce development through student engagement. Stay tuned as we announce more events over the coming months to boost awareness and engagement towards innovative climate change solutions!

UC Davis-associated Startup 3D-OPS Uses 3D-printed Spider Silk to Solve Big Problems in Medicine

The startup 3D-OPS began in the basement of the library at the University of California, Davis.

Four years later, they’ve done it, and raised more than $50,000 in grant funding to study their inventions’ potential to help more people gain the feeling and use back after a nerve injury. Co-founder Haley Noelle said that more than 20 million Americans are suffering from nerve damage, and 40% of interventions to repair them are not satisfactory.

That’s where 3D-OPS comes in. They’re developing a medical adhesive that can essentially glue the nerves back together, without damaging them further, out of a synthetic version of the silk that spiders produce to spin their webs. Noelle said their printer can recreate spider silk with a number of different properties. Right now, they’re looking at this glue for nerve damage, but it also has potential in bone repair in delicate areas, like the hand.

Three UC Davis-associated Startups Pitch at

UC Irvine's Born in California Event

UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation hosted their third annual Born in California event October 23-24, gathering select startups through the UC network to present their innovations. Its goal is to feature some of California's best and most investment-worthy startups seeking Seed and Series A investors. UC Davis-associated startups Expert IEP, Async Health, and RoastPic were among the 38 startups that attended this year, along with Janine Elliott, Interim Director of Venture Catalyst.

Born in California represents a significant milestone in the process of moving knowledge from campus into the market where it can improve lives. Founders from various campuses were able to pitch to investors who are actively seeking deals from university-based startups and several engaged with investors that resulted in follow-on meetings.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is Next Week!

Check Out These Great Events!

🌟 Get Ready for 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Week Sacramento! 🌟

Let's foster innovation and entrepreneurship in our region together! Join us November 13-17 for an incredible week of innovation and networking. Come out and be part of a fantastic week celebrating entrepreneurship and driving our business ecosystem forward.

Featuring:

🌟Sacramento Entrepreneurial State of the Union

Monday, Nov 13 | 5:30 - 8:00pm

This signature event will highlight the region's growing innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem and will address how the Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance is fostering an increase in connectivity in the Greater Sacramento region with an intentionality to grow entrepreneurship as economic development and expanding the investment landscape. Register here.

🌟Venture Catalyst Knowledge Exchange: Building a Winning Team

Tuesday, Nov 14 | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm in Davis

How do you get someone to join if you haven't raised any capital? How do you attract world class people? Join us for seasoned professional industry insight on how YOU can position and surround yourself with great people at every stage. Register here.

🌟Sacramento Region AI Startup Demos

Tuesday, Nov 14 | 12:30 - 1:30pm

Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

During our Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023 powered by Western Health Advantage, we are excited to bring you an opportunity to learn about AI (artificial intelligence) through regional Sacramento startup demos. Register here.

🌟From Lab to Market: Unleashing the Power of Academic Research

Wednesday, Nov 15 | 2:00 - 3:00pm

Join us during Global Entrepreneurship Week powered by Western Health Advantage for an inspiring fireside chat with a remarkable innovator and entrepreneur, Dr. Matt Amicucci, Co-Founder of One Bio. This event will delve into the exciting journey of turning academic research into tangible solutions, particularly focusing on the fascinating world of food science, technology, and health. Register here.

🌟Spark Venture Competition

Wednesday, Nov 15 | 5:00 - 7:30pm

Join us in-person at the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the fifth-annual Spark Venture Competition. A total of $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. The competition is open to early-stage ventures aiming to operate in the Greater Sacramento Region. An application is required to be considered for the first round of judging. Register here.

Funding Opportunities

Water Call

This offers a prize to rising stars working in research, early stage entrepreneurship, or advocacy on water-related topics. $500,000USD prize. Apply here. Deadline: December 1, 2023

NHLBI Catalyze Funding Opportunities

Facilitates the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates cleared for human testing. Offers heart, lung, blood and sleep investigators funding, technical services, training, and mentorship. Develops the translational research workforce by helping investigators build their product development and entrepreneurial skills. Supports and funds product definition, preclinical research research, and development of technologies and transformative platforms. Apply here. Deadline: December 21, 2023

Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Deployment

For Fiscal Years 2024, Federal funding is available for eligible entities to deploy, operate, document, and showcase integrated, advanced roadway deployments featuring applications enabled by interoperable wireless connectivity (among vehicles, mobile devices, and smart infrastructure). Apply here. Deadline: January 17, 2024

SBIR Grants for Women

By awarding $200+ million in research and development (R&D) funding to about 400 startups each year, in three phases, through 11 federal bodies. Grantify helps you apply for funding from one such body, the National Science Foundation (NSF). Learn more.

Growth Factory - Accelerating Venture-Backable Startups

The goal of this local startup accelerator is to help founders of pre-seed to seed stage venture backable companies located in the Greater Sacramento Region rapidly achieve product market fit, positioning them to raise funds and achieve revenue of $1M in ARR within 18 months. Applications are open on a rolling admissions basis. Apply here.

AgFunder

AgFunder is a new kind of venture capital firm built on proprietary technology and a global ecosystem of over 85,000 subscribers. We invest in exceptional and bold founders who are committed to building the next generation of agrifood technology companies that will transform our food system. We are one of the most active agrifood tech investors in the world. Apply here.



Tech Coast Angels

If your company has a strong team with a great defensible idea, has early traction and is set to grow, TCA is ready to invest up to several million dollars through our funds, individually or with our syndicate partners. TCA looks at investments in the United States and Canada. Currently accepting applications.

Open SBIR/STTR Grant Topics

Federal Research/Research & Development with the potential for commercialization. Learn More.

UC Davis Office of Research - Links to Funding Sources

Browse the listings of funding announcements provided by sponsoring agencies and other pertinent information about obtaining critical research funding. View the complete list here.

Educational Opportunities

License Lowdown: What else affects startup financial deal terms?

We’ll explore how non-financial factors may affect the startup license financial terms within the database. If a startup was funded at the time the license was signed, would that increase or decrease the monetary value of the license? What if a faculty member is tenured and a repeat entrepreneur? Or the university has provided additional resources to the startup? Register here. Date: November 9, 2023

Career Development Week

This week of in-person and virtual events will have an inspiring keynote speaker, a diverse series of interactive workshops on career-related topics, a panel discussion, and five networking events, with multiple events each day. Learn more. Date: November 13-17, 2023

VCs @ UCD

Come, connect, and learn from our VC @ UCD of the week! Brooke VanSant is an associate at Moneta Ventures! Aside from looking for high-growth B2B technology startups, she is also passionate about social entrepreneurship—ways to use the power of the private sector to change the world for the better. Date: November 16, 2023 @ 1503 Bainer Hall 2:30 PM PST

CleanStart - Spotlight Pitch

Want to showcase your idea and network with fellow entrepreneurs? Spotlight Pitch at the Sacramento State Carlsen Center is your chance to present your business concepts to a captivated audience, including potential investors and industry experts. Register here. Date: November 16, 2023 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM PST

Startup Pitch Workshop - Monthly

Three startups present their pitch for advice and feedback from a panel of experts. Organized by StartupSac, Startup Folsom and NCID. Apply here. Date: 4th Wednesday of every month.

On-Demand Virtual Entrepreneurship Toolkit Series

The new On-Demand Toolkit Series is a resource of past recordings as well as slides and tools taught throughout the 5-week series. After a short application, you will have access to five recordings and subsequent resource tools. Apply now.

Regional Events

Startup Worldcup Sacramento Regional

10 Startups Competing LIVE to Investors to be Startup World Cup Sacramento Regional Winner & advance to Global Grand Finale to win $1mil! Register here. Date: November 9, 2023

LevelUP E3 Sacramento | Ecosystem Town Hall

Calling all aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs in the Sacramento region! The LevelUP E3 Sacramento Ecosystem Town Hall is your opportunity to be heard, connect, and pave the way for greater community support! Register now. Date: November 16, 2023

UCCS 2023-24 Public Lectureship and White Paper Competition

The purpose of the competition is to stimulate multidisciplinary evidence synthesis and creative problem solving related to one of two major policy themes: Promoting Environmental Justice and Creating a More Functional Democracy. Email uccspubliclectureship@ucdavis.edu to learn more. Deadline: November 16, 2023

CBCC Business Mixer

Network and grow your business at the upcoming CBCC Business Mixer on the first Friday of every month! Get the chance to win a generous Visa Card, getting a whole week of radio spots to promote your business, and more. Learn more.

1 Million Cups

Present your early stage company to your peers. Or just grab a coffee and listen.

Date: Every Wednesday

Business Casual: Get Your Creative Biz Together

Every fourth Saturday of the month, Atrium’s mentorship team will be hosting a free business basics discussion group. Growing your creative business can seem like a daunting task. Atrium is here to help take your ideas from the drawing board to the boardroom with free “get started right” business workshops for creative startups. Come with a laptop and a ready-to-grow mentality. Register now. Date: Ongoing

Sacramento State Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Events and Workshops

Learn More. Date: Ongoing

California Life Sciences Institute FAST Advisory Program

Get the coaching you need to perfect your business model. Apply now. Date: Ongoing

Bay Area NSF Innovation Corps Immersive Short Course

Join the weeklong immersive course for university researchers and early stage startup founders. Apply now. Date: Ongoing

About Venture Catalyst 

UC Davis Venture Catalyst supports the development of new UC Davis-associated ventures fueled by university research and technology. Venture Catalyst offers several innovative programs that bridge the gap between early-stage research and commercialization and provide entrepreneurs the resources, support, and connections needed to successfully form and grow technology-based startups. With a focus on accelerating technology-led economic development in the Davis-Sacramento region, Venture Catalyst also works closely with partners in the regional innovation and economic development ecosystems. 

Contact Venture Catalyst 

For more information or for editorial comments, please email us.