Meet University Lab Partners - An Independent, Non-Profit Wet Lab Incubator Located At UCI Research Park

SThe community for designers Dribbble helps you hire designer, grow and look for design inspiration!

Listen to this article

Below is our interview with Emilie Tangsavath, marketing associate at University Lab Partners:

Q: Emilie, can you tell us something more about University Lab Partners?

A: University Lab Partners is an independent, non-profit wet lab incubator located at UCI Research Park. University Lab Partners (ULP) empowers economic development and job creation in Orange County by combining a state-of-the-art life science coworking environment with workforce development and training opportunities. ULP is home to 26 Resident Companies ranging from small SBIR/STTR recipients to publicly-traded companies. ULP is 501(c)(3) project of the Beall Family
Foundation and it was founded in partnership with University of California, Irvine, Beall Applied Innovation. Our open innovation platform enables lifescience & medtech companies to access unique research capabilities and a network of technical, business, and talent resources at an economical cost.
Through our community-serving, education programming, we are deeply committed to making life science, STEM experiences accessible to everyone by providing real-world biotech education to create opportunities for careers offering the rising living standards they need to thrive in Orange County.

Q: Any highlights on your recent announcement?

A: University Lab Partners in partnership with the SBDC @ UCI Beall Applied Innovation announces the inaugural launch of Orange County’s annual pitch competition for technology and life science startups. Pitch. Launch. Grow. aids startups looking for a financial boost to achieve their next measurable milestone. Applications open until June 12, 2021.There are 3 tracks startups can apply to and 1 winner from each winner will be awarded a prize.

The 3 Tracks and Prizes
Technology – Includes software or hardware in the following sectors: Communications, Wireless, Cybersecurity, EdTech, Environmental Technologies (e.g. AgTech, CleanTech, BlueTech, EnergyTech), Information Technologies (e.g. SaaS platforms), Internet of Things (IoT), Media, and AdTech. Prize: Cash prize equal to twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).

Life Science – The life science industry is one that encompasses a wide range of areas such as drug discovery, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and therapeutics offering innovative products and services. Prize: Priority admission or renewal to University Lab Partners and 1-year ULP lab space (one (1) – 6ft lab bench) valued at $23,400.

Specialty Diagnostics x Showa Denko – Are you developing an antibiotic susceptibility technology (AST)? The AST technology should allow for rapid analysis (minutes, not hours), work in real patient matrices (urine, whole blood or CSF), and be simple enough that the final product can be used by non-trained medical personnel in a physician office environment (CLIA waivable). The technology should enable an embodiment in which sample preparation is automated and incorporated into the test device. A phenotypic AST is preferred. Genotypic entries will be allowed, but consideration should be made to identify as high a percentage of resistant bacteria or fungi as possible while optimizing specificity. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for relevant companies / academic developers. If selected, you will be connected to partners at Showa Denko Materials (America), who are actively looking to commercialize a rapid antibiotic susceptibility test technology to further develop your diagnostic technology and connect you to key stakeholders. Prize: Priority admission to University Lab Partners and 1-year ULP lab space (one (1) – 6ft lab bench) valued at $23,400.

Applicants have the opportunity to work with an SBDC consultant to refine their pitch deck while attending topic-specific webinars in addition to receiving 1:1 consulting sessions. Finalists for each of the three tracks will be selected by a panel of investment experts and pitch live at the Virtual Demo Day on August 26th, 2021.

Pitch. Launch. Grow. is sponsored by Showa Denko Materials (America), Snell & Wilmer, Troutman Pepper, Insperity, PTS Advance Life Sciences, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

Q: Can you give us more insights into your offering?

A: “This is really a great opportunity for technology and life sciences start-ups to get launched. For the life science track, the sponsored laboratory space for 1-year can really help a start-up develop their proof of concept on the bench and make the necessary connections in the ecosystem to launch. In addition, the opportunity to work with the SBDC consultants is invaluable,” stated Karin Koch, Managing Director of University Lab Partners.

Q: What can we expect from your company in next 6 months? What are your plans?

A: As the demand for life science facilities continues to grow here in Orange County, University Lab Partners is getting ready to announce our expansion plans to continue to support the life science community in Southern California. We just recently expanded our current footprint here at UCI Research Park by adding an additional 2,000+ square feet and are excited to soon announce our further expansion in partnership with another university in Orange County.

In regards to our community serving programming, we are looking forward to working with additional educational and community partners to make biotechnology, STEM programs accessible to more students in the Orange County region. In partnership with CHOC Children’s, North OC ROP, College and Career Advantage, and Coastline ROP, the Medical Innovation,
Research and Entrepreneurship Program currently offered in 12 school districts will continue to expand in 2021 to include all 15 OC school districts. Watch the video about the MIRE program with student testimonials.

Q: What is the best thing about your company that people might not know about?

A: The best thing about our organization is the community of innovators and collaborative partners supporting one another. We host a lot of educational programming and networking opportunities for the start-up community because knowledge sharing and making connections can really accelerate a start-up’s journey.

Last Updated on August 1, 2021

Activate Social Media: