The Food, Ag + Health Entrepreneurship Academy helps students, postdocs and faculty gain the knowledge and networks needed to identify, develop and validate the commercial potential of your research or idea.
The academy combines focused lectures, practical exercises, networking sessions and hands-on experiences in an innovative format to help you explore how your research can make a broader impact in industry, the marketplace and the world. You’ll learn to identify market needs and opportunities and develop a network of experts to support your venture.
The 2020 academy is co-sponsored by the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Up to 30 scholarships available to the UC Davis campus community.
The academy includes:
- An intensive opportunity to explore the market opportunities surrounding your ideas and your research.
- Daily seminars and interactive sessions taught by leading investors, industry executives, entrepreneurs and university faculty.
- The tools to communicate the broader potential of your research.
- Evening mentoring sessions with industry executives and investors.
Draft Academy Schedule
2020 ACADEMY Speakers
Note: Featured speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
Andrew Hargadon – Faculty Director, UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Joe DiNunzio – Executive Director, UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Carissa Bouwer – Associate, DLA Piper
Nicole Albertson – Associate, DLA Piper
Bruce German – UC Davis Foods for Health Institute; Evolve Biosystems
Noah Alper – Founder Noah’s Bagels; Noah Alper Consulting
Kyeema Zerbe – Associate Director, UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health
David Richardson – Partner, DLA Piper
Damon Tull – UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and UC Davis Graduate School of Management
How to Apply
The academy is open to upper-division undergrads, graduate students (master’s and doctoral), postdocs, faculty and others who are studying, researching or working in the area of food, ag and health. It is open to applicants from any university as well as interested applicants with no university affiliation. Priority registration is given to UC-affiliated participants.
To obtain maximum benefit from the program curriculum, participants are encouraged to attend all three full days of the academy.
Registration is now closed.
Registration Fees
$0: UC Davis students, faculty and staff.
$2,500: Participants with no UC Davis affiliation
Registration fee includes course, materials and dining. Payment due upon acceptance to the program. This fee does NOT include lodging, transportation or parking fees, which are the responsibility of the participant.
Scholarships Available
There are up to 30 full scholarships available for interested UC Davis participants.
Location, Dates and Travel Information
The 2020 academy is planned for Monday through Wednesday, March 9-11, 2020 at the International Center located on the UC Davis main campus.
Refreshments, lunch and dinner are provided daily. Lodging, transportation and parking fees are the responsibility of the participant.
We recommend the following nearby hotels:
Call for Mentors
An integral part of the academy experience is the opportunity for participants to engage with industry professionals over two evenings. If you are interested in serving as a mentor for participants at this academy—and/or at one of our other entrepreneurship academies—please apply below.
Apply to be a Mentor>
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