Duke University gets $130 million in funding to accelerate drug discovery

Duke University and Deerfield Management Company, a healthcare investment firm,  have created a major translational research collaboration with $130 million in funding. By way of a newly launched company called Four Points Innovation, up to $130 million of initial funding will be made available by Deerfield to back the initiative for 10 years. Deerfield also will provide development expertise in support of Duke’s innovative drug research across a span of high-need therapeutic areas, as well as those targeting patients […]

$5M state grant will allow OU-led venture-tech program to grow

TechGROWTH Ohio, Ohio University’s Ohio Third Frontier entrepreneurial services provider, has been awarded $5.05 million by the state of Ohio in a competitive funding process for venture development services, according to a news release. The grant will be matched by OU and private organizations, allowing TechGROWTH to continue and expand services through 2022, the release […]

Wichita State-based cleantech company reaches $2.1 million in seed funding

Creating eco-friendly refrigeration and cooling technology is one of the top concerns when it comes to fighting climate change. Thanks to resources and knowledge at Wichita State University, a Wichita company is one step closer to finding a solution to that problem. HyperBorean announced today that it closed its pre-seed angel round of financing totaling […]

Philanthropic support catalyzes audacious ideas, bold research

Cures Start Here. The key word in the tagline of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is Start. It’s also typically the hardest part of scientific research, especially when it comes to funding. The financial path from a researcher’s bold idea to reporting final results — and then to reaching patients — is rarely straight or simple. […]

Female entrepreneurs are turning away from venture capital 

Sukhi Jutla had no illusions about raising venture capital for her startup, MarketOrders, a blockchain-based global marketplace for the gold and diamond jewelry industry. She knew that in the UK, only 1% of venture capital (pdf) goes to women. And as a minority woman, she faced even steeper odds. She decided to try to raise the money […]

New research from UGA evaluates design of startup accelerators 

New research from the University of Georgia links startup accelerator success with a few key program elements, such as mentorship and open discussion among participating startup founders. Papers co-authored by Susan Cohen examined the variation among several accelerators. Accelerators are fixed-term, cohort-based educational programs for startups. There are about 170 accelerators located across the country, […]

New investment fund validates momentum of Memphis startup ecosystem 

The creation of a $1.3 million pre-seed investment fund aims to be another catalyst in developing Memphis startups. On Dec. 18, Epicenter and Emerge Memphis announced the fund — the result of the sale of the Emerge Memphis building at 516 Tennessee St. back in February. The buyer, Anchor Investments, plans to continue Emerge’s mission […]