Past Events

Prototyping Hardware Accelerator Virtual Information Session

Thursday, February 8, 2024 - 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Over 10 weeks, Rev’s Prototyping Hardware Accelerator guides product teams to determine if their ideas are commercially desirable, technologically feasible, and economically viable. Upon completion of the program, participants are positioned to recruit team members, bring on partners, initiate work with contract manufacturers, and pitch to investors. Teams will receive a stipend of up to $2,000 to advance their prototype. 

Applications are now being accepted for all tracks of the Summer 2024 Prototyping Hardware Accelerator! The accelerator is held in person at Rev: Ithaca Startup Works in Ithaca, New York beginning in late May 2024. Early admission deadline February 16, 2024. Applications close March 25, 2024. To learn more, join one of the virtual info sessions by registering here

An African-American man wearing a gray shirt giving a workshop in front of a room filled with people.

OUP Webinar: Under the Hood - Working with VCs on Life Science Company Formation

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Starting companies out of universities is a complex endeavor, but startups can get a head start when done in conjunction with a company formation investor. In this webinar, we’ll hear from three company formation investors in the life sciences:

  • Deborah Palestrant, Partner, 5AM Ventures and Executive Chair, 4:59 Initiative
  • Jay Lichter, Managing Partner, Avalon BioVentures
  • Vikram Chaudhery, Co-Founder, President & COO of General Inception

Each investor will describe their fund thesis, what they look for in opportunities arising from academic institutions, and the process of their company formation efforts. We’ll then move on to a series of questions on topics such as talent, sourcing possible investments, working with academics and academic institutions, growing the startup, and successes and failures. Register here

Please note that although the webinar is scheduled for one hour, our webinars often run overtime due to the volume of questions we receive; therefore we suggest holding up to an hour and a half on your calendars. We look forward to having you join us for this informational discussion!

Panelists headshots against a navy blue background with event title, date and time in white font

Research Collaboration Opportunity with Daiichi Sankyo (Deadline: 2/1/24)

Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 9:00am to 11:00pm

Daiichi-Sankyo (DS), a well-known Japanese pharma, has initiated a PDF icon new innovation program related to ideas which may pave the way to drug discovery and development. DS is now soliciting and accepting brief, non-confidential pre-proposals for review. Successful proposals will be considered for a research collaboration with funding up to $230,000 (including overhead/indirect costs) and spanning between 1 - 3 years in duration that align with their priority scopes of interest (please see attached PDF above).   

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please send Deanna Scarcella (des4016@med.cornell.edu) a NON-CONFIDENTIAL one-page overview of the proposed research collaboration using the suggested format below.

Suggested format for one-page non-confidential overview:  

  • Project title
  • Introduction/Background
  • Strategy/Method/Target/Modality
  • Significance/Novelty/Uniqueness
  • Publication
  • One figure (optional) 

There is a rolling submission, so please send the pre-proposal by Thursday, February 1, 2024 for review by the CTL team who would be glad to assist you with the preparation of a competitive, successful pre-proposal and ensure the Daiichi-Sankyo due date of March 1, 2024 is met.

Daiichi Sankyo logo with the name in blue and a ball in green, yellow and blue color bands

Ignite Connect 2024

Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - 12:00pm to 3:00pm

Ignite Connect is an opportunity to explore and engage with researchers and founders around their technologies and ventures emerging from Cornell University. This dynamic virtual experience aims to create connections and serves as a catalyst, bridging innovative technologies with resources and opportunities for meaningful impact. Join us for inspiring talks, interactive pitch sessions, and virtual one-on-one networking opportunities. Register here

Two hands shaking in the background. The title "ignite connect 2024" in Cornell red and orange colors.

I-Corps Regional Course - Apply by 1/31/24

Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - 9:00am to 11:45pm

In this month-long virtual course (February 26 - March 27, 2024), researchers working on a deep tech innovation “get out of your comfort zone” and talk with customers (virtually) to identify the best product-market fit.

You may apply with a team of 1-3 people. Teams may not split attendance between members. Please only include the members of your team that will be fully participating in the course. All team members are required to attend and participate fully in every course session and complete all coursework. Application Closes: Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Apply hereQuestions? Contact icorps@cornell.edu

Event details on top of an image of a woman of African descent wearing goggles and a blue gown doing experiment

Virtual Workshop: Is Your Startup Technology Driven or Enabled?

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 11:45am to 1:00pm

Does your startup harness cutting-edge technology as its core foundation, or leverage technology to enhance existing processes? Depending on your answer, you’ll encounter different strategies, market advantages, and challenges on your entrepreneurial journey. Learn how to shape your approach to business growth and development accordingly at this free workshop

Rob Gregor, the founder of Gregor Hotels and Executive Director of Cornell’s Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, will lead the session and moderate a panel of entrepreneurs — Richard Valtr, founder of Mews Systems, Alex Zapesochny, CEO of Clerio Vision, Michael McHale, CEO of PSA Production Systems Automation, Skyler Logsdon, CEO of Boomerang Lost and Found, Grace McBridge, CEO and founder of Lucia, and Nina Kleaveland, CEO and founder of Lanyard. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from such a wide array of founders across industries!

Register here. Questions? Contact crea@cornell.edu

Four young people sitting at a table. A young woman wearing a grey suit standing and talking.

Critical Path Institute (C-Path) Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA) BRIDGe Awards Webinar

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 10:00am to 11:00am

Critical Path Institute’s (C-Path) Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA) is proud to announce its 2024 global Request for Proposals for its Breakthrough Research and Innovation in Drug Development Grants (BRIDGe). These BRIDGe awards are designed to support academic researchers in traversing the drug development valley of death by funding and defining optimal strategies for advancing new, cutting-edge therapeutics from the lab to patients.

Join us on Tuesday, January 30th at 10 a.m. ET to learn more about TRXA and its 2024 funding opportunities. Content will include an overview of the types of projects TRxA funds, eligibility criteria for BRIDGe awards, and details about how to apply before the first submission deadline of March 31st, 2024. The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A.

Register here

Words TRxA and 2024 RFP Webinar in white fonts against a dark blue background

Ono Pharma Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards Program (Deadline: 1/29/24)

Monday, January 29, 2024 - 9:00am to 11:45pm

Ono Pharma Foundation announces the start of the eighth year of the annual Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards Program (Ono Initiative) in the United States and Canada. Proposals from Principal Investigators will be considered for high-risk and high-reward science research projects which have the potential to lead to science discoveries/solutions and, based on further research, to breakthrough treatments for patients.  The PDF icon program information and PDF icon FAQ are attached. 

Target research of Chemical Biology is not specified by the Ono Initiative. For 2024, subjects of interest include but are not limited to below. Ono Pharma continues to welcome projects outside of these subjects.

  • Modulating interactome and cell/tissue crosstalk with chemical induced proximity 
  • Manipulating biomolecular condensates and protein quality control systems 
  • Deep understanding and emerging applications of chemical glycobiology 
  • New concepts of drug delivery and localization to tissue/cell/organelle   

 Each selected project/PI will receive: 

  • Annual funding of $300,000/year for up to 3 years totalling a maximum of $900,000 for the normal term of a research project
  • Up to an additional 15% ($45,000) per year of the funding to be used for indirect costs
  • The total amount of the three-year grant would be up to $1,035,000

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please send Deanna Scarcella (des4016@med.cornell.edu) a NON-CONFIDENTIAL one-page overview of the proposed research collaboration for review by Mon, Jan 29, 2024. Institutions are allowed to nominate up to two researchers. We will ensure the project meets the Ono Pharma areas of interest and will notify the PI’s who are chosen to upload their submission to the Ono Pharma portal by the Thursday, February 15 due date.

Ono Pharma logo in dark blue. A star with DNA string as its sides.

Identifying Ideas that Lead to an International IP Portfolio

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Location: Belfer Research Building (413 E 69th St), 302A

Interested in how leading global product ideas begin? Want to learn about protecting intellectual property and competing in the global marketplace? Join us for a fireside chat with Kevin M. McGovern, Emeritus Member of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University and co-founder in over 25 companies. Register here.

Event details, headshot of speaker Kevin McGovern (an older Caucasian male) and a black and white stock image of people in discussion at a table with a tablet and laptop

Regulatory Considerations in Cell and Gene Therapy

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 - 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: BioVenture eLab or Zoom, 1157 York Ave, New York, NY 10065

You are invited to attend an informative seminar detailing regulatory considerations and updated guidelines regarding the development and commercialization of cell and gene therapies. This seminar will feature Dr. Nimi Chhina, executive director and head of Global R&D and Regulatory Policy at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, IncDr. Chhina will focus on key details surrounding:

  • Unique regulatory considerations for cell and gene therapy product development
  • Developing and informing regulatory strategy for your project

Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a 1:1 meeting to discuss their project directly with Dr. Chhina. You must register and complete the meeting request form HERE in advance. Meetings will take place directly after the program. You will receive an invitation with the suggested timeslot once Dr. Chhina has reviewed all submissions.

This event is hybrid and will take place at Weill Cornell Medicine BioVenture eLab (1157 York Ave) for in-person attendees. Register here.

Regulatory Considerations in Cell and Gene Therapy