UC Davis Startup Developing Novel Technology Aimed at Increasing the Consumption and Resulting

Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, are paving a path to commercialize a new technology that they hope will make dietary fiber easier to add into food and more acceptable to the consumer. The consumption of dietary fiber is linked to many health benefits including a reduction in cancer, chronic inflammatory disease, metabolic disease, cardio-vascular disease and even depression. But fiber is not easy to add into food, because it causes taste and texture issues, ultimately discouraging people from consuming it.

In order to address this challenge in the current food system, four scientists from UC Davis, Matt Amicucci, Bruce German, Carlito B. Lebrilla and Dave Mills, have come up with a novel depolymerization technology that can “chop” fiber up from long polysaccharides into small, bioactive chains of carbohydrates, called oligosaccharides. The process makes fiber more soluble, digestible and palatable. The team’s work provided the foundational technology platform for a startup, BCD Bioscience, which recently renovated about 9,000 square feet of lab space in Sacramento.

Two UC Davis-associated Startups Among Finalists for Sacramento Kings Startup Competition

3D Organic Polymer Silk (3D-OPS) and Ravata Solutions comprise two of the remaining four finalists in the running for the 2023 crowdsourced startup competition. 3D-OPS is designing the first surgical adhesive out of silk fibroin that is both mechanically strong and biologically compatible. Ravata’s mission is to create an autonomous hardware solution to embryo production, a means by which we can preserve our natural world, develop new medications, feed our populations, and grow our families. Fans can visit Kings.com/Capitalize to view the videos and vote until halftime of the Kings game on March 24. The judges’ and fan votes will be tallied to determine the 2023 Capitalize: Technology winner. The winner will be announced during the game and awarded a $10,000 cash prize towards the development of their startup.

UC Announces $15M in

Climate-Focused Innovation Awards

The awards are part of a historic $185M partnership between UC and the state of California to tackle the climate crisis, from developing new methods for carbon capture to creating innovative coping strategies for drought, wildfire and other impacts of a warming planet. Each of UC’s 10 campuses will receive $1M to seed climate-focused entrepreneurial efforts, as will the UC Health system, the UC statewide division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the UC statewide Natural Reserve System, and the UC-affiliated Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories. The Innovation and Technology Commercialization division within the Office of Research will be responsible for administering the $1M in program funding designated to UC Davis. Stay tuned for more updates!

Parking Technology Startup, Japa, Lands UC Davis Medical Center and the City of Vacaville As Customers

With a couple of large recent engagements, parking technology company Japa Inc. has nearly doubled the number of parking sensors it has deployed since starting up. Japa was founded in 2017 by then-students at the University of California Davis. It started installing its parking intelligence hardware and software commercially in 2019. Both of the new applications, one at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and the other in downtown Vacaville, are meant to "improve the consumer experience and to get to vacant spaces quicker," said Mathew Magno, Japa co-founder and CEO.

Japa has installed 1,500 of its sensors at UC Davis Medical Center on that campus's surface lots. The company is still in negotiations to install 3,500 more sensors at the hospital's parking garages.

UC Davis-associated Startup, Frinj Coffee, Teams Up with Panera Bread for National Press Spot

2022 UC Davis Innovator of the Year Award Winner Lands $4M Grant to Expand Open Education Platform

A $4 million award from the California Education Learning Lab will help expand an innovative, open education project founded by Delmar Larsen, the 2022 Chancellor’s Innovation Awards Innovator of the Year Award winner and professor in the College of Letters and Science.

LibreTexts is an online textbook platform that aims to “unite students, faculty and scholars in a cooperative effort to develop an easy-to-use online platform for the construction, customization and dissemination of open educational resources to reduce the burdens of unreasonable textbook costs,” according to the LibreTexts website. The $4 million award from the state will help the LibreTexts team further develop the platform’s open homework system ADAPT.

Funding Opportunities

The Workers Lab: Innovation Fund

Far too many worker-led ideas, especially those by entrepreneurs of color and women, never see the light of day since they historically receive only a tiny fraction of the early investment enjoyed by others. The ideas we invest in are collectively making the ways our country serves workers more modern and inclusive to ensure that every worker is safe, healthy, secure, and has power. Application deadline: Mar. 27, 2023.

BioMADE Project Call 3.0

BioMADE is now accepting White Paper submissions for projects that contribute to building a sustainable, domestic, end-to-end bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem. Projects that enable domestic bioindustrial manufacturing, develop technologies to enhance U.S. bioindustrial competitiveness, de-risk investment in relevant infrastructure, and expand the biomanufacturing workforce to realize the economic promise of industrial biotechnology will be considered. Application deadline: Apr. 5, 2023.

J.M.K. Innovation Prize

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize seeks to identify, support, and elevate innovators who are spearheading transformative early-stage projects in the fields of environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. Application deadline: Apr. 28, 2023.

NSF Partnerships for Innovation

The U.S. National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program assists researchers and innovators from academia, nonprofit, and public organizations in accelerating the development of breakthrough technologies. Researchers can now receive up to $1 million for translational research, technology scale-up, and demonstration. The first proposal deadline is May 2, 2023.

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

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.

CivicSpark Fellowship

Passionate about environmental and community resilience? Want to take action on climate change, water management, or affordable housing issues? CivicSpark provides 135 Fellows with the opportunity to gain direct experience, build strong networks, and gain professional, technical, and leadership skills through service. Applications open Mar. 13, 2023

UC Women's Initiative for Professional Development

Participants are selected from across UC Davis Campus and Health through a nomination process and then attend one of three northern California cohorts. Participants will strengthen skills and confidence through hands-on practice with a range of tools, that could be applied to leadership roles. Apply/Nominate now. Deadline: Mar. 23, 2023

Team Research Forum: Community-Focused Cancer Research

Join the UC Davis Office of Research and UC Davis Health to hear about a program that is making precision medicine for cancer more accessible to marginalized communities. Register here to attend. Date: Mar. 24, 2023

UC Davis Wine Executive Program: From Grape to Table

In its 23rd year, the UC Davis Wine Executive Program is uniquely designed to teach the fundamentals of winemaking and management skills necessary to be profitable in today’s challenging and dynamic wine industry. Sessions are tailored to help industry leaders grow their businesses by expanding on such topics as building one’s financial acumen and expanding a company’s current marketing and branding strategies. Sign up now. Dates: Mar. 26-30, 2023

2023 Food & Ag Startup Legal Bootcamp

With a rapidly growing population, demand for food is expected to increase exponentially and our future depends on today's innovative solutions to feed the world safely and sustainably. Our course features interactive lectures designed to introduce startups, entrepreneurs and others interested in food and agriculture industries to the legal knowledge needed to grow your business, protect your innovations, and navigate the challenging regulatory landscape. Register now. Date: Mar. 28 - Apr. 25, 2023

Investigator Clinical Research Implementation Program

The Investigator Clinical Research Implementation Course is a step-by-step examination of the process of logistical implementation of a clinical research protocol at an academic medical center. Must be a resident physician, institutional/NIH scholar, or early career clinical faculty member developing their own clinical trial or beginning their own research project. Apply now. Class dates: Mar. 30 - Jun. 15, 2023

Blackstone Summer 2023 LaunchPad Fellowship

The Blackstone Summer 2023 LaunchPad Fellowship offers eight weeks of workshops, networking and a $5,000 prize to all Fellows who complete the program! This selective program will accept up to 50 founders, so hurry and apply now! Application Deadline: Apr. 2, 2023.

EQUIP Spring 2023

EQUIP - Entrepreneurship Quest: Undergraduate Internship Program - is open to students in all majors and disciplines, from the humanities to the social sciences to STEM. Designed especially for undergraduates, EQUIP provides training in innovation, leadership and design thinking, and prepares students for successful internships in startups and other leading-edge companies.

Application Deadline: Apr. 7, 2023, 12:00 PM (PDT). Cohort dates: Apr. 13 - Jun. 1, 2023 (weekly)

2023-2026 FFAR Fellows Cohort

FFAR launched the FFAR Fellows Program to provide career guidance to the next generation of food and agriculture scientists. Unique to this program, we prepare a career ready STEM workforce by breaking down the disciplinary silos and focusing on professional development and soft-skills. Fellows receive grants to pursue research. Application deadline: Apr. 17, 2023.

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.

Regional Events

2023 ADMAN Conference

Registration is open for this annual program put on by the Administrative Management Group, or ADMAN, for UC Davis staff at all levels. This year’s conference will be in person with the theme “The Power Within You!” Register now. Date: Mar. 21, 2023

Federal Government Contracting - Did You Know?

The U.S. Federal Government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, awarding approximately $500 billion in contracts every year. California Capital PTAC is offering a 90-minute hands-on workshop where the instructor will be focusing on clarifying and providing pertinent information when doing business with the Federal Government. Register now. Date: Mar. 23, 2023

Sacramento State Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Startup Challenge

The Startup Challenge is a weekend-long experiential learning event and program focused on providing founders and early-stage teams with a dedicated space for experimenting and making traction. Register now. Date: Mar. 31 - Apr. 2, 2023

Startup Grind Event

Startup Grind in Redwood City, California, connects, inspires and educates entrepreneurs at the ultimate networking experience. The Silicon Valley chapter of Startup Grind, which has flags planted in over 150 cities in 65 countries around the world, features talks led by industry professionals, sessions where people share success stories, workshops, mixers and other activities that bring together like-minded techies. Register now. Date: Apr. 11-12, 2023

Women in Business Networking Event

Are you a female entrepreneur looking to connect with other like-minded businesswomen in your community? If so, mark your calendars for our next Women Entrepreneurs Networking Event! This event is taking place at the Davis Coworking space located at 720 Olive Drive, Davis. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with other female entrepreneurs and build meaningful relationships with other women who understand the challenges of running a business. Date: Apr. 22, 2023

2023 UC Tech Awards Nominations

The application/nomination process for the UC Tech Awards is now open! Apply now or nominate a colleague by reviewing the UC Tech Awards Background and Application Form and completing the short application. The UC Tech Awards program celebrates UC employees' achievements in designing, implementing or managing high-impact technology initiatives that drive digital transformation. Apply/Nominate now. Deadline: May 1, 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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