Programs & Services - Science Center

In addition to our facilities and related services, the University City Science Center also offers a steady stream of networking, professional development and entrepreneurial support programs. All are designed to leverage the incredible resources available on our campus and in the Greater Philadelphia region.

QUORUM

No matter what its size, a community needs a gathering place. For the Science Center, that place is Quorum. Based on the idea of “the number of people required to conduct business,” Quorum is designed to strengthen the region’s culture of technology commercialization by creating a magnet for entrepreneurs and innovators to convene, interact, network and exchange ideas.

Quorum will include a modular, “greet, meet, and eat” space at 3711 Market Street that facilitates members’ ability to build knowledge and explore opportunities. The Satellite Quorum offers Science Center-supported programming at diverse events across the region. The iQuorum will integrate online networking tools through the Science Center website.

Quorum addresses a need highlighted in  the CEO Council for Growth’s “Accelerating Technology Transfer in Greater Philadelphia: Identifying Opportunities to Connect Universities with Industry for Regional Economic Development” study, released in October 2007, which recommended the creation of a venue “to serve as the ‘clubhouse’ for innovation in the region and provide programming to attract researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to the venue.” 

CAREER GPS

Career GPS is designed to help a broad group of displaced and potentially displaced life sciences professionals (management-level and above) from across the Greater Philadelphia region who are seeking employment and/or scientific career options as they find their new place in the global biopharmaceutical sector.

The Career GPS program held on Nov. 20, 2009 provided attendees with information, expert presentations and resources related to career options, transition strategies and emerging needs within life sciences.  Career GPS is sponsored by University City Science Center, BioAdvance and Wharton Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Funding has been provided by Delaware Valley Innovation Network and We Work for Health. Additional support provided by Life Science Career Alliance, UC KIZ, and others.

Follow this link to visit the Career GPS LinkedIn Group.

To view a list of life science resources, click here. 

Entrepreneur OnRamp

The University City Science Center and BioAdvance are accepting applications for Entrepreneur OnRamp - a workshop focused on helping entrepreneurs get new life sciences companies off the ground. The program will provide a full day of panel discussions, coaching and networking for 12 to 15 new therapeutic-focused startup companies from the greater Philadelphia region. Program modules will focus on effective business planning and common pitfalls, legal and IP issues, financing a new life sciences startup and commercializing new life science products.

The May 27, 2010 program is free of charge for companies who are selected through an application process. Application information is available at: http://www.bioadvance.com/EntrepreneurOnRamp.asp

Innovation Partnership

The Innovation Partnership is a consortium of economic development and business assistance organizations located throughout Pennsylvania. The goal of the partnership is to help early stage technology companies secure federal funding opportunities—especially those interested in clean energy & energy-related, life sciences, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing and communications technology businesses that show early signs of commercial success.

Find out more on the Innovation Partnership website »

University City Science Center Partner Organizations:

• Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
   
• Pennsylvania Bio
   
• Eastern Technology Council
   
• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
• Bio NJ
   
• New Jersey Technology Council
   
• New Jersey Economic Development Authority
   
• Delaware Biotechnology Institute
   
• Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development
• Delaware Economic Development Office
• The Mid-Atlantic Capital Alliance
   
• Select Greater Philadelphia

Other regular program offerings include:

SmartTalk

a quarterly series offered to provide continuous learning as well as to meet the practical needs of aspiring and working entrepreneurs. Speakers include experts in their fields and topics have included:

• Building Brand Identity
• Designing and Filing Investigational New Drug Applications
• Patent Expansion
• The Changing Media Landscape 
• Understanding KOZ, KIZ and R&D Tax Credits

Grant Workshops

day-long intensive programs that help participants increase their funding opportunities by taking advantage of federal grant money available to science-based small businesses and helps companies identify strategic partnerships and alliances that provide important growth opportunities.

Lunch for Hungry Minds

a regular discussion series focused on biomedical research. These events bring together life science industry researchers, entrepreneurs, and business professionals, encouraging productive interaction between our life science companies and prominent scientists in the community. Topics have included:

• Carbide-Derived Carbons for Energy Related and Biomedical Applications
• Inter - and Trans–disciplinary Collaborations Between Architects and Scientists
• Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Regulation of Inflammation: Implications for Therapies in the Lung