UF Innovate Pathways

Our latest newsletter is out! Innovators, check your inbox for upcoming opportunities and events you won't want to miss.📬

First up: Registration is open for our 2-day Intellectual Property Workshop for Innovators on October 22–23!

Open to all University of Florida innovators, this in-person workshop will explore how intellectual property can help protect ideas, create value, and support startup formation and commercialization.

Hear from IP experts at Wolf Greenfield, faculty innovator Dr. Greg Hudalla, and members of the UF Innovate Tech Licensing team.

Spots are limited, so check your inbox or click the link below to register!

🔗2026: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/ip-for-innovators-workshop-2026/

Fuel your cancer research! 🔬

Join UF Innovate Pathways, University of Florida Health Cancer Institute, and the National Cancer Institute for the NCI SBIR/STTR Workshop 2026 on September 16 to explore non-dilutive grant funding opportunities for biotech commercialization. Discover how early-stage companies can secure essential capital and support to advance high-impact healthcare innovations.

The NCI SBIR Development Center empowers small businesses by offering financial resources, mentorship, and technical guidance to help turn scientific breakthroughs into viable commercial products through SBIR and STTR programs.

Only 1 week left to register to attend! Secure your spot today.

🔗: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nci-sbir-sttr-workshop-2026/

Accelerate your cancer-focused innovation! 🔬 🧬

Join UF Innovate Pathways, the University of Florida Health Cancer Institute, and the National Cancer Institute for our NCI SBIR/STTR Workshop on September 16 to discover non-dilutive funding opportunities for cancer research and biotech commercialization, including an exclusive opportunity to meet 1-on-1 with National Cancer Institute (NCI) SBIR Development Center project leads.

Through its SBIR and STTR programs, the NCI SBIR Development Center provides early-stage small businesses with financial support, mentoring, and technical assistance to translate scientific discoveries into commercial healthcare products.

Check out the schedule and register!

🔗: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nci-sbir-sttr-workshop-2026/

Advance your cancer-focused technology! 🔬

Join UF Innovate and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) SBIR Development Center in just two weeks on September 16 for an informational workshop on securing non-dilutive federal funding and commercialization support. You’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from NCI leaders about navigating funding opportunities and bringing life-saving cancer technologies to market.

Featured speaker Dr. Jonathan Franca-Koh, Team Lead and Program Director at the NCI SBIR Development Center, oversees portfolios in cancer therapeutics and research tools. Dr. Swamy Tripurani, NCI SBIR Program Director and former FDA Senior Research Scientist, manages portfolios across therapeutics, digital health, and medical devices.

Registration for exclusive 1-on-1 meetings with the speakers has also officially been extended to September 8th. Don't miss your chance for direct feedback!

🔗: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nci-sbir-sttr-workshop-2026/

Unlock funding and insights for your cancer tech innovations! 🧬

Join UF Innovate Pathways, the University of Florida Health Cancer Institute, and the National Cancer Institute at our upcoming NCI SBIR/STTR Workshop on September 16 to learn more about grant and contract opportunities for therapeutics, research tools, and digital health.

Dr. Jonathan Franca-Koh, team lead and program director at the NCI SBIR Development Center, oversees funding for cancer therapeutics and research tools and actively participates in investor forums, targeted funding opportunities, and the trans-NIH REACH program. He holds a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the Institute of Cancer Research and an MBA in finance and healthcare innovation from Johns Hopkins.

Joining him is Dr. Swamy Tripurani, NCI SBIR program director, who manages portfolios in innovative therapeutics, digital health technologies, and therapeutic devices. He earned his Ph.D. in genetics and developmental biology from West Virginia University and completed postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine.

Register to attend 🔗: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nci-sbir-sttr-workshop-2026/

Got a brilliant idea?💡 Make sure you know how to protect it!

Join us for our 2-day Workshop for Innovators on Thursday and Friday, October 22–23, and master the essentials of patents, trademarks, and growth.

You’ll learn directly from the experts at Wolf Greenfield, faculty innovator Dr. Greg Hudalla, and the UF Innovate licensing teams! 💼

🎓 Plus, attend both days and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Florida and Wolf Greenfield.

🔗Learn more and secure your spot! https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/ip-for-innovators-workshop-2026/

Explore opportunities beyond the lab! 💼

Join UF Innovate Pathways and NSF I-CORPS at UF for an exciting Postdoc Appreciation Week event, "Postdoc Appreciation: Beyond the Lab," designed to help researchers connect with the broader innovation ecosystem. Attendees will gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship and career pathways beyond academia.

UF Innovate | Pathways and NSF I-CORPS work together to support innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers by bridging the gap between academic discovery and commercial applications. During the event, attendees will also have the unique opportunity to meet directly with UF Innovate Tech Licensing licensing officers and network with peers from across campus. 🐊

Mark your calendars for this free event and get ready to expand your professional network!

🔗: https://calendar.ufl.edu/innovate/event/56463-postdoc-appreciation-beyond-the-lab

Fuel your life science innovation! 🔬

Join UF Innovate Pathways and the National Cancer Institute for an SBIR/STTR workshop for advancing -focused technologies with funding and commercialization resources. Attendees also have the exclusive opportunity to schedule 1-on-1 meetings with project leads from the NCI SBIR Development Center to discuss their technologies and funding strategies.

The NCI SBIR Development Center plays a vital role in advancing cancer research by providing small businesses with financial support, mentoring, and technical assistance to translate scientific discoveries into commercial products. Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, early-stage companies gain essential resources to accelerate high-impact healthcare innovations.

To be considered for a 1-on-1 meeting with an NCI SBIR project lead, complete and return the required worksheet by September 1!

For more information and to register, visit the link! 🔗: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nci-sbir-sttr-workshop-2026/

You have one week left to apply for the Cybersecurity and AI Regional Course, put on by NSF I-CORPS @ the University of South Florida! 🌴

This 5-week workshop is aligned with Cyber Florida: The Florida Center for Cybersecurity and coordinated with phaseZERO, Cyber Florida’s Innovation Incubator. Researchers will gain insight into the commercial potential of their cybersecurity and AI innovations and will attend the InfoSec World Conference & Expo.

Applications close on Friday, August 28.▶️ https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJhxGnpwmA8VWce

Take your research from the lab to real-world impact! 🚀

Our August newsletter has officially hit your inbox, and we are excited to invite you to join UF Innovate Pathways for two upcoming events designed to empower researchers and innovators. 💡

On September 16 at 10:00 AM, attend the National Cancer Institute SBIR/STTR Workshop to learn how to secure non-dilutive federal funding and commercialization resources for cancer-focused technologies.

Then, on September 22 at 12:00 PM, celebrate Postdoc Appreciation Week with Postdoc Appreciation: Beyond the Lab, an interactive session exploring entrepreneurial career pathways, industry networking, and innovation opportunities outside traditional academia.

Register now to secure your spot for these valuable sessions!🐊🔽

🔗 NCI SBIR/STTR Workshop: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nci-sbir-sttr-workshop-2026/

🔗 Postdoc Appreciation, Beyond the Lab: https://calendar.ufl.edu/innovate/event/56463-postdoc-appreciation-beyond-the-lab