The Newsletter of the MTTC for the Massachusetts
entrepreneur & tech transfer community
April 20, 2017
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Welcome
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Dear MATTO Members and Friends,
Small grants to show "Proof of Concept" can be the most important early funding for inventors and entrepreneurs. These POC awards enable the testing of inventions that could prove commercial viability. The MTTC manages several Proof of Concept funds including the Catalyst Awards that are funded by the Clean Energy Center - which as noted below has enabled many inventors to secure significant follow-on funding to commercialize their ideas.
In addition to our own early stage programs, MATTO Matters promotes other sources of funding provided by competitions, accelerators and large companies. Please make sure that you check the listing below to see if any of these sources could fund your pivotal experiments and move your technology further along the commercialization path!
The MTTC Team - Abi, Julia, Michele and Barbara
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MTTC Update
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The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $455,000 in funding to seven early-stage researchers and companies
developing innovative clean energy and water technologies across the Commonwealth.
The Catalyst funding, which comes from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and is managed by the MTTC, will support clean energy and water research in Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, and Somerville.
"For early stage entrepreneurs and researchers, a major requirement before they can gain traction in the market or with investors is to successfully demonstrate how their technology will work so this funding really is a catalyst to the further development of their business ideas," said MTTC Director Abigail Barrow.
Since 2010, the program has awarded $3.19 million to 76 research teams. Past awardees have raised a combined total of more than $100 million in follow-on financing from various sources, including angel investors, venture capitalists and grants from federal programs including the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Small Business Innovation Research program. Previous awardees have formed six new spin-off companies, received patents for or filed inventions on 104 new pieces of intellectual property, and issued 58 new research publications.
Read the press release and see the seven $65,000 awardees here.
MATTO seminar "University Patent Enforcement"
When: April 26, 2017 3:30pm-5:00 pm
Where: Havana Room, 5th Floor, Cambridge Innovation Center, One Broadway, Cambridge, MA
The seminar panel will discuss how to discover and encourage compliance if licensees are delinquent in asserting against companies that are infringing. The panel will also discuss how to identify and encourage companies that are deliberately or unknowingly practicing university patents to license these patents.
Panelists:
- Bill Belanger, Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP
- Vinit Nijhawan, Entrepreneur, VC
- James Roberts, Associate Director, Partners Healthcare
The seminar is free but you have to register.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Two Upcoming MTTC Events:
Food Technology Forum 2017
When: May 2, 2017 11:30am-7:00pm
Where: The University of Massachusetts Club, One Beacon Street, 32nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02108
New England is well known for its cod, lobster, clam chowder and Fluff... but the labs of the universities and hospitals of New England have always undertaken significant research into the creation of new foods, as well as food processing, storage and safety technologies. This Forum will showcase research discoveries and newly formed companies that are working on food and food related technologies.
The event program will include a keynote, experts on industry trends and needs, presentations by emerging companies, a poster session and networking reception.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
The 10th Massachusetts Life Sciences Innovation (MALSI) Day
When: June 1, 2017
Where: Harvard Club, 374 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
MALSI Day is the biggest day for life sciences startups and innovation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is a high-energy, hands-on event which brings together scientific and business leaders to mingle with scientists, post-docs, professors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and venture capitalists.
The conference features Keynotes, Panels, Innovators' Marketplace, Networking Reception with leading life sciences CEO's , and Poster Competition.
It is the flagship event of life sciences in Massachusetts, jointly and actively put together by all the major organizations that are involved in starting and supporting the life sciences start-up ecosystem in the Commonwealth.
Cash prizes for 3 best posters in the Poster Competition!
Application to Exhibit must be submitted by May 8, 2017
to
[email protected].
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
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Funding Opportunities
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Cleantech Open Northeast Accelerator
Cleantech Open is the world's largest cleantech startup accelerator program. The accelerator includes six months of cleantech-specific mentoring, training, visibility and access to capital to boost your startup to the next level. All energy, sustainability, agriculture, water, and resource efficiency startups are welcome to apply.
Final Deadline May 1st, 2017
VentureWell E-Team Program
VentureWell E-Team program provides early-stage funding of up to $25,000 and cultivates opportunities for student STEM inventors and innovators to move ideas out of the lab and into the market. Watch VentureWell previously recorded
webinar
to learn more about the program. Applications are due May 3 and October 4.
Learn more
Displaying Future Award
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will select the best three teams out of applicants from all over the world that have innovations in the field of hybrid electronics with potential applications in wearables, flexible displays, etc. Each team will receive up to 50,000 USD to further explore its idea, an invitation to pitch their ideas at the Merck KGaA Innovation Center in Darmstadt, Germany, and over the course of 12 months, they will be supported according to individual needs, for example in business plan development or prototype building.
The application period closes on May 19, 2017.
InTeahouse Accelerator Wants Startups to Think Globally, Build Locally
InTeahouse was founded in 2015 by entrepreneur and investor Xin Liu (pictured above), a native of China. The organization is trying to build a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, businesses, academic institutions, and other groups. It currently operates five "teahubs"-tea house-inspired office and meeting spaces-in the U.S., China, and Germany, with more locations planned around the world, a spokeswoman says. For a $300 annual fee, members of InTeahouse's network receive access to its office spaces, events, and business services. InTeahouse announced the launch of its "InSeven" investment program. Read more
MLSC 2017 Internship Challenge
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is excited to announce the launch of the 2017 Internship Challenge. This year-round workforce development program focuses on enhancing the talent pipeline for Massachusetts life sciences companies by providing students and recent college graduates with hands-on work experience through internship opportunities at life sciences companies.
This round of the program will run from May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018. Participating companies will be given access to a robust, searchable database of hundreds of resumes submitted by students and recent graduates. Candidates are then hired as interns and paid directly by companies. Upon conclusion of the internship, the MLSC reimburses each company for intern stipends.
If you are interested in either hosting an intern or becoming one through the Internship Challenge, please visit
If you have any questions after reviewing the information posted, please contact
[email protected].
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Spin-off and Start-up News
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Emulate's "Organ-on-a-Chip" Tech Picked for FDA Research Partnership
Boston startup and a former poster presenter at MTTC's Mass Life Sciences Innovation Day, Emulate, is announcing a research partnership with FDA aimed at finding out if the company's organ-on-a-chip technology. Experimental drugs encounter their earliest tests in petri dishes and animals, but these tests can fall short of predicting what happens in humans. The life sciences industry has been pursuing what many hope is a better way: packing human cells into tiny chips developed as stand-ins for organs. Read more
Northeastern opens new $225M engineering complex in Boston
Amid uncertainty around the future flow of federal research dollars, Northeastern University celebrated the grand opening of its new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex on Monday, pointing to the $225 million facility as evidence of the school's growing ambition and its commitment to scientific advances in Massachusetts. Read more
Promethean Power Systems is revitalizing dairy farming industry
Promethean Power is an MIT spin-off and a very early MTTC awardee. Promethean Power's milk-chiller technology uses an innovative thermal battery that saves cold energy instead of electricity. Equipped with Promethean's solution, dairies can do away with expensive diesel generators. The reduced opex encourages the dairies to spread their reach to nondescript villages dotting India's rural landscape. Dairies can now procure milk from remote villages that didn't have collection routes before
. Read more
Beetle-inspired startup releases technology for mud-resistant plastic
NBD Nanotechnologies Inc., an MTTC Catalyst awardee, dedicated to chemical technologies that change the surface properties of materials like glass and plastic, says it has created a manufacturing additive that could make soccer players - and others - very happy.
The additive material is part of NBD Nano's new RepelShell line of products. When the material is added to a plastic resin during the manufacturing process, the final plastic product will be extremely resistant to water, dirt, mud and ice. Read more
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| Events of Interest |
Greenhorn Summit 2017: Where Students Become Entrepreneurs
When
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April 22, 2017
Where: Suffolk University
A one day conference for students filled with various panels, workshops, startup showcases, mentorship, office hours and a final pitch competition!
Whether you are a student developing your own company or looking to become a part of the Boston startup ecosystem, the #GreenhornSummit will help you take that next step.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
When: April 25, 2017, 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: WPI Campus Center, 100 Institute Rd,
Eight companies from a variety of industries will pitch to the audience and four outstanding judges. Winners get cash, free office space for a year, in-kind services and recognition.
This is The Venture Forum's 11th Annual 5-Minute Pitch Contest. In addition, the room will have approximately 20 other businesses displaying their ideas in a poster contest before the event and during networking time. In the last 3 years, two 5-Minute Pitch CEOs have been chosen by Forbes magazine as their "30 Under 30" award recipients. Networking and food begin at 5:00.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
MassTLC Artificial Intelligence
Conference
April 26th:
Lab Tours & Reception @ MIT CSAIL
April 27th: Conference & Career Fair @ UMass Boston
MassTLC and MIT CSAIL are collaborating to bring together Industry and Academia at this MassIntelligence Conference where cutting-edge science meets new business implementation. This unique two-day event is a deep dive into emerging AI techniques and technologies with a focus on real-world implementations.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
The MIT Scaling Development Ventures conference
When: April 28, 2017
Where: MIT Media Lab Building, 75 Amherst Street (MIT E14), Cambridge, MA 02139
The MIT Scaling Development Ventures conference was conceived in 2012 by MIT programs committed to advancing entrepreneurship and international development. Each year since then, the conference convenes some of the world's most inspiring social entrepreneurs, at all stages of development, to explore strategies, models and resources that can help development ventures achieve scale for significant social impact.
The 2017 MIT Scaling Development Ventures conference will feature more than 30 speakers and panelist. The program will include two keynote speakers, social entrepreneur vision talks, a curated conversation, a showcase of MIT Social Ventures, and six afternoon breakout sessions.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
World Medical Innovation Forum: Cardiovascular
When
: May 1 - 3, 2017
Where: Westin Copley plaza, Boston, MA
The World Medical Innovation Forum is a global-gathering of more than 1,000 senior health care leaders in the heart of Boston. It was established by Partners HealthCare to respond to the intensifying transformation of health care and its impact on innovation.
The 2017 World Medical Innovation Forum will feature the newest technologies to diagnose, treat and manage cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease.
To register and receive NEIBC 20% Discount Click here
MassMEDIC's 21st Annual Conference
When:
May 3, 2017 - May 4, 2017
Where
: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
MassMEDIC is teaming up with UBM Advanced Manufacturing and holding its 21st Annual Conference in conjunction with the Boston BIOMEDevice Show, May 3-4. In addition to a great line-up of speakers and unparalleled networking opportunities, your conference registration fee provides access to the BIOMEDevice Exhibit Hall, with product demonstrations, specialized tours and over 200 exhibitors.
MassMEDIC's Annual Conference registration includes a pass to Boston BIOMEDevice Exhibit Hall and a voucher for lunch!
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Xconomy's EXOME Presents: What's Hot in Boston Biotech
When:
May 11, 2017, 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Where:
Biogen- Building 9, 300 Binney Street
After a 2016 filled with extreme highs and lows, biotech is in for yet another bumpy ride in 2017. The Trump Administration vows to repeal Obamacare. The 21st Century Cures Act is in place. Massive changes loom at the FDA, drug pricing remains a flashpoint, and the IPO market continues to sputter. Yet through it all, critical biotech advances are being made. What ideas are Boston's innovators focusing on? What are the most promising startups and big company programs, and how does their leadership plan to move ideas forward amidst the shifting political and healthcare landscape?
Join Xconomy as we bring together a group of Boston biotech's top entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders to explore these and other topics on the life sciences horizon
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Biomanufacturing Summit 2017
When:
May 22, 2017 - May 26, 2017
Where:
UMass Club in Boston, One Beacon Street, 32nd Floor
Please join the Biomanufacturing Science and Technology Consortium (BSTC) for our 6th Annual Biopharmaceutical Summit. Workshop: May 22-23 and short course: May 24-26, 2017.This year, the theme is "Beyond mAbs".
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Annual Bio-IT World Conference & Expo
When:
May 23, 2017 - May 25, 2017
Where:
Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd
Since its debut in 2002, the Annual Bio-IT World Conference & Expo has established itself as a premier event showcasing the myriad of IT and informatics applications and enabling technologies that drive biomedical research, drug discovery & development, and clinical and healthcare initiatives. The Bio-IT World Conference & Expo continues to be a vibrant event that unites 3,000+ life sciences, pharmaceutical, clinical, healthcare, and IT professionals from more than 40 countries.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge: Startup Spotlight 2017
When:
June 14, 2017
Where:
Hatch Fenway, Landmark Center, 8th Fl, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215
The Startup Spotlight 2017 will bring tighter 400+ innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate business development and business professionals for a unique, interactive and delicious networking event at Hatch Fenway.
The application is now open as MIT Enterprise Forum searches for 40 exhibitors to represent the best of the best startups in the Boston/Cambridge area. Learn more and apply before April 21, 2017.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
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MTTC is based at UMass and facilitates technology transfer from all research institutions, public and private, in the Commonwealth. The Center is financially supported by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and MTDC. www.mttc.org MATTO is the Massachusetts Association of Technology Transfer Offices www.masstechtransfer.org
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