UC Davis-associated Startup MyFloraDNA at Forefront of Plant Genetics Innovation

MyFloraDNA, a leading cannabis agriculture technology company, is opening its new headquarters in Sacramento in April. The new headquarters located at 1451 River Park Drive will allow the company to keep pace with its rapid growth. The facility boasts over five thousand square feet of space, which significantly increases the company’s capacity for both lab operations and business administration. The company recently passed a key milestone of completing 100,000 plant pathogen tests for its clients, and this new expanded facility is critical to accommodate the continued growth the company anticipates this year.  

To date, MyFloraDNA has completed more than 110,000 plant pathogen detection samples from Cannabis cultivation facilities within the US. The company is experiencing rapid growth both in California and across the US, and is preparing to expand internationally this year.

UC Davis Student Startup Center PLASMA Demo Day

- May 4, 2023 -

PLASMA is the capstone program of the UC Davis Student Startup Center, providing UC Davis undergrad entrepreneurs with the tools, accountability, and community they need to grow their companies. This 12-week accelerator program prepares UC Davis’ most talented undergraduate founders for their formal launch. Come join the fun at Demo Day to hear pitches from the latest cohort of UC Davis Student Startup Center PLASMA participants!

When: May 4, 2023, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (PDT)



Where: California Hall 205

Cost: Free

2023 UC Davis Research Expo

- May 16, 2023 -

The annual UC Davis Research Expo is a one-day event that showcases the latest research-related insight, resources, opportunities and tools to help you advance your research. The event includes exhibits, presentations, workshops and opportunities to network with potential collaborators. We welcome you to enjoy the full event or attend portions that are of particular interest.

Who should attend: Faculty, post-docs, staff, research administrators, students and industry partners involved in research.

When: May 16, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (PDT)



Where: UC Davis Conference Center

Cost: Free

Checking In With Chancellor May: A Legacy of Innovation

From our humble roots as the University Farm, UC Davis has grown into a world-renowned powerhouse of innovation. We helped pioneer the first plug-in hybrid electric venicle. We paved the way for food staples such as baby carrots and chardonnay grapes. The mechanical tomato harvester, invented at UC Davis, transformed the industry and allows ketchup to remain in plentiful supply. These are just a few UC Davis discoveries over the decades.

Our leadership and determination to create positive change continues to thrive. Last month, UC Davis hosted a national Council on Competitiveness summit, bringing together leaders in higher education, research labs and the workforce to discuss the future of place-based innovation.

UC Davis Releases 5 Strawberry Varieties Resistant to Deadly Fungal Disease

UC Davis, is releasing five new strawberry varieties that are resistant to the soilborne disease Fusarium wilt, have high yields and improved fruit quality. UC Eclipse, UC Golden Gate, UC Keystone, UC Monarch and UC Surfline are available for sale to California nurseries from Foundation Plant Services.

Roughly 88% of strawberries grown in the nation come from California. Fusarium wilt is one of the most common reasons for crop loss and death, and yet 55% to 59% of cultivars planted in the state since 2014 have not been resistant, according to UC Davis research.

This is the first release from the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program where all the cultivars have Fusarium wilt resistance.

Funding Opportunities

J.M.K. Innovation Prize

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize seeks to identify, support, and elevate innovators who are spearheading transformative early-stage projects in the fields of environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. Application deadline: Apr. 28, 2023.

NSF Partnerships for Innovation

The U.S. National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program assists researchers and innovators from academia, nonprofit, and public organizations in accelerating the development of breakthrough technologies. Researchers can now receive up to $1 million for translational research, technology scale-up, and demonstration. The first proposal deadline is May 2, 2023.

USAA Pitch Contest

This year, USAA and Bunker Labs are teaming up again to continue identifying and supporting the most innovative military connected entrepreneurs and change makers. Participants will compete for cash prizes, storytelling features, and access to USAA and Bunker Labs network. If eligible, companies could be considered for future investment by USAA. Apply here. Deadline: May 2 - June 30, 2023

VentureWell Accelerator's E-Team Program

VentureWell Accelerator's E-Team Program supports student ventures through a mix of up to $25,000 in funding, entrepreneurship training, national recognition, and networking with industry experts. Apply here. Deadline: May 3, 2023

2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge

The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses and the Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 in startup funds provided by our sponsors. Apply here. Deadline: May 12, 2023

Startup Battlefield 200

Ready to launch your startup into the stratosphere? Apply to be one of the Startup Battlefield 200, an elite cohort of early stage startups to be features prominently at TC Disrupt in September. All SB 200 founders receive 4 Free Found Passes, free exhibition space, exclusive workshops, investor office hours, mentorship, pitch training, and a short to compete for $100K. Apply now. Deadline: May 15, 2023

Physicians Foundation Interoperability Fund

The Interoperability Fund will assist medical practices in effectively sharing clinical information with other physicians and hospitals through health information exchanges (HIE). Funding is available for physicians in participating states with an electronic health record system (EHR) and will be allocated to practices on a first come basis. Learn more.

AgFunder

AgFunder is a new kind of venture capital firm built on proprietary technology and a global ecosystem of over 85,000 subscribers. We invest in exceptional and bold founders who are committed to building the next generation of agrifood technology companies that will transform our food system. We are one of the most active agrifood tech investors in the world. Apply here.

O'Shaughnessy Fellowship

The O'Shaughnessy Fellowship is a one year program that provides $100K, equity-free, for innovative creators to work on whatever they choose. Applications are selected throughout the year on a rolling basis, so apply now! Currently accepting applications.

UC Davis Office of Research - Links to Funding Sources

Browse the listings of funding announcements provided by sponsoring agencies and other pertinent information about obtaining critical research funding. View the complete list here.



Tech Coast Angels

If your company has a strong team with a great defensible idea, has early traction and is set to grow, TCA is ready to invest up to several million dollars through our funds, individually or with our syndicate partners. TCA looks at investments in the United States and Canada. Currently accepting applications

Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health

We are interested in ideas that address any of these four areas of focus: Future of Evidence; Future of Social Interaction; Future of Food; Future of Work. Additionally, we welcome ideas that might fall outside of these four focus areas, but which offer unique approaches to advancing health equity and our progress toward a Culture of Health. Currently accepting applications

Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

Evidence for Action prioritizes research to evaluate specific interventions (e.g., policies, programs, practices) that have the potential to counteract the harms of structural and systemic racism and improve health, well-being, and equity outcomes. Currently accepting applications

IndieBio Accelerator

Multi-stage investment to support big ideas. #1 in early stage biotech! Currently accepting applications

Open SBIR/STTR Grant Topics

Federal Research/Research & Development with the potential for commercialization. Learn More

Educational Opportunities

Startup Speaker Series - Sonny Mayugba

This week's Startup Speaker Series features Sonny Mayugba. He is the co-founder of Azra Games, a leading video game company that delivers innovative gaming experiences through Web3 technology! Come, network, and learn from our speaker of the week at 1503 Bainer Hall on April 21, 1:10 PM (PDT).

Elemental Interactive 2023

Attend Elemental Excelerator's annual event that brings changemakers like investors, technologists, policymakers, and activists - all focused on accelerating global action to address the climate crisis. RSVP here. Date: April 25, 2023

PLASMA Demo Day

PLASMA is the capstone program of the UC Davis Student Startup Center; it provides our undergrad entrepreneurs with the tools, accountability, and community they need to grow their companies. This 12-week accelerator program prepares UC Davis’ most talented undergraduate founders for their formal launch. Register now. Date: May 4, 2023

America's Seed Fund Week

Kicking off America’s Seed Fund Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host its 2nd annual Startup Expo – showcasing innovative ventures that define the cutting edge of technologies critical for our nation’s economic prosperity, global competitiveness, and national security! Register now. Date: May 15-18, 2023

Community Engagement: How to Maximize Grant Outcomes

An OpenGrants webinar with Sedale Turbovsky and Chris Dumont to discuss the easy way to win grant funding. Sedale Turbovsky is the CEO and co-founder of OpenGrants, a venture-backed startup focused on building modern infrastructure for funding. Chris is the CEO of Alpine Sustains, a social networking platform for community development that matches community members with projects. Learn more.

Google Professional Certificates

Gain the job-ready skills you need to launch or advance your career in Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, Project Management or UX Design. 75% of Google Career Certificate Graduates in the United States report an improvement in their career trajectory (e.g. new job or career, promotion or raise) within 6 months of certificate completion*. Learn more.

Insight Data Science Fellows Program

The Insight Data Science Fellows Program is a postdoctoral training fellowship that bridges the gap between academia and data science. Throughout this seven week intensive program, researchers learn how to apply their existing analytical skills to big data. Applications open now.

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science

The Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science is a two-year program designed to provide recent PhDs in chemistry and other physical or material sciences with experience in conservation science. The application period typically opens every other year in the autumn for a fellowship beginning the following year. The next opportunity to apply will be in fall 2023 for a two-year fellowship beginning fall 2024. Learn more.

Startup Traction Hotline with JDM

Growth, revenue, product-market fit, pitching, traction, business models, tools, tips, techniques, and whatever else is on your mind. I’ll do my best to give you advice that’s comprehensive, useful, and immediately actionable. Join me every Thursday at 10am PST on YouTube for a live discussion of whatever’s on your mind. Learn more.

Regional Events

Women in Business Networking Event

Are you a female entrepreneur looking to connect with other like-minded businesswomen in your community? If so, mark your calendars for our next Women Entrepreneurs Networking Event! This event is taking place at the Davis Coworking space located at 720 Olive Drive, Davis. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with other female entrepreneurs and build meaningful relationships with other women who understand the challenges of running a business. Date: Apr. 22, 2023

2023 UC Tech Awards Nominations

The application/nomination process for the UC Tech Awards is now open! Apply now or nominate a colleague by reviewing the UC Tech Awards Background and Application Form and completing the short application. The UC Tech Awards program celebrates UC employees' achievements in designing, implementing or managing high-impact technology initiatives that drive digital transformation. Apply/Nominate now. Deadline: May 1, 2023.

Capital Region Small Business Week

Capital Region Small Business Week brings together business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, local leaders and everyone in between to honor the achievements and envision the future of the region’s small businesses. Celebrate the start of the week in community with like-minded small business champions. Date: May 1, 2023

Big Ideas Grand Prize Pitch Day & Awards

The UC Berkeley Big Ideas Grand Prize Pitch Day and Awards Celebration brings together the entire Big Ideas community to recognize the most outstanding social innovations being developed by students from across the University of California system. All of the 2023 Big Ideas finalists (list of projects) will be on hand to present their innovative ideas. Register now. Date: May 3, 2023

Mentor Sprint

Mentor Sprint is an opportunity for you to mentor early-stage entrepreneurs and startups to help them gain invaluable expert advice and connections to solve persistent issues in their ventures. Nothing is more valuable than expert advice, at the right time. Mentor Sprint is like speed dating for startup founders and mentors. Register now. Date: May 3, 2023

2023 Redefining the Core

The central city is going through big changes, with the loss of workers from downtown offices, and the development of more urban housing. To help you understand and position your business as these trends play out, we have invited a panel of experts to discuss the future of Sacramento’s urban core. Register now. Date: May 9, 2023

1 Million Cups

Present your early stage company to your peers. Or just grab a coffee and listen.

Date: Every Wednesday

Business Casual: Get Your Creative Biz Together

Every fourth Saturday of the month, Atrium’s mentorship team will be hosting a free business basics discussion group. Growing your creative business can seem like a daunting task. Atrium is here to help take your ideas from the drawing board to the boardroom with free “get started right” business workshops for creative startups. Come with a laptop and a ready-to-grow mentality. Register now. Date: Ongoing

AgStart Office Hours

Expert mentors to help your business. Sign-up now. Date: Ongoing

Sacramento State Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Events and Workshops

Learn More. Date: Ongoing

Small Business Development Center Workshops

Learn More. Date: Ongoing 

Silicon Valley USPTO Workshops

Check out the US Patent and Trademark Office's West Coast region events. Date: Ongoing

California Life Sciences Institute FAST Advisory Program

Get the coaching you need to perfect your business model. Apply now. Date: Ongoing

Bay Area NSF Innovation Corps Immersive Short Course

Join the weeklong immersive course for university researchers and early stage startup founders. Apply now. Date: Ongoing

About Venture Catalyst 

UC Davis Venture Catalyst supports the development of new UC Davis-associated ventures fueled by university research and technology. Venture Catalyst offers several innovative programs that bridge the gap between early-stage research and commercialization and provide entrepreneurs the resources, support, and connections needed to successfully form and grow technology-based startups. With a focus on accelerating technology-led economic development in the Davis-Sacramento region, Venture Catalyst also works closely with partners in the regional innovation and economic development ecosystems. 

Contact Venture Catalyst 

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