Science Center 2021 Impact Report

UNIVERSITY CITY SCIENCE CENTER 2021 IMPACT REPORT

INNOVATION IN ACTION

We power progress that advances healthcare innovation, uplifts communities, and improves lives.

SCIENCE CENTER IN ACTION

The University City Science Center is Philadelphia’s premier catalyst of entrepreneurial activity, healthcare innovation, and economic growth. Established in 1963, the nonprofit has been recognized by The Brookings Institution as a best-in-class investor, mentor, and economic development partner for young technology companies. Working alongside industry partners and leading research and academic institutions across the globe, the Science Center has supported over 1,000 early-stage companies. Today, the organization advances healthcare innovation from idea to the marketplace through startup support services, allocating capital, gathering the innovation community, and building inclusive STEM pathways for Philadelphia youth and adults.

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Letter From Our President & Chairman

To say the last year was transformative would be an understatement. With the availability of the COVID vaccine and a simmering of the pandemic within reach, we imagined what the new normal could look like personally and professionally. At the Science Center we recognized that an emergence from arguably the most significant event of our lifetimes wasn’t an invitation to revert to the status quo but to push forward, paying homage to our past without letting our history define our future.

In January we launched a comprehensive strategic planning process that explored our strengths, analyzed our weaknesses, ideated opportunities, and considered micro and macro trends with the potential to impact our work. And for the first time, the strategic planning process was led in-house with a core team of Science Center staff.

The result? A refined mission, a new vision, and an ambitious roadmap positioning the Science Center as a leader in healthcare commercialization regionally, nationally, and globally and a renewed commitment to serve our local community.

In a year where transformational advancements have taken place in healthcare innovation, the Science Center stands ready to help power science commercialization, fueling the wellness of our economy, our health, and our livelihoods.

We, One Science Center, have an exciting path forward as we implement new ideas to power progress that advances healthcare innovation, uplifts communities, and improves lives.

Tiffany Wilson

Mike DiPiano

President & CEO

Chairman of the Board

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OUR MISSION

To power progress that advances healthcare innovation, uplifts communities, and improves lives.

OUR VISION

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To catalyze Philadelphia’s entrepreneurs and accelerate technology innovation that addresses society’s biggest healthcare challenges.

ONE SCIENCE CENTER

Our Strategic Plan solidified three core areas of focus as the Science Center paves a path for the future. They’re designed to leverage our strength in commercialization and address the unmet needs in the startup ecosystem along with the community that surrounds us.

EXPAND COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITY

We will leverage our strength and reputation as a preeminent connector to accelerate the momentum for our programs.

SERVE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

We will address diversity, healthcare, and economic disparities in Philadelphia by nurturing talent in our local community.

ADDRESS EARLY-STAGE CAPITAL GAP

We will effectively attract and deploy capital to strengthen Philadelphia’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.

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“This seed fund will

COMMERCIALIZE

Untapped Potential and

help increase the

Unrealized Opportunity

diversity of its

PAGE 14

innovation and

PAGE 10

entrepreneurship An Eye Toward Israel

Launch Lane

CULTIVATE

ecosystem.”

PAGE 18

PAGE 11

PAGE 10

Tools Not Toys: How Stel Life

Five Days of STEM: Learning From

is Bridging the Digital Divide

the Industry and From Your Peers

PAGE 13

PAGE 21

BARDA Mask Challenge

Summer Internship

PAGE 13

PAGE 22

Alira Health

U.S. Department of Education

PAGE 15

Grant for FirstHand

$46.3M FOLLOW-ON FUNDS

PAGE 22

An Integral Tour PAGE 24

STEM Kits for All PAGE 24

OnRamp to Entrepreneurship

2021 AT A GLANCE

Laptop Giveaway PAGE 24

PAGE 11

15 Researchers, 9 Tech Transfer Offices

235

$677K

PAGE 15

SCIENCE CENTER FUNDS COMMITTED

STARTUPS SUPPORTED

The Company We Keep

CAPITAL

PAGE 12

PAGE 16

The Role of Nonprofits

Philadelphia: A Top 30 Global Startup Ecosystem

in Capital Deployment PAGE 17

PAGE 8

New Pillar to Support Startups PAGE 16

SBA Administrator Visits the Science Center PAGE 9

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Serving Our Community Funders

PAGE 18

PAGE 32

uCity Square PAGE 30

Doors and Foundations PAGE 25

STEM in the Real World PAGE 23

301 JOBS AND PAID INTERNSHIPS CREATED

A Decade of Quorum

5,700

PAGE 26

IMPACT HOURS

CONVENE PAGE 26

“The flexibility of remote learning allowed us to engage with our mentor partner in Berlin and many other scientists

Adaptation at the Inflection

across the country and world

Point: Meet the 2021 Nucleus

that added their expertise to

Award Honorees

the project ideas.”

PAGE 27

Cell and Gene Therapy Night PAGE 27

From Imagination to Iteration:

MedTech Night

How Biodesign Can Link Today’s

PAGE 27

Dreams to Tomorrow’s Reality PAGE 20

“The DNA of Quorum is embedded with bringing people together to learn and connect.”

The Picture Data Paints PAGE 28

Coffee & Capital PAGE 28

491

RAINing Goodwill

The Power of Convening PAGE 29

PAGE 28

VOLUNTEERS 7

Philadelphia: A Top 30 Global Startup Ecosystem As the Science Center positions itself as the world’s partner for accelerating technology innovation that addresses society’s biggest healthcare challenges, news broke of Philadelphia jumping 15 spots in the ranking to enter the coveted Top 30 Startup Ecosystems, and ranking 8th globally for life sciences ecosystems.

The 2021 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, produced by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network, is the world’s most comprehensive research on startups, analyzing and taking into account 280 entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems and 3 million startups.

The Science Center, in partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and Drexel University, worked closely with Startup Genome to highlight and contrast Philadelphia’s strengths against other ecosystems on the global stage.

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“Philadelphia’s notable acceleration to a Top 30 global ecosystem demonstrates our momentum as a region and shines a spotlight on our ecosystem’s rare combination of investor activity, diverse talent, and ingenuity.”

—TIFFANY WILSON, PRESIDENT & CEO, SCIENCE CENTER

28 PHILADELPHIA’S RANKING IN THE LIFE SCIENCES EDITION OF THE GLOBAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEM REPORT

PHILADELPHIA’S RANKING IN THE GLOBAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEM REPORT

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SBA Administrator Visits the Science Center We were delighted to welcome SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman to the Science Center in July, for a discussion around how our support of underrepresented founders and our efforts to create equitable STEM career pathways are critical to Philadelphia’s postpandemic recovery.

Administrator Guzman tours the FirstHand Lab with Tiffany Wilson.

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COMMERCIALIZE

Our commercialization programs help startups deliver their first products, generate first revenues, grow their teams, and raise capital.

Launch Lane Our 2021 Launch Lane cohort kicked off in March with eight digital health startups from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. A collective $300,000 has already been committed to Clinicor, Gray Oncology Solutions, Lara Health, Modal, Neuralert, Opal HTM, PopCheck Technologies, and Vital Start Health.

Designed to help the most promising startups transition from prototype to sales, the cohort participated in weekly programming tailored to their growth needs, received membership at ic@3401, and gained access to the Science Center’s network of connections and resources.

Among the wins marked by the recently graduated companies and those of past Launch Lane cohorts: PopCheck Technologies won the $50,000 National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Scale Up Pitch Challenge as well as another pitch competition hosted by the Entrepreneur Center in Nashville The FDA granted the Neuralert Monitor designation as a “Breakthrough Device” Gray Oncology drew $1.25M from angel investors GraphWear closed $20.5M Series B for needle-free, nanotech powered glucose monitor Jessie Garcia, CEO and Founder of Tozuda, was named to Technical.ly’s 2021 RealLIST Engineers Lia Diagnostics launched its first flushable pregnancy test Kiira Health raised $4M to transform healthcare for young women

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Pippy Sips launched its flagship product, a 3-in-1 system for storing, cooling and monitoring breastmilk Biomeme doubled its footprint and staff, and pooled COVID testing for K–12 schools in partnership with One Health Labs and Ginkco Bioworks PainQx was awarded a $1.5M Phase II SBIR from the Defense Health Agency to refine its objective pain assessment technology UE LifeSciences appeared on Unicorn Hunters and now counts Steve Wozniak as an investor PolyCore Therapeutics, ThermaQuil, InstaDiagnostics, and VioraHealth, among others, obtained substantial new government grants to continue the development of their products

Founder-in-Residence Tanya Morris leading an OnRamp session.

OnRamp to Entrepreneurship An Eye Toward Israel

With support from a U.S. Economic Development Administration

With an ambition to serve as the world’s partner for accelerating technology innovation that addresses society’s biggest healthcare challenges, the Science Center set its sights on the robust technology ecosystem and cutting-edge healthcare innovations in Israel. The new strategic focus for the Science Center not only expands its global reach, but also has the potential to make a significant impact here at home. Through partnerships with leading Israeli organizations of healthcare systems, technology hubs, and government entities, the Science Center is

SPRINT Challenge Grant, the Science Center launched OnRamp, to re-ignite the formation and growth of startups post-pandemic. It’s no secret that COVID-19 disproportionately impacted underrepresented innovators, amplifying existing disparities. OnRamp is designed to narrow that gap with cohort-based programming for first-time founders, offered through Venture Café’s Thursday Gatherings.

Since then, 130 startups have participated in OnRamp across three cohorts. Hosted by a rotating Founder-in-Residence, participants have benefited from the expertise of Black Squirrel Collective Partner, Thom Webster; Mom Your Business Founder, Tanya Morris; and Tozuda Founder and CEO, and Launch Lane alum, Jessie Garcia.

cultivating top Israeli health technology startups

Among the OnRamp participants are xBound, a platform designed

for commercialization in the U.S. market using our

to connect late-career professionals and semi-retirees to companies

proven milestone-driven approach.

and nonprofits that can benefit from their wisdom and experience in the workforce; Elari, a plant-based milk startup; and LoftySpot, which provides community-centric organizations a platform to manage and offer underutilized rooms for shared space, meetings, or events. Each won the top prizes at pitch competitions that capstone OnRamp’s eight-week curriculum.

41%

COMPANIES WITH A FEMALE FOUNDER

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STARTUPS WITH FIRST REVENUE

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COMMERCIALIZE

NEW PRODUCTS LAUNCHED

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The Company We Keep When SETVI joined ic@3401 in 2018, the then 5-year-old company’s portfolio consisted of one client and they barely brought in $100,000 in revenue. From their Center City office, they knew they needed more than affordable space and relatable neighbors; they needed a runway and momentum.

After learning about what ic@3401 had to offer, they were reassured by all the benefits that came with proximity to a major city but also access to interns, a 24/7 building, and the free flow of like-minded entrepreneurs with whom to sharpen their skills.

Their guests and prospective clients were also in awe of the other ic@3401 members.

“The clients told me, ‘The moment I get vaccinated, Philly is in my top three cities to visit. I have to visit your office, see all this innovation and breathe it in,’” recalls Raheem Ghouse, Vice President of Sales.

Things are different these days. SETVI’s client base has expanded significantly, and they are now bringing in over a million in software sales annually. And, impressively, their growth occurred during the pandemic—a time of limited travel, and for many, a decrease in business.

But according to Ghouse, the biggest support SETVI received from ic@3401 was simply the gift of freeing up mental space.

Photo by Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

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“When we came to ic@3401, we thought, ‘we have to do better.’ Being located at ic@3401 gave us a shot and flexibility. There was a consensus on day one that eventually we would move back into our own space. Now nobody wants to go anywhere!”

—RAHEEM GHOUSE, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, SETVI

54%

COMPANIES WITH A MINORITY FOUNDER

BARDA Mask Challenge While many people associate face masks with the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for masks didn’t begin in 2020 and won’t be eliminated when the Stel Life’s makeshift production plant at ic@3401.

pandemic fades.

In response, BARDA launched a Mask Innovation

Tools Not Toys: How Stel Life is Bridging the Digital Divide

Challenge to support the development of innovative solutions that can protect Americans from respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2.

Stel Life is on a mission to expand accessibility for remote care, closing the digital divide, and addressing health inequities brought

The Science Center, a BARDA DRIVe Accelerator

to light during the pandemic. And with the help of ic@3401, their

Network partner, was one of four sites to host

pivot to producing remote patient care vitals hubs proved successful

40 semi-finalists narrowed down from close to

well into 2021.

1,500 submissions. Among the 16 winners were PaciMask and Georgetown University, both of

According to Co-Founder and CEO, Sid Kandan, their redirection

which also presented at the Science Center-

was already underway prior to the pandemic but became more

hosted challenge.

urgent as the team realized they had the unique skillset to create the hardware and operating systems needed to distribute to thousands of patients now in need.

“We were subleasing somewhere else, and in June [of 2020] we got notice that our lessor was reducing their footprint because of the pandemic. After joining ic@3401, we realized the space was perfect for us. It has continued to be a bastion of startup knowledge, therapy, and investment, both for entrepreneurs and companies themselves from an emotional investment standpoint.”

To meet the ever-increasing demand, and decked out in gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, and socially distanced, the team created their own mini production plant and assembly line right at ic@3401, expanding from an initial product deployment of slightly over a thousand units to ten thousand; and with the building blocks in place to scale effectively going forward.

“The Science Center’s intentions seem very pure in supporting companies through their unique challenges,” he adds. “We love that aspect and community that they’ve built. It’s really rare to see that.

A lot of people advertise that, but ic@3401 is the real deal.”

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COMMERCIALIZE

Untapped Potential and Unrealized Opportunity The Raynier Institute & Foundation, a Seattle-based philanthropic organization with Philadelphia roots, partnered with the Science Center and Drexel University to improve access to capital for minority entrepreneurs in the area, through a seed fund created by a $500,000 grant. The collaboration between the Science Center and Drexel’s

“Inequity around access to capital is well-documented.

This seed fund, made possible by the Raynier Institute & Foundation to assist underrepresented founders, will be a great asset for Philadelphia to help increase the diversity of its innovation and entrepreneurship

Close School of Business and Office of Research & Innovation will

ecosystem.”

provide two distinct benefits: the allocation of investment dollars to

­— SHINTARO KAIDO, VICE PROVOST

high potential companies, and ensuring all entrants have access to

FOR INNOVATION AND EXECUTIVE

mentors that will help their companies grow.

DIRECTOR OF DREXEL’S OFFICE

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OF APPLIED INNOVATION

John Maris, MD, QED awardee and pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

15 Researchers, 9 Tech Transfer Offices Three researchers representing Penn State, Rowan University and Temple University received $600,000 through our QED Proof-of-Concept program in January . The funding, in addition to mentorship and business advice, will accelerate the commercialization of technology and research with the potential to save and improve lives.

In July, 12 finalists from eight institutions  were selected for the Science Center’s latest QED Proof-of-Concept cohort.

What’s possible with a little bit of funding and commercialization support? We caught up with Dr. John Maris, 2019 QED awardee  and pediatric oncologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, about his process. He confirmed that while establishing a company is certainly one of the objectives of the program, the companies themselves are merely a vehicle for something much bigger. When asked where his technology would be without his involvement with QED, Maris responded decisively, “I would not have a company that is poised to make a major difference for children with cancer.”

Alira Health In April, the Science Center entered a formal partnership with Alira Health , a leading international healthcare and life sciences advisory firm. This partnership expands the expertise and resources the Science Center offers to startups in its portfolio. Aligned with the Science Center’s increased focus on medtech, digital health, and life sciences, Alira serves an important role in contributing deep knowledge and assets in these areas. Alira representatives have met with Launch Lane startups, initiated conversations for specific consulting activities with portfolio companies, participated as a judge in BARDA’s Mask Challenge, and hosted office hours at Venture Café during “MedTech Month” in June.

57%

COMPANIES WITH A FOREIGN-BORN FOUNDER

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CAPITAL

Capital is the fuel that supports startup companies.

Complementing our commercialization activity, this pillar will provide additional access to capital for healthcare-focused startups and diverse founders, ultimately improving lives and uplifting our community.

New Pillar to Support Startups In July the Science Center launched a new strategic pillar focused on attracting and deploying early-stage capital with a focus on healthcare startups. The effort is led by Vice President of Government and Capital Engagement Heath Naquin, and will complement the Science Center’s three existing strategic pillars including the Commercialization of promising technologies, Cultivating STEM talent, and Convening people to inspire action.

Under Naquin’s leadership the Science Center is developing funding mechanisms designed to help fill the regional funding gap in healthcare with a priority on founders building innovative ventures addressing healthcare gaps and inefficiencies.

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The Role of Nonprofits in Capital Deployment The role of capital in the life cycle of company creation is well known. Capital is often the life blood of startups as they refine business models, hire staff to serve new markets and expand to grow new revenue opportunities.

In recent years however, the capital markets have evolved.

Traditional venture capital has for the most part shifted to a later stage in a company’s capital continuum. While the VC industry

The direct provision

has transitioned to a later phase, new companies still require

of smart capital by

incremental capital early in the commercialization lifecycle to vet business models, before seeking an “A Round” from the traditional

nonprofits, tied to

VC marketplace. In recent years, the angel capital community, and

mission and innovation

increasingly government funding such as SBIR/STTR, stepped in to fill this gap. But there is still more work to do.

programming, is the

As capital markets mature, innovation intermediaries like the

next phase of early-stage

Science Center are also helping to fill the early-stage capital gap.

capital provision for many

This is a logical progression as many intermediaries have, for many years, deployed various forms of support associated with the

early-stage startups.

commercialization of science and technology-based ventures. The direct provision of smart capital by nonprofits, tied to mission and innovation programming, is the next phase of early-stage capital provision for many early-stage startups.

The Science Center is building off its 60-year history in supporting the advancement of promising healthcare technologies to develop new models for capital provision for startups and founders. With the launch of our strategic Capital pillar, the Science Center will invest, raise, and deploy early-stage capital into the ecosystem. In doing so, we’ll provide access to more deal flow for investors, continue to build on Philadelphia’s momentum as a top domestic and global startup ecosystem, and demonstrate a new model for early-stage capital deployment with the potential to be adopted nationwide.

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CULTIVATE

Our Cultivation work introduces students and adults to STEM learning and careers through free, hands-on programming.

In other words, you can’t be what you can’t see. We’re ensuring that all Philadelphians can take part in and benefit from the thriving entrepreneurial and life sciences ecosystem.

Serving Our Community 

School Partners



Mentor Companies

Belmont Charter Middle School

Amicus Therapeutics

Crazy Aaron’s Putty World

Philadelphia Works

Chester A. Arthur School

BioBus

DuPont

National Board of Medical Examiners

James Rhoads Elementary School

Biodesign Challenge

John F. McCloskey School

BioLabs

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center

KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School

Biomeme

GSK

Cabaletta Bio

Idera Pharmaceuticals

Century Therapeutics

Integral Molecular

Christiana Care Health Systems

Invisible Sentinel

Spark Therapeutics Spirovant Sciences

Paul Robeson High School for Human Services

TEVA Pharmaceuticals Thermo Fisher Scientific Tmunity Therapeutics

S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School The City School

University of Pennsylvania Janssen Pharmaceuticals

CLA (CliftonLarsenAllen) William C. Longstreth School Comcast Young Scholars Charter School

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WindMIL Therapeutics Monell Chemical Senses Center

Impact of BULB

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CULTIVATE

From Imagination to Iteration: How Biodesign Can Link Today’s Dreams to Tomorrow’s Reality For the first time ever, FirstHand students from Paul Robeson High School competed in the 2021 Biodesign Challenge . The brief: to design a biotech product that could transform fields ranging from medicine to architecture to fashion and food.

Each team spent six months paired with scientists and artists to guide their projects from inception to completion. The two FirstHand teams benefited from the expertise of Genefer Baxter and Marco Locatelli, from Berlin-based biodesign firm AULA Future.

The resulting speculative designs were Clean Water of Our Future, a sustainable water purifying solution that empowers villagers in underdeveloped parts of the world by farming cyanobacteria, and Pro-Human, a line of probiotic food mixes that promote positive, calming feelings and attitudes, which lead to a more racially tolerant and accepting society.

Team Pro-Human even had the distinction of being invited to present to a panel of judges at the 2021 Biodesign Challenge.

“Participating in the Biodesign Challenge was the perfect solution for FirstHand as we

“The scientists from AULA Future were so understanding. If we couldn’t find something, they would help us with the research. We didn’t have to do the project on our own. Genefer especially helped us a lot, staying on us and making sure we were doing everything we needed to do.”

pivoted to virtual programming,” explains FirstHand Program Manager Adam Durant.

“The flexibility of remote learning allowed us to engage with our curriculum mentor partner AULA Future in Berlin as well as many other scientists across the country and world that added their expertise to the project ideas.”

—NABRIA JACKSON, BIODESIGN CHALLENGE PARTICIPANT (FAR LEFT)

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Five Days of STEM: Learning From the Industry and From Your Peers Career exposure is a central theme of all FirstHand curricula and in August, we piloted a multi-faceted, mentored curriculum called Hi5 . Five STEM companies helped FirstHand develop activities that directly reflected their day-to-day work, which were then packed and delivered to middle school students’ homes. During the five-day intensive, mentors from each of the five companies helped to guide students through the activities and gave a glimpse into their work as a STEM professional. Student Peer Mentors, high schoolers who themselves had gone through FirstHand’s program, also helped design and facilitate the activities: Monday: Perfect the Putty with

Thursday: Chemistry of Stains Lab with BioLabs

Crazy Aaron and Lily

Students observed the decontamination

Students compared samples of Crazy Aaron’s

methods scientists use to maintain a safe lab

Thinking Putty against a standard and

environment. Afterwards, using a t-shirt and some

experimented with adding ingredients to

messy ingredients they tested the efficacy of

make the samples match.

various easy-to-find stain removers like vinegar

Tuesday: Assemble Your Own Cassette

and hydrogen peroxide.

with Invisible Sentinel

Friday: Taste Test with Monell Chemical

After a virtual tour of Invisible Sentinel’s lab,

Senses Center

students assembled their own cassettes, the

Students explored their smell and taste

diagnostic Invisible Sentinel developed to test

genetics with the Monell Flavor Quiz and the

for foodborne pathogens, and utilized them to

SCENTinel cards that Monell developed as a

test for Salmonella bacteria in samples.

rapid way to determine loss of smell associated

Wednesday: All About Skin Tissue with

with COVID-19 infection.

Dr. Haydee Lara of GSK The students finally got to use (and keep!) the microscopes in their STEM kits, along with slides prepared by Dr. Lara, and a slide they created with any specimen in their home.

MENTORS

6.1

66 HOURS PER FIRSTHAND PARTICIPANT

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CULTIVATE

Summer Internship Life-altering connections don’t just happen through our convening initiatives. After cohosting one of FirstHand’s Lunchtime Labs series

STUDENTS AND ADULTS SERVED

393

featuring Cabaletta Bio, 16-year-old Sultanah Harper was recruited by the same uCity Squarebased biotech company for a summer internship.

It was a win-win all around: she received the hands-on experience she was looking for, and Cabaletta found her to be so valuable, her six-week internship was extended. As a result, Cabaletta created a space and culture that will hopefully open the door to accommodating more high school interns in the future.

U.S. Department of Education Grant for FirstHand The Science Center was awarded a five-year, $3.975 million grant enabling FirstHand to advance educational opportunities for more underserved Philadelphia middle school students, through hands-on, discovery-based experiences in a professional lab setting.

Through the grant, the Science Center will serve over 300 6th–8th grade students at eight West Philadelphia schools. FirstHand curricula will advance evidence-based STEM educational practices through

SCHOOL PARTNERS

10

immersive, inquiry-based experiences in an out-of-school lab setting.

AnLar LLC and Palmer Wolf Corporation, who will serve as research and evaluation partners on the grant, will conduct a formative evaluation to collect baseline data and refine program delivery, in addition to a summative evaluation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the curricula on students’ STEM identities, competencies, and skills.

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STEM in the Real World Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve created and launched several new curricula to adjust to virtual learning, the very first of which was called STEM in the Real World, originally piloted back in July 2020.

The purpose of STEM in the Real World’s hands-on experiments was to answer the age-old question, “When will I ever use this in real life?” and to showcase all the ways that science can be applied practically to the everyday. The FirstHand team personally delivered STEM kits to students’ homes with everything they would need, no matter how basic or common the household item.

Interest grew so much that by the summer of 2021 there was significantly higher demand for the virtual classes and twice the number of students registered from all across our region, and even in New York. In this second iteration of STEM in the Real World, we were joined by not only 6th–8th graders, but also early high school students, and an extra session was offered to accommodate this unexpected interest.

Among the favorite labs were “Sound Day,” where students made and tested their own speakers using only copper wire, tape and a magnet; “Paper Flower Chromatography” using coffee filters and markers to observe how chromatography is used to filter substances; “Taste Test” to explore the genetics of how we experience flavors and

STEM in the Real

aromas differently; and creating synthetic gel worms and beads using sodium alginate

World’s hands-on

and calcium chloride.

experiments aim

The popularity and enthusiasm for STEM in the Real World proved that making

to answer the

science relatable and accessible is an effective way to broaden its appeal with learners of all ages.

age-old question, “When will I ever use this in real life?”

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CULTIVATE

An Integral Tour Our Summer BULB Cohort was treated to an inperson tour of the Integral Molecular lab right here at uCity Square. With coronavirus cases beginning to rise once again, the Integral Molecular staff and BULB participants got a much-needed respite from the virtual learning environment. Beyond the tour, Integral Molecular serves as a BULB mentor company guiding participants through lab basics.

STEM Kits for All Volunteering their time and donating their supplies, 11 representatives from Fisher Scientific joined us in June, and again in September, to

Mario Mitchell, a participant in our Workforce Development program, shows off his new laptop.

help assemble a total of 220 STEM Kits (over half of the kits distributed in 2021) for middle school students participating in FirstHand’s virtual experiments. Each STEM kit was equipped with all necessary supplies for between six to eight hands-on activities, for a total of 1,690 projects that students conducted at home and in their classrooms. STEM kits were also distributed to all BULB participants to conduct experiments and learn lab basics from home.

Laptop Giveaway Completing an intensive career training program can be a reward in and of itself, but each participant in our STEM workforce initiative also received a free laptop thanks to support from Citizens Bank.

HOURS PER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTICIPANT

410 24

38.5

STEM KITS ASSEMBLED AND DELIVERED

Doors and Foundations Our Workforce Development initiative, Building an Understanding of Lab Basics (BULB), which trains Philadelphians with the skills needed to pursue a career in the life sciences, boasts benefits ranging from comprehensive coursework and a stipend, to a new laptop and a one-on-one STEM mentor. However, the less tangible benefits that are developed naturally through a well-planned dance of home protocols, speakers, and virtual classes, are the bonds that persist between those involved.

Two veteran BULB mentors and two participants shared the lasting impact  both the program and the relationships have had on their professional and personal lives.

Elizabeth Barden applied to BULB after considering a career change to nursing, with the long-term future goal of one day building, running and working in her own community center and clinic.

“I just want to gain experience. That way I can teach my children, because I’m a young African American mom, and I’m a woman and eventually I want to be a nurse. So, this would really be a steppingstone to know if I really want to be in this area of study.”

Her mentor, Felipe Bedoya, Director of Cell Engineering and Gene Editing at Tmunity Therapeutics commented, “Most of the students I’ve mentored have been minorities. I’m a minority myself. I’m originally from Colombia and had no one to talk to during some tough situations in undergraduate and graduate school. So, this is really personal to me: When a mentee of mine is going through something, I really want to help them with whatever I can.”

“They never judge you, they accept you, they nurture you, and they push you.

And even after you have moved on, they still come back and check in on you.

That’s a family. It’s a familyoriented space where you can feel safe. BULB is like a sanctuary, like an oasis.”

—ELIZABETH BARDEN, BULB PROGRAM PARTICIPANT

Elizabeth Barden found an oasis amidst that mentor support: “They never judge you, they accept you, they nurture you, and they push you. And even after you have moved on, they still come back and check in on you. That’s a family. It’s a family-oriented space where you can feel safe. BULB is like a sanctuary, like an oasis.”

She later began an internship at the eCLOSE Institute, and her learning continues.

25

CONVENE

Our Convening efforts are designed to bring people together from a variety of disciplines to connect, share ideas, and learn.

Ideas in isolation can only get so far. It’s the exchange of ideas and opinions, and the opportunity to hear from others, that creates action and impact.

A Decade of Quorum Quorum turned 10 in 2021 and it was the perfect time to reflect on how this program, meeting space and community resource has grown and evolved over the years. The idea is not so revolutionary now, but when Quorum opened there was nothing like it in our ecosystem.

A place where you could drop in—for free—and get work done, without any sort of membership, simply didn’t exist. And we couldn’t have done it without you: our community.

26 UNIVERSITY CITY SCIENCE CENTER 2021 IMPACT REPORT

39%

NON-WHITE PARTICIPANTS

Adaptation at the Inflection Point: Meet the 2021 Nucleus Award Honorees An inflection point can effectuate transformative change that touches lives and shapes futures. Our four 2021 Nucleus Award Honorees found their calling when each observed the earliest signs of a directional shift in culture, business, or community, and inspired transformative change with a ripple effect across Philadelphia and

Cell and Gene Therapy Night

beyond. Whether it was inefficiencies in medical care, systemic

In May, our Venture Café Philadelphia weekly

inequities in minority-led businesses, a lack of gender diversity in

program hosted a Thursday Gathering dedicated

the workforce, or a desire to bring different people and new ideas

exclusively to one of our region’s most celebrated

together, these honorees put themselves in motion to act

sectors: cell and gene therapy. The event, which

as catalysts for a better future.

was also part of Philly Tech Week, featured uCity

In September we were delighted to honor Max Perelman of Biomeme, Della Clark of The Enterprise Center, Tracey WelsonRossman of TechGirlz and Chariot Solutions, and Michelle Freeman of Witty Gritty (pictured from left, above) at our Annual Nucleus Awards recognizing excellence across commercialization, capital,

Square residents AUM LifeTech and AUM Biotech, Amicus Therapeutics, ExpressCells and Spark Therapeutics, as well as GSK. Sessions focused on cell and gene therapy as a catalyst for community development and economic opportunity.

cultivation, and convening.

MedTech Night

Not unlike their predecessors, they have shown remarkable

In 2021 we announced a renewed strategic

ingenuity and purpose in the pursuit of commercialization of

focus on supporting medtech innovators. As

technology that improves lives, deploying capital to emerging

a result, we hosted a special Venture Café

businesses, cultivating a STEM workforce, and convening people

Philadelphia Thursday Gathering specifically on

to effectuate positive change.

this increasingly important field, underscored by the growing need for remote patient access to healthcare. We were joined by AdvaMed, Life Sciences PA, Siemens Healthineers, Proscia, CHOP, The Economy League of Philadelphia and more, for discussions on solving health inequities, funding, and Philadelphia’s role in shaping the future of the industry.

FEMALE PARTICIPANTS

48%

419

SESSIONS HELD IN 2021

27

CONVENE CONVENE

113

ARTISTS FEATURED

ATTENDEES

13,087

The Picture Data Paints In the exhibition SOCIUS, Rebecca Rutstein visually explored the bonds that connect to the tenuous time of outbreak and reckoning.

Although she has incorporated science and technology into her work for years, SOCIUS marks the first time she has specifically confronted the body and disease.

During her three-month BioArt residency at Integral Molecular, Rutstein worked alongside scientists observing SARS-CoV-2 using their unique Reporter Virus Particle (RVP) technology. In a shift from micro to macro, two large scale canvases depict the human cost of systemic racism. Counted maps display nationwide COVID-19 deaths by race, making tangible the fact that this pandemic is killing people of color at higher rates.

SOCIUS featured seventeen paintings and an immersive, entrancing light–sound sculpture called Sub Surficiem while its accompanying score, Confluence, resonated with deep and somber tones.

SOCIUS examined the pandemic from various viewpoints.

Rutstein’s use of COVID-19 data hints at both the obligations and costs of citizenry.

Coffee & Capital

RAINing Goodwill For the 14th year, we brought together thought leaders and experts across multiple innovation ecosystems to discuss new and emerging trends at our annual RAIN conference.

Recent times have seen even perceived competitors work together for the common good.

So, coming out of the anomaly year that was 2020, we examined the topic of Goodwill and even more specifically, “Collaboration as the New Normal.”

The half-day event kicked off with a fireside chat featuring HealthShare Exchange (HSX) President and CEO Martin Lupinetti, who discussed the strategic partnerships that are allowing companies like HSX to expand remote patient access and care.

Next, representatives from the HHS’ Biomedical

It can be difficult to recreate the connections made at an in-person

Advanced Research and Development Authority

event, but one of the benefits of going virtual is the elimination of

(BARDA) broke down how through their DRIVe

geographical barriers. We leaned into this silver lining by inviting

Ventures Network of support, which includes

several out-of-market members of the investment community to

the Science Center, they have brought over 60

participate in our monthly Coffee & Capital series. Among those

biosecurity solutions to the market in the past

who led conversations around investing and answered questions

15 years.

for local entrepreneurs were Michelle Levine of Solasta Ventures in Boston, Jeff Cherry of Conscious Venture Partners in Baltimore,

And lastly, our event sponsor Independence

and Kristina Francis of JFF Labs in Virginia. Also on hand were

Blue Cross led the audience through a fun and

several individuals representing federal funding opportunities at the

engaging “Forced Connection” design experiment.

National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Through the uncertainty of pulling off an inperson event for the first time in 2021, our team persevered behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year.

28 UNIVERSITY CITY SCIENCE CENTER 2021 IMPACT REPORT

917

SPEAKERS

The Power of Convening Community members of Quorum and Venture Café sound off on how our convening programs helped them win in 2021!

“I love this community, because I know that everyone wants me to win.”

—NEFERTERI STRICKLAND, FOUNDER, TEACHERS&

“I find Venture Café to be a hidden gem within the Philadelphia community. There is a lot of relevant thought and consideration that goes into their programming decisions.

I’ve cultivated relationships with several people over the past few years thanks to attending these events. We continue to connect and find ways of helping each other.”

—PETER RUSSELL, FOUNDER & CEO, KINDLING

“Lunchtime Lessons provided a welcoming space to provide a bite-sized lesson on antiracism and how it relates to all businesses. The community was open and attentive.

I look forward to more opportunities to connect with this innovative, forward-looking space and audience.”

—BRANDYN CAMPBELL, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, BRANDYN CAMPBELL COMMUNICATIONS

“As someone who primarily worked from home, it was nice having a free space that I felt welcome to use as a professional meeting spot for meetings with potential clients, focus group interviews, etc. And also, the content itself has been great.”

—KIRWEI LO, PRINCIPAL, K L CONSULTING

“Forgive the obvious science pun, but the DNA of Quorum is embedded with bringing people together to learn and connect. Not only is Quorum a positive influence in the Philadelphia market, but it is a model for similar spaces all over the U.S.” —TRAVIS SHERIDAN, CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER, WEXFORD SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY

“For anyone who hasn’t experienced this space, it’s truly one of the best places to network, focus, and learn about what’s happening in the rest of Philly’s innovation ecosystem.”

—LIZ BROWN, CEO & CO-FOUNDER, FAWNS LEAP

29

uCity Square

The Science Center offers current and future innovators the support needed to enable new ideas to blossom and new businesses to thrive. And when those businesses thrive, uCity Square will be ready to accommodate that sustained growth. Driven by a partnership between real estate developer Wexford Science + Technology, capital partner Ventas, and the Science Center, uCity Square has emerged as Philadelphia’s innovation address.

Physically located at the intersection of the campuses of Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and The Wistar Institute, and adjacent to the neighborhoods of Powelton Village, West Powelton, and Mantua, uCity Square is a connected, collaborative, and innovative community where a diverse talent pool, trailblazing companies and top-tier research institutions collide.

30

2021 Milestones uCity Square By the Numbers One uCity The 400,000 square foot flagship commercial lab and office building, which broke ground in 2020, was topped off in October at

200

SQUARE FEET

BUSINESSES

A signature 45,000 square foot park currently under

17

10K

construction, the Square at uCity will not only become a central

BUILDINGS

PEOPLE

1.3M

1

SQUARE FEET

ACRE PUBLIC PARK

3

$750M

BUILDINGS

INVESTMENT

tenants including Century Therapeutics, Exponent, and Integral Molecular will call it home once complete in the fall of 2022.

Existing

3.0M

13 stories. With the building 65% committed, growing uCity Square

The Square at uCity

feature in uCity Square but more importantly the larger West of hard and soft landscapes, a water feature, canopy and nearly 15,000 square feet of retail frontage.

Powel Elementary–Science Leadership Academy Middle School (P/SLAMS) Welcoming students earlier this year for the first time since completion in late 2020, P/SLAMS is a K–8 public school that

Under Development

Philadelphia neighborhood. This outdoor space will include a mix

houses a relocated Powel Elementary School with the Science

The future home to Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professionals and College of Medicine, the academic tower at 36th and Filbert continues to rise and is scheduled to open its doors in Q3 of 2022.

More to Come

Drexel Health Sciences Building

1.5M

At Full Build Out

Leadership Academy Middle School.

8.0M

SQUARE FEET NEXT PHASE OF UCITY SQUARE DEVELOPMENT PLANNED

Anova at uCity The second residential building at uCity Square opened its first phase of apartments, which are fully leased, in the fall with all 460-units expected to be completed by early 2022.

Public Art Adding to the vibrant collection of public art throughout uCity

SQUARE FEET UCITY SQUARE COMMUNITY ONCE COMPLETE

Square, two new murals by Melinda Beck and Femi Olatunji were unveiled in partnership with Mural Arts, People’s Emergency Center, GI Partners, the 3624 Condo Board, and the uCity Square partners.

31

Funders

Ignite Level $100K+

Curate Level

$50K–$99K

Engage Level $25K–$49K

WESTCHESTER FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

32 UNIVERSITY CITY SCIENCE CENTER 2021 IMPACT REPORT

Impact Level

$10K–$24K

Boomi

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Citizens Bank

The McLean Contributionship

CBRE Group, Inc

NewSpring Capital

Cozen O’Connor.

Siemens Healthineers

Gardner/Fox Associates

Spark Therapeutics

Supporter Level $5K–$9K Amicus Therapeutics

Pennsylvania Hospital

Drexel University

PFM

JLL

Philadelphia Cultural Fund

Korn Ferry International

Rowan College at Burlington County

Life Sciences Pennsylvania

TriState Capital

The Christian and Mary Lindback Foundation

Vanguard Charitable

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

WHYY

MVM Associates

Donor Level

$500–$4K

Anonymous

LAZ Parking

Ballard Spahr LLP

Liberty Door Systems, LLC

Ballinger

Gary Lozoff and Miriam Katz

The Barra Foundation

Charles H. MacDonald Electric, Inc.

Cathy and Saul Behar

Militia Hill Ventures

Kerry Benson

Heath Naquin

Tracy and Patrick Brala

National Board of Medical Examiners

Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)

The O’Connor Group

Cenova

Odell Studner

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Oliver Fire Protection & Security

Clemens Construction Company, Inc.

Pennoni Associates Inc.

Colliers International

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

Philadelphia Strategies Group

Duane Morris LLP

Ridge Policy Group LLC

Econsult Solutions, Inc.

Strada

Fidelity Charitable

TD Bank, N.A.

Paul and Fran Garvey

Thermo Fisher Scientific

GDI Integrated Facilities Services

TriState HVAC

Patrick Harker

Tiffany Wilson

Herman Goldner Co., Inc.

Stephen Zarrilli

33

Get Involved

Partner Whether your company is looking for early access to promising new technologies for your R&D pipeline or you want exposure to Greater Philadelphia’s innovation ecosystem, we’ve got you covered.

Our network and expertise can help you reach your business objectives.

Mentor Inspire aspiring STEM professionals by serving as a mentor for middle and high school students through FirstHand, or adults through our Workforce Development program.

Volunteer We’re always looking for an extra hand at our Venture Café Thursday Gatherings. Venture Café relies on the generosity of volunteers who enjoy giving back to the community and who share our commitment to equitable entrepreneurship and innovation.

34 UNIVERSITY CITY SCIENCE CENTER 2021 IMPACT REPORT

Inspire Are you a subject matter expert? Thought leader? Have an interesting story to tell? Tell us about yourself and we’ll plug you into our programming.

Advise More than 150 industry professionals and serial entrepreneurs serve as business advisors to our commercialization programs, contributing valuable expertise to the commercialization process.

Invest

LEARN MORE

Your support enables us to commercialize, convene and cultivate the current and future STEM economy. Contact us about opportunities to invest in a community of innovation and the seeds of tomorrow’s economy.

VISIT

sciencecenter.org CONTACT

info@sciencecenter.org FOLLOW

@UCScienceCenter     

35

University City Science Center 3675 Market Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-966-6000 sciencecenter.org @UCScienceCenter