Apply Now! UC Davis NSF I-Corps Method

UC Davis Venture Catalyst is collaborating with the Bay Area Node for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program to host the Immersive Short Course training for teams with a university connection and technology innovation based on discoveries in fundamental science and engineering.

The I-Corps method was pioneered by the National Science Foundation and is now widely used by universities and federal agencies to introduce scientific innovators to entrepreneurial concepts. Participants can expect to learn about how to identify and engage with potential customers, and will test hypotheses about customer needs by conducting 15 customer interviews during the course. People who have completed courses like this have generally had more success with subsequent fundraising efforts

Applications for the Immersive Short Course are open through June 25, 2023. Selected applicants will be contacted about 10 days before the first day of class to schedule a team interview call with the I-Corps instructor.

Questions? Contact Janine Elliott: jafelliott@ucdavis.edu

Local Startup Aims to Improve Protein Digestibility to Advance Health Outcomes

Led by researchers from the University of California, Davis, Digestiva is developing a cutting-edge solution of specialized enzymes to enhance the nutritional efficacy of dietary proteins. Their goal is to make proteins more easily digestible, which may allow people to access the full health benefits of proteins without compromising their cultural and personal connections to food.

“Maintaining muscle health is essential throughout our lives, and proper protein utilization is critical for achieving muscle mass and strength. Our technology could be well-suited for people experiencing muscle loss due to aging or other chronic illnesses, accompanied with a reduced appetite. We believe we can make people healthier while enjoying their favorite meals,” said co-founder Justin Siegel, an associate professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, and faculty director of the Innovation Institute for Food and Health.

Two UC Davis-associated Startups Take Top Prizes at Pitch Elk Grove

Two Davis-based companies took the top cash prizes in the Pitch Elk Grove startup competition. Ravata Solutions won $10,000 and Matrubials Inc. won $5,000 for best pitch from an Elk Grove-based startup.

Ravata is a maker of sensors to quantify embryo health for in vitro fertilization. The company's sensors and software analyze embryo quality and viability to increase the success rate of in vitro fertilization. Matrubials is developing antimicrobial peptides from milk for combating severe bacterial infections.

DRIVE Network Incubator, AgStart, Gets $50K to Develop National Network

Woodland-based agricultural startup incubator AgStart won a $50,000 cash award in a Small Business Administration competition to develop innovative ideas to support businesses in food, agriculture, health or nutrition.

Venture Catalyst's DRIVE Network provides UC Davis-associated startups with access to affordable, mixed office/lab business incubation spaces in close proximity to the campus.

UC Davis Big Bang! Announces Winners

The UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition, organized by the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, has been helping entrepreneurs start or grow business ventures for more than two decades through the competition, workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities. This year the Big Bang! was open to teams with a founder or team lead affiliated with a college or university in California. The prizes are funded by corporate, nonprofit and various other sponsors.

Caregiva, a Venture Catalyst START Program member founded by UC Davis undergraduates Nishi Bhagat, and Nikhita Toleti, took home the $10K Social Entrepreneurship Prize for their app that provides a collaborative calendar and community for caregivers.

Sweet Teas That Get Sweetness From Protein

UC Davis-associated startup Oobli launched its lineup of sweet teas sweetened with sweet protein. The company, formerly Joywell Foods, showed the products off on-stage this week at the SynBioBeta conference. The company’s sweet teas, which are sweetened by a sweet protein called brazzein, can now be purchased on the Oobli website.

Funding Opportunities

2023 Visa Everywhere Initiative

If you are looking for an opportunity to showcase your innovative fintech startup to the world and a platform to gain recognition and build credibility, the Visa Everywhere Initiative competition is for you. This year's competition will be hosted at the TechCrunch Disrupt event on September 19th in San Francisco. Ready to change the game? Apply now. Deadline: June 26, 2023.

NIH SBIR & STTR Grant Funding Opportunities

The NIH Small Business Program is accepting applications for SBIR & STTR funding. Apply here. Deadline: September 5, 2023.

NASE Growth Grant

You could receive up to $4,000 for your small business through the NASE Growth Grants program. Since 2006, the NASE has awarded nearly $1,000,000 to members just like you through the Growth Grants program by providing small business grants. Apply here.

OpenGrants Affiliate Program

The OpenGrants Affiliate Program is a commission-based program that rewards affiliates for referring new customers to the OpenGrants API and WordPress Plugin subscriptions. Affiliates earn a 20% commission on any subscriptions sold to referred customers in perpetuity. Apply here.

Physicians Foundation Interoperability Fund

The Interoperability Fund will assist medical practices in effectively sharing clinical information with other physicians and hospitals through health information exchanges (HIE). Funding is available for physicians in participating states with an electronic health record system (EHR) and will be allocated to practices on a first come basis. Learn more.

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.

O'Shaughnessy Fellowship

The O'Shaughnessy Fellowship is a one year program that provides $100K, equity-free, for innovative creators to work on whatever they choose. Applications are selected throughout the year on a rolling basis, so apply now! Currently accepting applications.

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.



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

Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health

We are interested in ideas that address any of these four areas of focus: Future of Evidence; Future of Social Interaction; Future of Food; Future of Work. Additionally, we welcome ideas that might fall outside of these four focus areas, but which offer unique approaches to advancing health equity and our progress toward a Culture of Health. Currently accepting applications

Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

Evidence for Action prioritizes research to evaluate specific interventions (e.g., policies, programs, practices) that have the potential to counteract the harms of structural and systemic racism and improve health, well-being, and equity outcomes. Currently accepting applications

IndieBio Accelerator

Multi-stage investment to support big ideas. #1 in early stage biotech! Currently accepting applications

Open SBIR/STTR Grant Topics

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

Educational Opportunities

How Will GenAI Disrupt the Enterprise Landscape?

Join us for an online panel discussion with leading experts from the industry, academia and the VC community. We will explore ways in which GenAI and LLMs are likely to impact the enterprise landscape and, if done right, the business impact they can generate. Register here. Date: June 15, 2023.

How to Tap into the Power of Omnichannel Insight

How can you take advantage of the goldmine of untapped customer insights and the unique signals they provide into customer sentiment, effort, emotion and intent. Join this session to hear from Koren Stucki, VP, Omnichannel CX Strategy, Qualtrics and featured guest Joana de Quintanilha, Forrester VP, Principal Analyst, to find out. Register here. Date: June 28, 2023.

Startup Pitch Workshop

Folsom Startup, in collaboration with the Northern California Innovation District, StartupSac, Startup Grind Sacramento, and Granite City Coworking, is proud to present a monthly pitch workshop. Present your 5-minute startup pitch and receive valuable feedback from our experienced pitch coaches. If your pitch impresses the judges, you will be invited to present to local angel investors. Register here. Date: June 28, 2023.

IndieBio

IndieBio is always looking for the next generation of early stage life sciences companies that will transform the future of human and planetary health. We review companies from across all different backgrounds, geographies, and sectors in the life sciences to invest and accelerate the next wave of innovation. IndieBio reviews applications on a rolling basis. Apply now.

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.

The Lean Innovator: Workshop Series

Our curriculum and program focuses your efforts on doing the things that matter in gaining traction. We enable you to engage customers while gaining evidence that systematically de-risks your startup, such as market niche research and prototyping. Apply now. Spots are accepted on a rolling basis.

Community Engagement: How to Maximize Grant Outcomes

An OpenGrants webinar with Sedale Turbovsky and Chris Dumont to discuss the easy way to win grant funding. Sedale Turbovsky is the CEO and co-founder of OpenGrants, a venture-backed startup focused on building modern infrastructure for funding. Chris is the CEO of Alpine Sustains, a social networking platform for community development that matches community members with projects. Learn more.

Advance Your Career with UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in today’s evolving workforce. Serving adult learners worldwide, we provide career-focused education designed for busy working professionals—including a variety of tech-related courses and programs. UC Davis staff and faculty receive a discount on our main courses and can take any of our UC Davis Coursera courses for free. Learn more.

Insight Data Science Fellows Program

The Insight Data Science Fellows Program is a postdoctoral training fellowship that bridges the gap between academia and data science. Throughout this seven week intensive program, researchers learn how to apply their existing analytical skills to big data. Applications open now.

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science

The Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science is a two-year program designed to provide recent PhDs in chemistry and other physical or material sciences with experience in conservation science. The application period typically opens every other year in the autumn for a fellowship beginning the following year. The next opportunity to apply will be in Fall 2023 for a two-year fellowship beginning Fall 2024. Learn more.

Startup Traction Hotline with JDM

Growth, revenue, product-market fit, pitching, traction, business models, tools, tips, techniques, and whatever else is on your mind. Get advice that’s comprehensive, useful, and immediately actionable. Join every Thursday at 10:00 AM PT on YouTube for a live discussion of whatever’s on your mind. Learn more.

Regional Events

Women Who Mean Business

Join us as we honor this year's class of Women Who Mean Business! Seats sell out every year, so get yours today! Register now. Date: June 15, 2023.

2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum & Awards

The Champions for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have shown exceptional commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community. This event will feature a keynote address as well as a panel discussion where experts will give insight into what it takes to keep a DEI program on track and thriving. Register now. Date: June 20, 2023.

2023 40 Under 40 Nominations

We're looking for people under the age of 40 with a strong record of innovation in their fields and outstanding performance in their businesses. Nominations are open to local business leaders from every industry and profession who are making a difference, blazing a trail for the rest of us and are leaving a mark in the Sacramento region. Nominate now. Deadline: July 7, 2023.

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

AgStart Office Hours

Expert mentors to help your business. Sign-up now. Date: Ongoing

Sacramento State Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Events and Workshops

Learn More. Date: Ongoing

Small Business Development Center Workshops

Learn More. Date: Ongoing 

Silicon Valley USPTO Workshops

Check out the US Patent and Trademark Office's West Coast region events. 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 

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