INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP
YEAR 2025
Fiscal year 2025 has been a landmark year for the University of Pittsburgh Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), marked by record-breaking achievements and transformative initiatives. Across the four units, OIE worked collaboratively to strengthen the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and throughout the region, empowering innovators and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
The Innovation Institute posted a record year for invention disclosures, with 444 submitted to our office from across campus, highlighting the relentless creativity and drive of our faculty, students, and staff. We have seen remarkable growth in our startups, patents, and licensing options as well. In fact, Pitt earned the 20th spot in the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2024, as recognized by the National Academy of Inventors.
To better serve our innovators on their commercialization journeys, the Innovation Institute collaborated with partners across campus to launch several new programs this year, including Pitt.INC, Pitt SPARK, and the Community of Innovators. These initiatives are designed to accelerate ideas at various stages of maturity, offering funding, education, mentorship, and commercialization resources to ensure every innovator has the tools needed for lasting impact.
At the Big Idea Center, we proudly awarded more than $100,000 to student teams through our pitch competitions over the past year, reflecting our commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators. This past year saw record interest in our programs, with an unprecedented number of applications from students across all disciplines and academic levels. Following a successful pilot program, FY25 saw the official launch of the ChangeMaker Scholar Recognition Program, empowering students to embrace innovation and entrepreneurial skills, breaking down barriers and redefining what it means to think and act innovatively in every size of workplace and all aspects of life. Additionally, Pitt student-founded Korion Health made history by winning the $1 million Hult Prize in 2024, showcasing the global potential of our student innovators.
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) advanced its mission of supporting regional business growth through impactful programming, strategic connections, and recognition of outstanding small businesses. Over the past year, IEE engaged hundreds of entrepreneurs through initiatives like Doing Business with Pitt; regional supplier events; and the ongoing UPMC Essentials for Success series, which has reached more than 2,000 participants across five states. The Pitt Small Business Development Center, housed within IEE, welcomed Annia Aleman as its new director, strengthening its commitment to equipping business owners with tools for success. This past year, IEE also saw the graduation of 27 business leaders from the Entrepreneurial Fellows Class while welcoming 34 new members to continue building a robust network of executives shaping our region’s economic future.
Our Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) facilitated nearly 50 new industry collaborations, securing $26 million in total research funding and strengthening our position as a leader in translational science. This past year, OIEP launched the Pitt Tech Explorer, an innovative AI-powered platform that provides intuitive access to more than 950 technologies developed at Pitt, making it easier for both industry partners and faculty to explore and connect with innovations available for licensing. This tool exemplifies our commitment to making Pitt’s research more accessible for commercial translation and collaboration, further enhancing our network and catalyzing industry partnerships.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated OIE staff members, whose tireless efforts make these successes possible. Their commitment to advancing our mission is unmatched and continues to drive the University of Pittsburgh forward.
Hail to Possible! Hail to Pitt!
Evan Facher
Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Pittsburgh
Associate Dean for Commercial Translation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FISCAL YEAR 2025 STARTUPS
Startups represent one of the most impactful ways that University of Pittsburgh innovators bring their research to life. By launching companies based on their discoveries, faculty members and students take a critical step in transforming their work from academic insight into tangible solutions that address real-world challenges, such as the development of products, therapeutics, devices, technologies, or services that can directly benefit society.
Advanced Virology, Inc.
Aneurisk, Inc.
Clover Key Bioscience Corporation
EarSmartAI, Inc.
Echogenesis Therapeutics, Inc.
EpimoniBio, Inc.
HONORING ACADEMIC STARTUPS AT OIE’S FIRST SIGNING DAY
This past fiscal year, the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted its inaugural Startup Signing Day, a new tradition created to celebrate and recognize the significant achievement of founding a startup. The event honored Pitt innovators who made the pivotal leap from academic research to entrepreneurial impact by launching companies based on their discoveries. The featured startups came from disciplines that included cancer immunotherapy, chronic pain treatment, wound care, blood-based diagnostics, and family health education.
EpimoniPharma, Inc.
HexemBio
Ikshana Therapeutics
Malleous, LLC
NetraMind Innovations, Inc.
Personalized Pain Treatment, LLC
Snap Biosciences Inc.
TAJA Health Technologies PBC
VEST Inc.
Partnering with Pitt’s Department of Athletics, the event drew inspiration from national signing days, with remarks from Senior Associate Athletic Director, NIL Business Development and Strategic Partnerships Pat Bostick that underscored the teamwork, commitment, and passion shared between athletics and innovation. And, of course, Roc was there to celebrate with us.
ADVANCING INNOVATION THROUGH PROGRAMMING AND FUNDING
Continuously aligning OIE programming with the evolving needs and aspirations of Pitt’s innovative faculty and students is central to our mission. Through funding, education, startup support, and mentorship, we strive to ensure that every innovator, regardless of discipline or stage, has access to the tools and resources needed to move their ideas forward and create a lasting impact.
Over the past year, three new initiatives have been launched: Pitt Idea Navigation to Commercialization (Pitt.INC), Pitt SPARK, and the Community of Innovators—all designed to accelerate ideas at various stages of development.
Pitt.INC, is a collaboration between OIE and the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences, was launched to provide up to $50,000 in early stage funding and support for health sciences innovators testing ideas with strong potential for commercialization impact on human health and disease.
Pitt SPARK is a competitive funding program offering up to $250,000 to advance life sciences innovations toward commercialization by supporting key translational milestones, with additional access to education, mentorship, and ecosystem-wide commercialization resources.
The Community of Innovators is a new OIE initiative designed to support early stage life sciences researchers by fostering a collaborative environment with access to education, mentorship, and resources that accelerate translational research and improve readiness for future commercialization funding.
In addition to the launch of these new programs, OIE assumed the administration of the Hunter Family Foundation Traumatic Brain Injury Translational Research Program and continued to support other programs, including offering key funding through the Commercialization Gap Fund as well as hands-on commercialization training to help researchers evaluate the market potential of their innovations through customer discovery with the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Corps program. These efforts reflect our commitment to fueling innovation across the University.
PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS:
COMMERCIALIZATION GAP FUND
Reflecting the critical role of early stage funding in commercialization, this year’s gap fund cycle received an unprecedented 49 applications from across campus.
Funded projects this year include promising technologies, such as AI-based tools to predict aneurysm rupture risk and screen for macular degeneration, gene therapies for congenital hearing loss, a human skin bioreactor for disease modeling, an AI assistant for intellectual property law, and a novel therapeutic for hemorrhagic cystitis.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION INNOVATION CORPS
More than 80 innovators participated in I-Corps regional courses over the last fiscal year, with programming focused on de-risking innovation ventures through customer discovery.
COMMUNITY OF INNOVATORS
More than 50 Pitt innovators attended spring sessions of this inaugural program, affirming the value of creating dedicated spaces for connection, collaboration, and peer learning within our innovation community.
PITT SPARK
This year’s awardees were Francesco Egro, with Hilary Liu as part of the pitch team, for the Equidistant Anastomosis Suture Instrument (EASI)—a tool designed to reduce surgical errors and improve efficiency in microsurgery, and Jordyn Ting, Elvira Pirondini, and Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez for mThal-DBS, a novel deep brain stimulation therapy aimed at restoring swallowing function in patients with chronic post-stroke dysphagia.
HUNTER TBI TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AWARD
Jordyn Ting, a physical medicine and rehabilitation postdoctoral fellow who completed her PhD in bioengineering at Pitt, received $100,000 to support her research on whether deep brain stimulation in the motor thalamus can improve speech and swallowing in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
WELLS STUDENT HEALTHTECH CHALLENGE
Pitt medical students Ben Leslie with Malleous and Hilary Liu with EASI claimed first and second prize, respectively, in the 2024 Wells Student HealthTech Challenge. Their innovative surgical devices, developed in collaboration with faculty and driven by real-world clinical challenges, showcase their commitment to translating research into impactful patient solutions. Leslie went on to cofound Malleous, LLC, a new company dedicated to advancing neurosurgical technology.
PITT FACULTY HONORED BY NATIONAL ACADEMY OF INVENTORS
WIPF AND GREENBERGER ELECTED FELLOWS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF INVENTORS
Two University of Pittsburgh faculty members who have engaged with OIE throughout their careers were named 2024 fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), one of the highest honors for academic inventors. Peter Wipf, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry, holds more patents than any active Pitt faculty member. Joel Greenberger, professor in and emeritus chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, has pioneered therapies to mitigate radiation damage. Their election brings Pitt’s total number of NAI fellows to 16 since the program’s inception.
Peter Wipf, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry, is a leading innovator whose work spans medicinal, synthetic, and computational chemistry. He has contributed to more than 30 licensed technologies and helped to launch six startups. His collaborative approach has supported discoveries in diverse areas ranging from oncology to neurodegeneration, and his compounds have progressed to clinical trials. Wipf’s contributions, recognized by peers and scientific societies alike, underscore his influence in translating chemical discovery into real-world therapeutic advances.
Joel Greenberger, professor in and emeritus chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, is a pioneer in radiation biology and medical countermeasures. As principal investigator of one of just four National Institutes of Health (NIH)-designated Centers for Medical Countermeasures Against Radiation Consortium in the United States, his research focuses on protecting organs from radiation-induced damage using novel approaches to cell death and inflammatory responses. Greenberger’s lab holds 44 patents, and his NIH funding spans more than four decades, underscoring a career dedicated to translational discoveries in cancer and radiation medicine.
PITT FACULTY ELECTED NAI SENIOR MEMBERS
Two University of Pittsburgh faculty members were named 2025 senior members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), recognizing their growing impact on innovation and commercialization. Yuan Liu, an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, leads research supported by more than $10 million in grants aimed at developing small-molecule therapies. Juan Taboas, an associate professor in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, is advancing regenerative medicine solutions for skeletal and dental repair. Their recognition reflects Pitt’s leadership in translating research into
Yuan Liu , associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Pitt, is a rising innovator in smallmolecule therapeutics. Her research, supported by more than $10 million in funding, has led to three issued patents and multiple others in progress. She cofounded two companies, including Generian Pharmaceuticals, which spun out of Pitt in 2019 and later secured a partnership with Astellas Pharma US, Inc., to target previously “undruggable” diseases. Her election as an NAI senior member highlights her scientific leadership, commercialization success, and commitment to advancing realworld health solutions.
Juan Taboas, associate professor in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, is a multidisciplinary researcher advancing regenerative therapies for bone, cartilage, and tooth pulp, especially for children and underserved communities. With more than $4 million in NIH funding and four issued patents, his innovations have strong commercial potential. In partnership with the Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships, Taboas connected with VIC Technology Venture Development, which optioned his tooth pulp regeneration technology. He also helped to secure $1.6 million in Small Business Innovation Research program funding and will serve as chief scientific officer of the resulting startup.
BIG IDEA CENTER
Fiscal Year 2025 by the Numbers
USER-GRADUATE
BALLOT-CHECK money-bill-wave
Student Engagements
1,400+ $100,000+ awarded to students through innovation competitions, programs, and recognitions
13 student-led startups assisted
CHART-NETWORK handshake
250+
faculty and staff engagements
Programming Reach
• All levels of students reached, from first years to PhD students, postdocs, and residents
• All schools represented
CHANGEMAKER SCHOLAR RECOGNITION PROGRAM
LAUNCHES TO EMPOWER STUDENTS WITH INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
The Big Idea Center’s mission is centered on making innovation and entrepreneurship accessible and impactful for all Pitt students. Yet our research has revealed a common misconception among nonparticipating students: that entrepreneurship is only for those with a business idea or startup aspirations. To help break down these barriers and redefine what it means to think and act innovatively and entrepreneurially, the Big Idea Center designed the ChangeMaker Scholar Recognition Program, an immersive, out-of-classroom recognition program built for every student, regardless of level, major, or career path.
Following a successful spring 2024 pilot of the program’s first pillar, the ChangeMaker Series, the full ChangeMaker Scholar Recognition Program officially launched in fall 2024, offering students the opportunity to build entrepreneurial mindsets and skill sets through a flexible certificate-based pathway. Participants gain hands-on experience, develop problem-solving skills, and explore innovation in ways that can be transformative, both personally and professionally. The program already has drawn wide interest across campus, from undergraduates to PhD students, postdocs, and residents representing 13 different schools—a testament to its broad relevance and appeal among students and learners across levels and disciplines.
This past year, the Big Idea Center proudly celebrated the first three students to achieve ChangeMaker scholar status. These students, from the spring ‘24 pilot and fall ‘25 cohorts, received a certificate of achievement and academic regalia recognizing them as ChangeMaker Scholars as they graduated, setting the tone and inspiration for future cohorts.
PITT
STUDENT-FOUNDED KORION HEALTH WINS $1 MILLION IN GLOBAL COMPETITION, SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT’S POSSIBLE FROM PITT STUDENT INNOVATORS
Korion Health, founded and led by Pitt MD/PhD student Anna Li, became Pitt’s first student-founded company to participate in the Hult Prize, a prestigious global social entrepreneurship competition that challenges for-profit student entrepreneurs from around the world to create and launch businesses aimed at tackling the most pressing challenges they see in their communities. Among more than 9,400 teams and 100,000 students, Li and her cofounder took Korion through multiple rigorous stages of the competition over several months to become one of only six teams invited to London, England, to pitch in the global finals. On Sept. 6, 2024, Korion emerged as the grand prize winner, receiving a $1 million investment and recognition on a global stage, clearly demonstrating what’s possible for Pitt student innovators.
The Hult Prize funding will help the company through the regulatory process for its flagship product, a home health monitoring kit, including an electronic stethoscope, to expand access to basic health diagnostics and screenings.
KUZNESKI INNOVATION CUP CELEBRATES EARLY STAGE STUDENT INNOVATION
Now in its fourth year, the Kuzneski Innovation Cup continued its mission to support student-led teams in the earliest stages of idea development. Specifically designed for students who are just beginning their innovation and entrepreneurship journeys, the competition offers an accessible entry point—and a chance to win part of a $25,000 prize pool—to help turn bold ideas into action.
This year’s competition saw continued growth in both the number and diversity of applications, with 27 initial applications from talented student teams. Students across all academic levels—undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral—and from a wide range of disciplines submitted early stage concepts addressing everything from renewable energy and health care to inclusive tech and media innovation.
“We’re seeing incredible potential in these early ideas,” says Rhonda Schuldt, director of the Big Idea Center. “It’s exciting to watch students from such diverse backgrounds not only bring fresh, bold ideas to the table but also begin to truly grasp the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship. The energy, creativity, and commitment they bring is inspiring— and it bodes well for the future of innovation at Pitt and beyond.”
The competition awarded funding to five standout teams, each of which made strong strides in defining its problem space, identifying early customer segments, and presenting compelling value propositions.
2025 KUZNESKI INNOVATION CUP WINNING TEAMS
Pittsburgh Coastal Energy
$5,000
Priscilla Prem
Carlan Gray
Robert Karnavas
Pittsburgh Coastal Energy – ocean wave energy harvesting technology to deliver sustainable off-grid power to charge submersible systems at sea
IMAGES in HD
$8,000
Lauren Rosenblum
Anna Ramos (MED ’19)
IMAGES in HD – intraoperative imaging technology to help surgeons accurately identify the transition from diseased to healthy colon in Hirschsprung’s disease, enabling more precise resections, reducing surgical time, and minimizing the need for repeat procedures
Trialyx Health
$6,000
Sonish Sivarajkumar
Anusha Mylavarapu (SHRS ’25)
Trialyx Health – an AI-powered platform that automates clinical trial documentation, helping researchers and clinicians to accelerate trial timelines, reduce errors, and bring new treatments to patients more efficiently
WARMTH
$4,000
Hilary Liu (A&S ’22)
Christopher Fedor (MED ’23)
WARMTH – a portable glove-like device that delivers precise temperature control and targeted medication to treat frostbite, improving outcomes for patients in hospitals, emergency situations, and outdoor environments
Clef
$2,000
Vincent Niedermayer Ava Luu
Clef – a social media platform tailored for musicians, with a core gig marketplace feature that streamlines how artists find performance opportunities and get paid
BIG IDEA COMPETITION AWARDS NEARLY $80,000 TO STUDENT INNOVATORS
In its 17th year, the Big Idea Center’s most robust student innovation competition once again saw growth in participation and in students’ efforts to turn change-making ideas into reality.
The innovations ranged from a device harnessing energy to deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation after spinal fusion surgery and a platform allowing people to track and offset their carbon footprint to novel pediatric neurosurgery clamps with an acoustic detection system preventing skull clamp injuries.
Rhonda Schuldt, director of the Big Idea Center, noted that, each year the judges are increasingly impressed by the final round teams, noting how difficult this makes their deliberations but also how fulfilling it makes their roles as Big Idea Competition judges.
“The Big Idea Competition is more than just a showcase of innovation; it’s a transformative journey for our student innovators,” Schuldt said. “Each year, we witness incredible creativity and determination as teams from across the University of Pittsburgh develop groundbreaking solutions to real-world challenges. As we continue to enhance the rigor and impact of the competition, we celebrate the achievements of our students and look forward to future innovations that will emerge from this dynamic platform.”
2025 BIG IDEA COMPETITION RESULTS
Pittsburgh Coastal Energy
Grand Prize: $25,000
Priscilla Prem
Robert Karnavas
Carlan Gray
Pittsburgh Coastal Energy – harnessing the power of ocean waves to provide undersea battery charging solutions for autonomous underwater vehicles
AcceloWave Technologies
Second Place: $15,000
Erin Locatorto (SHRS ‘15G)
Mandy Mahoney (SHRS ‘17G, ‘24G)
AcceloWave Technologies – the Aspirometer, a sensor-based medical device that leverages clinical expertise and predictive AI to detect swallowing issues early, preventing serious health complications
Spine Bionics
Second Place: $15,000
Ben Carnovale (ENGR ’25)
Yashar Aucie (ENGR ’15, ’21G)
Will Rabon
Nitin Agarwal
Jianzhe Luo
Kojo Hamilton
Amir Alavi
Spine Bionics – transforming spinal fusion surgery with interbody cages that harness mechanical energy to generate therapeutic electrical stimulation, accelerating bone fusion without the need for batteries, wires, or external devices
Lexi Medical
Third Place: $5,000
Jordyn Ting (ENGR ’24G)
Lilly Tang
Scott Ensel
Lexi Medical – a novel deep brain stimulation system to restore swallowing in individuals with post-stroke muscle weakness or paralysis
Sonipins
Third Place: $5,000
Amna Imran (ENGR ’25)
Ayyaz Mustafa
Sonipins – an acoustic detection system for neurosurgical clamps that identifies and prevents intra-operative skull clamp-associated injuries, which are common in pediatric cases
URIDE
Third Place: $5,000
Seth Erdman
URIDE – a ride-sharing platform designed for college students, allowing drivers to list available seats for purchase and enabling passengers to find affordable, convenient rides home
ComplexCortex
Fourth Place: $2,000
CJ Shores
ComplexCortex – a telehealth-enabled datadriven tool that uses reaction-based testing to deliver objective cognitive insights, enabling early intervention and precise treatment monitoring
Forevergreen
Fourth Place: $2,000
Joe Pearson
Jack Pearson (BUS ’24)
Forevergreen – a platform that helps individuals to track, reduce, and offset their carbon footprint through a user-friendly app and website, empowering people to take meaningful action against climate change
The Safer Seat
Fourth Place: $2,000
Nicholas Pho (ENGR ’25)
Caleb Moon (ENGR ’24G)
The Safer Seat – a dynamic seat interface to easily aid the user in two aspects of the vehicle transfer: the sit-to-stand transition and turning to face the front of the vehicle
You & M.E.I.
Video Round Winner: $2,000
Aqsa Owais
Gargi Rane
You & M.E.I. (Menstrual Equity Initiative) –tackling period inequity on campus head on with a campuswide program that distributes free menstrual products in residence halls
OTHER STUDENT SUCCESSES
ANNA LI, KORION HEALTH
Hult Prize $1 million global winner
Won 4th place and $200K in the Richard King Mellon Foundation 2024 Social-Impact Investment Pitch Competition
Named one of Pittsburgh Business Times 30 Under 30
BECCA SEGEL, FLOWCELLUTIONS
Founded FlowCellutions, a firstof-its-kind diagnostics platform that monitors and predicts battery health, extends battery lifetimes, and improves grid reliability
Won $100K NSF Technology Assistance award at the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Consortium’s Tech Showcase
One of 47 scientist-entrepreneurs from across the United States accepted into the two-year Activate Fellowship 2025 Cohort, receiving a living stipend and research funding to take their science-based innovation to market
HILARY LIU, EASI
Invited to the 2025 Hult Prize nationals
Received second place and a $15,000 prize in the 2024 Wells Student HealthTech Challenge
BEN LESLIE, MALLEOUS
Co-founded Malleous, LLC, to help surgeons perform microsurgeries more efficiently by combining retraction and suction into one flexible tool, reducing procedure times by nearly 40%
Received first place and a $20,000 prize in the 2024 Wells Student Healthcare Competition
JACK PEARSON AND JOE PEARSON, FOREVERGREEN
Launched an app for users to track and reduce carbon footprint that has grown its audience to more 400,000 followers on social media
JOE MAGGIORE, CONDUCTION
Received a $250,000 Richard King Mellon Foundation social impact investment to expand music education
Partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools to bring music education into the 21st century
PITT SBDC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN SUPPLY CHAIN BUILDS SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES
Over the past year, the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) has supported small business development across the region through programming and networking opportunities. In addition to the ongoing UPMC Essentials for Success series with the UPMC Supplier Opportunity and Inclusion Program—a series that has supported more than 2,100 participants across seven states since its inception—local entrepreneurs have opportunities found through IEE-affiliated programs like Doing Business with Pitt, Partnering with Pitt, and various supplier events with community partners across the region. Nicole Hudson, IEE’s director of strategic connections and opportunities, leads many of these efforts, incorporating members and clients of all IEE centers. Hudson also was appointed to the 2026 NFL Draft Source Council, the National Football League’s group connecting local small businesses with vendor opportunities through the NFL and its draft weekend festivities in Pittsburgh.
NEW PITT SBDC DIRECTOR, IEE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR APPOINTED
In December 2024, the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) welcomed Annia Aleman as associate director of IEE and director of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In this role, she is focused on expanding access to resources for small business owners, strengthening connections across the region, and equipping entrepreneurs to navigate today’s challenges while also positioning them for future opportunities.
Aleman has more than a decade of experience in innovation, business strategy, and impact design, specializing in advancing organizational sustainability and development across government, nonprofit, and business sectors. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, program development and management, human-centered design, and leadership development.
Prior to joining IEE, Aleman served as innovation director at Ascender, LLC, a Pittsburgh-based business incubator, and worked in the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Innovation and Performance, where she launched PGH Lab.
Her leadership and contributions have been recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times in its 30 Under 30 (2018) and Personalities of Pittsburgh (2023) lists as well as by The Incline in its “Who’s Next: Technology” feature.
TWO PITT SBDC
CLIENTS HONORED BY U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
PITT SBDC TEAM, CONSULTANTS RECOGNIZED AT PENNSYLVANIA SBDC GROWTH CONFERENCE
The Pitt SBDC team had a great week at the 2025 Pennsylvania SBDC Growth Conference, held at Pennsylvania State University in May. The team was recognized with four awards at the conference: the Team Spirit Award for exceptional teamwork and collaboration; the Center Performance Award for exceeding program goals and impact metrics; the Rising Star Award for Pitt SBDC management consultant Jonny Gamble, for leadership and client dedication by a team member under 35; and Ambassador of the Year for Brent Rondon, Pitt SBDC senior international trade consultant, for expanding the Pennsylvania SBDC’s reach and visibility. The statewide event brought together the entire Pennsylvania SBDC network to strengthen support and resources for small businesses across the commonwealth.
Coinciding with the U.S. Small Business Administration National Small Business Week, two Western Pennsylvania small business entrepreneurs were recognized for their career accomplishments. Pitt SBDC client Sheree Thomas, president of SB Thomas & Associates, a Pittsburghbased construction and project management firm, was named 2025 Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year. Ken Codeluppi, president of Wall Firma, Inc., was honored as Exporter of the Year by the Small Business Administration Pittsburgh District Office. Codeluppi credited SBDC’s ongoing support, guidance, connections, resources, and strategic planning with helping him to achieve this recognition.
CULTIVATING CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PANTHERLABWORKS MADE TO LAST PROGRAM CULMINATES WITH MADE TO LAST RESOURCE FAIR
On June 10, 2025, IEE’s PantherlabWorks concluded its innovative Made to Last programming with a vibrant resource fair. The event brought together creative small business owners who were participants in the Made to Last series with local resource partners to connect, share, and accelerate creative entrepreneurship.
Supported by a generous grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Made to Last program aimed to empower creators in various fields, including makers, artists, and workers within the gig economy. The program attracted a wide and varied group of individuals, including clients from PantherlabWorks, Pitt SBDC clients, and entrepreneurs new to the Pitt IEE ecosystem.
The initiative was designed to bridge gaps between these creative minds through a series of classes that featured engaging peer group conversations and insightful expert panels.
These sessions offered participants a platform to share experiences, learn from industry leaders, and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities within their respective fields.
The Made to Last programming exemplified Pitt’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship for local businesses and emerging sectors. The support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation was instrumental in bringing this vision to life, enabling IEE to provide invaluable resources and opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to thrive.
IEE GRADUATES 27 MEMBERS OF ITS 26TH ENTREPRENEURIAL FELLOWS CLASS, WELCOMES 34 MEMBERS TO ITS 27TH
On Dec. 10, 2024, IEE’s Entrepreneurial Fellows Class (EFC) graduated 27 members at the Rivers Club in Pittsburgh. EFC is a competitive yearlong certificate program open to CEOs, founders, and business leaders looking to enhance their knowledge and expertise in managing and growing their businesses.
In January 2025, the EFC Class of 2025 kicked off its first session, welcoming nearly three dozen regional business leaders. Over the year, the 34-member cohort will participate in a rigorous business leadership educational program. Through expert-led sessions, peer learning, and custom-matched mentorship, the fellows explore critical topics such as strategic growth, financial management, and leadership development to enhance their knowledge and expertise in leading and growing their businesses. Participants in this year’s class represent dozens of industries and a diverse swath of regional businesses, strengths that enhance connections throughout Western Pennsylvania and further strengthen Pitt’s support of its regional economy.
Now in its 27th year, the EFC program boasts an alumni network of more than 850 business leaders across the greater Pittsburgh region.
URBAN & COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM GRADUATES 20,
KICKS OFF ALUMNI NETWORK
This past year, the Pitt Community Engagement Center in Homewood hosted the graduation ceremonies for the 21st and 22nd cohorts of the Community Power to Prosper program. The events celebrated the achievements of 24 entrepreneurs who completed the intensive program designed to empower small business owners and foster community economic development.
Community Power to Prosper is a no-cost six-month educational program designed for entrepreneurs in low-to-moderate-income communities. The curriculum covers key topics integral to managing and growing a business, such as financial analysis, human resources, marketing, legalities of small business management, and business strategy.
In December, the Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program (UCEP) launched the Community Power to Prosper Alumni Network to continue offering resources and networking opportunities to graduates of the program. Since 2012, the program has graduated approximately 250 entrepreneurs across various industries, and many of these entrepreneurs are still involved with IEE. With the support of JPMorgan Chase, the ongoing series that formalizes alumni networking through UCEP focuses on practical strategies and resources to help small businesses thrive. Sessions thus far have focused on leveraging certifications for business development, financial readiness for contract opportunities, and accessing capital.
Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships
Fiscal Year 2025 by the Numbers
CHART-USER money-bill-wave
industry-sponsored research collaborations facilitated 47 $26M in industry-sponsored research facilitated by OIEP 550 + new partnering opportunities explored
2025 PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Strategic partnerships between Pitt and industry are essential to advancing innovation that solves real-world challenges. These collaborations offer opportunities to translate research into practical applications, expand funding sources, and enhance career pathways for students and researchers. For industry, partnering with academic institutions like Pitt provides access to world-class expertise, breakthrough discoveries, and cutting-edge technologies. Together, these partnerships accelerate progress; strengthen regional economies; and drive meaningful impact across sectors, from health care to energy to advanced manufacturing.
VHIZZY
In May 2025, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine announced a partnership with Vizzhy Inc. The work will be done through a new AI company called GAINMED (for generative and agentic intelligence navigated multiomics medicine) designed to advance P5 medicine: predictive, preventive, personalized, precision and participatory care. The collaboration also will establish Longevity Labs, aiming to sequence 1 million people over five years to accelerate multiomics-driven precision health care.
LEIDOS
In April 2025, the University of Pittsburgh and Leidos announced a $10 million partnership to accelerate the development of AI-driven health care solutions through Pitt’s Computational Pathology and AI Center of Excellence. This five-year collaboration initially will focus on creating advanced tools that enhance disease detection and reduce diagnostic turnaround times, enabling earlier, more effective patient care. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact and highlights how academic/industry collaboration can transform the future of diagnostics and improve health outcomes on a global scale.
BOOMERANG VENTURES/EARSMARTAI
Boomerang Ventures, a venture studio partner of the University, launched EarSmartAI, a digital health company rooted in Pitt innovation. Led by CEO Mark Terrill, EarSmartAI is advancing AI technology developed by developed by Pitt Department of Pediatrics faculty members Alejandro Hoberman and Nader Shaikh, to enable early, accurate diagnosis of ear infections in children. By improving diagnostic precision and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, this milestone showcases Pitt’s commitment to translating research excellence into real-world health care solutions. OIEP identified Boomerang as an ideal partner for the technology and led the conversation from inception up to the launch of the startup.
GENPREX, INC.
Pitt’s partnership with Genprex, Inc., continues to advance groundbreaking research in gene therapy for diabetes, driven by the innovative work of George Gittes, Benjamin R. Fisher Chair and professor of pediatric surgery and pediatrics. Genprex, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, entered into a new sponsored research agreement with Pitt to conduct further preclinical studies of the company’s gene therapy for diabetes in type 1 and type 2 animal models. It replaced a two-year sponsored research agreement that was set to expire.
UNLOCKING INNOVATION: PITT TECH EXPLORER CONNECTS INDUSTRY WITH BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES
This year, OIEP launched the Pitt Tech Explorer, an AI-powered website designed to provide intuitive access to more than 1,000 innovations developed at the University of Pittsburgh. The tool empowers both industry partners and faculty to easily search and explore Pitt technologies available for licensing. Users can filter innovations by therapeutic area, indication, or keyword, making it easier than ever to identify relevant cutting-edge solutions. The Pitt Tech Explorer exemplifies Pitt’s commitment to making its research more accessible and actionable for commercial translation and collaboration.
EXPANDING PITT’S REACH AT GLOBAL PARTNERING AND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES
In 2025, the Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships (OIEP) continued to amplify Pitt’s research strengths on the global stage by representing the University at several premier industry and scientific conferences. These included the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the BIO International Convention, Life Sciences Future, and major clinical meetings such as those of the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
At this year’s BIO International Convention, OIE and Pitt’s School of Medicine hosted an invitation-only reception and panel discussion titled The Future of Drug Discovery: AI, Preclinical Models, and Clinical Insights. The event brought together leaders from global pharma, venture capital, and academic research to explore how AI-powered insights, advanced preclinical models, and clinical data are accelerating the development of new therapies.
Attended by nearly 100 life sciences executives, the gathering showcased the vibrant opportunities for research collaboration at Pitt and reinforced the University’s and Southwestern Pennsylvania’s position as a partner of choice in translational science.
Through strategic partnering meetings and thought leadership engagements like this, OIEP continues to expand the University’s network and catalyze industry collaboration with the power to move innovation from the lab to the market.
CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP HONORS PITT INNOVATORS
In November 2024, the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted its annual Celebration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, welcoming more than 150 attendees from the University of Pittsburgh and the regional entrepreneurial community. The event recognized faculty, students, and regional business leaders for their efforts in translating research and ideas into innovations that make a societal impact and for excellence in small business operations and development.
Seven special awards highlighted exceptional achievements across Pitt’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem:
MARLIN MICKLE OUTSTANDING INNOVATOR AWARD
Daniel Buysse, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Clinical and Translational Science, for his development of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a globally recognized tool in sleep research
EMERGING INNOVATOR AWARD
Yuan Liu, associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, for her work on small-molecule therapeutics targeting age-related diseases
STUDENT INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Adi Mittal, School of Medicine student, for advancing a protein-based blood panel to predict aneurysm rupture risk
START-UP OF THE YEAR
Surface Design Solutions was founded from the research of Tevis Jacobs, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science in the Swanson School of Engineering. Its machine-learning platform, built on thousands of prior surface analyses, provides rapid physics-informed insight into surface performance across diverse industries.
JAMES “CHIP” HANLON VOLUNTEER MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Bill Gaussa, for his exceptional guidance of Pitt innovation teams through a variety of programs and competitions
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD (LESS THAN $1 MILLION IN REVENUE)
TerraGreen, founded by Judy Foster, is a certified woman-owned business specializing in sustainable landscape solutions for residential, commercial, and public spaces. TerraGreen’s growth has been supported by the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center, which has provided business guidance to help the company enhance its digital presence and grow its business.
REGIONAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD ($1 MILLION+ IN REVENUE)
For more than 25 years, Turner Dairy Farms has been closely connected with the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. This partnership has helped the company to grow and innovate, with multiple family members and employees completing IEE’s Entrepreneurial Fellows Class program.
This annual celebration underscores Pitt’s growing leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship, honoring the individuals and teams whose work continues to shape industries, improve lives, and strengthen the regional economy.