Science Venture Studio Graduates Cohort of Commercialization Fellows

The Science Venture Studio (SVS) has ended its Fall 2021 Cohort of Commercialization Fellows with much success and growth. 

Startup Junkie, which oversees SVS, hired two students last fall who were able to contribute their expertise to a company that worked with SVS as they worked towards applying for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Grants. 

• Najee Stubbs,  a Senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, was paired with Cal-Tenn Innovations, as they worked towards completing an NSF Phase I SBIR proposal to aid in the development of their UltraShield Device which could help reduce the use of gels on ultrasound probes. Stubbs also helped the SVS team determine and develop a strategic plan to better serve international students who apply to be a commercialization fellow in the future. 

• Anna Buckley, a Walton Honors Student at the University of Arkansas, was paired with Cureate, whose goals are to shift the dollar back into our local communities by building an empowered food and beverage supply to meet a changing consumer demand through their Cureate procurement platform and Cureate courses, as they applied for a USDA SBIR Phase I proposal. Buckley was also instrumental in helping the EMPOWER team develop marketing materials for the accelerator which will have its official kick-off on January 26th. 

This paid fellowship is a partnership between the U of A and Startup Junkie, which oversees SVS. The fellowship is for the duration of one semester, with a $5000 stipend. SVS has hired three new fellows for the Spring 2022 cohort to help early stage science and technology companies as they prepare proposals for a Spring 2022 submission to various federal agencies. Details of the new fellows will be provided in the upcoming weeks in a press release.

“Each semester SVS has the opportunity to work with new clients as they prepare an SBIR or STTR proposal. I am always amazed at the amount of support that the students provide these companies as well as provide insight on ways that SVS can better serve our community,” said Katie Thompson, the Director of the Science Venture Studio. “I value everyone on our team as we continue to help early stage science and technology companies. The expertise and experience that the students bring each semester has been instrumental in helping companies and the overall growth of SVS.” 

About Startup Junkie: Located in Fayetteville, Startup Junkie is building entrepreneurial ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas through providing no-cost, one-on-one consulting; events, workshops, and programs; and access to capital and talent.

About Science Venture Studio: Supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Science Venture Studio in collaboration with Innovate Arkansas, the Northwest Arkansas Council, University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Startup Junkie aims to help Arkansas science- and technology-based startups apply for non-dilutive federal funding. The SVS team is composed of a grant specialist, advisor, commercialization fellows and technology mentors all with the passion for helping small science and technology businesses secure funding to develop their technology and grow their company.

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio and Startup Village, OEI provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions, and startup coaching. OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.