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.
PCI Ventures Weekly Office Hours
PCI Ventures hosts virtual office hours several times a semester. During the office hour sessions, 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. Sign up for a virtual session using the links below:
Our Portfolio
Read about the wide variety of companies in the PCIV portfolio here.
View Our Full PortfolioGynuin
Gynuin
Developing a fixation system to secure IUDs postpartum (Eileen Wang MD Penn Medicine) UPstart
Penn Founder: Eileen Wang, MD (Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
Riboxy Therapeutics
Riboxy Therapeutics
Developing sex-specific therapies targeting disease-associated proteins, RNAs and chromosomal fusion proteins to achieve greater potency and fewer side effects.
Penn Founder: Kathy Fange Liu, PhD (Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
Ventru
Ventru
Aims to improve the safety and efficacy of neurosurgical procedures through surgical instrument innovation
Penn Founders: Rachel Blue, MD & Michael Spadola, MD (Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
Elaeis Therapeutics
Elaeis Therapeutics
Targeting protein palmitoylation to confront unmet challenges in human disease.
Penn Founders: Eric Witze, PhD & George Burslem, PhD (Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPadvisors)
Calorint
Calorint
Heat-based technology for wound healing
Penn Founders: Jonathan Isserow, MD (formerly Penn Medicine)
PCI Ventures (UPadvisors)
NociHeal Therapeutics
NociHeal Therapeutics
Development of novel molecular therapeutics for treating severe pain and chronic pain.
Penn Founders: Wenqin Luo, M.D, Ph.D (Department of Neuroscience)
PCI Ventures (UPstart)
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