University of Pittsburgh Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

????Pitt Innovators who have launched companies based on their research discoveries got their day in the limelight at the inaugural Pitt Startup Signing Day, where they donned their Pitt gear and "committed" to continue driving their innovations downfield toward the market. Thanks to Senior Associate Athletic Director Pat Bostick for helping to ??cheer on our innovation teams.???? https://hubs.li/Q02XXbjQ0 Zegenex Inc; Vanish Therapeutics; Astria Biosciences; Parent Heart Inc.; Monarch Therapeutics; Jason Lohmueller; Evan Facher, Ph.D., M.B.A

?? ICYMI: Pitt Innovators Celebrated for Their Entrepreneurial Accomplishments ? The Pitt innovation and entrepreneurship community gathered to herald the accomplishments of Pitt innovators and regional businesses that are translating their ideas and innovations into marketable products and services that make a difference in people’s lives and drive economic growth. ?? Marlin Mickle Outstanding Innovator Award: Daniel Buysse, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Clinical and Translational Science, UPMC Endowed Chair in Sleep Medicine ??Emerging Innovator Award Yuan Liu, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine ??Startup of the Year: Tevis Jacobs, PhD, President, Surface Design Solutions, William Kepler Whiteford Professor, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering of Engineering ??Small Business of the Year: TerraGreen Sustainable Landscaping ??Regional Business of the Year: Turner's ??Student Innovator of the Year: Adi Mittal, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Thanks to everyone who attended! View the videos & photos and read the recap here: https://lnkd.in/gHsQRqqP

Congratulations to the Pitt student innovators who participated in and won prizes in the Kuzneski Innovation Cup competition hosted by our Big Idea Center! #PossibleAtPitt

Innovation is just the beginning. The next step? Turning it into something that can make a real-world impact. ?? ??I-Corps offers ????????, ??????????????, ??????????-???????? ?????????? ?????????????? guided by expert instructors. Participants will learn to: Evaluate a technology’s commercial potential Find and talk to potential customers and industry stakeholders Identify the real problem(s) the customer needs solved Develop an entrepreneurial mindset. https://hubs.ly/Q02YBNzR0

Pitt Innovators Commit to the Gridiron of Academic Entrepreneurship https://hubs.li/Q02Yw8TN0

?? Congratulations to Turner Dairy Farms, named 2024 Regional Business of the Year! For over 90 years, Turner’s has been a staple of Western Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, providing award-winning products sourced exclusively from local family-owned farms. With more than 100 national awards since 1998, their commitment to quality, sustainability, and community has earned them a special place in Pittsburgh’s heart. A longstanding partnership with the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence has helped Turner’s innovate and grow, ensuring the legacy of this fourth-generation family business thrives. Here's to many more years of excellence! ??????

?? Congratulations to Bill Gaussa, recipient of the James "Chip" Hanlon Volunteer Mentor of the Year award! Bill has mentored countless Pitt innovation teams, helping them refine their value propositions and craft compelling pitches. His work includes partnering with the Innovation Institute to host the Philips Performance Innovation Challenge, advancing research in human performance. https://hubs.li/Q02XM81R0

University of Pittsburgh's 2024 Startup of the Year?? Surface Design Solutions, founded from the research of Tevis Jacobs Lab in the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering is revolutionizing surface performance optimization across industries. With a cutting-edge machine-learning platform, the company delivers rapid, physics-informed surface analyses in seconds—cutting down testing time from weeks to moments. Whether improving slip resistance, bio-compatibility, or manufacturing efficiency, Surface Design uses predictive models based on existing data to enhance production processes. From powdered metal components to medical devices, the platform is broadly applicable. Special thanks to Luke Thimons, the company’s Director of Customer Success, for helping customers implement this innovative solution and continually refine the user experience! ?? . #hailtopitt #H2P #hailtopossible #pittstartup

?? Congratulations to Daniel Buysse, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Clinical and Translational Science, and UPMC Endowed Chair in Sleep Medicine, for being named the 2024 Outstanding Innovator of the Year! ?? Buysse’s groundbreaking research in sleep assessment, insomnia treatment, and sleep in aging has made a lasting impact on both the academic and clinical fields. He is best known for developing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which has become the gold standard for measuring sleep quality, widely used by pharmaceutical companies and translated into more than 50 languages. With over 10,000 citations on PubMed and $6 million in licensing revenue, the PSQI is a testament to Buysse’s commitment to advancing sleep medicine. Buysse has also developed other sleep measurement tools and behavioral treatments for insomnia, further solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in his field. Recently, he received the University of Oxford Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute Academic Medal in recognition of his continued contributions to sleep research. Here's to many more years of innovation! ???? #OutstandingInnovator #SleepResearch #InnovationInMedicine #PittInnovator #SleepMedicine #HealthTech

?? TerraGreen Sustainable Landscaping founded by Judy Foster, is a woman-owned business offering sustainable landscape solutions in the Pittsburgh region. With over 40 years of experience, TerraGreen creates eco-friendly outdoor spaces that promote healthy living. Supported by the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, TerraGreen continues to grow while staying true to its commitment to responsible resource management. ???? #hailtopitt #hailtopossible #pittsburgh