JUNE 9-11, 2025 | AUSTIN, TX
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  Future Innovators –
Opportunities and Student/Postdoc
Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs  



Are we doing enough to help students and postdoctoral scholars translate hard-tech discoveries into solutions for a more sustainable future? This session addresses that question and explores resources to support emerging entrepreneurs. The session also features the finals of the 2025 Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge (NTEC), where student and post-doc led teams from across the US will pitch nano-enabled innovations and compete for start-up funding. Attendees will learn about funding opportunities, training and mentorship programs, and infrastructure aimed at inspiring and supporting future hard-tech innovators and entrepreneurs. This session is open to all students (from community college through graduate school) and postdocs as well as those interested in supporting future innovators.

Submissions Closed



Topics & Application Areas
  • Challenges facing future innovators
  • Funding opportunities and resources
  • Training, education, and mentorship
  • Regional innovation infrastructure
  • Student and postdoctoral scholar perspectives
  • NTEC 2025
  • Other
 

Symposium Co-Chairs


Matthew Hull

Matthew Hull

Director, Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory

Virginia Tech

Jeremy Pitts

Jeremy Pitts

Managing Director, Activate Houston

Activate Global Inc


Key Speakers Include


Aprille Busch, Esq

Aprille Busch, Esq

Executive Director

NSF Innovation Corps Southwest Hub, The University of Texas at Austin

Gabriel Cossio

Gabriel Cossio

CEO and Founder

Nanoscale Labs


Craig Lawrence

Craig Lawrence

Partner

Energy Transition Ventures



 
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Symposium Sessions

Tuesday June 10

9:30Future Innovators Panel - Student/Postdoc Leaders Summit
10:30Future Innovators Keynote & Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
4:00Future Innovators - Posters

Symposium Program

Tuesday June 10

9:30Future Innovators Panel - Student/Postdoc Leaders Summit
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US
J. Pitts, Activate Houston, US
A. Busch, University of Texas at Austin, US
G. Cossio, Nanoscale Labs, US
C. Lawrence, Energy Transition Ventures, US
10:30Future Innovators Keynote & Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US
4:00Future Innovators - Posters
Spooky action at a distance: Neuromodulation, physiologic distress signals, and Limb Preservation
A.S. Raihane, G.M. Deusch, C. Liu, B. Nafajoa, D.G. Armstrong, Pasadena City College / UC Irvine, US
Nanomedicine - MQDMS - Multifunctional Quantum Dot Medical Solutions
A. Clavien, Maricopa Community Colleges, US
The Role Of 17-β-Estradiol In Sex-Specific Cytisine-Mediated Neuroprotection Against Parkinson’s Disease
N. Tan, G. Roger, P. Gauri, Z. Sara, S. Rahul, Cal Poly Pomona, US
Investigation of the Stability of a Simplified Model of the Lipid Bilayer Membrane of a Chemo-Stressed Cancer Cell under an Applied Electric Field
Y. Musa, K. Tantawi, M. Colson, A. Adams, Motlow State Community College, US
2-Mask NMOS (N-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Device Manufacturing, Design, & Fabrication For Workforce Development
E. Saucedo, N. Palana, SAN JOSE CITY COLLEGE (MESA PROGRAM), US
Chirality-Driven Enhancements in PNA Binding: Structural Insights and Applications
A.K. Manukyan, CUNY Hostos Community College, US
A Review of Recent Advances in Heterogeneous Integration and Chiplet Technology
M.H. Haidari, Erie County Community College, US
Digital Twin-Driven Semiconductor Training: AR/VR to Leverage Manufacturing Education
M. Brock, K. Challa, I. Alhmoud, B. Gokaraju, S. Aravamudhan, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, US
PolyC Plastics and Composites: Enabling Future Materials Platforms With Hemp-Derived Polymers and Technologies
M.M. Sotzing, PolyC Plastics and Composites, US
Biobased Epoxy Composites Using Algae Oil
K. Lighty, L. Zhang, North Carolina A&T State University - Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering, US
Hidden Engines of Innovation: The Role of Emerging Research Institutions in Regional Growth
M. Foster-Bruns, Valparaiso University, US
Enhanced Domestic Extraction of PGMs. Nickel, Copper and Cobalt from primary sources
I. Flores-Aroni, Colorado Schoolod Mines, US
Optimizing Furnace Conditions for Uniform Oxidation
M. Le, S. Sanchez, Stanford University, US
 

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