APPLY FOR OUR AG-POWERUP PROGRAM NOW!!!

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Call for Applications: June 18, 2024 – July 2, 2024

Apply Now

What is AG-POWERUP?

AG-POWERUP (Agricultural Growth Powered by Energy Upstarts) is the latest initiative from the Missouri Innovation Center, designed to support energy entrepreneurs and startups developing innovations for the agricultural and renewable energy sectors. This program is intended to address renewable energy expansion and encourage deep-tech innovation within the agricultural domain, a strategic move for our region given Missouri boasts over 90,000 farms. Consequently, deep-tech energy innovations that positively influence the agricultural sector stand as crucial drivers for advancement in our region. This program offers two tracks, SEED (Start-up Energy Early Development), and GROW (Growth Resources, Opportunities, and Workspace) tailored to distinct stages of startup development, providing resources and support to accelerate growth and success.

SEED

SEED: Start-up Energy Early Development:

SEED is an 8-week hybrid program aimed at early-stage startups. This program is designed to equip startups with a solid foundation for success, emphasizing the importance of customer validation, strategic planning, writing grants, and pitching to investors.

Program Structure:

● Customer Discovery: This process is essential for identifying the first customers and validating the business hypotheses. Startups engage in direct interviews and interactions with potential customers to understand their needs, challenges, and behaviors. The goal is to turn assumptions into testable hypotheses and refine the product or service based on feedback from these interactions.

● Business Model Canvas: This strategic management tool helps startups visualize and describe their business model comprehensively. It covers various aspects like key partners, activities, resources, value propositions, customer relationships, channels, cost structures, and revenue streams. This holistic view is crucial for startups to align their operations with their strategic goals.

● Value Proposition Canvas: This tool dives deeper into two blocks of the Business Model Canvas: customer segments and value propositions. It helps startups articulate the benefits their product or service delivers, addressing customer pains and creating gains. The canvas guides entrepreneurs in designing solutions that align with customer needs and preferences.

● Pitch Deck Development: Startups learn how to create compelling pitch decks that effectively communicate their value proposition, business model, and market potential to investors.

● Strategic Planning: SEED participants engage in strategic planning sessions to set clear, actionable goals and develop roadmaps for achieving them. This planning covers market entry strategies, growth milestones, and risk mitigation tactics.

● SEED Grants: Information on how to apply for and utilize seed grants will be provided. These grants can be crucial for early-stage startups needing financial support to develop prototypes, conduct market research, and cover initial operational costs.

By the end of the SEED Camp, startups will have a validated value proposition, a structured business model, and a clear strategic plan, positioning them for successful pitches and further development.

-Key Dates: The camp will run from July 10, 2024, to September 11, 2024.

GROW

GROW: Growth Resources, Opportunities, and Workspace

GROW is designed for technologies with some seed funding, or start-ups that need lab space for product development, marketing, and commercialization.

Program Structure:

● GROW immerses participants in the local Missouri agricultural and renewable energy sectors, fostering synergistic development of their innovations. Participants receive access to incubator space at reduced costs, strategic planning support from mentors and coaches, access to certain University of Missouri resources, and key connections in the agriculture and energy sectors for demo/pilot testing.

● Networking and Collaboration: GROW will host introductory and networking meetings between participants, incubator residents, investors, stakeholders in agricultural and energy sectors, and other relevant entities based on cohort needs.

● SEED will function as a precursor to GROW, where participants transition into becoming resident Missouri Innovation Center clients marking the first time, we are implementing a two-track feeder program. AG-POWERUP is committed to driving innovation and growth in the agricultural and renewable energy sectors by providing comprehensive support to startups at various stages of development.

The area and the region startups are encouraged to apply for this program. The selected teams will be notified via email on July 5 and further information about the program and schedule will be provided.

AG-POWERUP Application

AG-POWERUP SEED/GROW Application Form

Please fill out the following form to be considered for the AG-POWER UP SEED/GROW Track program:

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
To which Program would you like to apply, SEED or GROW:
Have you formed a legal company yet?(Required)
What stages of funding (if any) have you raised?(Required)
If you qualify for the Grow program, would you be willing to relocate your company to the Missouri Innovation Center (MIC) located in Columbia, MO?(Required)

For any questions or further information please contact:

Aina Zaresheva: [email protected]

Syed Barizuddin: [email protected]

Quinten Messbarger: [email protected]

Announcement of the new Vice president and COO of MIC

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We are delighted to announce that Syed Barizuddin, Ph.D., has accepted the position of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Missouri Innovation Center (MIC). Dr. Barizuddin brings with him an extensive background in technical expertise, research, innovation, and strategic leadership across diverse STEM fields in both academia and industry.

Dr. Barizuddin is an accomplished professional with considerable experience driving technological advancements and spearheading innovative projects. He has demonstrated a strong capability in securing funding, leading cross-disciplinary teams, and creating impactful technologies that address critical challenges in various fields.

Dr. Barizuddin holds patents in various fields of STEM. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and has been a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a review panel member for the National Science Foundation.

In his previous position as Program Director, at the University of Missouri (MBArC/REACH – NIH), Dr. Barizuddin fostered regional collaboration and supported academic researchers across six midwestern states. Earlier, he was the Founder/CEO, of two start-up companies. During his tenure, the company developed ultra-sensitive biosensing technologies, securing competitive funding, and establishing collaborations with global organizations and multinational companies.

Dr. Barizuddin’s appointment as Vice President and COO marks a valuable addition to the Missouri Innovation Center. His expertise and leadership will drive our mission of fostering innovation and supporting the growth of start-ups and technological advancements in the region.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Syed Barizuddin to his new role. We look forward to his contributions and the continued success of the Missouri Innovation Center.

WE ARE HIRING! Exciting Job Opportunity with MIC

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The Missouri Innovation Center is searching for our next VP/COO. 

The primary purpose of this position is to manage two departments, the MU Life Science Business Incubator and the incubation/technology commercialization programs delivered by MIC.  Tasks includes operational and fiscal responsibility for a 33,000 sq. ft. lab/office facility and supervision of two full-time staff positions.  Additionally, time is spent coaching, mentoring, and otherwise advising entrepreneurial clients on all aspects of business including business planning, licensing, commercialization, and equity financing.  This position is responsible for generating revenues from leasing space, contracting with state and/or federal agencies, submitting various grants and receiving these awards. The position interacts and serves various mentor, coaching and teaching roles with related university and community programs including the NSF I-Corps Affiliate and Regional Programs.

To learn more about the Missouri Innovation Center, please view the next several news items and explore the other sections of our website.

To view the job posting (available through the University of Missouri) and to apply,

  • Select this link to access the MU careers site.
  • Sign In to access your account; or if you are not an existing user, select the New User link to create one.
  • Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.

Current University of Missouri employees can access the position here.

Thank you!

MU publishes an article featuring MIC clients

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Hatching high-growth ventures

Mizzou researchers and alumni are working with the Missouri Innovation Center to cultivate and advance their startups.

The University of Missouri is fostering high-growth ventures by leveraging the Missouri Innovation Center to support researchers and alumni in transforming their academic discoveries into commercial successes. With a focus on creating startups that bridge the gap between research and practical applications, the initiative provides a comprehensive support system, including incubation facilities, mentoring, business counseling, and funding opportunities.

Click here to read the full article
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🌟 Exciting News: MIC Receives DOE OTT EPIC Round 3, Phase 1 Award! 🌟

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We are thrilled to announce that the Missouri Innovation Center (MIC) has been awarded the prestigious Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) EPIC Round 3, Phase 1 Award! The EPIC program, funded by the DOE Office of Technology Transitions, recognizes MIC’s dedication to fostering innovation and driving energy technology advancement.

MIC was awarded for their development of a comprehensive plan to support energy startups and entrepreneurs and define their metrics for success. Now eligible for Phase 2, MIC has the opportunity to implement their novel support plan and create a continuation plan worthy of selection for a cooperative agreement. Selected EPIC Round 3 Phase 2 winners will then be invited to negotiate a cooperative agreement with OTT worth up to $1 million. 

This recognition highlights our commitment to accelerating the growth of startups and entrepreneurs in various sectors, including energy technology. With this award, we are poised to expand our efforts in supporting promising startups, fostering partnerships, and driving innovation in the energy sector.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Energy for their support and recognition of our initiatives. We also thank our partners, stakeholders, and the community for their ongoing collaboration and encouragement.

Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this exciting journey towards a brighter, more sustainable future!

About the Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions

The Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) is one of the largest supporters of technology commercialization in the federal government. Founded in 2015, OTT bolsters the technology industry’s market skills and enables clean energy technologies to progress through research, development, demonstration, and to deployment into the private sector to meet our nation’s climate goals. Visit us at energy.gov/technologytransitions to learn more, and subscribe to receive our latest opportunities and accomplishments via email. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Image source: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2024-04/Final-Lab-MATCH_Phase1_Winners_Map_Corrct.jpg?itok=I05EsGCU 

Missouri Innovation Center Awarded MOBEC Operations Grant from Missouri Technology Corporation

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COLUMBIA, MO – The Missouri Innovation Center (MIC) is honored to be among the eight recipients of the most recently awarded funding through the Missouri Building Entrepreneurial Capacity (MOBEC) grant program by the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC).  As part of MTC’s initiative to enhance Missouri’s innovation economy and entrepreneurial capacity, the MOBEC grant program targets organizations that align with the strategic goals set forth in the MTC Catalyzing Innovation Report, expanding the state’s entrepreneurial capacity and growing its innovation economy.

The MIC’s mission is to support and empower entrepreneurs in Mid-Missouri, aiding in the creation of high-growth ventures that positively impact lives and stimulate the economy. We offer high-growth entrepreneurs access to customized mentoring and coaching and incubation facilities, including wet laboratories, shared lab equipment and resources, and office spaces. Through this MOBEC Operations Grant, MIC will enhance our current incubation support services launching three new pivotal programs to further support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region.

The Missouri Innovation Center is grateful for the support from MTC and looks forward to making the most of the MOBEC Operations Grant to enhance our impact. Together, we are paving the way for a more innovative and prosperous Missouri.

For more information about the Missouri Innovation Center and its upcoming programs, please visit www.missouriinnovation.com

MOBEC Award

Missouri Innovation Center Receives MTC Physical Infrastructure Grant

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The Missouri Innovation Center (MIC) is proud to be awarded one of six Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) Physical Infrastructure Grants. MIC, in collaboration with the University of Missouri, manages and operates the MU Life Science Business Incubator. As Central Missouri’s only provider of wet labs and full-cycle, life science commercialization services available to high-growth ventures, this grant is a great win for our entrepreneurs from the community, the University of Missouri, and anyone from afar wanting to take advantage of the outstanding resources available at MIC. Funds from the grant will help us operate, maintain, and improve the 33,000 sq. ft. life science business incubator. MTC grant support is critical in helping us offer below-market rates while delivering exceptional tech commercialization and incubation services. Read more about the MTC grant and recipients at the following link: MTC Announces Physical Infrastructure Grant Recipients – Missouri Technology Corporation

MTC Awardee Physical Infrastructure August 8, 2023

The Internet is Like Water to a Technology Company

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Mediacom Business quenches the thirst of tech startups at the Missouri Innovation Center with a dedicated Gigabit fiber connection.

Bill Turpin, President and CEO of the MIC, said there are minimums for his facility to be a player in the high-tech startup business. “It’s critical for next generation companies to have uninhibited access to the Internet along with reliability, and Mediacom Business has provided the broadband infrastructure that has allowed us to be a player in this space.”

To read the full press release, click here.

Apollo Care Addresses Critical Hospital and Patient Needs

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One of the biggest challenges facing our local healthcare providers is that small, suburban and rural hospitals, including those in Columbia, have great difficulty sourcing and procuring customized drugs as big pharmaceutical companies focus primarily on large, urban markets. Apollo Care founder James Krogman, along with Jarred Dudding, recognized this problem and are addressing it by launching Apollo Care to provide Missouri hospitals with solutions tailored for their needs. This attention to the needs of customers in smaller markets is one of the things that sets Apollo Care apart from the competition.

Hospitals, eldercare facilities and other customers will definitely enjoy a great deal of benefits when starting a partnership with Apollo Care.  The company will be their dedicated, local supplier for identifying and customizing medications including those that might not be commercially available, providing on-demand ordering and flexible door-to-door delivery. With the support from Apollo, the workloads of in-hospital production will be significantly lessened and in return, hospitals will have more resources to invest in patient-care directed activities. Additionally, Apollo also offers the patient-specific compounding, which can be made exclusively for one patient on a one-time basis. This service is filling unmet needs of mid-Missouri healthcare centers, surgery centers and long-term care facilities for drug customizations at patient levels.

What makes Apollo Care unique is not only the niche market they are currently targeting, but the level of commitment and investment they have made in product testing and high-tech compounding infrastructure that enables them to also produce standardized drugs. Along those lines, Apollo engaged a third-party quality assurance agency in their product testing process to ensure that their products are, at a minimum, in compliance with FDA regulations or exceed industry standards such as USP 797. The company’s commitment is to provide a reliable, local delivery while still being able to achieve the highest of patient safety.

The Missouri Innovation Center accepted Apollo Care as a client in September, 2015 and the company became a resident member in January, 2016.  After just nine short months, the company graduated and now has two facilities.   Apollo Care currently has approximately 4,500 ft² at one location, which includes a 1500 ft² cleanroom/lab. The second location is approximately 750 ft² featuring a 400 ft² cleanroom/lab. The company initially expects to supply four to six products (IV antibiotics, analgesics and oncology medications) growing to provide more than a dozen different types of drugs in the upcoming years.  Further in the future, Apollo Care will expand their business to include veterinary applications.

Post written by MBA candidate Yen Le while on assignment to MIC.

StoryUp Releases VR Application for Major Platforms

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As of today, you can download the StoryUP VR application from the Apple Store or Google Play Store (in addition to the Oculus GearVR store), a major step for the growth of the virtual reality start-up that began its journey at the Missouri Innovation Center. Sarah Hill, StoryUP’s founder and CEO, describes the company as a positive media platform that utilizes virtual reality technology to immerse users in stories and experiences that have a positive influence on the user and society. StoryUP, is currently focused on utilizing the platform to relieve baseline symptoms of anxiety in hospitals, Veterans homes, and chemotherapy clinics.

StoryUP’s most recent VR film, See Beyond Labels, commissioned by Facebook, premiered at the Oculus House during this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Are You Listening, supported by Empowered by Light and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, premiered a month earlier at the Dubai Film Festival. The company has also succeeded in securing clients including Google, Facebook, and Humana for their immersive media experiences. The StoryUP crew recently returned from Haiti, where they captured the impact of the Haitian Earthquakes on children who lost their music school and instruments. This spatial audio VR film, in association with London’s Aurelia Soundworks, will be released later this year on all VR platforms.

In November of 2016, one of StoryUP’s many philanthropic projects, Honor Everywhere, made national news. This virtual reality experience, supported by Jaunt and Central Missouri Honor Flight, aims to give veterans who are unable to travel an opportunity to experience memorials built in their honor. Since the CBS news story, the response has been overwhelming. In response, StoryUP is teaming up with National Honor Flight to ensure that the hundreds of requests pouring in from the family and friends of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Veterans do not go unheard.

Whether it be through positive media stories, full-length VR films, virtual memorials, or immersive therapy, StoryUP is making an impact on the emerging virtual reality market – one that Missouri Innovation Center is proud to be a part of.

Download the StoryUp VR application from iTunes and Google Play.

Post written by MBA candidate Sean Miller while on assignment to MIC.