The Newsletter of the MTTC for the Massachusetts
entrepreneur & tech transfer community
June 30, 2014
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Welcome
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Dear All,
MTTC held the Massachusetts Life Sciences Innovation (MALSI) Day 2014 on June 3, 2014 at the Harvard Club of Boston.
The event was attended by more than 400 people. 32 leading laboratories and start-ups showcased their innovations at the Poster Research Showcase. Attendees invested their "Mass Life Sciences Innovation Day Dollars" in the posters that they felt had the most commercializable ideas. More than 20 CEOs and Senior Executives of leading MA Life Sciences companies were poster judges of the 5 finalists from attendee investment and State Senator Karen Spilka awarded cash prizes to the 3 winners.
Once again, MTTC brought together major organizations throughout the state to create a high-energy, hands-on event which included scientific leaders and business experts to mingle with innovators, post-docs, professors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and venture capitalists.
Here is what people said about the event: "Excellent" - "Very much enjoyed attending." - "Great conference - very engaging and wonderful to get a chance to meet with and discuss current research trends."
The Notebook of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Innovation Day 2014 and Photos from the conference are now available.
MTTC team 
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| MTTC Update |
Spring 2014 MassCEC Catalyst Program Awards MassCEC and MTTC have announced the Catalyst Program Awards winner's from the latest solicitation. Catalyst Program Awards are typically $40K, one year grants to validate early-stage technologies with promising commercial potential. Previous Catalyst award winners have gone on to raise over $22 million in follow-on funding from various sources, including angel investors, venture capitalists and grants from federal programs including The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the National Science Foundation and the Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR). This round, four early stage startups and one research institution will receive the grants: - UltraCell Insulation, LLC Mark Brandstein, BSEE, MBA; Dan Thompson, BS Eng, MS "UltraCell Insulation"
- Compas Industries, Helen VanBenschoten, Ph.D. "Low Cost Hybrid Solar Cells for Smart Label Application"
- Anfiro, Jaime Mateus, Ph.D. "Anfiro: Ultra-high Permeability Membranes for Water Treatment"
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Professor T. Alan Hatton, Ph.D.; Aly Eltayeb, MSCEP "Electrochemically-mediated CO2 Capture"
- Microreactor Solutions LLC, Brian Neltner, Ph.D. "Conductive Paste for Solar PV Applications"
For more information on the awards please see the press release at http://www.masscec.com/news. |
| Funding Opportunities |
Apply for up to $1M for your next technology collaboration through the U.S.-Israel Bi-national Industrial R&D Foundation (BIRD F)
If you are working with a company in Israel or looking to partner with one, know that there are funding opportunities for up to $1M from the BIRD-F.
When: July 8, 2014 from 8:30 - 10:30 AM
Where: NGIN Workplace, 210 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Suite 201 Join New England Israel Business Council to learn about the application process and timelines. The session will feature a case study by recent BIRD funding recipients CliniWorks and Pfizer as well as an opportuity to meet with BIRD representative in the US. The event is free however you need to register at the Event website
NCIIA Next E-Team Stage 1 Deadline: October 3, 2014 The E-Team Program provides early-stage support and funding of up to $75,000 for collegiate entrepreneurs working on market-based technology inventions.
NCIIA defines an E-Team as a multidisciplinary group of students, faculty, and industry mentors working together to bring a technology-based invention (product or service) to market. The "E" stands for entrepreneurship.
Students and faculty from NCIIA member institutions (US-based colleges and universities) are welcome to apply. Submissions are evaluated by external panels of reviewers. Read the guidelines on http://nciia.org/eteam_guidelines
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center -Internship Challenge Program
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's Internship Challenge is a workforce development program focused on enhancing the talent pipeline for Massachusetts companies engaged in life sciences. The program facilitates the placement of students and recent graduates, who are considering career opportunities in the life sciences, in paid internships across the state. The MLSC will reimburse eligible companies for intern stipends.
Click here for more information.
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Spin-off and Start-up News
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SiEnergy Systems received grant of $2,650,000
The U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E agency just announced $33 million in funding for thirteen fuel cell projects that can be used as low-cost power generation and grid balancing assets. The projects are being funded under ARPA-E's new Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems (REBELS) program that was announced last fall.
Winners include SiEnergy Systems that received grant of $2,650,000. SiEnergy Systems is an early-stage company commercializing a technology developed at Harvard University and was a presenter at the MTTC's 2010 Conference on Clean Energy. SiEnergy Systems will develop a hybrid electrochemical system that uses a multi-functional electrode to allow the cell to perform as both a fuel cell and a battery, which is a capability that does not exist today. In fuel cell mode, the system will create electricity directly from hydrocarbon fuels. In battery mode, the system will provide storage capability that offers faster response to changes in power demand compared to a standard fuel cell. SiEnergy's technology will operate at relatively low temperatures of 300-500˚C, which makes the system more durable than existing high-temperature fuel cells. Read more
CONTINUUS closes $2 M Series A Financing and establishes a strategic partnership with I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche On June 9, 2014, CONTINUUS Pharmaceuticals closed its Series A financing round of $2 M, increasing the total capital raised to over $2.4 M. The round was led by CONTINUUS's new strategic partner I.M.A. I.M.A. is a global leader in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical equipment and will contribute its expertise towards the commercialization of CONTINUUS's novel manufacturing process and supporting the development of novel equipment. Previous seed investors also participated in this round. This transaction triggered the execution of an exclusive license on several novel continuous manufacturing technologies developed at MIT. Read more
Allied Minds, a U.S.-based company that commercializes research and inventions from universities, plans to raise about $140 million of capital from investors in a London listing.
Mark Pritchard, founder and president of the Boston-based firm, said London was already home to two of its peers, Imperial Innovations and IP Group and the model of funding companies derived from research was well understood. Allied Minds has created 18 companies stemming from discoveries in physical and life sciences at 59 partner institutions, he said. Allied Minds plans to fund 5-10 new companies a year after the initial public offering. Read more
Boston University Ignition Awardees 2014 The Office of Technology Development has completed its annual Ignition Award cycle and is pleased to announce this year's winners. Ignition Awards are typically $50K, one year grants to validate early-stage technologies in the Life Sciences/High Tech domain with clear potential commercial and medical impact. This year, OTD has awarded Ignition grants to four technologies: - George Daaboul will use his award to reach proof-of-concept milestones for his new system for digital detection of single molecules, testing a potential way to significantly increase optical resolution and comparing the performance of his prototype to existing technologies.
- Russell Giordano will be using his award to fabricate a new test line of his bullet-resistant ceramic composite, measuring their strength and flexibility and supplying samples for interested partners.
- Michael Holick's award will be used in a pilot study of his new vitamin-D producing LED, which could cheaply and easily treat vitamin deficiency.
- John Caradonna will use his award to optimize the production of chemical catalysts for his green oxidation system, which has the potential to significantly change the pharmaceutical manufacturing process
MIT-born startup EcoVent raises $500k, tests room-by-room heating, cooling system.
EcoVent, a graduate of the MTTC's platform program, has raised $500,000 in angel funding and is currently seeking another round of funding. The startup's technology allows every room in a house or apartment to have its own temperature zone and is participating in this year's Techstars Boston incubator program. EcoVent will start taking pre-orders online later this year. EcoVent aims to also have less than a fourth of the cost of existing multi-zone heating and cooling solutions, and the system can be installed in hours instead of days or weeks. Read more
Robot tuna made by Boston Engineering gets $200k toward military use. Boston Engineering, a MTTC 2014 Platform program graduate, announced this week it received a $200,000 grant to help commercialize its fish-like underwater robot that could be used by the U.S. military for inspecting ships, securing ports, and identifying contraband. Boston Engineering Corp., founded in 1995, has raised more than $4 million for the development and commercialization of its Unmanned Underwater Vehicle technology. Funding has been primarily from the Office of Naval Research and the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. The technology could be used by port security and other defense and homeland security initiatives ax well as by companies in the oil and gas industry, and other marine-focused companies. Read more
eCurv has raised $2.5 million in Series A funding. eCurv, Inc., presenter at MTTC's 2011 Clean Energy Conference, has closed a $2.5 million Series A round of funding led by Constellation Technology Ventures, the venture capital arm of Exelon Corporation. Other investors include Vodia Ventures and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The funding will be used to scale eCurv's operations and hire new employees. Modeled after the digital queuing technology that has enabled the IT and mobile telecommunications sectors to profitably scale their service capacity for over 20 years, eCurv's QPACTM service automatically queues the access of electric loads, such as HVAC systems, electric pumps, motors, battery charging, and heating and refrigeration equipment, avoiding expensive peak demand events. Read more |
| Events of Interest |
New England Healthcare Exchange Network (NEHEN) A Capital-Raising Bootcamp
When: July 7, 2014, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: McLane Law, 100 Sylvan Rd, Woburn, MA 01801
So you think you're ready to raise capital? A Capital-Raising Bootcamp
Join NEHEN half-day seminar covering essential elements of early stage capital-raising, light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
M2D2 Educational Series 2014: What You Need to Know About IP to Talk to Investors When: July 8, 2014, 6:00 - 8:00 pm Where: Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center, 600 Suffolk Street, 2nd Floor, Wannalancit Mills Business Center, Lowell, MA 01854
Join M2D2 to discuss the following topics:
- What IP is best for me?
- Impact of First to File on IP strategy
- Track-One Advantages for start-ups
- Keeping the patent family aliveAssignments and NDAs
- What is a patent counsel "opinion" and do I need one?
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
128 ICG's Piranha Pond comes to TechSandBox Applications open for entrepreneurs interested in pitching at Piranha Pond. Four investors and 8 companies. Deadline for application - July 15, 2014 for July 24 program at TechSandBox! Those who are accepted from the pool of applicants get the opportunity to be coached beforehand. For more information visit http://www.techsandbox.org/partner-programs-at-techsandbox.html
Tech, Drugs & Rock n' Roll 2014
When: July 15, 2014, 4:00 - 8:00 pm Where: George Sherman Union 2nd Floor, 775 Commonwealth Avenue Boston You have been invited to attend Boston University's Office of Technology Development 5th annual networking event, Tech, Drugs and Rock n' Roll, to celebrate innovation in a high energy fashion. This year event will include: presentation of the Innovator of the Year Award announced by Boston University Provost Jean Morrison and Exhibits by various applied and translational research centers.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Fish & Richardson: Patents - Just the Basics
When: July 16th, 8:00-9:30am
Where: Fish & Richardson, One Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA 02210
Finally - answers to all of your burning questions about patent law. Fish & Richardson invites you to join other members of the local biotech and pharmaceutical industries for breakfast and a seminar discussion.
This seminar is perfect for non-IP attorneys, engineers, scientists, business and marketing professionals, paralegals - anyone for whom a one-hour practical "short course" about the basics of patents would be useful.
Participation is free.
Please contact Ellen Makarevich at [email protected] with any questions.
MassTLC 2014 Mobile Summit: Mobile is Everywhere, Where are YOU? When:July 22, 2014, 2:00 - 6:45pm Where:Microsoft NERD, Cambridge, MA Mobile technology is ubiquitous throughout the world. People use mobile devices and apps for every aspect of their life, and every organization needs to have a mobile strategy to be competitive. How do individuals, enterprises and technology developers define "success" in the mobile world? Join MassTLC to explore the future of mobile technology and to discuss: What is expected in the next five years, and how the future will impact the way we live and run our businesses; How to develop a successful enterprise mobile strategy; How to succeed as an app develop and how to make
money with your apps; and How location based services and data analytics are converging to lead the next wave of mobile innovation. For more information and to register please visit the Event website
4th Annual NEHEN Summer Social and Networking Event When: August 4, 2014, 7:30 am - 10:00 am
Where: Constant Contact, 1601 Trapelo Road, Waltham Please join us for the 4th annual summer NEHEN networking meeting. This program features a number of snapshot presentations from local pre-venture and early stage Life Science companies. Each company will be given 1 minute to impress us with their value proposition with plenty of opportunity to network with the companies and fellow members. Applications to present are currently being accepted. For more information and to register please visit the Event website
The Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) Conference
When: September 17, 2014
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
The Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) Conference is reinventing the way investors and entrepreneurs share information, negotiate, and how fundraising in the life sciences is carried out. RESI is about creating relationships based on fit, and features hundreds of investors from the new entities filling the void created by lack of VC funding, including family offices, hedge funds mid-tier PE, venture philanthropy & patient groups, virtual pharmaceutical development companies and more. If you need to jumpstart your investor network, the RESI Conference is one event you won't want to miss!
Discounted rate for MTTC affiliates: use code MTTC15 at checkout for 15% off registration.
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
BioPharm America 2014
When: September 22, 2014 - September 24, 2014
Where: Boston Marriott Copley Place
BioPharm America™ is where biotech industry partnerships get started. Meet face-to-face with biotech and pharma executives from around the world to identify and enter strategic relationships. Equipped with partneringONE®, the world's leading web-based partnering system for the life science industry, BioPharm America is the only event in North America based on the same reputable formula as EBD Group's acclaimed European events BIO-Europe® and BIO-Europe Spring®.
To see event Program please visit http://www.ebdgroup.com/bpa/program/index.php
For more information and to register please visit the Event website
Medtech Investors Conference: Call for Presenters
When: November 7, 2014
Where: Boston, MA
MassMEDIC will host its annual Medtech Investors Conference on Friday November 7, 2014. The day-long program will feature presentations by up to 25 regionally-based medical device companies, as well as a breakfast panel discussion and a luncheon keynote address.
For the conference, MassMEDIC seeks nominations of emerging and established medical device companies to make a uniformly formatted 10-minute presentation before an audience of potential investors, industry representatives and experts. Of particular interest to investors and potential partners are companies in the earliest stage of development.
If your company is interested in presenting at this conference, please submit a draft of your presenting slide deck by Friday, August 1 to [email protected]
If you have questions please contact Andrea Stamp, Director MedTech IGNITE: 617/414-1343 or [email protected].
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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.mattcenter.org
MATTO is the Massachusetts Association of Technology Transfer Offices www.masstechtransfer.org
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