City Science Center QED POC program to fund four projects

Two digital health projects and two life science projects will receive a total of $600,000 from the University City Science Center’s QED Program, the Science Center announced December 19, 2012. Since its launch in 2009, the regionally competitive proof-of-concept program supporting technology commercialization has awarded $3 million to 16 projects in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and […]

Pennsylvania governor puts dollars behind innovation initiatives, new funding programs

To position Pennsylvania as a national leader for technology development, Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration announced today the awarding of new investments to support business, community and university-based innovation. “The governor is committed to providing our start-up companies and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow here and stay here,” Department of Community and Economic […]

Drexel University announces new venture fund

Less than a week after Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced a public-private venture fund, a Philadelphia university said it will launch a venture fund next year. Drexel University president John Fry mentioned the venture fund as part of a presentation mapping out the university’s plans for transforming a section of the surrounding neighborhood into an […]

University City Science Center POC program funds handheld breast cancer diagnostic technology

A breast cancer diagnostic startup that uses fingertip sensors to detect tumors has received a research grant of more than $878,000 to advance its handheld diagnostic device. UE Lifesciences’ “Intelligent Breast Exam” can distinguish between normal breast tissue and a tumor. Breast cancers are stiffer and less mobile than the surrounding tissue, according to a paper documenting […]

State-supported, Pennsylvania venture fund to support early stage software companies

The dearth of early-stage capital available to fund young technology companies in the Philadelphia region is nothing new. It was a source of concern for entrepreneurs and economic-development types in the late ’80s, when I moved here. Hand-wringing resumed early last decade after the bursting of the technology-stock bubble. And since the financial crisis-induced recession, […]

Philadelphia-based University City Science Center announces call for QED program

The QED Program will award up to $200,000 to up to four projects. Sixteen projects will receive guidance from market insiders and business advisors who add a commercial development perspective as investigators develop research strategies aligned with private sector interests. To date, QED has committed $2.4 million in awards to a total of 12 projects, […]

Update: Axonia closes on $2M in seed funding. Gap funds play a role (Ann Arbor SPARK, Western Michigan University RF, and others)

Axonia Medical, an early stage company pioneering a revolutionary approach to repair and restore damaged peripheral and central nervous systems, announced today that the company has closed on $2.0 million in seed financing. The financing was led by Southwest Michigan First Life Science Venture Fund and included participation from Ann Arbor SPARK and Western Michigan […]