University of Michigan, Michigan State target funds for Venture Capital from endowments
The University of Michigan‘s endowment has bolstered its alternative assets with more than $100 million in commitments to venture capital and real estate funds. Separately, Michigan State University reported its latest endowment strategies. The school doubled its commitment to $60 million to an outperforming alternative investment fund run byDrake Capital Advisors. UM plans a new […]
Purdue University $10M Fund Focuses on Startups
Purdue University has announced a $10 million fund for entrepreneurs to launch businesses. The Purdue Startup Fund will be jointly funded by alumni of the university and the Purdue Research Foundation. Purdue Foundry Director of Venture Capital and Funding Resources John Hanak says he expects the new fund to boost startup activity. “What makes this […]
50 Dartmouth alums invest $1.5M venture capital fund
Nearly 50 Dartmouth College alums contributed more than $1.5 million in the Green D Angels to pool funds to invest in Dartmouth entrepreneurs. The initial close of its second venture capital fund already exceeded the total of $1.5 million raised for an earlier fund. It’s anticipated that 100 Dartmouth alums will participate in the ongoing […]
Philanthropy to Help Shape Australian Medical Research Fund
Federal Parliament has passed legislation to establish the Abbott Government’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund with an amendment that requires a newly formed Advisory Board to have expertise in philanthropy. Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey said the establishment of the fund would significantly strengthen Australia’s standing as one of the global leaders in the field of […]
Tax efficient fund launched for start-up university spin-outs
Technology investor Mercia Fund Management has launched its sixth tax-efficient fund which is focused on commercialising start-up spin-outs from universities across the Midlands, the North and Scotland. The University Growth Fund will combine the government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). It intends to encourage entrepreneurship across the UK’s universities to give […]
Impact Investing vs. Venture Philanthropy
Impact investing and venture philanthropy might appear the same, but there are several differences. Venture philanthropy has been around much longer, as the phrase was coined by John D. Rockefeller III in 1969. His idea of venture philanthropy was as follows: “An adventurous approach to funding unpopular social causes.” Venture philanthropy peaked in popularity in […]
From Concept to Demo: Knight Prototype Fund Announces 20 New Projects
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently announced funding for 20 new projects through its Knight Prototype Fund, which helps media makers, technologists, and tinkerers alike take ideas from concept to demo. Innovators are given $35,000 grants–and six months–to research, test, and iterate before building out a complete project. Launched in 2012, the […]
Duke University’s plan to turn alumni into startup investors
W hen entrepreneur Damien Hoffman left Duke University in 1999, it was a rude awakening. The Dot Com Bubble was bursting “so I went through that rodeo.” Today, he’s the founder of The Cheat Sheet, a media company with more than 15 million monthly users. And he’s ready to pay that success forward. On Wednesday, […]
Innovate NY broadens reach of new fund for startups
The Innovate NY Fund has had a huge effect on the startup community in Buffalo, particularly the $5.1 million allocation that flows through Z80 Labs. Innovate NY totals $45 million — $35 million from the state and $10 million from Goldman Sachs — and is a fund-of-funds model, where smaller portions are administered by individual […]
Alumnus creates investment fund that targets startups from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jeff Stewart, an entrepreneur who has founded several technology companies, is starting a fund to grow early-stage businesses developed by faculty, alumni and students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Stewart, currently the chief executive office and co-founder of Lenddo, a New York City technology company, is an alumnus of Rensselaer, a private […]