Garrett Smith knows a thing or two about medtech startups. He founded his first company as a bioengineering PhD student at the University of California San Diego (PhD ‘12). Since then he has stewarded several technologies through FDA approval; led multiple startups to successful acquisition; directed early innovation partnerships for massive players like Johnson and Johnson Innovation; and overseen a corporate venture capital fund for MedeonBIO. Smith has worked across nearly every stage of the healthcare innovation ecosystem, including as a founder, operator, corporate innovation leader, venture investor, and advisor. Read Full Article
Garrett Smith, Reef Haven Ventures
Aug 21, 2025
oin us for an inspiring evening at the 14th annual Triton Sustainability Challenge, where innovation meets impact. On May 19, 2026, finalists from across University of California San Diego will pitch cutting-edge, environmentally focused technologies to campus leaders and San Diego’s business community, competing for $30,000 in prizes.
join us for an inspiring evening at the 14th annual Triton Sustainability Challenge, where innovation meets impact. On May 19, 2026, finalists from across University of California San Diego will pitch cutting-edge, environmentally focused technologies to campus leaders and San Diego’s business community, competing for $30,000 in prizes. The event begins at 5:30 PM with a welcome reception, followed by finalist presentations, awards, and a closing dessert reception.
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Turn your research into real-world impact with the NSF I-Corps Aspire Cohort, a fast-paced virtual program helping academic innovators move ideas from lab to market through customer discovery. Participants gain the fundamentals for SBIR eligibility and a potential $50,000 National I-Corps grant in four Zoom sessions.
Location:
Move your innovation beyond the lab with I-Corps Regional+Bio International, a fully funded opportunity for academic innovators to gain entrepreneurial training while conducting real-world customer discovery at the BIO International Convention in San Diego.
Participants learn the NSF I-Corps methodology through virtual kickoff sessions, an in-person experience at the convention engaging with industry leaders, and follow-up virtual sessions to refine the market potential of their technology.
Turn your research into real-world impact by joining the NSF I-Corps Aspire Cohort, a fast-paced virtual program designed to help academic innovators move ideas from lab to market through hands-on customer discovery and problem-solution validation.
With multiple cohort dates available, participants learn the fundamentals needed to take the first steps toward SBIR eligibility and a potential $50,000 National I-Corps grant through four engaging Zoom sessions.
The IGE MedTech Accelerator will be hosting an opportunity for Stage 1 and Stage 2 MTA startups to connect with UC San Diego students and recruit their next intern, volunteer or team member. Startups seeking to expand their teams are invited to sumbit the role(s) they are lookint to fill by April 1 so that opportunities can be shared with students in advance of the event. More Information to follow
Looking to bring your Sustainability-focused research to fruition? Join our I-Corps Aspire Sustainability Cohort launching in March 2026. I-Corps Aspire introduces the fundamentals of customer discovery and helps academic innovators assess problem-solution fit in a short, structured format.
Learn More and Apply: https://bit.ly/I-CorpsAspire
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The Triton Sustainability Challenge is back and is open to current students, faculty, and staff across UC San Diego. This year's Challenge will feature 2 tracks:
Advanced and/or Research-based - $25,000 prize pool
Early stage - $5,000
Previous applicants who were non-winners are welcome to reapply. All applicants are encouraged to participate in the NSF I-CORPS™ winter program focused on sustainability; more information is available here.
Application Deadline: March 4th https://bit.ly/TSChallenge2026
NSF I-Corps
IGE MedTech Accelerator Stage 1
IGE MedTech Accelerator Stage 2
Location: IGE Suite
Franklin Antonio Hall
AiiSO Suite 1401
3180 Voigt Dr
La Jolla, 92093
Location: Theater District Conference Center - https://conference.ucsd.edu/venues/index.html
9145 S Scholars Dr La Jolla, CA 92037, United States