Duke U medtech startup Xilis raises $70M; Google Ventures, Duke Angels
Xilis, a startup founded by two professors at Duke University focusing on technology to boost precision health and oncology, has landed $70 million in new funding with Google Ventures among the backers. The two-year-old company had previously raised close to $5 million. “Our vision is to transform cancer care in diagnostics and reshape drug development […]
Miami University-based investment fund adds to portfolio
A Miami University student-led investment fund has added a pair of new startups to its portfolio targeting diversity, equity and inclusion. The Social Impact Fund, one of the only undergraduate-led funds of its kind in the nation, announced investments this week in Cincinnati’s Queen City Certified, which offers employer certification and cohort-model programming for workplace […]
Brown to fund four biomedical technologies with potential for patient benefit, commercial viability
Four teams of Brown University researchers have been awarded up to $100,000 each to accelerate the translation of their scientific discoveries into commercial products that could benefit patients facing urgent medical challenges. Projects range from treating a rare childhood genetic disease to finding a new way to combat a deadly cancer. In its third annual […]
18 VCU researchers receive project funding from the university’s Presidential Research Quest Fund
Eighteen Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have won support from the Presidential Research Quest Fund this year. Their work seeks to enhance the human experience by responding to societal challenges such as the changing workforce, addiction and sustainable sources of energy. A total of $512,000 will fund research efforts on both the Monroe Park and MCV […]
Where 13 health systems are investing their innovation dollars this year
Below is a list of investments that health systems made in digital health startups and internal innovation efforts in 2021. Ascension Ventures, the healthcare venture arm of St. Louis-based Ascension, closed a $285 million strategic venture capital fund, bringing the firm’s total assets to more than $1 billion. The new fund is backed by 13 health system […]
VTech Proof-of-Concept Program announces second year of funding to bring research to market
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (VTIP) with LINK + LICENSE + LAUNCH launched its inaugural Proof-of-Concept Program in 2020. The program is designed to help provide researchers paths to market for technologies from research with the potential for significant societal and economic impact. Since then, more than $400,000 has been awarded in grants to Virginia Tech researchers to commercialize Virginia Tech […]
Coworking, incubators and accelerators… what’s the difference?
From working out of a garage to relocating for an industry-specific accelerator program, startups have more options than ever about where to work and how to build their businesses. Among the most popular are coworking spaces, business incubators and accelerators. You might think these terms are interchangeable, or that they are simply buildings or workspaces. […]
ISU Startup Factory announces its tenth cohort
The Iowa State University Startup Factory announced this month its tenth cohort of entrepreneurs entering the Iowa State-based program. The following are the names of the nine participating startups in the tenth cohort. FRUGI BIOTECHNOLOGY Founded by Jared Dopp, Frugi Biotechnology is a paper-based diagnostic that uses synthetic biology to detect pathogens. MACROLEI TECHNOLOGIES Founded by Nacu […]
7 lessons on building an inclusive accelerator via Science Center’s Launch Lane
Here are some lessons learned that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to their success in building an accelerator that is as effective in scaling startups as it is equitable and inclusive. 1. Anonymous review infuses equity in the selection process. As part of the selection process, applicants submitted a two-page document about their venture, and […]
How University Impact Uses Donor Advised Funds to Innovate and Scale Impact Investing
University Impact (UI) is a nonprofit that invests in companies and nonprofits solving social and environmental problems. Investments are focused on funding the most promising social ventures. UI’s goal is to create the next generation of social impact leaders and provide capital to social ventures solving social and environmental problems. UI does this by […]