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October 02, 2025 | Tom Ballard

U News | U of Florida’s Nucleate Activator accelerator recruiting for next cohort

Babson College has announced the launch of its newest institute - one preparing entrepreneurs for success in real estate.

From the University of Florida:

The University of Florida’s Nucleate Activator 2025 Cohort is the world’s largest open-access, equity-free biotech accelerator for early-stage founders. The program is designed to help founders build biotech ventures through structured team formation, venture-building workshops, expert mentorship, pitch showcases, and global community connections.

This opportunity is for early-stage biotech founders, researchers, and trainees looking to launch companies and accelerate their ventures in the biotech sector. Alumni of the Activator program have launched over 100 companies, raised $400 million, and are advancing solutions to improve human and planetary health.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from mid-September to late October 2025, with the final application deadline on October 20, 2025. To learn more and begin your application, click here.

From Florida State University:

Florida State University (FSU) announced that DeepWork Capital and Florida Funders, two of Florida’s leading venture capital (VC) firms, will participate in events during FSU Discovery Days, a weeklong celebration of research and innovation.

Kathy Chiu, Managing Partner of DeepWork Capital, and Zach Brodsky, Senior Investments Associate at Florida Funders, will offer fundraising advice to the Tallahassee start-up community on a panel titled “Capital of Florida: VC & Angel Funding for Sunshine State Tech Startups” at the IGNITE Tallahassee Grand Opening the morning of October 21. That afternoon, both Chiu and Brodsky will also serve as judges for the third annual Discovery Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition for start-up companies founded on FSU research.

Both firms have played pivotal roles in Florida’s venture capital landscape. DeepWork Capital, which manages multiple private venture capital funds as well as the state’s Florida Opportunity Fund, is known for its founder-focused and hands-on approach. Multidisciplinary in capabilities and generalist in industry focus, DeepWork’s investments span enterprise IT to deep tech to life sciences. The firm’s investments have spurred growth in undercapitalized regions and expanded access to many founders’ promising startups. Florida Funders is recognized as one of the most active venture capital firms in Florida and ranks among the top in the nation. By combining a venture fund with one of the largest angel investor networks in the Southeast, Florida Funders has backed more than 120 startups across industries like financial technology, artificial intelligence, health tech, and digital media.

From Babson College:

Babson College has announced the launch of its newest institute — the eighth within the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership—which will prepare the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to explore real estate as a powerful vehicle for innovation, wealth creation, and community impact.

“The TARCO Institute for Real Estate and Entrepreneurship will contribute significant thought leadership to campus and bring new networking opportunities and unique programs to our community,” said Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. “The new institute represents a strategic addition to the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership and will prepare generations of learners to navigate complex industries and reimagine them as engines for innovation and impact.

The TARCO Institute is possible because of the vision and generosity of Todd Ruderman, who earned his MBA from Babson in 1999. It is named for TARCO Properties, which he founded in 2002.

From Case Western Reserve University:

Northeast Ohio’s ambitious goal of becoming a national epicenter for advanced materials and industrial innovation over the next decade has advanced to the next stage.

Spearheaded by a consortium led by Case Western Reserve University, NEO-SMART (Northeast Ohio Strengthening Manufacturing for American Resilience through Technology) has been named one of 15 finalists in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program.

NSF Engines is designed to drive economic growth, enhance national security and create jobs by advancing critical technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and biotechnology.

NEO-SMART is a partnership of more than 50 entities from diverse sectors, including industry, academia, job training, philanthropy, and government. The coalition includes major companies such as Avery Dennison, Avient Corp., Babcock & Wilcox, Bridgestone, Cleveland-Cliffs, GOJO Industries, Goodyear, Lincoln Electric, Lubrizol, Novagard, Peak Nano, Sherwin-Williams, Smithers-Oasis, and Swagelok.

From the University of Chicago:

The University of Chicago recently celebrated the opening of Hyde Park Labs, a new commercial laboratory facility that will help advance science research and entrepreneurship on Chicago’s South Side.

The 300,000-square-foot building was developed by Trammell Crow Company and Beacon Capital Partners. It includes space for academic research, science-based companies, and the UChicago Science Incubator, which will accelerate discoveries into companies and real-world solutions in areas including the life sciences, quantum, artificial intelligence, and climate.

Speaking at the opening event at Hyde Park Labs, the second phase of the Harper Court development, President Paul Alivisatos called the project’s launch a “waypoint” in UChicago’s broader effort to link research and economic growth. “It will help to energize the local economy and will also help us to do more, because it builds on itself. This is an important milestone for us, but we intend to continue to invest and to continue to build the local innovation ecosystem here in Hyde Park—and partnering with all those around us to build it out further.”

From the University of Maryland:

Governor Wes Moore announced that Microsoft will open a new quantum research center in the heart of the University of Maryland’s Discovery District to serve as a development hub for next-generation quantum technologies. The partnership between the State of Maryland, the University of Maryland Enterprise Corporation, and Microsoft marks a critical milestone in Maryland’s momentum to become a global leader for quantum information science and technology innovation.

“Maryland is making big bets on the future to grow our economy and drive innovation. Quantum is at the center of that strategy,” said Gov. Moore. “We are honored to partner with Microsoft in this effort, as we work together to create jobs, spark discovery, and stimulate growth. And together, we will continue to make Maryland the best place in the world to change the world.”

The center will provide early access to Microsoft’s quantum technology to support collaborative hardware and software development between government agencies, academic institutions, and quantum companies. The center will also attract skilled quantum experts to the state, providing a space for Microsoft engineers to interact and collaborate with the Maryland quantum ecosystem, including University of Maryland students and researchers. The University of Maryland Discovery District’s proximity to key quantum institutions and the Moore-Miller Administration’s demonstrated commitment to quantum industry investment through the Capital of Quantum Initiative were key factors that led to the new partnership.

From the University of Missouri-Kansas City:

The Critical Materials Crossroads team, led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, officially advanced in September 2025 as one of 15 finalists for the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award.

Critical materials include minerals that are essential to modern life, forming the backbone of products such as medical equipment, cars, industrial machinery, and consumer electronics. Yet U.S. manufacturing has declined significantly since the early 1990s, leaving the nation heavily dependent on imported supplies—a vulnerability that poses risks to both economic growth and national security. The Critical Materials Crossroads seeks to reverse this trend by onshoring manufacturing jobs and create a sustainable pathway to produce these vital critical materials domestically, reducing reliance on foreign entities of concern while strengthening both national and economic security.

“Kansas City’s bold thinking and collaborative action are driving innovation,” said Lisa Krigsten, Chair, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. “The Critical Materials Crossroads is a collaborative, visionary effort that builds on the region’s research strengths and demonstrates our commitment to workforce development and national security.”

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