The Emerging Innovator Award is presented to an early-to-mid-career Pitt faculty who has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to innovation commercialization.
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The Student Innovator of the Year Award recognizes a University of Pittsburgh student who embodies creativity, persistence, and impact through innovation. From initial inspiration to prototype development, testing, and early funding milestones, this award celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Pitt students to transform bold ideas into real-world solutions.
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This award recognizes a Pitt-affiliated company with more than $1 million in revenue that exemplifies innovation, leadership, and regional impact. It honors established businesses that continue to grow, create jobs, and strengthen the region’s innovation economy through collaboration, creativity, and community engagement.
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The Startup of the Year Award celebrates a Pitt-affiliated company that stands out for its innovative technology, market traction, and commitment to improving lives. From early research and proof-of-concept to securing funding, forming partnerships, and achieving market success, this award honors the milestones that define the entrepreneurial journey within Pitt’s innovation ecosystem.
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The Pitt Innovation Institute relies heavily on volunteer mentors to assist faculty and students interested in exploring the commercial potential of their innovations to navigate the often unfamiliar terrain of innovation commercialization.
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The Small Business of the Year Award honors a Pitt startup generating under $1 million in revenue that’s creating outsized impact through innovation, resilience, and growth.
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Unlock the potential of your research at the University of Pittsburgh by submitting an Invention Disclosure Form. The form kicks off a streamlined process for pursuing intellectual property protection and evaluating the commercial potential of your innovation.
Ready to transform your research into impactful innovations? Submit your Invention Disclosure Form to the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (OIE) to protect your intellectual property and evaluate its commercial potential. This crucial first step ensures your ideas are safeguarded and positioned for market success, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements.
To submit your Invention Disclosure Form, simply log in to the updated Invention Disclosure Portal using your Pitt Passport credentials. Complete the form with essential details about your innovation, including descriptions, sketches, funding information, and relevant agreements. This streamlined process makes it easier than ever to document and protect your intellectual property, setting the stage for future achievements.
The event recognized achievements in sleep medicine, age-related disease therapeutics, and AI-driven surface analysis, with Dr. Daniel Buysse and Dr. Yuan Liu among the standout honorees. The event also celebrated student-led innovation and community-focused businesses like Turner Dairy Farm and TerraGreen.
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Pitt’s Celebration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship spotlighted transformative achievements, including Dr. Leah Byrne’s gene therapy research to restore vision and Dr. William Wagner’s leadership in regenerative medicine at the McGowan Institute. Apollo Neuroscience was named Startup of the Year for its wearable technology enhancing mental wellness, while Jan Berkow was honored for mentoring academic entrepreneurs.
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Highlights included Dr. Kacey Marra’s groundbreaking nerve repair technology, the student-led AI diagnostics startup HEARTio, and LyGenesis’s pioneering cell therapy for liver disease. The event also recognized outstanding mentors and community-focused businesses like Eat’n Park and Ashlé Taylor’s Collection for their contributions to innovation and social impact.
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The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship celebrated the achievements of faculty, students, and entrepreneurs who advanced impactful solutions in areas ranging from COVID-19 treatment to rare disease therapies. Special awards honored innovators like Dr. Cecelia Yates for her anti-fibrotic research and Dr. Maria Escolar for her gene therapy targeting Krabbe Disease. The event also recognized startups, mentors, and small businesses making strides in commercialization and community impact.
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Ready to grow your business? Connect with the University of Pittsburgh’s SBDC for expert consulting, hands-on workshops, and tailored support at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey.
