News

Virginia Catalyst Announces Round 15 of Grant Funding

The Virginia Catalyst, also known as the Virginia Biosciences Health Research Corporation (VBHRC), announced that it is accepting letters of intent (LOI) for Grant Round 15 to fund the development and commercialization of life science projects that address major unmet needs for improving human health and advance Virginia’s economy.

“When you combine world class research with entrepreneurial management and capital, then stir, good things happen,” said Mike Grisham, CEO of Virginia Catalyst. “We are looking for passionate research scientists and entrepreneurial leaders in high-growth life science businesses in Virginia who could use $200,000 to $800,000 in non-dilutive grant funding to further a project that improves human health and advances economic development in the Commonwealth. Our Grant Round 15 is now open, and we strongly encourage interested parties to visit the Virginia Catalyst website and apply.”

Letters of Intent (LOI) must be received by June 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM EDT. Projects that meet funding criteria will be invited to submit a full application. Applications will be reviewed and scored by an independent review team of scientists, venture capitalists and CEOs of Virginia-based life science companies. The top eight applicant teams will be invited to present their proposal the week of September 25, 2023. Awards will be announced at the end of September 2023. The LOI submission form, along with funding criteria and frequently asked questions, are available on the Virginia Catalyst website (www.virginiacatalyst.org/apply.html).

We encourage all interested applicant teams to view our webinar that was co-hosted by Virginia Catalyst and Virginia Bio. This webinar featured an expert panel, facilitated by Mike Grisham, CEO of Virginia Catalyst, to share what it takes to score highly, get funding and position your company and research university for significant follow-on funding from large corporations, venture capitalists, DARPA, NIH and philanthropic foundations. This webinar can be viewed, and the slides downloaded on the home page of Virginia Catalyst at: https://www.virginiacatalyst.org/

Cumulatively through the first fourteen funding rounds, Virginia Catalyst has dedicated a total of $25.4 million for 53 collaborative projects. Together, these projects have created over 300 new jobs and have attracted an additional $655 million of investment capital from venture capital, private equity, corporations and government agencies including DARPA, NIH and NSF. We are proud to continue supporting research investigators and entrepreneurs in achieving value for Virginia and the nation.”

Recent News

05/25/2023

Unintended consequences – FODMAP rich diets and digestive distress

Consumers are increasingly in pursuit of healthier diets, including plant-based diets, Mediterranean style diets and ones high in fiber. Along with these diet changes, though, can come digestive distress from specific dietary elements called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols). FODMAPs can include lactose, found in dairy products; galactans, found in legumes; and fructans,

05/24/2023

Regional Partners Collaborate to Launch Advancing Oncology InnoVAtion QuickFire Challenge

Johnson & Johnson Innovation, in collaboration with Carilion Clinic Innovation, Verge Alliance, and Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, is proud to launch the Advancing Oncology InnoVAtion QuickFire Challenge. Innovators from around the globe are invited to submit potential solutions aiming to transform patient outcomes in oncology in adult populations with potential applications in pediatric oncology.

05/23/2023

Eskandarian named dean of the VCU College of Engineering

Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., has been named dean and William H. Goodwin Jr. Endowed Chair of the VCU College of Engineering, effective Aug. 1. Eskandarian currently serves as department head and Nicholas and Rebecca des Champs Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech. “Azim Eskandarian has established himself as a highly