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

Matthew Hull

Director, Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory

Virginia Tech

Jeremy Pitts

Jeremy Pitts

Managing Director, Activate Houston

Activate Global Inc


Key Speakers Include


Aprille Busch, Esq

Aprille Busch, Esq

Executive Director

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

Gabriel Cossio

Gabriel Cossio

CEO and Founder

Nanoscale Labs


Craig Lawrence

Craig Lawrence

Partner

Energy Transition Ventures


Symposium Co


 
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Symposium Sessions

Monday June 9

4:00Future Innovators - Posters

Tuesday June 10

9:30Future Innovators Panel - Student/Postdoc Leaders Summit
10:30Future Innovators Keynote & Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
11:00Future Innovators Keynote
11:25Future Innovators Pitch Challenge Awards

Symposium Program

Monday June 9

4:00Future 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

Tuesday June 10

9:30Future 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
10:30Future Innovators Keynote & Student/Postdoc Pitch Contest for Emerging Entrepreneurs
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US
11:00Future Innovators Keynote
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US
11:25Future Innovators Pitch Challenge Awards
Session chair: Matthew Hull, Virginia Tech, US; Jeremy Pitts, Activate Houston, US
 

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

2025 Sponsors & Partners

 

2024 SPONSORS & PARTNERS

2024 Sponsors & Partners
 

2024 SBIR/STTR AGENCY PARTNERS

2024 BIR/STTR Agency Partners

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