U.S. Department of Commerce gives $300,000 for Oregon business start-ups
Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network, the collaboration of government, businesses and universities formed to help create companies and jobs, has received $300,000 in federal funds to help new businesses. The U.S. Department of Commerce on Thursday announced the funding through its Regional Innovation Strategies program. RAIN said it will use the money to create the […]
UVa alum’s green innovation brings micro-farm to the table
Student dining at the University of Virginia has begun chopping some of its greens and herbs from an unlikely source — trays of ultraviolet-lit plants set up in Clark, Newcomb and Observatory Hill halls. The innovative hydroponics system is the brainchild of UVa alum Alexander Olesen, who founded Babylon Micro-Farms last year. Olesen is now […]
New venture capital fund launches at John Hopkins
Contrary Capital, a university-focused venture capital fund, officially launched on Monday at 55 colleges across the country, including Hopkins. Contrary works with 100 students to find start-ups and projects within their university communities in which they can invest. Venture capital funds like Contrary Capital typically manage the money of private individuals by investing in emerging […]
Salesforce (CRM) Unveils $50M Fund for AI-Focused Start-Ups
Making the very first anniversary of Salesforce Einstein special, Salesforce.com Inc. ‘s CRM investment arm venture – Salesforce Ventures – announced a $50-million fund to invest in start-ups focused on artificial intelligence (AI). Per the company, Highspot, Squirro and TalkIQ are the first recipients of this funding. AI: A Hot Trend in Tech Space AI has become a global […]
Tesla, Twitch-backed venture capital fund launches at Wash. U.
Contrary Capital, a decentralized, university focused venture capital fund, recently opened its nationwide network of investors and founders to the Washington University start-up scene and plans to launch Monday, Sept. 18. Backed by the co-founders of multiple multi-billion dollar companies, including Tesla, Twitch and SoFi, Contrary Capital is focusing on investing in university entrepreneurs at […]
MIT’s $200M Venture Fund Invests In 7 Startups In Energy, Space And Smell
MIT’s big money venture fund for “tough tech” has opened its doors — and has announced its initial seven investments in areas ranging from alternative energy to space communications. First announced in October 2016, The Engine Fund seeks to invest in research-heavy startups that are more technologically demanding, and thus riskier, than those backed by […]
Tulane gets $25 million to fund research at School of Medicine
Tulane University announced plans Monday to fund research at the Tulane School of Medicine, using a $25 million gift from the family of well-known internal medicine physician John W. Deming, a 1944 graduate of the school.The donation, which will name the John W. Deming Department of Medicine at Tulane University, is the largest in the […]
Ambitions To Elevate The Northwest’s Venture Capital Game
Big names in Northwest business are coming together to deepen the financing pool for the next great tech startups. Microsoft and Madrona Venture Group want to integrate the venture capital communities of Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Microsoft president Brad Smith described ambitions to compete better with Silicon Valley and Boston. “If you talk to people […]
Corporate venture in Brazil gains steam as giants amp up startup investments
What a difference one year makes. Since showing noteworthy signs of a maturing tech ecosystem last summer, corporate venture in Latin America has begun to crescendo in just 12 months, led by Brazil. According to LAVCA’s 2017 Latin American Startup Directory, of the 144 early-stage tech companies that received $1 million-plus in funding over at least two […]
Look no further: Universities are funding startups to ensure students succeed
Every post-secondary institution wants its students to succeed. But while a great education might help get students on the right track, doesn’t it make sense to invest in some students – particularly entrepreneurial ones – in other ways, too? I mean actually invest in them, with VC funding. But before calling me out for being too idealistic, […]