(Venture Capitalists Take Note) University Startup Funds Are For Real
The common auto-pilot statement (I’ve been guilty of it–often–as well) is that universities need more money from pre-seed venture capital to launch successful startups. After a click-whirr pause caused by our recent startup gap fund webinar(sample here), I’m not so sure. Let’s start with a simple question, “What are 5 key needs areas for success […]
Two entrepreneur alumni donate $1 million each to UBC seed fund
Greg Peet, a technology entrepreneur who attended UBC’s Sauder School of Business, and Glenn Walsh, who founded the mining construction company Tercon Group and is an alumnus of the faculty of applied science, donated the money to a seed fund run by entrepreneurship@UBC. The fund, known as e@UBC, “provides startup programs, industry mentorship, office and […]
Sodexo launches strategic venture capital fund, dedicated to accompanying innovative start-ups
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, announced today the launch of Sodexo Ventures, a 50 million euro venture capital fund, whose investments will combine agility and creativity with the Group’s investment capacity, skills and expertise in sectors as varied as Food-Tech, health and wellness, data, mobility and smart buildings. Sodexo Ventures will invest […]
Michigan State University Foundation Launches $5M Venture Fund, Red Cedar Ventures LLC
[fusion_text]The Michigan State University Foundation (MSUF) announced today the formation of its new, $5M venture investing subsidiary, Red Cedar Ventures. Its newest program features both a pre-seed fund and an opportunity fund focused on helping Michigan State University-based startups and technologies overcome critical funding gaps, accelerate growth, and provide follow-on, growth-stage capital. “We have been […]
Tsinghua University’s Redbud Capital To Launch $150M Venture Fund-Of-Funds
Redbud Capital, an investment platform under Tsinghua Holdings, has teamed up with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of Yiwu City and Zhejiang China Commodities City Group to launch a RMB1 billion (US$150 million) fund-of-funds focused on venture capital. The new vehicle will invest in venture funds, says an announcement without elaboration. It’s […]
Tel Aviv University Launches New IoT Tech Investment Fund with 5 Corporate Giants
Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company, Ramot, launched a new Internet of Things (IoT) investment fund on Monday in partnership with five international tech giants. According to Ramot, the fund will focus on locating exceptional Israeli initiatives in early stages of development (pre-seeding, seeding), and help build them up to the point of exit into […]
Florida Institute Funds carbon capture technology
The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Florida Institute) announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with Partnering in Innovation, Inc. (Pi-Innovation), an Orlando-based company with technology developed at NASA Kennedy Space Center. The Florida Institute supports new company creation based on publicly-funded research, and bridges early funding gaps for […]
Corporate VC Fund launched to support University of Wolverhampton uni spin-outs
A new investment fund to support university spin-outs has been launched by steel company Caparo and the University of Wolverhampton. The £400,000 CIC Investment Fund will award cash in return for shares, with either Caparo or University of Wolverhampton staff joining the board of each spin-out it invests in. Lord Paul of Marylebone, chancellor of […]
UWaterloo’s Velocity Garage achieves largest free startup incubator status
The University of Waterloo celebrated the official opening of the expanded Velocity Garage, making UWaterloo home to the largest free startup incubator in the world. Now occupying 37,000-square-feet, the Velocity Garage offers workspace for up to 120 startups to work and collaborate, as well as business mentorship, equipment and a vibrant startup community. The expanded […]
MIT starts $25M venture fund
[fusion_text]The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has spawned a dazzling array of innovations in its 155-year history, from disposable razors to wind tunnels to radar. Now, the university wants to open up its checkbook to turn the next generation of big ideas into businesses. On Wednesday, the school said it was raising $150 million for a […]