BioVentures, The Venture Center Open Applications for 2025 SEDI Healthcare Entrepreneurship Accelerator, ACTIVE
In its second year, ACTIVE provides concentrated and personalized support to SEDI leaders of early-stage health ventures committed to making an impact
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 23, 2024) – BioVentures LLC., in partnership with The Venture Center, is accepting applications for the 2025 Arkansas Collaborative for Technological and Innovative Venture Equality (ACTIVE). In its second year, this initiative aims to enhance health outcomes throughout Arkansas, creating a supportive environment for the growth of innovative ideas and entrepreneurs.
ACTIVE is dedicated to supporting socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) with innovative, early-stage health care and health technology ventures. This commitment to SEDI addresses underrepresentation and unrealized potential in the health sector. By focusing on SEDI entrepreneurs, ACTIVE promotes equitable innovation in the health care industry, driving economic growth, introducing diverse health tech solutions, and improving health outcomes. Interested entrepreneurs are invited to apply at bioventures.tech/active before Friday, Nov. 22.
“We are excited to begin this second year of working with inspiring entrepreneurs from across Arkansas who have historically faced barriers and limited access to capital,” said Stefanie Kennon-McGill, Ph.D., senior program manager at BioVentures. “Improving the health of all Arkansans starts by supporting entrepreneurial ideas that come from a more representative range of the individuals that make up our great state.”
The ACTIVE program positions Arkansas as a key hub for health care innovation, supporting early-stage companies with the potential to influence markets both locally and globally. Funded by the Minority Business Development Agency’s Capital Readiness Program, the initiative also partners with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Philander Smith University to enhance its reach and impact.
This year-long program accepts 25 participants annually, providing concentrated and personalized support. Participants gain access to a range of services, including:
- Entrepreneurship bootcamps to develop essential business skills.
- Assistance with business setup to build a strong foundation.
- Guidance on funding options, including loans and grants.
- Networking opportunities with venture capitalists.
- Personalized mentorship for tailored advice.
- Legal support in health care compliance and intellectual property.
“The Venture Center is thrilled to continue offering a skills training bootcamp for this initiative,” said Daniel Schutte, VP of strategic partnerships at The Venture Center. “Our aim remains to equip emerging health care innovators with the essential tools and knowledge to scale their businesses and drive lasting change in the industry.”
SEDI leaders of early-stage health ventures committed to making an impact should apply to the ACTIVE program now through Friday, Nov. 22, at bioventures.tech/active.
BACKGROUND
BioVentures: BioVentures, established by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), aims to promote a biomedical technology industry in Arkansas and translate research into products that benefit human health. Its mission is to foster commercial investment in inventions and discoveries from UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System to enhance health care and stimulate economic development in Arkansas. Serving as a nexus for innovation and an entry point for industry collaboration, BioVentures facilitates technology transfer and the development of startups based on UAMS technology, contributing to Arkansas’ economic growth. Learn more at bioventures.tech.
The Venture Center: The Venture Center’s immersive accelerator programs are designed to accelerate the growth of early-to-growth-stage companies and help validate their solutions for real-world problems. Our methodology provides a unique opportunity for early-to-growth stage fintech companies to connect with financial institution executives, receive investment, and learn from a comprehensive curriculum aiding in strategically addressing go-to-market, business, and finance challenges. Learn more at venturecenter.co. Follow The Venture Center on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@VentureCenter), and Instagram.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more details about ACTIVE and the application process, please contact Viktoria Capek, (770) 557-6196, viktoria.capek@venturecenter.co or Joe Schaffner, active@uams.edu, or visit bioventures.tech/active.