START™ Program
The Venture Catalyst STARTTM program provides the building blocks to equip UC Davis affiliated entrepreneurs with the tools they need to form and grow successful companies. Innovators who engage with the START program have access to the following suite of tools and services.
Pitch Coaching
Coaching for investor pitching and business presentations
Grant Workshops
SBIR and STTR grant writing and submission workshops
Inventor AdvantageTM Program
Deferment of patent expenses for UC Davis startups
LegalNetTM Partnerships
No-cost startup incorporation and one-time legal consultation
MentorNetTM Advisors
Access to a network of experienced professionals and business leaders
MICATM Reports
Market intelligence and Competitive Analysis
VentureNetTM Program
Access to providers of startup business and technical services
DARTSTM Program
Discounted access to research and development services and state-of-the-art technology
DRIVETM Network Business Incubators
The Venture Catalyst DRIVETM (Distributed Research Incubation & Venture Engine) program provides a network of lean, thematically oriented business incubators. DRIVE Network provides UC Davis affiliated startups with access to affordable, mixed office/lab business incubation spaces in close proximity to the campus. Learn more >
LegalNet™ and VentureNet™ Partners
The LegalNet™ program offers startup incorporation and initial legal consultation through relationships with trusted legal partners that provide the following services at no-cost. Learn more >
Funding Programs
The STAIR™ (Science Translation and Innovative Research) Grant help campus innovators move cutting-edge technology towards commercialization by providing funding to generate proof-of-concept results, research milestones and prototypes.
The DIAL™ (Data, Informatics & Application Launch) Grant provides funding and resources to translate basic UC Davis research with commercial potential. The ultimate objective of the program is to develop technologies that attract entrepreneurs, industry, and investors willing to commercialize UC Davis technologies, resulting in societal and economic impacts.
The Food Systems Innovation Grant (FSI) – a collaboration between the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health (IIFH), InnovationAccess and Venture Catalyst, provides up to $50,000 in funding to translate UC Davis food or nutrition research with commercial potentiaby demonstrating proof-of-concept and establishing market viability, thus de-risking the innovation.