VentureWell Connect

Week of February 16, 2024

Every week, we share a quick digest of stories and resources related to the science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The DEBUT Challenge Is Awarding $160,000 in Prizes for Biomedical Solutions

Every year, the Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge recognizes exceptional undergraduate innovation in biomedical design. In partnership with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), prizes of up to $20,000 are awarded for solutions that address real-world problems facing the healthcare industry.Faculty, we invite you to share this opportunity with your students. Submissions will be judged on significance of the problem being addressed, impact of proposed solution on potential users and clinical care, innovative design, and working prototype. The deadline to apply is May 31.

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What To Know When Applying for Aspire Climatetech

We are now accepting applications for our signature Aspire Climatetech program! Specifically designed to support seed-stage startups at the investor engagement stage, Aspire Climatetech offers companies insight from investor-mentors as they work to develop a viable fundraising plan and determine strategic direction. Applicants should have:

• Startup formed, with a team identified
• High-impact inventions with an initial prototype developed
• Validated customer segments and evidence of product-market fit
• Provisional patent(s) filed
• Active fundraising efforts

Sign up for one of our upcoming information sessions on March 18, at 1:00 p.m. ET. or April 1, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Apply Now

Upcoming Dates To Hold for Your Spring 2024 Calendar

We have a jam-packed Spring 2024 schedule with plenty of opportunities and events for you to take advantage of. OPEN 2024 will take place in person March 18-20 in San Diego, California, with hundreds of innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) changemakers convening to discuss the future of innovation and entrepreneurship. Don’t forget to register for OPEN by March 13, before rates increase!Award nominations for the 13th Annual Deshpande Symposium are also open through March 1. We will be elevating the exemplary work of higher education I&E catalysts at our event, which will take place at the University of Maryland. Be sure to submit your nominations and register to attend the Deshpande Symposium, which will take place June 12-14.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship News

• Apply by February 19 for the 14th Annual Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies Design Competition.
• Applications for the Texas A&M New Ventures Competition are now open.
• The CGI University Spring 2024 cohort and fellowship is seeking applicants.
• The NAI Annual Conference Student Showcase awards were recently announced.

Join Our Team

Job Posting: Senior Development Officer, Portfolio Manager

We’re looking for a senior development officer with strong writing skills. This person will build an in-depth understanding of the programs and existing funder relationships, help to identify and assess new opportunities, and lead the collaborative development of concept notes, proposals, funder reports, and presentations required to cultivate, secure, and steward funding.

Apply Now