PCI Ventures (PCIV) is a division of PCI specifically focused on creating early-stage businesses founded on Penn technology.
PCIV prides itself on promoting entrepreneurial activities and new company formation around Penn’s leading research and innovations. PCIV actively seeks entrepreneurs to lead its companies and investors to provide funding for a portfolio of new ventures in development. PCIV also provides a suite of products and services to support its portfolio as spinouts make their way towards commercial success.
How PCIV Helps Penn Spinouts
Since 2010, PCIV has worked with over 200 faculty and staff members to form and launch new companies based on selected inventions and innovative technologies.
While there are many paths to commercialization of a new technology, the PCIV team works with Penn inventors to develop a commercial strategy that utilizes company creation as a means to increase the value of the technology while giving it exposure in the marketplace. PCIV will assist the business team through the entire commercialization process with an array of services that includes matching a strong entrepreneur to each company, providing a network of partners to help with any number of startup needs, and assisting with fundraising.
By connecting local entrepreneurs, investors and partners with Penn inventors, PCIV adds a powerful platform for a larger entrepreneurial ecosystem in greater Philadelphia and beyond.
PCI Ventures Services
UPstart
UPstart offers a wide array of services to assist entrepreneurial faculty members with the company formation and development process. UPstart smooths the path to future success by working closely with faculty members to create a commercial opportunity for their technology through a new venture.
UPadvisors
UPadvisors provides support to companies that operate independently and want to leverage the resources of the PCI Ventures team, services, programs, and network to help navigate the challenges of an early-stage startup. PCI Ventures provides a Company Formation Handbook and advises UPadvisors companies during Weekly Office Hours.
Venture WarmUP
Venture WarmUP is designed to assist faculty prior to starting a company as they explore different options for technology development and commercialization. Program participants may choose to work with PCI to pursue licensing or R&D alliance opportunities, start a company through PCI Ventures, start a company on their own (or with an outside partner), or simply continue with additional research.
Read about successful companies in the PCIV portfolio here.
Ready to get started? Contact PCIVentures@lists.upenn.edu
PCI Ventures Weekly Office Hours
PCI Ventures hosts virtual office hours every Wednesday from 9:00 to 12:00. Each week, a member of the PCI Ventures team will be available to answer business questions on topics ranging from company formation and legal agreements to benefits and insurance.
Anyone is welcome to take advantage of the office hours, click here to sign up for a session today!
Osetomics
Osetomics
Diagnostic and prognostic tools for the treatment of acute musculoskeletal injuries, chronic orthopedic pathologies, and bone implant complications
Penn Founders: Annamarie Horan, MPA, PhD & Samir Mehta, MD (Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
Vital Start Health
Vital Start Health
Empowering clinicians and caregivers by giving them a digital platform to improve neonatal care
Penn Founder: Carrie Hufnal, MD (formerly Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPadvisors)
SchoolSims
SchoolSims
Technology-enhanced immersive learning solutions to leadership development for educational and other organizations
Penn Founder: Michael Johanek, EdD (Penn Graduate School of Education)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
Prohibix LLC
Prohibix LLC
Developing injectable therapeutics that stop the progression of tissue degenerative diseases and preserve quality of life
Penn Founder: Jason Burdick, PhD (Penn Engineering)
PCI Ventures (UPadvisors)
Cogwear
$Cogwear
Affordable, mobile, comfortable, sustained, research-grade, brain state monitoring on the go
Penn Founder: Michael Platt, PhD (Penn Arts & Sciences)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
EmboVent
EmboVent
Removing the embolic load from the heart during open heart surgery with a novel heart vent catheter.
Penn Founder: William Vernick, MD (Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)