The Newsletter of the MTTC for the Massachusetts
entrepreneur & tech transfer community
September 21, 2016
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Welcome
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Dear MATTO Members and Friends,
This has been a very hard budget year for the Commonwealth, but we are pleased to report that while budgets were significantly cut, the MTTC will receive $200,000 in funding from the legislature. While this will not enable us to give out Innovation Commercialization Seed Fund grants as we did last year, it does enable the MTTC to continue to operate and to continue to support researchers who are interested in commercialization. Many thanks to all of our supporters who helped ensure that we received some funding - and thanks also to the many Massachusetts legislators who continue to support our activities.
We are pleased to report that we have just launched the fall solicitation for the Catalyst Awards. These awards are funded by the MassCEC and enable researchers and entrepreneurs with clean energy and water technologies to apply for funding to show the commercial potential of their ideas. Our research over the summer shows that past Catalyst Awardees have raised over $104M in follow-on funding. The awards have also led to the creation of seven new spin-off companies from local universities. With additional funding from the MassCEC, applicants may apply for up to $65,000 - an increase from the $40,000 allowed in prior solicitations.
The MTTC Team - Abi, Julia, Michele and Barbara
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MTTC Update
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Catalyst Awards Solicitation Open
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, in partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center welcomes you to apply for MassCEC Catalyst Program Awards.
Please note that the maximum grant amount has been raised to $65,000 - for clean tech and water technologies.
Applications are due on October 24, 2016.
The Program's primary intent is to stimulate the commercialization of clean energy and water technologies developed in the Commonwealth. Awarded funds are used to demonstrate the feasibility of technologies in specific industry applications in order to obtain increased industry and investor interest. Up to 5 awards ($65K each) will be granted.
Additionally, under the Catalyst Water Challenge, MassCEC will provide funding and technical support for projects that deploy water innovation technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies. Up to two additional awards in the amount of $65,000 each will be given for promising clean water projects.
Please visit Grants section of MTTC website for application guidelines and the proposal template.
Past Catalyst awardees have raised over $104M in follow-on funding. Seven new companies have been formed and our awardees have hired 147 additional positions and 43 interns. Work funded by these grants have also resulted in 23 patents, 13 licenses and 59 publications.
Save the date! MATTO New Venture Showcase 2016
When: November 3, 2016, 1:00-6:30pm
Where: The University of Massachusetts Club, One Beacon Street, 32nd Floor, Boston MA, 02108
The Massachusetts Association of Technology Transfer Offices (MATTO) is showcasing start-ups emerging from Massachusetts research institutions, hospitals and universities.
A select number of new ventures will pitch to an audience of angel investors, venture capitalists, corporate investors, and family offices.
The forum will showcase start-ups from various fields, including Ocean and Marine Sciences; Food and Nutrition; Cyber Security; Big Data; Clean Tech; Manufacturing; Materials; IT/Communication; Health Tech.
Dear MATTO members,
Please encourage your PIs to apply.
To be eligible to present at the showcase: you must have formed a company which is a spin-off from a Massachusetts university, hospital, or research institution and which is sufficiently advanced to warrant private, third party funding.
Application submission and registration are open at
Letter to the United Nations. The Association of University Technology Managers, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Association of American Universities, and the Council on Governmental Relations have written a very strong letter to the United Nations in response to the report of their High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines. While the research community and technology transfer officers want to ensure that inventions are commercialized for the benefit of everyone and that special accommodation is made for humanitarian licensing, the associations feel that the recommendations of the panel will not support this outcome. For details of their objections, please see the joint letter.
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Funding Opportunities
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2017 I-Corps at NIH FOA Now Available
NIH is offering this entrepreneurial training program across the NIH and CDC to support SBIR/STTR funded academic researchers and small businesses to accelerate the translation of innovations from the lab to clinical practice.
The I-Corps™ at NIH is modeled after the successful I-Corps™ at NSF and will be leveraged to support biomedical innovation and translation, with the goal of expediting the development, detection, and therapeutic technologies for the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. I-Corps™ participants will receive capacity building and entrepreneurial trainings, mentorship opportunities, as well as modest funding to assist them in translating their ideas from the lab into a viable product on the market and to help them avoid common failure points.
Applications for Next Cohort due on November 1, 2016
Informational Webinar on September 28, 2016
MassTLC Awarded Advanced Manufacturing Futures Program Grant
MassTLC in collaboration with MassRobotics and MassMEP, was awarded a grant from MassDevelopment to facilitate growth and competitiveness in the field of manufacturing.
Need local manufacturing support? Be part of our initiative to match local entrepreneurs and technologist to local supply chain vendors. To participate in this program, please fill out the Robotics and IoT Company survey:
Survey link
Marilyn Hilton Award for Innovation in MS Research
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is announcing the release of two new Request for Proposals for its Marilyn Hilton Award for Innovation in MS Research which aims to stimulate innovative and paradigm-shifting research on progressive MS.
Bridging Grants for Physician Scientists will provide $620,000 in support over five years to physician scientists (M.D. and D.O.) working on MS) to bridge postdoctoral/fellowship training and the early years of faculty service.
For more information on the award and to download the RFP, please view the webpage.
Applications Due on November 14, 2016
Pilot Innovator Grants
The Foundation has a particular interest in progressive MS, both Primary Progressive MS and Secondary Progressive MS.
The Foundation expects to make up to 10 pilot innovator grants. Each grant will range from $60,000 - $120,000 over a one or two-year term.
For more information on the award and to download the RFP, please view the webpage.
Applications Due on November 14, 2016
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Spin-off and Start-up News
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At the July 2016 MassCEC Board meeting a venture debt loan of $1 million for Bevi was approved. Bevi, which received a Catalyst Award in 2013, has developed a smart beverage machine that eliminates waste and reduces energy consumption by office vending machines. The machines eliminate the need for plastic bottles and by mixing water and the syrup flavors in the machine there is also a lower requirement for refills and maintenance.
Ultra Capital, an investment leader focused on scaling institutional investing into small and mid-sized sustainable infrastructure and real asset projects in agriculture, energy, water, and waste, is pleased to announce the acquisition of EverVest, a Boston-based technology firm providing advanced software for analyzing and valuing renewable infrastructure projects. EverVest participated in MTTC's Platform program and was also a Catalyst Award recipient. Read more
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| Events of Interest |
UMass Lowell NERVE Center Open House
When: September 26, 2016, 6-8pm
Where: 1001 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA 01854
Center invites robotics companies, researchers, and interested students to see what the NERVE Center has to offer, while socializing with one another. See new testing apparatuses in development and get a look at our facility. There will be robot demos including our humanoid Valkyrie from NASA! If you are interested in bringing a robot please e-mail nerve@cs.uml.edu
Register for the open house
UNH Biosciences Day
When
: September 21, 2016
Where
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Huddleston Hall, 73 Main Street, Durham,
- Topics include biochemistry, neurobiology, genomics, genetics, biotechnology, bioinformatics, biosafety, bioengineering, UNH Chemical, Environmental Management System (CEMS) and more
- Sandpit/speed dating opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers, faculty, scientists, engineers, and industry experts
- Tour of UNH's Hubbard Center for Genome Studies and the new NH Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
- Expo featuring UNH research centers and business resources
- Complimentary box lunch and afternoon social hour
- Student poster presentations highlighting the range of bioscience
This event is free but registration is required.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
NEHEN Program - Disruptive Digital Health Technology:
When
: September 26, 2016, 7:30AM to 10:00AM
Where: Foley Hoag LLP, Seaport West,155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston
Come join this timely, lively, blue ribbon panel of experts discussing the following topics:
- What does disruptive digital health technology really mean for healthcare?
- Will digital health enable patients to get care wherever they are, reducing costs for the system as a whole?
- Will more options for care lead to lower cost and improved patient outcomes?
- Does the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology improve patient-centered care?
- What about the privacy and security concerns associated with the electronic transmission of health information?
- Can doctors see more patients in a shorter time, and therefore scale down the cost of the service through digital face-to-face interaction?
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Diabetes Innovation Challenge Semi-Finals at the UMass Medical School
When
: September 29, 2016
Where
: University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA
Semi-Finals: In-person presentations at the UMass Medical School in Worcester for qualified translational project applicants.
The Diabetes Innovation Challenge will provide up to two awards of up to $150,0000 in cash or in-kind services provided by T1 D Exchange, M2D2, and Challenge sponsors, including JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research program sponsors.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Biotech Week Boston
When:
October 4-7, 2016
Where
: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St, Boston, MA
Biotech Week Boston is a first-time conference cluster that will feature four subject-matter conferences with a combined exhibition area.
Featuring Strategic Thinkers and Innovators, including Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder, Apple Computer, Inc.
Events include:
- BioProcess International Conference and Exhibition
- Partnerships in Clinical Trials
- Cell & Gene Therapy BioProcessing & Commercialization
- Biorepositories and sample management Conference
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
The AUTM 2016 Eastern Region Meeting
When: September 29 - 30, 2016
Where:
The Westin Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Attendees will gather to discuss best practices and strategies for industry-academia partnerships that culminate in successful product commercialization through company formation or licensing and other agreements.
- Discover new approaches - from making the most of your gap funding to low-cost, high-impact guerrilla marketing of technologies.
- Gain tips from experts - learn how MakerSpaces tap new sources of innovation.
- More networking opportunities - connect with colleagues over lunch, session breaks and this year's special evening reception.
- Learn how to manage and maximize your intellectual capital and partnerships to ensure liberty and the pursuit of happiness for your university and researchers.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
HUB Presents: Demo Day
Where: Hynes Convention Center,
900 Boylston St
Boston,
MA
02115
Imagine yourself in a room with some the most impactful people and companies in this region. Join us in celebrating and recognizing companies in Boston making the greatest impact in this city. At Demo Day, visionary companies from the leading local startup incubators, accelerators, corporate innovation labs, who are fueling the change here in Boston will pitch, share and demo their work for recognition of their impact.
The event is free but you need to register.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Meet with the National Institute on Drug Abuse
When
: October 27, 2016 10:30am -1pm
Where: TBD, Cambridge, MA
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the leading federal agency providing funding to support and advance the science on the causes and consequences of drug use (including nicotine) and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. NIDA supports the activities in neurobiological, behavioral, and social fields and, through its Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR), assists US-based small business to develop new drug discovery and development-enabling technologies, useful research tools for conducting basic research, medical devices and mobile health applications.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
MassMEDIC's 17th Annual MedTech Showcase
When:
October 28, 2016, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where:
Westin Hotel, 70 3rd Ave, Waltham, MA
MassMEDIC will host its 17th Annual MedTech Showcase on Friday, October 28 at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. This is the region's premier event for entrepreneurs, potential investors and partners to gather and learn more about the technologies and business plans of over 20 select emerging medtech companies.
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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