Venture Catalyst Associate Director, Mike Lemcke, introducing the featured startups.

The UC Davis Venture Catalyst Biotech Innovation Gallery (BIG) Open House and Startup Showcase event on January 11 marked the culmination of the fifth cohort of the BIG Accelerator program. The BIG program supports a cohort of early-stage biotech startups associated with UC Davis by providing targeted mentoring, dedicated engagement around IP and regulatory strategy, business model and investor pitch coaching, guidance on fundraising strategies, and assistance with developing marketing collateral used when engaging with potential investors and strategic partners. The four-month accelerator program runs annually from August-January.

Dr. Diana Farmer and Dr. Aijun Wang

of Artemis Cures.

The Chandran Gallery.

Networking reception.

The open house and showcase was held at the Chandran Gallery in San Francisco during the 41st annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. The event offers a platform for UC Davis innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their emerging biotech companies and connect directly with industry experts. During the day at the open house, startups took part in one-on-one meetings with industry representatives, potential strategic partners, and investors. At the showcase in the evening, the eight emerging startups below provided short elevator pitches and updates on their achievements, followed by a networking reception.

1. Artemis Cures
2. 3D-OPS
3. HiLight Surgical
4. Histolix
5. Soleit
6. Theranostec
7. BCD Bioscience
8. Delix Therapeutics

The BIG Accelerator program and showcase were enabled by funding from the Office of Research, with additional support from Squire Patton Boggs.

UC Davis Health CoLab Launches

Innovation Technology Incubator

WellCent, the first startup to come out of the UC Davis Health CoLab Innovation Technology Incubator, was introduced this week at the UC Davis Health Future & Health CEO Summit.

The UC Davis Health CoLab Innovation Technology Incubator is the latest initiative from UC Davis Health to advance digital medicine through its Digital CoLab (Digital Collaborative for Innovation and Validation).

UC Davis-Associated Startup MyFloraDNA Makes Sacramento Inno's Startup to Watch

Woodland-based plant genomics analysis company MyFloraDNA has been named by the Sacramento Business Journal as one of the startups to watch in 2023. The list compiles regional startups poised to make big moves, either in growth, funding, technology or development in the new year.

The 2020 startup is up to 15 employees, about half of whom work in the laboratory Lab@AgStart, an incubator for agriculture and food technology startups in Woodland. The company is developing analysis technology that lets farmers find the plants they want among seedlings, and have raised about $1 million to expand its operations and customer base. MyFlora is starting with the cannabis industry as it is a high-value crop and plant line that lags behind other crops in research and science.

Therma Bright Invests in UC Davis-Associated

Startup InStatin

Therma Bright Inc., has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire an interest in each of InStatin, Inc. and InVixa Inc,. InVixa, a pioneer in the development and use of inhaled statins to treat respiratory diseases, was spun out of UC Davis by Dr. Amir A. Zeki, along with a separate company, InStatin, where he is also scientific co-founder. InStatin is focused on developing inhaled statins more broadly for the treatment of asthma and COPD.

Statins have been used clinically to treat high cholesterol levels which protect patients from heart attacks and strokes for over 35 years. A research group at the UC Davis School of Medicine, led by Dr. Zeki, has conducted innovative laboratory research on the application of 'inhaled statins' to treat the acute and chronic respiratory inflammatory mechanisms associated with asthma, COVID-19, and other respiratory conditions with promising results.

Four UC Davis College of Engineering Projects Receive CITRIS Seed Awards

Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) at the University of California (UC) recently announced the 2022 CITRIS Seed Awards recipients. The eight selected proposals, submitted by multi-campus teams from Berkeley, Davis, Merced and Santa Cruz, will receive up to $60,000 for their work, thanks in part to external philanthropic support. 

Four of the eight funded projects feature faculty from the UC Davis College of Engineering, including two from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). MAE Associate Professor Zhaodan Kong, MAE Assistant Professor Shima Nazari, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Professor Stavros Vougioukas and Computer Science Associate Professor Hao-Chuan Wang are all PIs or co-PIs on the year-long exploratory projects. 

Funding Opportunities

EnergyTech University Prize

The EnergyTech University Prize, sponsored by DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions, is awarding $370,000 to collegiate students who successfully identify a promising energy technology, assess its market potential, and create a business plan for commercialization. Deadline: Jan. 26, 2023

UC Davis IIFH Innovator Fellowship

The Innovator Fellowship is a unique opportunity to work with UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health's innovation partners. Apply now for this immersive, hands-on experience in a food and health investment environment gaining real-world business and entrepreneurial skills while evaluating food and health startups. The program provides winning Innovator Fellows up to $50K!. Deadline: Feb. 3, 2023

Circular Economy Innovation Competition

Have a novel idea to upcycle waste? The WPMA Circular Economy Innovation Competition is a new competition providing innovative ideas, technologies, and startups in the circular economy and waste space with the opportunity to compete for $20,000 in an in-person pitch event on April 19th, 2023. Apply today! Deadline: Feb. 10, 2023

FedEx Small Business Grant

With help from FedEx, you can go all out to drive your small business even further with a chance to win $30K from the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. 10 grand prize winners will each receive $30,000. Deadline: Feb. 21, 2023

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

UC Davis Student Startup Center: Startup Speaker Series

Come join the SSC as Giacomo Marini, co-founder of Logitech and a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and investor, discusses his extensive experience in starting new businesses, identifying emerging technologies, and operating on a global level. Free admission/no registration required. Date: Jan. 20, 2023, 1:10 PM (PST), 1122 Bainer Hall at UC Davis.

Ideas into Action: Defining and Validating Your Business Model

Lack the knowledge and skills to move from concept to company? Join Tim Keller, COO of AmCyt and top prize winner of the 2008 Big Bang! as he discusses how to create a viable business model. RSVP here. Date: Feb. 1, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PST)

Kauffman FASTTRAC Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs

Want to turn your side hustle into a full time business? StartupSac and MetroBusiness Center are launching the Kauffman FASTTRAC 12-week entrepreneurial program that will empower, guide, and mentor individuals looking to start their own business. The cost is free, so sign up now! Application Deadline: Jan 23, 2023.

UC Davis UC Entrepreneurship Academy

The UC Entrepreneurship Academy is designed for UC Davis upper-division undergrads, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, researchers and staff in all academic fields. Come prepared to engage and grow through discussions, teamwork—and the energy and experience of meeting fellow Aggie Innovators from across campus. Application Deadline: Jan 30, 2023, 12:00 PM (PST). Dates: Feb. 7-10, 2023

Hivemind Cohort Program

The Carlsen Center at Sacramento State and the Hive are partnering to bring you another Hivemind Cohort for Spring Semester 2023! The Hivemind Cohort is for students in the Greater Sacramento Region who are working on launching their startups. By being an active member of the cohort, the program will connect you to valuable resources, teach important entrepreneurial methods, and facilitate peer interaction and accountability. Application Deadline: Feb. 10, 2023. Dates: Feb. 25 - Mar. 12, 2023

Little Bang! Pitch + Poster Competition

The Little Bang! will help you define your business idea and communicate it concisely on a poster. This competition is open to all currently enrolled students at the high school, community college, undergraduate or graduate levels. Deadline: Feb. 16, 2023

UC Davis Wine Executive Program: From Grape to Table

In its 23rd year, the UC Davis Wine Executive Program is uniquely designed to teach the fundamentals of winemaking and management skills necessary to be profitable in today’s challenging and dynamic wine industry. Sessions are tailored to help industry leaders grow their businesses by expanding on such topics as building one’s financial acumen and expanding a company’s current marketing and branding strategies. Sign up now. Dates: Mar. 26-30, 2023

Regional Events

43rd Annual Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Benefit

Join us for the 43rd Annual Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Benefit! Proceeds will benefit the 13 UC Davis School of Medicine affiliated Student-Run Clinics. Sign up now. Date: Jan. 28, 2023, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (PST)

AgriCon - IRMI Agribusiness Conference

Come join the premier event focused on agribusiness, farm insurance and risk management! Network with colleagues, learn from industry experts, and take away practical tips and proven strategies for properly identifying and insuring farm and agribusiness exposures. Sign up now. Date: Feb. 5-7, 2023

1 Million Cups

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

Date: Every Wednesday

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 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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