The UC Davis Mike and Renée Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship awarded almost $100,000 in grants and startup residencies Tuesday evening during the 26th annual Big Bang! Business Competition awards night.  

Before joining the EQUIP undergraduate fellowship, Suvan Sudan faced a challenge that many students can relate to: strengthening the communication and networking skills he knew would matter for internships and professional life after college. 

He already had the technical foundation from his mechanical engineering courses, yet he recognized the value in cultivating confidence in connection. What he found in EQUIP was a community that helped him build those skills faster than he expected.

Ippolito Imani Caradonna is a staff scientist, biologist, and lab automation specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. He is looking for opportunities to automate lab work using AI, and his work has highlighted the benefits of cross-functionality and collaboration among scientists and other stakeholders across sectors. 

Benjamin Wang ’06, a medical doctor, brought his life-saving innovation to the UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition in 2014. His team won first place — and Wang credited the experience with helping him launch the venture.

After witnessing a patient die from an antibiotic-resistant infection, he developed NEVAP — a breathing tube designed to prevent bacterial infections in ventilated patients.

Heeho Park, a principal technical staff member and scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, understands the benefits of resiliency, adaptability, and innovation. These traits became essential to Park as he completed his education and continues to develop his career.

Three months before winning $17,500 at the 2018 UC Davis Big Bang! competition, Denise Bronner learned her father had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Her startup, Anu Snacks, which produced snack bars from spent beer grain, was put on hold.

Seven years later, Bronner’s father is in remission, and her path has brought her back to UC Davis as a co-sponsor for the social entrepreneurship award for this year’s Big Bang, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The 2025 UC Davis Medal has been awarded to Michael C. and Renée Z. Child, who have dedicated themselves to the University of California, Davis, and their communities throughout their lives.

The alumni couple, who met as undergraduates in the early 1970s, have remained deeply committed to UC Davis, volunteering their leadership and insight to advance many areas of the university.

Juliana Renert has always had a passion for art, and painting is her favorite medium. She entered the institute’s Innovation in Art competition last spring and ultimately won both first place and the people’s choice award – and $500. Her winning entry, “Ignite,” (oil on canvas) depicts her mother’s hands cupping a ball of light. "Hands are the connector for yourself and the environment, people, and the world," she explained.

Nishi Bhagat understands the value of community.