Hong Kong launches HK$2 billion fund to support tech start-ups 

The government said on Friday it is inviting venture capital funds to apply to become co-investment partners of the new Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF). “The ITVF will help fill the funding gap for local technology start-ups. We are confident that having this new fund will be conducive to developing a more vibrant Hong […]

University of New Mexico Spinout Aims to Develop Nanopore Sequencing Technology, supported with $1.5M from Catalyst Fund 

In August, the firm received $1.5 million in seed investment from New Mexico’s Catalyst Fund. The nanopore technology will be based on work from several UNM researchers: Steven Brueck, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UNM’s Center for High Technology Materials with an expertise in nanofabrication; Yuliya Kuznetsova, a research assistant professor whose […]

UNICEF targets startups with $11.2 million innovation fund

Entrepreneurs working in development space are being called to access a part of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Innovation Fund to fund their businesses. The newly established Innovation Fund (IF) by UNICEF is a “non-thematic, pooled fund which has been specifically designed to finance early stage, open-source technology that can benefit children,” the agency […]

Sale of French state assets to fund innovation

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced on September 3 that France will sell off state assets to help raise billions of euros to finance innovation. “In a few weeks’ time I am going to announce that we will privatise certain companies to raise money to finance innovation,” the economy minister told a business conference in Italy. As […]

Ontario government creates $25.8M cleantech innovation fund 

Provincial officials announced August 29 that the Ontario government is starting a fund to support the creation and commercialization of green technologies. The Low Carbon Innovation Fund will support technologies in areas such as alternative energy generation and conservation, new biofuels or bioproducts, transportation, and carbon capture and usage. Ontario says that this initiative is […]

Enterprise Ireland reveals latest €750,000 Competitive Start Fund

Enterprise Ireland has issued a call for applications for its seventh Competitive Start Fund (CSF) to be launched in 2017. The €750,000 fund is open to all sectors, with a particular focus on start-ups in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing, life sciences and renewables. ‘Start-up businesses offering innovative products and services are the lifeblood of […]

New MO regional chamber fund creates $5 million in seed capital for startups 

The St. Louis Regional Chamber is partnering with local venture capital firms and banks to offer $5 million in seed capital for startups to spur economic development. Joe Reagan, the chamber’s president and CEO, announced the new Spirit of St. Louis Fund I at the chamber’s annual event Thursday night at Chaifetz Arena. Reagan said […]

University of Southern Mississippi Researchers Use I-Corps Grant to Develop New Polymer Technology 

At The University of Southern Mississippi, research and innovation are fueling new discoveries in technology that offer real-world applications in the private and commercial sectors. Nothing illustrates this synergy better than a recent National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps grant fostered within the University’s School of Polymers and High Performance Materials. The $50,000 grant – the […]

University of Delaware founder gets $474K from State to fund new cancer drug company Prelude

Delaware’s Council on Development Finance has voted a $474,491 grant to Prelude Therapeutics, the latest company founded by Dr. Krishna Vaddi, whose previous cancer drug development company, Incyte, is now one of the state’s largest public companies. Prelude, another cancer drug “discovery-based biotech company” that employs around 12 at the University of Delaware’s Star Campus […]