VentureWell Connect
VentureWell
We support early-stage science- and technology-based inventors driven to solve the world’s biggest challenges.
Week of February 22, 2024
Every week, we share a quick digest of stories and resources related to the science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
VentureWell Celebrates a Year of Forward Motion
We are proud to unveil our 2023 Year in Review, which showcases some of VentureWell’s major achievements last year. This included being selected as a grand prize winner for the U.S. Department of Energy’s EPIC Prize Round 2, convening hundreds of industry leaders at our annual OPEN conference and the Deshpande Symposium, and receiving a record-breaking number of Course & Program Grants proposals, among other accomplishments. Discover more about the stories and highlights that inspired us.
Mentorship Makes the Difference for Aspire Participants
One of the most transformative components of our Aspire program is the networking, peer-to-peer learning, guidance, and expertise participants receive from working directly with mentors. Sticky Lab Founder Erica Block joined an extensive teaching team to provide insight on engaging with investors. This has proven invaluable to seed-stage startups like ThermoVERSE, led by founder Shantonio Birch. “As an entrepreneur, you can be siloed into your way of thinking. You need someone to reel you in,” he told us. We sat down with both mentor and mentee to discuss the key aspects of Aspire mentorship that made their experience so valuable. ICYMI: Applications for Aspire Climatetech are now open!
Award Nominations for the Deshpande Symposium Close March 1
Have you submitted your nomination for the 13th Annual Deshpande Symposium awards? We are looking to celebrate the exemplary work of leaders and institutions championing innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) through four dynamic categories:
Don’t wait—nominations are only open through March 1.
Meet the 2024 OPENminds Innovator Showcase Competitors
Every year, alumni from our E-Team Program are selected to showcase their inventions at the OPENminds Innovator Showcase. A signature event at our OPEN conference, OPENminds allows student entrepreneurs to receive feedback from attendees who are thought leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship, engage in professional development, and even win cash prizes. The 10 participating teams are developing extraordinary inventions like electric vehicle charging stations with a reduced installation cost, alternative single-use food packaging that is sustainable and safe, and image-based algorithm technology that identifies areas of high risk for patients who are more likely to develop breast cancer.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship News
Join Our Team
Job Posting: Event Manager—Cambridge, Massachusetts
We’re looking for an experienced events manager with a history of delivering successful, dynamic, and on-budget events. This person will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify scope, goals, and logistical considerations for annual conferences, meetings, multi-day events, virtual events, and webinars.