New & Press combined
April 19, 2026
Two Emerging Startups Win RivCo Fast Pitch Riverside Regional and Advance to County Finals
Two Emerging Startups Win RivCo Fast Pitch Riverside Regional and Advance to County Finals RIVERSIDE, Calif. (April 16, 2026) - Two emerging startups advanced to the next stage of competition Thursday evening as TollRAir and Super Foam took top honors at the RivCo Fast Pitch - Riverside Regional, held at Riverside ExCITE as part of Riverside County Innovation Month. Now in its ninth year, Riverside County Innovation Month is the county’s annual celebration of entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and the organizations helping bold ideas grow into scalable businesses. Held each April, the
December 18, 2025
UC Riverside Hosts Third Annual SoCal OASIS® Pitch Challenge, Awarding $102,500 in Non-Dilutive Funding to Sustainability-Driven Startups
UC Riverside Hosts Third Annual SoCal OASIS® Pitch Challenge, Awarding $102,500 in Non-Dilutive Funding to Sustainability-Driven Startups RIVERSIDE, CA (December 11th, 2025) – The University of California, Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP) hosted the third annual SoCal OASIS® Pitch Challenge on December 10, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and community partners to spotlight innovation emerging from Inland Southern California. From a competitive pool of 46 applicant companies, six finalists were selected to compete for $100,000 in cash awards
November 10, 2025
2025 RCCD Alumnus of the Year: Joshua Morales, Founder of StarNav
2025 RCCD Alumnus of the Year: Joshua Morales, Founder of StarNav Pioneering GPS-Independent Navigation Technology from the Heart of Riverside The Office of Technology Partnerships proudly recognizes Dr. Joshua Morales, founder and CEO of StarNav, as the 2025 EPIC Alumnus of the Year for Riverside Community College District. A resident company at the ExCITE Incubator, an incubation space supported in partnership with the City of Riverside, County of Riverside, and University of California, Riverside, Joshua exemplifies the impact of university-supported entrepreneurship. Through EPIC’s
November 04, 2025
Glīd Wins TechCrunch Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2025
Glīd Wins TechCrunch Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2025 From Riverside Pitch to Global Stage: A Success Story for the Books Glīd, a company within UC Riverside's Office of Technology Partnerships EPIC portfolio, achieved a major milestone this year by winning the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2025. Their advancement to this global stage began locally, when they applied to our regional pitch programs in Riverside earlier this spring. After securing a top placement at the Riverside County Startup World Cup Finals, Glīd advanced to the national Startup World Cup competition in San
July 23, 2025
Global innovation meets local action: UC Riverside unites international diplomats, CEOs, and regional leaders to shape the future of economic development in Inland Southern California
Global Innovation Meets Local Action: UC Riverside Unites International Diplomats, CEOs, and Regional Leaders to Shape the Future of Economic Development in Inland SoCal Riverside, CA (July 23, 2025) – University of California, Riverside welcomed members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps (LACC) to campus on July 17 for a landmark discussion on international collaboration, foreign direct investment, and the strategic role that universities play in supporting global innovation. Hosted by UCR’s Office of Research and Economic Development, in partnership with its Office of Technology Partnerships
April 25, 2025
Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale offers pathway to global stage at Startup World Cup
The Riverside County Office of Economic Development is excited to announce the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale, taking place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 5 to 8 PM at the Riverside Convention Center (3637 5th St, Riverside, CA 92501).
April 24, 2025
Eight startups compete for top honors at 2025 Riverside Regional Fast Pitch, Glid wins 1st place
Glid wins first place in Riverside Regional Fast Pitch Competition and advances to countywide finale during Riverside County Innovation Month
January 31, 2025
UCR’s ‘pitch challenge’ supports promising startup companies
UCR’s ‘pitch challenge’ supports promising startup companies The grant contest helps boost the Inland Empire economy Regional startup companies developing and marketing sustainable technologies that address urgent societal needs collectively received $150,000 in grants at a “pitch challenge” competition organized by UCR’s Office of Technology Partnerships. The annual SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Challenge was held earlier this month at the Riverside Convention Center, where five startup companies presented their ideas to a panel of judges and a live audience. Super Foam took first place with a $75,000
January 31, 2025
Regional group honors UCR economic development and innovation leader
Regional group honors UCR economic development and innovation leader Rosibel Ochoa, UCR’s associate vice chancellor for technology partnerships, was honored as one of “the top minds in the hemisphere” by the Organization of American States, or OAS. Ochoa was one of seven scientists and researchers honored with the OAS Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Americas Award at a ceremony on Dec. 19. The award highlights the transformative power of science to drive socioeconomic progress and address critical challenges in the Americas. The organization lauded the honorees for their outstanding
January 31, 2025
UCR intellectual property leader appointed to USDA board
UCR intellectual property leader appointed to USDA board Brian Suh, UCR’s senior executive director of technology partnerships, has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to serve on a board that safeguards the intellectual property of crop breeders. Suh’s term on the Department of Agriculture’s Plant Variety Protection Board, or PVPB, will run through December 2026. The PVPB advises the USDA on critical issues surrounding plant variety intellectual property, including rules and regulations for administering the Plant Variety Protection Act. This act protects breeders’ rights over
January 16, 2025
Building a Sustainable and Prosperous Future: UCR Leads the 2025 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference
Building a Sustainable and Prosperous Future: UCR Leads the 2025 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference RIVERSIDE, CA – [January 15, 2025] – The University of California, Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP) proudly hosted the second annual Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference, reaffirming its leadership in advancing climate resilience, sustainability-driven entrepreneurship, and economic growth in the Inland Southern California region. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event (full details here), the 2025 conference, held on January 15, 2025
December 20, 2024
From Demolition to Innovation: UCR Breaks Ground on SoCal OASIS™ Park, a Hub for Clean Tech Innovation and Sustainability
From Demolition to Innovation: UCR Breaks Ground on SoCal OASIS™ Park, a Hub for Clean Tech Innovation and Sustainability Riverside, CA – [December 20, 2024] – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Research and Economic Development, in collaboration with its Office of Technology Partnerships, is thrilled to announce the commencement of construction on the SoCal OASIS™ Park (“Park”), a state-of-the-art center dedicated to research in climate change, air quality, and mobility. As demolition begins on the existing UCR Extension Center Building to make way for this innovative facility, the
December 05, 2024
2024 SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Challenge Awards Startups $150,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding
2024 SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Challenge Awards Startups $150,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding Riverside, CA – [December 4, 2024] – UC Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships and the SoCal OASIS™ Initiative (“Opportunities to Advance Sustainability, Social Inclusion, and Innovation”) hosted an inspiring evening of innovation and collaboration at the Riverside Convention Center on December 4, 2024. The 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Finals showcased innovative startups from Inland Southern California, drawing over 200 attendees, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs. The event featured a
November 25, 2024
The Social and Economic Impact of Music Changing Lives: Shawn Jones of Music Changing Lives Selected for California Partners Project Youth Advisory Committee!
The Social and Economic Impact of Music Changing Lives: Shawn Jones of Music Changing Lives Selected for California Partners Project Youth Advisory Committee! Riverside, CA – November 25, 2024 – The Office of Technology Partnerships at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is proud to highlight the ongoing impact of Music Changing Lives (MCL), one of the successful clients of our entrepreneurial support programs. Founded by Josiah Bruny, Music Changing Lives provides vital music, arts, and tutoring programs to America’s public schools and community centers, helping at-promise youth
November 04, 2024
Highlights the Success of Tinker The Robot: A Game-Changer in STEM Education
Highlights the Success of Tinker The Robot: A Game-Changer in STEM Education Riverside, CA – November 4, 2024 – The Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), is proud to announce the remarkable achievements of Tinker The Robot, a company creating innovative, educational products and workshops developed with the support of UCR’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Tinker The Robot is making waves by inspiring young learners (“Tinkerers”) to embrace STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through interactive, fun build kits and
October 28, 2024
Zero-to-Entrepreneur Company From The Land Launches ‘Littlest Big Farm,’ Receives $250,000 Grant Award From Catalyst Fund in Partnership With Huerta Del Valle
Zero-to-Entrepreneur Company From The Land Launches ‘Littlest Big Farm,’ Receives $250,000 Grant Award From Catalyst Fund in Partnership With Huerta Del Valle RIVERSIDE, CA – On October 28, 2024, From The Land, a trailblazing organization focused on sustainable agriculture, celebrated the launch of Littlest Big Farm with a special event that brought together stakeholders, partners, and industry professionals. This cutting-edge solution addresses the urgent need for food security and economic development in urban food deserts, offering a compact, indoor vertical micro-farm that empowers
October 14, 2024
Seedorina's Distinct Contributions to Nolux Earn Runner-Up Award in NASA Deep Space Food Challenge
Seedorina's Distinct Contributions to Nolux Earn Runner-Up Award in NASA Deep Space Food Challenge RIVERSIDE, CA – October 14, 2024 — The Office of Technology Partnerships at the University of California, Riverside, is thrilled to announce that Seedorina, a Riverside-based startup in the robotics AgTech space, has achieved great traction. Seedorina, founded by Uruguay-born entrepreneurs, partnered with UC Riverside's Principal Investigators Professor Robert Jinkerson and Dr. Martha Orozco in the innovative Nolux project, earning a prestigious runner-up award in NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge
April 15, 2024
UC Riverside Awarded Grant Funding to Launch InSoCal Accelerate Hub, Boosting Entrepreneurship in Inland Empire
UC Riverside Awarded Grant Funding to Launch InSoCal Accelerate Hub, Boosting Entrepreneurship in Inland Empire Riverside, CA – April 15th, 2024 - The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is taking decisive steps to accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation in the Inland Empire with the launch of the InSoCal Accelerate CA: Inclusive Innovation Hub, made possible by grant funding awarded to UCR from the Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. The InSoCal Accelerate Hub (InSoCal Hub) will connect and coordinate existing
February 21, 2024
UCR Leads the Way in Climate Action and Innovation with the First-Ever 2024 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference
UCR Leads the Way in Climate Action and Innovation with the First-Ever 2024 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference The University of California, Riverside (UCR) continues to spearhead impactful initiatives in climate action and innovation through the first-ever 2024 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference, held on January 30th, 2024. Hosted by UCR's Office of Technology Partnerships & UCR EPIC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programs, this pioneering conference convened thought leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community members to address regional climate adaptation
December 12, 2023
Inland Southern California Startups Win Big at SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Finals
Inland Southern California Startups Win Big at SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Finals On Wednesday, December 6, UC Riverside hosted the SoCal OASIS ™ Challenge Pitch Finals, showcasing the innovation and talent within Inland Southern California. The event welcomed more than 180 attendees to campus and featured six promising startups competing for a chance to win $100,000 in grants and expert mentorship from the UCR EPIC Small Business Development Center (EPIC SBDC) for product and market development. The audience also participated in voting to select one of the startups to receive an additional
July 11, 2023
Welcome Participants to the 2nd Quarter of the Modern Agriculture Certificate Program
Learning about technological entrepreneurship is often linked to innovation through research universities and can be used to help provide for underrepresented communities. UC Riverside's Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP) provides many resources for people to succeed through entrepreneurship, expand the pipeline of entrepreneurs, and promote intellectual property and start-up creation. Through hard work and commitment, 21 individuals are taking the INNOVAR Entrepreneurship class as part of the Modern Agriculture certificate program that runs from June 20th to August 24th. It has been an
April 25, 2023
UC Riverside and Unfold Bio Collaborate to Develop Innovations for Urban Agriculture
Climate change and other factors such as a decreasing amount of available land for cultivation are affecting traditional agricultural production systems that in turn negatively impact our food supply and ability to feed a growing global population. It has become imperative that new agricultural innovations be created and brought to the market to ensure a sustainable supply of food. The effects of climate change, which increase both biotic and abiotic stresses on traditionally grown crops, are significantly impacting productivity. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns are causing
March 07, 2023
UCR receives $1.5 million to support carbon capture technology research
UC Riverside and climate start-up Pluton Biosciences have partnered to advance the development of technology that increases a plant’s capability to capture CO2 and sequester it in the soil. Commercialization of the technology has the potential to create more sustainable agricultural practices and increase crop yields as an additional outcome of enhanced carbon capture, said Paul Larsen, a professor of biochemistry who developed the technology. “I think we’ve discovered something that could make a difference when it comes to climate change and feeding the world,” he said. The work is being
October 31, 2022
UCR EPIC Eurosemillas Incubation Challenge
The University of California Riverside (UCR) through its UCR EPIC program, together with its partner Eurosemillas, are launching the UCR EPIC-Eurosemillas Incubation Challenge to support deep technology-based startup companies from Latin America (LATAM) in the exploration of opportunities to commercialize their innovations in the US Market. The Challenge is a response to the needs of entrepreneurs in the Latin American region as confirmed by UCR’s survey of incubators, accelerators and technology transfer offices discussed in a recent white paper. UCR, through its UCR EPIC program, has a long
September 12, 2022
UCR start-up recognized as leader in nanoneedle technology field
A start-up that originated from a UC Riverside professor’s research is among the companies cited in a recent scientific journal article in Nature Nanotechnology as being at the forefront of developing nanoneedle technology. The authors call Basilard BioTech one of the “major players in the evolution of a viable nanoneedle technology for sensing and clinical use.” The technology was developed by Masaru Rao, an associate professor of mechanical engineering in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at UCR, and licensed to Basilard BioTech, which has further matured it. The
August 15, 2022
U.S. Economic Development Administration awards $900k to transform small businesses through UC Riverside’s advanced technologies consulting program
UCR's Office of Technology Partnerships is offering a new program of advanced technical assistance to Inland Empire small businesses to help them create new products for growth and competitiveness, accelerating the recovery of the region from the COVID pandemic. This program, named TACIES (Technical Assistance to COVID impacted Inland Empire Small Business), provides educational resources and access to no-cost business consulting in: Integration of Cybersecurity and data privacy in business operations including privacy and data security, scams, website, and payment cards, etc. How Robotics and
April 11, 2022
Irvine Foundation awards $1.9 million to UCR to break barriers for high-tech startup creation by underrepresented groups
The James Irvine Foundation has awarded the University of California Riverside (UCR) Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP) a $1.9 million grant to jumpstart the university’s efforts to build an inclusive, more equitable technology innovation ecosystem. The OASIS Accelerator aims to expand opportunities for Inland Empire innovators and entrepreneurs, in particular those from underrepresented groups, to create sustainability and climate technology-based startups with high societal impact. Focusing on equality and inclusivity, the program will address the systemic challenges that technology
March 31, 2022
First acquisition of a UCR EPIC supported company
When Mark Adams left his job in 2011 to start Inviscid with four colleagues, he took a leap of faith hoping that the product they were developing would succeed within the Autism therapy community. They bootstrapped the company putting in the time, effort, and their own capital to develop software that helps Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapists and autism clinics improve productivity, as well as improve the quality of life for their patients. Inviscid provides practice management, clinical, parent portal, and billing software as a service (SaaS) to therapists and clinics who work with
February 16, 2022
Agricultural pest control and energy storage startups win Riverside Angel Summit
FarmSense, Inc. and SiLi-ion, Inc. were selected as winners of the inaugural Riverside Angel Summit, a partnership between UC Riverside, the City of Riverside, and community members. The two startups emerged from an initial group of over 50 companies that applied to the competition. Each winner received $42,000 from Citrus Seeds LLC angel investors. FarmSense is an agriculture startup founded by UCR professor Eamonn Keogh and Shailendra Singh, who earned his doctoral degree at UCR in 2015. The company has developed ‘FlightSensor,’ a digital monitoring system that alerts growers about crop
February 11, 2022
National Academy of Inventors recognizes four UCR professors
The National Academy of Inventors, or NAI, has bestowed its top honors on four professors from the University of California, Riverside. One, Richard Schrock, has been elected a fellow, and three — Hailing Jin, Cengiz Ozkan, and Anandasankar Ray — have been elected senior members of the academy. The NAI Fellows program highlights inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation, with creations that have tangibly improved others’ quality of life, economic development, and social welfare. Being elected a senior member of the NAI is also a significant distinction earned only by
December 15, 2021
Riverside Angel Summit finalists are promising medical, agricultural, and energy startups
Four startups founded in Riverside County and developing with support of the UC Riverside Office of Technology Partnerships were finalists competing for up to $100,000 in the first Riverside Angel Summit, or RAS. The finalists are: GattaCo, Inc.: Developed in-home clinical quality blood/plasma sampling. SiLi-ion: Developed a silicon nanoparticle-driven lithium-ion battery. FarmSense, Inc.: Invented an intelligent insect sensor for agricultural pest management. Pharm Robotics: Developed a robotic inoculation process for cattle. RAS launched this year as an effort to identify, promote, invest in
August 25, 2021
UC Riverside’s NSF I-Corps site to join Western I-Corps Hub to Increase Impact and Opportunities for UCR Innovations
UC Riverside (UCR) has been a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site since 2017 and now, as part of a re-structuring of the program by the NSF which brings sites together in “Hubs”, will transition to be part of the I-Corps Hub West Region, broadening UCR’s program reach to provide innovators a wider network of resources and access to more opportunities to showcase their technologies. The I-Corps Hub West Region will be led by the University of Southern California in partnership with the University of Colorado-Boulder and the University of California Los Angeles . In the new Hub , UCR
October 28, 2020
From Santiago to Riverside
A Chilean’s entrepreneur journey to bring a drug delivery technology to the US market Javier Morales, an entrepreneur and professor at Universidad de Chile is on the way to have his company PRIME Technologies, incubated in Riverside in partnership with the University of California Riverside (UCR). Javier and his team developed a film, similar to a breath freshening strip, that when placed in the mouth, serves as a vehicle to deliver drugs such as insulin into the bloodstream. It all started in 2013 after Javier spent several years during his PhD researching the buccal (inside the check)
October 28, 2020
UC Riverside Partners with the Organization of American States and Local Governments to Bring Technology Commercialization to Latin America
Latin America has outstanding universities and institutes conducting research in ground breaking technologies. Many times this research is aimed at understanding and solving major local and regional problems. Local institutions have a good chance of finding viable solutions given their understanding of the problematic, but governments, universities and organizations involved in technology transfer and innovation in Latin America struggle to build their economies based on technological innovation. UC Riverside (UCR) has been working with governments, universities and organizations in Chile
October 05, 2020
UC Riverside’s Conference Helps Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Access Federal Funding
Securing capital for a startup to develop its technology for commercialization is not easy. Federal grants such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) have become critical in helping small businesses mature their technologies and bring them to market. The SBIR/STTR program, America’s Seed Fund, provides access to the country’s largest source of early stage funding of over $3.7 billion in a broad range of technology fields. Navigating the process for applying and securing SBIR/STTR funds may be a daunting task for entrepreneurs. UC
July 01, 2020
UCR OTP and Know Hub Chile launch year two of Entrepreneurship Training program
The 2020 Know Hub Ignition Entrepreneurship Training program, delivered in partnership between Know Hub Chile and UC Riverside's Office of Technology Partnerships, launches this week. 2020 is the second year of the government-funded Chilean program which aims to strengthen and promote technology-based entrepreneurship in the country. This year’s program received 66 applications for 16 openings, 20% more than last year and 42% of the project applications were female led which met an important inclusivity goal of the 2020 version of Know Hub Ignition. Human health, animal health and environment
November 14, 2019
Chilean Technologies Showcased in Riverside as UC Riverside Concludes Entrepreneurial Program in Partnership with Know Hub Chile
Friday, November 8th marked the completion of Know Hub Chile’s inaugural “Know Hub Ignition” program in partnership with UC Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP), which took teams of Chilean entrepreneurs through an intensive training program in customer discovery and commercialization, culminating with a week-long immersion in Riverside, California. UCR and its partner, Know Hub Chile a consortium of 11 universities and research institutions in Chile, strategically collaborate to further innovation and entrepreneurship in Chile by supporting the transfer of research out of the
November 14, 2019
UCR Signs Collaboration Agreement with Know Hub Chile to Commercialize Agricultural Plant Varieties
UC Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships signed a collaboration agreement with Know Hub Chile, an association of 11 universities and research institutions in Chile to accelerate technology transfer through licensing efforts. As part of the agreement, both UCR and Know Hub Chile will introduce each other’s agricultural crop plant varieties and cultivars to potential partners and promote such varieties as part of their portfolio of licensable technologies. Both parties will benefit from the other’s expertise in their geographic area and varieties and will assist in facilitating
June 18, 2019
NSF Funding Programs for Innovations and Small Businesses
National Science Foundation Promoting the Acceleration of Basic Research into Marketable Innovations By Martin Kleckner III PhD MBA, Office of Technology Partnerships Entrepreneur-in-Residence “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” At the March 12 SBIR/STTRCON19 presented by U C Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships, the NSF’s Jesus Soriano Molla PhD MD MBA presented a program designed to accelerate the translation of NSF grant-funded basic research. Dr. Soriano Molla, who is the program director for the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships discussed the
March 01, 2019
Clean Energy Accelerator Awarded $1.5 Million Federally Matched Grant to Expand Energy Startup Support in the Inland Empire
The University of San Diego (USD), in partnership with Cleantech San Diego and California State University, San Marcos, has been awarded a three-year federally matched $1.5 million i6 Regional Innovation Strategies grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (under the Department of Commerce) to scale up the capacity of the San Diego Regional Energy Innovation Network (SDREIN) program and support clean energy startups located in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The University of California, Riverside is supporting the program with $181,000 of in-kind matching, office space