Innovating for Social Good
We foster deep tech research and entrepreneurial ambitions with a focus on equity and inclusion.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Facilitating faculty research with powerful potential
The CITRIS Innovation Fellowship and AIC Awards, made possible by the Academic Innovation Catalyst (AIC) and Matt and Lisa Sonsini, will provide UC faculty members with the support they need to take their inventions out of the lab and into the marketplace, where their hard work can make a difference.
Three projects that align with our mission of creating IT solutions for societal benefit will receive up to $200,000 over two years, with the aim of commercializing a product, platform or service within three years.
“This new partnership will enable more faculty to transform cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions with huge potential to benefit the world.”
— Matt Sonsini, founder of the Academic Innovation Catalyst
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CITRIS Foundry welcomes 10 startups to newest cohorts
The CITRIS Foundry, the UC’s deep tech incubator, admitted 10 new startup teams to its 2023–24 cohorts.
These student and faculty innovators are confronting big problems — from disease detection to efficient semiconductor engineering — and the yearlong program teaches the foundational skills they need to turn their brilliant ideas into scalable business ventures.
Since its inception in 2013, the CITRIS Foundry has supported more than 135 founder teams that have secured more than $220 million in further funding.
AI FOR GOOD
Solving key California issues with artificial intelligence
From easing traffic congestion to reducing the burdens of harvest to detecting rip currents, CITRIS researchers are taking on some of the state's thorniest issues with the help of AI.
In parallel, the CITRIS Policy Lab is working to guide its responsible use in the UC’s halls and on the national stage.
Meanwhile, the CITRIS Research Exchange series has offered a public forum for the science and ethics of AI with renowned thought leaders, including Jaron Lanier, Stuart Russell and Pamela Samuelson.
Detecting wildfire hazards in real time
In the last decade, California’s largest and deadliest wildfires have shared a common source: a spark from a downed power line. Gridware, a venture from the spring 2020 CITRIS Foundry cohort, has created a robust solar-powered, AI-enabled sensor network called Gridscope — named a Time best invention — that can be mounted on power poles to detect outages and potential hazards in real time.
Investing in the future of technology
Aether
Combining robotics, machine learning and synthetic biology, Aether (CITRIS Foundry 2017) is developing nanosized machines to extract lithium from new sources.
Last August, the startup announced a $49 million series A round. The company will use the funding to scale its engineering capabilities and develop more sustainable extraction methods.
Chemix
Using AI to expedite the development of novel electric vehicle batteries, Chemix (CITRIS Foundry Spring 2021) aims to meet the mounting demands of the global market.
In May, the company raised $20 million in series A funding. It plans to expedite product delivery and broaden its laboratory focus to other crucial battery components.
GenEdit
To ensure safer gene therapy delivery, GenEdit (CITRIS Foundry Spring 2016) uses nonviral, nonlipid polymer nanoparticles to selectively target tissue.
In January, the startup signed a $15 million deal with Genentech to develop nucleic acid-based medicines for autoimmune diseases, quick on the heels of a $26 million series A round in 2021.
