April 2023 Newsletter 

Tufts $100k New Ventures Competition - Winners Announced!

Hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center, the 2023 Tufts $100k New Ventures Competition combined virtual live pitching and judging with in-person watch parties. The result was an exciting and inclusive competition showcasing innovative new ventures! We applaud all the teams and volunteers who participated in all stages of the competition. Read about the winners here!

There are 3 tracks in the competition - General Technology, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Social Impact. The top 3 teams in each track won cash prizes. Additionally, 1 team in each track was awarded a Cummings Properties Rent Credit.

Other awards presented were the Stephen and Geraldine Ricci Interdisciplinary Prize and the Friedman Food and Nutrition Innovation Prize.

Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund 

The Tufts Entrepreneurial Initiative Fund provides modest levels of funding to individual students, student teams or student clubs to support their entrepreneurial initiatives. Eligible funding requests are in the $100-$1000 range. 

DEC-TEN Rooftop Soiree for NYC Area Alumni!

Wednesday, May 3rd

Derby Entrepreneurship Center and Tufts Entrepreneurial Network cordially invite you to a rooftop soiree on the terrace of the famed Mondrian Park Avenue! Please join us on May 3rd from 6:30-8:30 PM for a cocktail reception on the 15th floor with fellow Jumbos and their guests. Elaine Chen, Director of DEC, and Kevin Oye, Executive Director of TGI as well as other members of the Tufts University community will be there as well. 

Virtual Keynote Debate: Is ChatGPT Overhyped and Overrated or Underhyped and Underestimated?

Wednesday, May 17th

ChatGPT, the generative AI platform from Open AI, burst upon the technology scene toward the end of 2022 and reignited the debate about the future of AI and its impact upon society, business, and politics. Its arrival prompted some advocates to see this as a major breakthrough, yet others dismissed it as pure hype. Tufts Gordon Institute is hosting a panel of experts who will debate this fascinating and topical issue.

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Update

MIT DHIVE SUMMER 23 -

Summer Internship Opportunity 

The Sandbox DHIVE program is a unique paid summer internship opportunity for undergraduate and graduates students interested in healthcare innovation. Participants learn about healthcare needs and challenges from subject matter experts, engage in brainstorming and ideation activities, and learn from seasoned entrepreneurs on how to go from idea to viable solution. Open to all MIT undergraduate and graduate students and Non-MIT students. Sign up for 4/27 Information Session. Apply for internship by 5/1.

Innovator's Night 2023: Celebrating BU's Rising Star

Thursday,  4/27

The finalist teams of Innovate@BU’s annual $72K New Venture Competition will be giving quick pitches, the winners will be announced, the audience will get to vote to determine the audience favorites and chat with all semifinalist and finalist teams at their demo tables, and free food and beverage will be provided! 

Upcoming Events at a Glance

Community Events and Opportunities

2023 launchU Competition • Applications open

launchU is a ‘shark tank’ style start-up pitch challenge for undergraduates and high school students. The best 7 ideas are selected and with the guidance of mentors, the finalists work over five weeks to complete an Investment Summary and a Pitch Presentation to a panel of Judges comprised of entrepreneurs, and investors. Learn More Here

HAX TECH SHARE  • Rolling Applications 

This monthly event is led by HAX investment partners and founders focused on relevant knowledge for hard tech entrepreneurs. It covers lessons and best practices across a different technical topic each month. 

Learn more and register

Bengaluru Social Innovation Bootcamp • Accepting Applications 

The Bootcamp will help founders grow their social impact startups from May 22nd to June 2nd, 2023. The goal is to help entrepreneurs and innovators solve social, health, and environmental problems in India. They will learn to apply a proven social entrepreneurship framework, receive 1-1 mentorship, pitch to the innovation community and receive partner benefits of over $50,000 to accelerate their growth.

Learn more and register

Support the Derby Entrepreneurship Center!

Help us build and grow the next generation of Tufts innovators and entrepreneurs through a tax-deductible donation!

Derby Entrepreneurship Center