Mathew Magno, co-founder of Japa, shares the startup’s accomplishments during the pandemic in Sacramento Business Journal. Japa developed an app to help companies, universities and cities manage their parking assets—and help drivers quickly find an empty parking space. Big thank you to Sacramento Business Journal for continuously supporting local startups.
Ravata Solutions has been awarded a National Institute of Health (NIH) Phase 1 SBIR. The company’s cutting edge utilization of microfluidic automation, a proven sensing platform microfabricated for embryos, and proprietary embryo datasets for AI development set it apart when determining the embryo most likely to induce a pregnancy. Read the article >
Origin Materials is debuting as public trading company ‘ORGN” after approval of merger with Artius Acquisition Inc. John Bissell, founder/co-CEO of Origin Materials, is a 2008 Big Bang! Business Competition alumnus.
Meet an inspiring changemaker for a better world. UC Davis alumnus Benjamin Wang, founder of NeVap, is featured in UC Davis Magazine for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wang won the 2014 Big Bang! Business Competition for his innovation of a breathing tube that minimizes the potential for infection. Read the article >
New ventures in energy, human and animal health, food and agriculture, and education receive seed money to move forward.
A team of executive MBA students attending UCLA's Anderson School of Business captured the $20,000 first prize for the top innovation in the 21st annual Big Bang! Business Competition on May 27. The prize is sponsored by Lorin Johnson and Marrone Bio Innovations.
“We tend to celebrate the light bulb moments, but creativity is only one part of the larger puzzle that is innovation...empathy tends to transform your understanding of the problem.” Professor Andrew Hargadon shares his perspective on empathy and care in the entrepreneurial process in Comstock's Magazine. Read the article >
Payam Zamani arrived in the U.S. as a 16-year-old refugee with just $75 in his pocket. Years later he founded One Planet Group and was ranked one of the country’s top CEOs in 2020.
Congratulations, 2021 Big Bang! Finalists
Forty-five teams—representing 135 aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs—entered the 21st annual UC Davis business competition.
The competition drew students and alumni from across UC Davis, as well as from colleges and universities throughout California. Together, the Big Bang! and Little Bang!
“I’m excited to be here talking with students, faculty and staff innovators about what they’re working on and how they’re making a difference in the real world.”—Chancellor Gary S. May
2020 Big Bang! award winner PHIXED Systems advanced as a top 8 finalist in Blackstone Launchpad's annual pitch competition, StartUp Grind, a convening of leaders in technology and big brands at the forefront of innovation. for the chance to win $50,000 in prizes. PHIXED Systems is an advanced analytics platform technology for bio-manufacturing. Read the blog >
Christy Serrato, founder of Pair Anything, discusses how her platform can engage wine consumers with a digital experience, becoming even more relevant during COVID-19. Pair Anything won $10K in our 2019 Big Bang!. Read the article >
Origin Materials is going public in $925 million SPAC merger with Artius Acquisition Inc. John Bissell, founder/co-CEO of Origin Materials, participated in the 2008 UC Davis Big Bang! with technology for producing recyclable and sustainable materials.
Jill Vialet, social entrepreneur, discusses why play works through the power of safe, fun and healthy play at school every day. The quarterly Think. Do. Discover. Speaker Series is brought to you by the Davis Entrepreneurship Network, organized by the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and sponsored by Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars. Watch the video >
Siva Gunda has been appointed commissioner of the CA Energy Commission. He formerly served in several roles at UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute and is pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at UC Davis. Siva was one of our institute’s first Business Development Fellows. Read the announcement >
