Future Innovators

JUNE 9-11, 2025 | AUSTIN, TX
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Future Innovators –
Opportunities and Student/Postdoc
Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs

Are we doing enough to help students and postdoctoral scholars translate hard-tech discoveries into solutions for a more sustainable future? This session addresses that question and explores resources to support emerging entrepreneurs. The session also features the finals of the 2025 Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge (NTEC), where student and post-doc led teams from across the US will pitch nano-enabled innovations and compete for start-up funding. Attendees will learn about funding opportunities, training and mentorship programs, and infrastructure aimed at inspiring and supporting future hard-tech innovators and entrepreneurs. This session is open to all students (from community college through graduate school) and postdocs as well as those interested in supporting future innovators.

Submissions Closed

Topics & Application Areas

Challenges facing future innovators
Funding opportunities and resources
Training, education, and mentorship
Regional innovation infrastructure
Student and postdoctoral scholar perspectives
NTEC 2025
Other

Symposium Co-Chairs

Matthew Hull

Director, Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory

Virginia Tech

Jeremy Pitts

Managing Director, Activate Houston

Activate Global Inc

Key Speakers Include

Aprille Busch, Esq

Executive Director

NSF Innovation Corps Southwest Hub, The University of Texas at Austin

Gabriel Cossio

CEO and Founder

Nanoscale Labs

Craig Lawrence

Partner

Energy Transition Ventures

Back to Top ↑ Symposium Sessions
	Tuesday June 10
9:30	Future Innovators Panel - Student/Postdoc Leaders Summit
10:30	Future Innovators Keynote & Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
4:00	Future Innovators - Posters

Symposium Program
	Tuesday June 10

9:30	Future Innovators Panel - Student/Postdoc Leaders Summit
	Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US
	J. Pitts, Activate Houston, US
	A. Busch, University of Texas at Austin, US
	G. Cossio, Nanoscale Labs, US
	C. Lawrence, Energy Transition Ventures, US

10:30	Future Innovators Keynote & Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
	Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US

4:00	Future Innovators - Posters
	PolyC Plastics and Composites: Enabling Future Materials Platforms With Hemp-Derived Polymers and Technologies M.M. Sotzing, PolyC Plastics and Composites, US
	Hidden Engines of Innovation: The Role of Emerging Research Institutions in Regional Growth M. Foster-Bruns, Valparaiso University, US
	Biobased Epoxy Composites Using Algae Oil K. Lighty, L. Zhang, North Carolina A&T State University - Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering, US
	Enhanced Domestic Extraction of PGMs. Nickel, Copper and Cobalt from primary sources I. Flores-Aroni, Colorado Schoolod Mines, US
	Optimizing Furnace Conditions for Uniform Oxidation M. Le, S. Sanchez, Stanford University, US