Venture Development

Center

Welcome to the VDC, a place where students, established Boston-area founders and global entrepreneurs connect! We are a unique incubator that’s rooted within a powerful, public, R1 classified-university ecosystem. Our innovative approaches have scored big start-up wins over our fifteen-year history, as we continue to support global founders looking for a venture home and visa solutions. We believe in staying on the cutting edge of emerging technologies, investing in game-changing equipment, multi-level mentorship and collaboration. Contact us to discuss how we can help advance your venture!

Local Startups

With business mentorship, connections and resources including offices, laboratories, and equipment get the support you need when you need it.

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Global Entrepreneurs

Now you can move to or remain in Boston after you graduate to launch your company through the Massachusetts GEIR program.

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Faculty

Mission critical instruments, equipment and expertise now available through the Massachusetts Innovation Voucher Program.

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Students

We’ll help you find an internship, receive mentoring, or obtain a scholarship to start your career in an innovative, fast growing company.

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About Us

The Venture Development Center at UMass Boston is an incubator for early-stage technology and life science startups. Our member companies are dedicated to bringing high impact products to market and being a part of a flourishing entrepreneurial community. We also offer programming for the UMass Boston community about product commercialization and entrepreneurship.

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Upcoming Events

Connect, Learn, and Grow with Our Innovation Community

Entrepreneurs in Residence

Ashwin Lokapally

GIWOTECH | Co-Founder

 

A pioneering scientist in computational biology with a Ph.D. in neurobiology and postdoctoral work at the Whitehead Institute–MIT, Dr. Ashwin Lokapally leads GiwoTech Inc. in redefining drug discovery through physics-based molecular simulations and AI-powered digital twins. By accelerating vaccine and therapeutic discovery against viral targets, GiwoTech’s approach integrates biology and artificial intelligence to uncover novel treatments and enhance public health. This revolutionary platform, recognized by multiple federal agencies such as BARDA DRIVe AI Innovation Challenge, DOE, and NSF, underscores GiwoTech’s impact on healthcare innovation. Dr. Lokapally seeks non-entrepreneurial support through research alliances, public health agencies, and philanthropic partnerships, aiming for innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes globally.

Jose Tomas Dominguez

Atacama | Co-Founder

 

A Chilean mechanical engineer who gained pivotal experience designing robots for solar panel cleaning in the harsh Atacama Desert, José Tomás Domínguez infuses Atacama Biomaterials with a deep commitment to sustainability and technology-driven solutions. As Co-Founder and CTO, he co-leads the development of scalable, biodegradable plastics that replace single-use plastics, helping industries adopt more sustainable packaging. Positioned at the intersection of engineering, environmental responsibility, and industrial design, José is shaping a future free from traditional plastic waste. For non-entrepreneurial support, he looks to partner with global manufacturers, research labs, and policymakers to broaden Atacama’s impact, driving widespread adoption of regenerative packaging and advancing the circular economy.

Paloma Gonzalez-Rojas

Atacama | Co-Founder – CEO

 

With a Ph.D. in Applied Machine Learning and postdoctoral research in Chemical Engineering from MIT, Dr. Paloma Gonzalez-Rojas merges AI and materials science to drive sustainable innovation at Atacama Biomaterials. Under her leadership, the company develops regenerative plastics sourced from local biomass, offering a viable alternative to single-use plastics and steering industries toward a circular economy. Rooted in advanced materials, green tech, and AI-driven design, Dr. Gonzalez-Rojas’s work has garnered accolades like Nucleate Eco and MITdesignX, reflecting Atacama’s commitment to global sustainability. She seeks non-entrepreneurial collaborations with researchers, policymakers, and environmental organizations to scale these eco-friendly solutions, reduce plastic waste, and cultivate worldwide adoption of regenerative materials.

Ciaran Dunn

Circe Bioscience | Co-Founder

 

Ciaran Dunn is a deep-tech innovator with a multifaceted background in aerospace, energy, and biotechnology, having notably contributed to a Mach 5 hydrogen propulsion engine project. Now co-leading Circe, he drives large-scale capital projects in gas fermentation, promoting sustainable industrial processes that leverage biotech and advanced engineering. By pioneering eco-friendly alternatives to fossil-fuel-based operations, Circe’s innovations stand at the cutting edge of industrial transformation. Seeking non-entrepreneurial support, Ciaran aims to partner with manufacturing firms, environmental agencies, and R&D organizations, enabling Circe to amplify its sustainability impact and catalyze a greener future.

Kavitha Madhuri

DirectShifts | Co-Founder

 

Dr. Thumuluru Kavitha Madhuri, a distinguished Gynaecological Oncology specialist at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, excels as a Senior Fellow and Divisional Research Lead. With an MD and extensive expertise, Dr. Madhuri plays a crucial role in coordinating clinical care, teaching, and consulting for Sysmex Corporation and AstraZeneca, securing notable awards and grant income. Beyond her professional commitments, she enjoys moments with her son, engages in diverse activities, and is dedicated to advancing women’s health with a strong academic background in Gynaecological Oncology.

Dragana Savic

INIA Biosciences | Co-Founder & Co-CEO

 

A visionary entrepreneur and innovator, Dragana Savic leads INIA Biosciences in revolutionizing the treatment of systemic inflammation through a non-invasive, ultrasound-based wearable device that targets the splenic nerve to activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. By offering a safer, more effective alternative to biologics and immunosuppressants, her technology stands at the forefront of biotech and medical device innovation, addressing widespread inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. Driven by a passion for biomedical advancement, Dragana seeks non-entrepreneurial support to collaborate with research institutions, clinicians, and regulatory bodies to accelerate clinical adoption, enhance global health outcomes, and establish INIA’s groundbreaking platform as a new standard of care.

Yi Ling Tan

PEEK | Co-Founder

 

With over 14 years of experience in Southeast Asian markets, including a tenure as the youngest Senior Vice President in Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, Yi Ling Tan brings formidable financial expertise to Equitable Technologies (PEEK). Her strategic acumen, honed through restructuring the national carrier post-COVID and managing USD 3.5 billion in liabilities, underpins PEEK’s mission to make healthcare universally accessible by advancing affordable CRC screening technologies. Operating at the nexus of healthcare, impact investing, and strategic finance, Yi Ling steers PEEK’s growth, ensuring the company’s solutions are effectively scaled for maximum societal benefit. For non-entrepreneurial pitch deck support, she seeks collaborations with philanthropies, government bodies, and healthcare ecosystems eager to bridge the gap in early cancer detection across global markets.

Krispian Lawrence

PEEK | Co-Founder

 

Krispian Lawrence is a passionate engineer-turned-entrepreneur who previously pioneered India’s first wearable tech company, creating award-winning GPS-enabled haptic shoe insoles for the visually impaired and earning recognition as the “Young Indian Entrepreneur of the Year” by BusinessWorld. He currently leads Equitable Technologies (PEEK) in the mission to eradicate colorectal cancer (CRC) by developing affordable, universally accessible screening solutions, thereby transforming early detection and healthcare outcomes. His work operates at the intersection of healthcare, medical technology, and social impact, leveraging cutting-edge engineering for global benefit. In seeking non-entrepreneurial pitch deck support, Kris looks to partner with research institutions, healthcare organizations, and impact-driven stakeholders to expand the reach of PEEK’s CRC screening innovations and ensure broad adoption in underserved communities worldwide.

Ye (Alvin) Tian

BlockCarbon | Co-Founder

 

Drawing on a rich background in energy transition and M&A from his time at Shell and leadership roles at Harvard’s Venture Capital Club, Alvin Tian focuses on revolutionizing carbon markets at BlockCarbon. By integrating AI, satellite imagery, and field robotics, he is building a robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system to strengthen carbon credit integrity and unlock global finance for nature-based projects in Asia. Positioned at the forefront of climate tech and environmental finance, Alvin seeks non-entrepreneurial collaborations with NGOs, policy leaders, and sustainability investors to scale BlockCarbon’s MRV platform, facilitating large-scale environmental restoration and effective carbon offset mechanisms worldwide.

Hash Harshvardhan

Nutrispin, Inc | Founder & CEO

 

Hash is a seasoned logistics innovator and supply chain expert with 16 years of global experience, including e-commerce, grocery, and retail sectors, supported by a Master of Engineering in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from MIT. At Nutrispin, he is transforming food logistics to ensure healthy food options are accessible and convenient anytime, anywhere, thereby bridging the gap between health-conscious consumers and efficient supply chain solutions. Operating at the intersection of logistics, consumer health, and technology, Hash brings a vision that leverages systems engineering to revolutionize the way nutrition is delivered. Through non-entrepreneurial partnerships, he aims to collaborate with health initiatives, supply chain platforms, and policy agencies to expand Nutrispin’s reach, guaranteeing nutritious meals for diverse populations worldwide.

Kidae Shin

Graduate Entrepreneur in Residence

 

Trained in atomic scale materials engineering. Synthesized and characterized 5 novel materials for various applications in semiconductors and quantum information. Coordinated 4 interdisciplinary projects with Intel, Western Digital, Princeton, Yale, and US National Labs (Argonne, Brookhaven, Pacific Northwest). Interested in applying quantitative methods to various datasets (scientific and financial). Leadership experience as a senior squad leader (Korean Army sergeant) in Korea Defense Intelligence Command, managing 30+ personnel. PhD (Physics) at Yale University, BS (Physics) at Yonsei University (Korea). Available to collaborate with the UMB community on physics, materials science, and quantitative analysis projects.

Hongjoon Kim

Graduate Entrepreneur in Residence

 

Expert in exotic quantum materials, including superconductors and topological insulators, with extensive experience in synthesizing and characterizing diverse oxide systems using advanced growth techniques at Yale University and Seoul National University. Proficient in perovskite oxide materials and in probing their electronic band structures through beamline-based spectroscopy. Specializes in X-ray Techniques, Angle Resolved PhotoEmission Spectroscopy, and various materials growth equipment. MS (Physics) at Yale University, BS (Physics) and MS (Physics) at Seoul National University. Open to sharing expertise and collaborating with the UMB community on materials science and physics initiatives.

Yoonseo Lim

Graduate Entrepreneur in Residence

 

Material scientist and chemical engineer specializing in materials and process design. Synthesized and characterized electrically functional perovskites and oxides during Masters as part of a government funded research program. Prior to Masters, conducted research on fabrication of advanced materials for edge healthcare devices, GaN LEDs, and simulation of anode corrosion in batteries. MS (Chemical Engineering) at Yale University, BS (Materials Engineering) at Imperial College London. Open to sharing her skillset and collaborating with innovators in the UMB community and beyond on materials engineering and chemical process innovations.

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