UC startup competition: Compete for $300,000 in awards

The prime UC system-wide startup competition is part of UC President Janet Napolitano’s Initiative on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and has been launched from the UC Office of the President.  It is anticipated that this competition will lead to a number of primeUC events per year – rotating between Life Sciences and Engineering  – and that each will award seed funding to the most promising start-ups emerging from the University of California.  The primeUC event will bring together 20 startup finalists to network with seed investors, and will provide prize money for the winners.

The application process for the first primeUC event, focused on Life Sciences in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, will lead to an event on December 2, 2015 where finalists will be invited to a day-long program to pitch their company and network with active seed investors and partners. The day will culminate in announcement of the winners of a $150K grand prize and three $50K runner-up prizes across the Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, and Consumer Health sectors. Prizes are no-strings-attached awards sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Innovation.

Applications from UC entrepreneurs seeking seed funding and who meet eligibility criteria are being accepted until September 25th, 2015.

As a service to our campus entrepreneurs, Venture Catalyst will be pleased to review your company’s pitch deck and provide feedback if desired.  In order to permit sufficiently engaged support, we ask that you provide a draft copy of your pitch deck to Venture Catalyst by Sept. 16th 2015 at VentureCatalyst@ucdavis.edu.