New fund seeks to boost partnerships between MIT, Israeli universities

A fund launched by the Mortimer Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program seeks to match faculty members from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US and seven Israeli academic institutions in an effort to promote the “next generation of groundbreaking research” in sciences and technology. The new MIT-Israel Zuckerman STEM Fund is now calling for proposals from […]

UD’s Horn Program finds multiple avenues to guide aspiring entrepreneurs

Over the past seven years, the University of Delaware’s Horn Program in Entrepreneurship has seen good early results in its effort to serve as a springboard for promising start-up ventures. Contributor Larry Nagengast recently spent some looking at the program, how it works and where it’s heading. It’s only seven years since the Horn Program in […]

There’s an alternative to raising VC and it’s called revenue-based financing | TechCrunch

Revenue-based financing is on the rise, at least according to Lighter Capital, a firm that doles out entrepreneur-friendly debt capital. What exactly is RBF you ask? It’s a relatively new form of funding for tech companies that are posting monthly recurring revenue. Here’s how Lighter Capital, which completed 500 RBF deals in 2018, explains it: “It’s an alternative […]

Ohio State Energy Partners award winners advance innovation, collaboration

Twenty-one projects — tackling issues such as addiction recovery, sustainability and income inequality — have been awarded grants in the second year of philanthropic funding from The Ohio State University’s comprehensive energy management partnership. Ohio State Energy Partners contributes $810,000 each year to the university or affiliated philanthropic causes as part of its commitment to […]

MSU’s student-led VC fund offers new hands-on learning

With a new investment fund at Michigan State University, students can gain experience on either side of the venture capital industry. The Student Venture Capital Fund offers students with an idea for a business or an innovation “priceless” experience in seeking capital and pitching to prospective investors, said Jeff Wesley, the executive director of Red Cedar Ventures at […]

$1.4M gift creates the Alabama Power Endowed Innovation Fund at UA 

A $1.4 million grant will fuel business innovation, entrepreneurship, small business growth and talent retention in the state. Alabama Power Foundation provided the funds to the University of Alabama to establish the Alabama Power Endowed Innovation and Talent Retention Fund. The fund, which will be managed by the Office of the Vice President for Research […]

Startups, VCs and Corporate Boards: Practical Insights from U Virginia

Husk Power Systems Co-founder and CEO Manoj Sinha (MBA ’09) started his innovative “mini-grid” energy company as a student at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. More than 10 years later the company is accelerating construction of small power plants across India and Africa. After a recent infusion of capital via an equity investment led by […]

How this government funding programme has launched over 2,300 startups

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) runs an extensive programme to promote startups, called EXIST. It offers grants to transfer university research into campus startups, and helps foster a culture of entrepreneurship through innovation workshops, consulting services, and industry connects. The phases of the entrepreneurial journey are evocatively described as Get Started, Get Prepared, Get Together, and Get Traction. […]

Maryland TEDCO awards $6.6M in stem cell funding to 24 researchers, startups 

Maryland Technology Development Corp. has doled out $6.6 million in funding awards to companies and researchers working on stem cell products and medical therapies. The funds were awarded to 24 separate projects through the state’s Stem Cell Research Fund. The fund has a budget of $8.2 million in the 2019 fiscal year. This is the second round […]

HBR: How to Attract Startups and Tech Companies to a City Without Relying on Tax Breaks

Startup ecosystems are the key to growing a vibrant regional economy. Time and time again, these clusters of talent and science drive job creation, new business formation, and attract investment capital. Ultimately, these are the elusive ingredients that lead to greater prosperity and equity in our communities. The Amazon HQ2 opportunity was a wakeup call for […]