2023 Impact Report - Science Center

An Enduring Impact

The University City Science Center is Philadelphia’s premier catalyst of entrepreneurial activity, healthcare innovation, and economic growth. Established in 1963, the registered 501(c)(3) 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 hundreds of 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.

A legacy of progress.

Much has changed over the last six decades, but one constant is the promise of opportunity that science and technology hold. At the Science Center we take that responsibility seriously, helping early-stage companies bring life changing technologies to the market and ensuring all Philadelphians can participate in and benefit from the innovation economy.

In the pages to follow, we’re proud to share our wins from 2023. We also find ourselves reflecting on the journey that has brought us to this point and the work of our predecessors that enabled us to be here today. Altogether, we’re active participants in a legacy of progress, continually building upon the work of those who came before us as we strive for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.

Leading a first-of-its-kind organization with a 60-year legacy is a reminder that creating something of lasting significance requires vision, persistence, and a commitment to the long game. Each groundbreaking discovery, advancement in healthcare technology, and mind that has been opened to the power and potential of science, stands as a steppingstone for the next generation.

Read on for our most recent stories of breakthroughs, the journey of budding scientists, and the ripple effects our work is having across Greater Philadelphia and beyond.

With warm regards and boundless optimism,

TIFFANY WILSON President & CEO

MIKE D i PIANO Chair, Board of Directors

81 FOUNDERS SUPPORTED

295 STUDENT AND ADULT LEARNERS

5,800 VENTURE CAF É ATTENDEES

Startup Support

STARTING A COMPANY ISN’T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. IT CAN BE LONELY, BUT INNOVATION IS NOT A SOLITARY ENDEAVOR. IT’S A PURSUIT FUELED BY PASSION, RESILIENCE, AND A SHARED VISION FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.

THE SCIENCE CENTER LAUNCHED SEVERAL NEW PROGRAMS IN 2023 DESIGNED TO ADDRESS OBSTACLES TO STARTUP SUCCESS, FROM CUSTOMER DISCOVERY TO CAPITAL READINESS. WE ALSO STRENGTHENED EXISTING PROGRAMS TO DELIVER BEST-INCLASS SUPPORT TO RESEARCHERS INTERESTED IN PURSUING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES EAGER TO PLUG INTO THE U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

“The Capital Readiness Program was a first-class ticket into the Philadelphia startup ecosystem. I am amazed how much time the local professional service companies invested into the cohort.”

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DAVID JANSEN, CEO, SAIL FUSION

BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR ALL

In March 2022, President Biden proposed the creation of a DARPAstyle federal agency operating within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research and development that accelerates better health outcomes for all Americans. That new agency, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), launched a hub-and-spoke strategy in 2023 forming the foundation of a nationwide health innovation network. In September, it was announced that the ARPA-H Customer Experience Hub would be led by Advanced Technology International (ATI) representing a coalition centered in Dallas, TX with the Science Center named on short list of national spoke entities designed as part of the hub-and-spoke network. And in November, the Science Center was tapped to serve as a spoke entity for the Investor Catalyst Hub led by VentureWell and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

HEALTH TECH MEETS THE SILVER TSUNAMI

With the world’s population of adults 60 years and older projected to double by 2050,1 the need for healthcare solutions is both an opportunity and a necessity.

The Science Center had an opportunity to support startups addressing healthcare challenges faced by seniors through the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Startup Challenge and Accelerator. Designed to enhance equity in the NIA SBIR/STTR programs, the five-month accelerator provided resources to 20 companies that address needs and barriers faced by founders developing science-driven aging innovations.

As part of the accelerator, the Science Center curated a three-day bootcamp focused on commercial readiness in Las Vegas in the days leading up to the 2023 HLTH event. Covering corporate governance, pitch development, and fundraising, the bootcamp was designed to position innovative solutions for growth through a combination of training, network cultivation, service provider engagement, and skill building.

1 World Health Organization

“The bootcamp, coordinated and instructed by the Science Center team, was able to better prepare the founders with enriched networks and increased entrepreneurial skills sets, increasing their odds for venture success.”

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TODD HAIM, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF STRATEGIC EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS, NIH NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING (NIA)

FOUNDERS FELLOWSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

$216,675

Stipends given to Founders Fellows in 2023

VALIDATING THE NEED FOR PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER NEW ENTREPRENEURS TRANSLATING PROMISING TECHNOLOGIES OUT OF ACADEMIC LABS, THE NIH AWARDED A GRANT TO THE SCIENCE CENTER FOR THE FOUNDERS FELLOWSHIP. SPECIFICALLY, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING’S RESEARCH AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT IMMERSION PROGRAM GRANTED $250,000 FOR ONE YEAR, WITH FOUR POSSIBLE ONEYEAR EXTENSIONS, FOR OUR FOUNDERS FELLOWSHIP. THE TOTAL AWARD IS EXPECTED TO BE $1,250,000 OVER FIVE YEARS.

THE DELICATE STEP FROM IDEA TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

As many founder stories begin, Ian Dardani saw a problem and believed he had the skillset to address it. “But whether or not an idea becomes a startup, is a really delicate process,” he reflects. “For every startup you see, there are many more that never began due to real-life circumstances.”

The Science Center’s Founders Fellowship, launched in 2022 with a cohort of three fellows including Dardani, is a 12-month program for academic researchers interested in turning an idea into a business. More specifically, it’s designed for those who may not have been able to pursue entrepreneurship under other circumstances.

Among other obstacles, startups in the STEM fields often face a chicken-and-egg problem: they need funding to demonstrate an idea, but to get funding they first need to demonstrate it. “We’re building a technology to help accelerate science and get new therapies to patients. Our prototype required materials, equipment, and lab space, so we needed some funding to get started.”

Ian describes the impact of the program in blunt terms: “If it weren’t for the Founders Fellowship, my startup wouldn’t exist.”

The $50,000 stipend all Fellows receive helps ease the financial burden many entrepreneurs take on when building a company. Beyond the stipend, Fellows work alongside more seasoned entrepreneurs for the first few months, giving them first-hand experience with the day-to-day operations of a startup. During the second half of the program, the Science Center supports the Fellows as they build their own companies. Fellows also have access to a lab bench at CIC, a sponsor of the Founders Fellowship.

With guidance from the Science Center, Ian created a legal entity during the Fellowship before completing the program in September 2023. “For things like legal entity creation, it’s helpful to have such guidance to get it done correctly and efficiently, and then be able to focus on your core activities.”

And that’s the goal of the Fellowship: give first-time entrepreneurs with promising research a fighting chance to traverse the valley of death where so many scientific pursuits languish in perpetuity. Addressing this early-stage gap helps new life sciences entrepreneurs get their footing, setting them up for success in their next phase of growth.

Today, Ian has a company and a prototype. “It’s all enabled by my last year of support from the Fellowship.”

TRANSLATING INNOVATION ACROSS THE OCEAN

The U.S. healthcare system is a complex matrix of payers, providers, networks, systems, and of course, patients. For each of these stakeholders there are any number of variables that range from healthcare models to demographics. In other words, it’s complicated, nuanced, and incredibly difficult to navigate.

But with challenge comes opportunity. The $3.3 trillion U.S. healthcare market, the largest in the world, is where the most potential lies for healthcare technology companies looking to scale.

The Science Center understands the obstacles—and the opportunities. The combination of our startup expertise, network across healthcare and research institutions, knowledge of the gaps facing international firms translating solutions into U.S. marketfacing products, work in concert to accelerate a pathway to market for global companies.

Working with 10 digital health companies from Assuta, Israel’s largest private health system, the Science Center led a 6-week cohort to help the startups familiarize themselves with the U.S. healthcare market through customer discovery, investor discovery, regulatory and compliance overview, and stakeholder meetings.

“This was a great opportunity to gain introductions and access to networks that otherwise would have taken much longer to do on our own.”

DR. AHMIT LEHAVI, FOUNDER & CEO, QLOG

“The Israeli market and health system is completely different from the U.S. system and it’s important for [Israeli startups] to come here and meet in person to better understand the market.”

IRIS ADLER, HEALTH TECH SECTOR LEAD, STARTUP NATION CENTRAL

MYTH BUSTING STARTUP CAPITAL

In the volatile capital market that consumed much of 2023, securing the necessary funding to fuel innovation and growth remains a critical challenge for startups. Even in the best of markets, founders often lack the preparation and acuity necessary to navigate sophisticated investor conversations.

Tapping into our experience and network, the Science Center broke down fact from fiction in a series of panel discussions featuring earlystage and institutional investors. The series was launched at Venture Café as the culmination of the three Capital Readiness Program cohorts. While the CRP program itself is highly competitive, Venture Café offered open access to the minds and expertise of our Investorsin-Residence representing funds from around the country.

The insights were such a hit that we took the show on the road in March with a panel before a packed room in the Amplify Philly House at SXSW, and again in October at the HLTH event. Covering the best hook for investors, timing for customer discovery, and desirable attributes that investors look for in a founder, the state of startup capital proved to be top of mind across the country.

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INVESTOR NETWORKS ENGAGED

Angel Capital Association

Avestria Ventures

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Bio Advance

Chisara Ventures

Citrine Angels

Courage Growth Partners

Coyote Ventures

Factor 7 Medical

Gaingels

GIV Capital

Health Equity Capital

Investors of Color

Next Wave Impact Fund

Robinhood Ventures

Rockies Venture Club

Sana Capital

Sequential Ventures

Telosity Ventures

University Hospital Ventures

Vamos Ventures

Virginia Venture Partners

LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL ADVOCACY

One of the ways the Science Center demonstrates its leadership is through advocacy for economic development policies and priorities at the local, state, and federal levels that nurture the growth of inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship. We had a front row seat in 2023 with President & CEO, Tiffany Wilson, serving on both PA Governor Josh Shapiro’s Transition Advisory Committee on Economic Development’s Innovation Subcommittee and Philadelphia Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker’s Transition Team as Vice Chair of the Technology & Implementation Subcommittee.

PRIMING STARTUPS FOR INVESTMENT

Asking for money is easy. Getting an investment is not. To be successful, startups must demonstrate a level of sophistication across strategy, governance, and operations to earn the confidence of already timid investors.

Launched in 2023, the Science Center’s Capital Readiness Program has already proven to give startups the greatest chance of success by engaging local and national experts and investors to work with founders, preparing them for their first institutional round. The five-day program features stress test scenarios, mock board meetings, and one-on-one feedback sessions.

“The dedicated time and advice from so many high-quality mentors were truly remarkable,” reflects Therese Canares, Founder of CurieDx, a clinical decision support system that incorporates an AI-based prediction of strep throat using a smartphone image. “I feel like a pro when I speak with investors, and the actionable skills I learned are leading to follow up meetings.”

For David Jansen, CEO of SAIL Fusion, an orthopedic medical device treating chronic lower back pain, the program opened his eyes to the depth and breadth of Philadelphia’s ecosystem.

“The Capital Readiness Program was a first-class ticket into the Philadelphia startup ecosystem,” he recalls. “I am amazed by how much time the local professional service companies invested into the cohort. We received dozens of hours of insight from the top partners at specialty law firms, commercial real estate brokers, bankers, and accountants. Combined with the expert insights from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, this program is invaluable.”

“Our deal room has been a huge help in our process with new investors. It gives us a level of sophistication that isn’t expected at the Seed stage which helps us start out in the best light during due diligence. Multiple investors have commented on how easy our deal room is to navigate and how well organized it is. We’ve certainly cut substantial time off the diligence process as a result,” says Adam Salamon, CEO & Founder of Pression LLC, a medical device company developing non-invasive treatment for debilitating, untreatable, chest pain caused by Refractory Angina.

And the numbers don’t lie. Eleven Capital Readiness Program participants raised $13.8M in 2023.

“This program has been instrumental

in equipping us with the necessary documentation and skillset to secure capital in the forthcoming year.

We

have proactively identified and addressed our knowledge gaps, methodically curating our data room to ensure we are well-prepared for prospective capital-raising endeavors.”

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MICHELLE CAUDILLOCOFFEY, CO-FOUNDER, MTDS SOLUTIONS

INCLUSIVE CUSTOMER DISCOVERY

Customer discovery is a necessary process for any startup founder. If the market doesn’t want or need a product or service, why build it? In fact, the number one reason startups fail is because of a lack of product market fit.

Proof Positive was launched in 2023 to address this gap with an added critical but often overlooked layer: inclusivity.

This curriculum was developed by Science Center’s NSF I-Corps certified staff and deployed in conjunction with the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub. Proof Positive incorporates the lean startup methodology with inclusive discovery to eliminate bias in product development and enable entrepreneurs to access new and untapped markets with needed innovations. Centered at Venture Café, Proof Positive incorporates broad ecosystem engagement with abundant opportunities for participants to engage potential customers, and to disseminate outcomes and resources.

Proof Positive was piloted through generous support from Spark Therapeutics. Aravind Krishnan, founder of ToxiSense, a biotech venture developing more sustainable and cost-effective bacterial endotoxin assays, and Tracey Welson-Rossman, founder of Journal My Health, a digital health company that captures patient-generated health data through a turn-key patient engagement platform, won the Marrazzo Award in the Insights Slam that culminated the first cohort.

HLTH 2023

“I’d highly recommend Proof Positive for any founder looking to make the leap from an earlystage product to a marketready business by truly understanding the market landscape and fulfilling specific needs and wants of customers.”

ARAVIND KRISHNAN, TOXISENSE

The decision to attend the October HLTH event was an easy one for the Science Center. The three-day event is a bellwether of healthcare trends and innovation, bringing together the brightest minds and most innovative solutions in the industry. We planted a flag at the 2023 event with a resounding presence, showcasing our best-in-class startup support programs.

Equipped with a booth of our own, we brought along a handful of Science Center-supported startups including CurieDx, MDTS, Pression, Proactive Diagnostics, and Stel Life.

“The beauty of a conference like this is the chance connections,” Therese Canares, Founder & CEO of CurieDx, aptly summarized the essence of HLTH. Canares’ journey at HLTH began in 2022 when she met Tiffany Wilson and Heath Naquin. It was there that she first heard about the Science Center’s Capital Readiness Program, an opportunity that would change the course of her startup’s trajectory. Fast forward to HLTH 2023, and CurieDx found itself exhibiting alongside the Science Center, in a full circle of connection. These chance connections made at HLTH extended beyond booth visits; they led to collaborations, partnerships, and new opportunities.

FIVE YEARS OF VENTURE CAFÉ PHILADELPHIA

In November 2018, we anxiously anticipated the first visitors of our first Venture Café Thursday Gathering. The kiosks were new to us, most of the nametags still read “1,” and the concept of a free, weekly mini conference of innovation and community stakeholders was a novel concept for just about everyone.

Fast forward to November 2023 and Venture Café has become a household name—and gathering for the innovation community. It’s a place you know will be brimming with people, ideas, and opportunity each week. From celebrity bartenders, fireside chats with thought leaders, and panel discussions demystifying the process of raising capital, Venture Café has continually delivered relevant content, interesting speakers, and unlimited possibility.

THE FUTURE OF CARE

The Science Center explored the Future of Care at a Venture Café Thursday Gathering that covered cutting-edge advancements and new technologies transforming patient care to remote patient care and immersive healthcare and personalized solutions.

In a conversation with Kevin Baumlin, the Science Center’s chief medical affairs officer, and two local healthcare leaders—Seun Ross, executive director of health equity at Independence Blue Cross and Sandra Gomberg, retired hospital CEO and general manager at the Science Center—explored the barriers and opportunities to fostering improved patient outcomes, cost efficiency, and streamlined care.

Reaching common ground between payer and provider isn’t always the case in the industry, with competing priorities and a system that is siloed, but a platform like Venture Café enables us to bring the stakeholders together, facilitate these important conversations, and find alignment that begets progress.

miRoncol

Virtual Medical Technology, LLC

60 Years of Powering Progress

FOR SIX DECADES THE SCIENCE CENTER HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION THAT ELEVATES OUR REGION AND ENRICHES OUR WORLD.

It began in the early 1960s, when a group of leading academic and research institutions joined forces to help researchers and entrepreneurs convene, collaborate, and advance science and technology. In 1963, the University City Science Center, an independent nonprofit organization, was born.

As we reflect on this milestone, we acknowledge the work of our predecessors that enabled all of us to be here today. We aren’t inheritors of knowledge, but active participants in a legacy of progress, perpetually building upon the work of those who came before us, as we strive for a brighter and more prosperous future.

It’s a reminder that creating something of lasting significance requires vision, persistence, and a commitment to the long game. Each groundbreaking discovery, program, investment, and initiative stands as a stepping stone for the next generation to benefit from.

SCIENCE CENTER BY THE NUMBERS

700+ Companies supported

200+ Companies that remain in Greater Philadelphia

$7.6B

In annual economic impact in Greater Philadelphia from Science Center-support companies

29,100

Full-time equivalent jobs supported

$105K

Average salary at Science Centersupported companies—83% above the median annual wage in the region

19 6 3–2 0 23

STEM Equity

SITTING AT THE INTERSECTION OF STARTUPS, SCIENCE AND HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY, THE SCIENCE CENTER IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO DELIVER PROGRAMMING THAT ENSURES ALL PHILADELPHIANS CAN PARTICIPATE IN AND BENEFIT FROM THE INNOVATION ECONOMY. THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY IS BRIMMING WITH A MYRIAD OF ROLES—FROM MARKETING AND FINANCE TO SALES AND TECH SUPPORT. THROUGH STEM EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, THE SCIENCE CENTER IS INCREASING AWARENESS, INTEREST, AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY FROM TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES TO DRIVE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS PHILADELPHIA.

“FirstHand benefits the students at my school by exposing them to the opportunities in science and the world beyond their immediate surroundings.

I think exposure is everything. In order for them to want more, they have to see more.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE

The bedrock of any strong relationship is trust. Healthcare and life science industries are two of the most transformative sectors of our time, and to be successful, they must reflect the rich tapestry of our diverse world. Yet, for many, these fields remain distant, inaccessible, or even impossible.

To build that trust—and a pipeline of diverse STEM talent—the Science Center has been venturing into community centers, places of worship, even barbershops to genuinely connect with members of the community. Why? Because trust-building requires listening, understanding, and being present— mentally and physically.

With trust we can dispel myths, share knowledge, and open doors for possibility.

BULB HONORED

Recognizing its excellence in the workforce development, BULB received the 2023 Innovation Award at the Association of University Research Parks’ (AURP) 2023 International Conference in October. The annual conference brings together 200+ research park and innovation district leaders from around the world for high-impact knowledge exchange and networking with the industry’s premier experts and leaders.

THE FUTURE OF NEIGHBORHOODS

What do safer, healthier, more sustainable neighborhoods look like? Venture Café explored the topic across multiple Thursday Gatherings in 2023, featuring insights from grass roots organizations and community advocates centered around innovation, collaboration, and health equity.

Continuing into 2024, the series will culminate with the exhibition Futures Without Guns, featuring nine artists envisioning the possibilities for a future free from gun violence. With a focus on Philadelphia, the project invites community members affected by gun violence to share their experiences and, in several instances, inform the artists’ processes.

THE STEM CAREER JOURNEY

Despite the strength of Philadelphia’s life sciences industry, breaking into a STEM career isn’t always top of mind, or accessible for many residents. The Science Center’s workforce development program, BULB (Building an Understanding of Lab Basics) is designed to ensure Philadelphians with diverse educational and professional experiences, including those with a high school diploma or GED, can tap into the breadth of opportunities awaiting them.

Take Sanyu Carpenter for example. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sanyu had an interest in science but needed an entry point into the industry. Working as a liquor store clerk and at a catering company while taking classes at Community College of Philadelphia, a friend suggested Sanyu consider applying for BULB.

Despite the name, BULB was expanded to five weeks in 2023 to go beyond the lab basics. The curriculum now covers the soft skills critical for any job seeker—including resume writing and job interview preparation in addition to financial literacy—thanks to the support and expertise of Citizens Bank and TD Bank. These sessions are not only industry-informed, but industry-led, enabling BULB participants to hear directly from potential employers. In the lab, participants get hands-on lab experience including lab safety and protocols, handling chemical solutions, DNA isolation and ELISA assays, basic cell culture techniques, and aseptic techniques.

This part time, paid training provides flexibility for those who are looking to explore a new career path and caters specifically to those who can utilize their skills gained from professional experience in other sectors to advance their life sciences careers.

While the formal program may end in five weeks, the opportunity for continued growth begins. A recent BULB graduate commented that the program, “gives you a direct connection to people you can reach out to for an opportunity.”

BULB is often the first step on a STEM career journey and participation can increase the likelihood of success in other workforce programs.

For example, following Sanyu’s successful completion of BULB, the Science Center referred them to the Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing, a partnership between West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, Wistar, Community College of Philadelphia, and Iovance Biotherapeutics. Sanyu now works as a full-time Aseptic Technician at Iovance.

Sanyu’s story is a testament not only to their skills and achievements, but to the potential that the life sciences workforce ecosystem holds for many more Philadelphians just like them.

SCIENCE CENTER’S STEM EQUITY PROGRAMS BY THE NUMBERS

$44,470

Stipends received by FirstHand and BULB participants in 2023

FUTURE TECHSTYLES

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT

With a $599,195 grant from the Department of Navy’s Office of Naval Research, the Science Center piloted a new curriculum designed to expose middle school students to skills necessary to succeed in Navy STEM careers with an emphasis on e-textiles and wearable technologies. Piloted over the summer and continued into the fall semester, students learned to program sensors, embed them into textiles, and prototype their own wearable technology.

In addition to using tools like Makey Makey and micro:bit to create functional, wearable technology throughout the curriculum, students are also guided by their mentors from the Navy, to make, test, and iterate on their own robotic finger using soft robotics.

The soft robotics activity is grounded in research that shows soft robotics, rather than rigid robotics, are more likely to increase girls’ interest in engineering for a variety of reasons, including the societal relevance of soft robotics.2 Similarly, Black and Hispanic students prioritize career paths that give back to their communities more than their White peers.3 In STEM fields, societal relevance refers to curricula, products, etc. that have a direct, often positive, impact on society. For example, soft robotic technology is used in balloons that re-open blocked arteries or in medical devices that control blood pressure. By learning about applications of soft robotics, students can envision a STEM career path where they help their family and communities.

2 Jackson, et al., 2021

3 Garibay, 2015

SOFT ROBOTICS, RATHER THAN RIGID ROBOTICS, ARE MORE LIKELY TO INCREASE GIRLS’ INTEREST IN ENGINEERING FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, INCLUDING THE SOCIETAL RELEVANCE OF SOFT ROBOTICS.

SIEMENS BACKPACK DONATION

Thanks to the support of Siemens Healthineers, FirstHand students were treated to a delivery of new backpacks filled with robotics, calculators, and other supplies that come in handy for students interested in tinkering with STEM.

CONNECTING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH 21ST-CENTURY CAREERS

Co-designed and co-delivered by the Science Center and mentor companies, FirstHand Sprints highlight the topics and skills needed in emerging industries while centering the needs of Philadelphia high school students. With mentor companies dedicating close to 400 hours to the program, the commitment put into building the curriculum is a testament to robust volunteerism across the uCity Square community. In addition to building skills and creating pathways for STEM careers, all students receive a $15/hour stipend for participating.

FirstHand Sprints are supported through funding from a Pennsylvania Department of Education PAsmart Advancing Grant.

Biotech Sprint

Hypothesis: Getting a foot in the door is one of the most challenging parts of landing a job.

Experiment: Work with six biotech companies to develop curriculum that teaches high school students the most relevant skills needed for an internship.

Those skills and potential career opportunities were brought to life through mentors from Amicus Therapeutics, Cabaletta Bio, Century Therapeutics, CIC Labs, Integral Molecular, and Invisible Sentinel. The sprint was also aided through a generous donation of supplies from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

And the Biotech Sprint hypothesis worked— following the program, three students went on to do paid internships with Integral Molecular and Invisible Sentinel.

Ahmani was first introduced to FirstHand in 2020 as a 7th grader at McCloskey when programming was offered virtually. That virtual experience transitioned to in-person learning in 2021 and Ahmani has since participated in eight different FirstHand programs! Now a student at the

Philadelphia High School for Girls, Ahmani’s most recent engagement was the Biotech Sprint in Summer 2023.

NFTE BizCamp Sprint

Building a business and an entrepreneurial mindset isn’t just for adults. FirstHand partnered with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), an international nonprofit that provides entrepreneurship training and educational programs, along with several mentor companies such as CFGI, Citizens Bank, Comcast, Ernst & Young, Fulton Bank, Horn & Hardart and Santander Bank, to hone their entrepreneurial skills as they developed original business plans and pitches.

Cybersecurity Sprint

Designed in partnership with the Naval Information Warfare Center, the Cybersecurity Sprint introduced students to topics in information security including programming, cryptography, social engineering, risk, policy, and contingency planning.

Philly Data Miners Sprint

Developed in partnership with PECO and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and based on a curriculum originally designed out of University of Texas at El Paso, Philly Data Miners introduces students to the world of data science by analyzing Philly-centric data sets to reveal the story behind the numbers.

Students were treated to a visit by Governor Josh Shapiro in October when he dropped by to learn about FirstHand’s industry-informed curriculum and stress the importance of data science training in Pennsylvania to fill the Commonwealth’s talent needs.

FirstHand alumna and current PECO intern, Natalie Sanchez, served as a near-peer mentor for the Sprint and even taught one of the classes.

“Being in this program opened my eyes a little bit to the actual jobs that are out there. I realized that there are a lot more things that you can do with technology and science besides just being a doctor or a scientist.” circle

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATING IN FIRSTHAND’S BIOTECH SPRINT

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FIRSTHAND AND BULB MENTOR COMPANIES

Amicus Therapeutics

Cabaletta Bio

Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)

Century Therapeutics

CFGI

Chamber of Commerce—CEO Council for Growth

Citizens Bank

Comcast Drexel University

DuPont

eCLOSE Institute

EMSCO Scientific Enterprises, Inc.

Episcopal Community Services

Ernst & Young

Everything’s Vending

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Fulton Bank

GSK

Horn & Hardart

Integral Molecular

Invisible Sentinel

Lincoln University

Monell Chemical Senses Center

PECO

Penn Medicine: University of Pennsylvania Health System

Pennovation Works

Philadelphia Works

Pristiniology

RightOn Education

Rockland

Immunochemicals, Inc.

Santander Bank

TD Bank

Team Clean

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

The Wistar Institute

U.S. Navy

University of Texas at El Paso

West Philadelphia Skills Initiative

WuXi Advanced Therapies

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SCHOOLS REPRESENTED BY FIRSTHAND STUDENTS

Middle School Partners:

Alain Locke School

James Rhoads School

John F. McCloskey School

KIPP West Philadelphia Prep

Martha Washington Academic Plus School

Science Leadership Academy Middle School (SLA-MS)

High School Participants from: Achieve Academy of Philadelphia

Belmont Charter School

Central High School

Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School

George Washington Carver High School of Engineering

Girard Academic Music Program

Girard College

Highland High School

John Bartram High School

Julia R. Masterman School

IN 2023, STUDENTS DIRECTLY

RECEIVED 446 HOURS OF MENTORSHIP THROUGH SCIENCE CENTER PROGRAMS.

Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School

KIPP DuBois

Lankenau High School

S. Weir Mitchell

Elementary School

Tilden Middle School

W.C. Longstreth School

Young Scholars Charter School

Mastery Charter School— Pickett Campus

Mastery Charter School— Shoemaker Campus

Motivation High School

Overbrook High School

Parkway West High School

Paul Robeson High School

Penn Wood High School

Philadelphia High School for Girls

Philadelphia Virtual Academy

Preparatory Charter School

Science Leadership Academy

Science Leadership Academy @ Beeber

West Catholic Preparatory High School

uCity Square

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE, BUT ITS GREATEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS IS WHEN IT TAKES PLACE WITHIN A VIBRANT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND A HIGH DEGREE OF AMBITION. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PHILADELPHIA’S INNOVATION DISTRICT, OUR HOME AT u CITY SQUARE IS A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO CONNECT, LEARN, DISCOVER, AND TURN IDEAS INTO SOLUTIONS.

PARTNERS

u CITY SQUARE

Driven by a partnership between real estate developer Wexford Science + Technology, capital partner Ventas, and the Science Center, the uCity Square Knowledge Community is home to startups, growing life science companies, leading academic and research institutions, and ambitious people developing life-changing solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges.

2023 marked a milestone for the uCity Square: the opening of its flagship tower, One uCity, and The Square, a new one-acre park.

The building itself is impressive. Located at 37th & Cuthbert Streets, One uCity boasts 400,000 square feet across 13 stories of office, lab space, and retail, as well as convening areas, and private outdoor terraces that overlook The Square, offering a welcoming outdoor space for the community.

More impressive however, are the multi-disciplinary companies and organizations who chose to locate their operations in the building, each of which is pursuing or supporting groundbreaking life science and healthcare innovations with the potential to change lives.

Over 90% leased, One uCity tenants include Century Therapeutics (NASDAQ: IPSC), Integral Molecular, and Exponent (NASDAQ: EXPO)—each of whom were previously located within uCity Square and now have expanded footprints, as well as Charles River Laboratories (NYSE: CRL).

One uCity also houses anchor tenants Penn Medicine’s Institute for RNA Innovation and Penn Engineering’s Center for Precision Engineering for Health. Spearheading the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation is recent Nobel Prize recipient, Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, the Roberts Family Professor for Vaccine Research, who along with Katalin Karikó, PhD, adjunct professor of Neurosurgery, discovered foundational mRNA technology that enabled the creation of the COVID-19 vaccines developed by PfizerBioNTech and Moderna.

The Center for Precision Engineering for Health is led by Dan Hammer, Alfred G. and Meta A. Ennis Professor in the Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in Penn Engineering.

u CITY SQUARE BY THE NUMBERS

EXISTING

4.4M

Sq. ft.

20 Buildings

3

Acres of outdoor space

200+ Businesses

15K

Researchers, students, academics, and innovators

BREAKING GROUND IN 2024

3838 Market

450K

Sq. ft. of lab, office, clinical, retail, and parking

MORE TO COME 1.5M

Sq. ft.—next phase of uCity Square development planned

ucitysquare.com

Left: photo by Halkin Mason Photography LLC SCIENCECENTER.ORG

Envisioning an Equitable Future

SIXTY YEARS OF INNOVATION IS A MILESTONE, BUT IT’S NOT A RESTING PLACE. AND WHILE THIS IMPACT REPORT IS FULL OF SUCCESSES, WE ARE MOST EXCITED FOR THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF THE FUTURE.

“At CSL, we are committed to innovative research that helps address the unmet medical needs of patients and public health. We congratulate the University City Science Center on sixty years of powering progress. Our partnering with the Science Center is built upon similar missions and, together, we have been able to fuel a synergy of groundbreaking innovation driving progress and pioneering promising solutions that redefine what’s possible in science and healthcare.”

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BILL MEZZANOTTE, MD, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, HEAD OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, CSL

For much of the Science Center’s six decades as a nonprofit, the organization was tightly focused on enabling groundbreaking scientific discoveries. This was supported in large part by our real estate operations and supplemented by public and private funders. But as we’ve been supporting the progress of others, we’ve been undergoing some of our own.

The scope of today’s Science Center has widened to include cultivating STEM talent while continuing to provide resources to support startups. Our funding sources have changed as well, with increased reliance on government funding and private philanthropy. This diversity of support has strengthened the Science Center and allowed us to lean into creating a more equitable future for all.

We aren’t the only ones with this vision. In April 2023 we announced that, thanks to the championing work of PA Senator Vincent Hughes, the Science Center was awarded $750,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to advance equitable life sciences innovation to aid a strong and equitable economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are leveraging this investment in inclusive growth and career pathways as a springboard, building deeper ties with our existing funders and seeking out new funding opportunities that will continue to amplify our impact.

Our funders are also some of our most dedicated partners in building a more equitable future. We are grateful for the names on the following page because they share our vision and look ahead with optimism to the relationships yet to be built.

NUCLEUS AWARDS

We had our biggest Nucleus Awards ever in 2023, with over 230 people attending a night of celebration and networking. The Science Center honored the work of Daniel M. Skovronsky, Margaret Berger Bradley, Sheila D. Ireland, and Sulaiman W. Rahman. The generosity of our event sponsors, including presenting sponsor CSL, directly supports the Science Center’s programming and mission.

SCIENCE CENTER BY THE NUMBERS

20%

Of overall budget from donations, public and private grants, and corporate partnerships

$4.2M

Raised from 73 funders

90% Renewed funders

10%

First-time funders

Our Funders

IGNITE LEVEL $100,000+

CURATE LEVEL $50,000–$99,999

25TH CENTURY FOUNDATION

ENGAGE LEVEL $25,000–$49,999

IMPACT LEVEL $10,000–$24,999

CBRE Group, Inc.

Cencora

Citizens Bank

SUPPORTER LEVEL $5,000–$9,999

Econsult Solutions, Inc.

Embassy of Estonia

Hamilton Family Charitable Trust

Cambridge Innovation Center, Philadelphia

Cottage Bridge Foundation

Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

Drexel University

DuPont

DONOR LEVEL $500–$4,999

Anonymous

Kevin Baumlin

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Carrie Love-Benson and Kerry R. Benson

Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation

Tracy and Patrick Brala

Century Therapeutics

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Connelly Foundation

Duane Morris LLP

Fulton Bank

Integral Molecular

Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management

Life Science Cares Philadelphia

NewSpring Capital

TD Bank, N.A.

Siemens Healthineers

University of Pennsylvania

Ventas, Inc.

Verizon

EisnerAmper LLP

Christian Eusemann

Joseph Fetterman

GDI Integrated Facilities Services

Adam Glasofer

Patrick Harker

INTECH Construction

Militia Hill Ventures

Heath Naquin

Michael Nutter

Odell Studner

Ridge Policy Group LLC

Schwab Charitable

Strada

Thermo Fisher Scientific

TriState HVAC

Wells Fargo

Tiffany Wilson

The Wistar Institute

Board of Directors

Aileen Alexander

CEO, Diversified Search

Emerita Maxine Ballen*

Founder, New Jersey Technology Council

Kerry Benson

President & CEO, Big Edge Advisors, LLC

Kenneth J. Blank, PhD*

President, University Research Strategies, LLC

Dawn Bonnell, PhD

Senior Vice Provost for Research, University of Pennsylvania

Chellie Cameron

President & CEO, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Craig Carnaroli

Senior Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania

Yi Deng

Dean and Isaac L. Auerbach Professor, Drexel University, College of Computing & Informatics

Ernie Dianastasis

Founder & CEO, The Precisionists, Inc.

Michael DiPiano

Managing General Partner & Co-Founder, NewSpring Capital, Inc.

Christian Eusemann, PhD

VP of Research & Innovation/Collaboration Officer, Siemens Healthineers

Glen N. Gaulton, PhD*

Vice Dean and Director, Center for Global Health, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Adam Glasofer, MD

Founder/Principal, Vertex Health Consulting

Tom Gordon

Managing Director, Mid-Atlantic Life Science & Healthcare, Silicon Valley Bank

Patrick Harker, PhD

President, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

*served through June 2023

Jane Hollingsworth

Managing Partner, Militia Hill Ventures

Kisha Hortman Hawthorne, PhD, FACHE

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Emeritus Richard P. Jaffe* Partner, Duane Morris LLP

J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD

Interim President, University of Pennsylvania; Robert G. Dunlop Professor of Medicine

Emeritus Russel Kaufman, MD, FACP Venture Partner, Pappas Capital

Kenneth L. Kring*

Senior Client Partner and Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice, Korn Ferry

Michele Masucci, PhD

The University System of Maryland, Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development

Bill Mezzanotte

Executive Vice President, Head Research & Development, Chief Medical Officer, CSL

Michael A. Nutter

Former Mayor, City of Philadelphia; David N. Dinkins Professor of Professional Practice in Urban and Public Affairs, Columbia University

Aleister Saunders, PhD

Executive Vice Provost, Drexel University

Kate Shay

Partner, Duane Morris LLP

Richard Vague

Managing Director, Gabriel Investments

Tara Weiner

Retired Senior Partner and Managing Partner, Deloitte

Tiffany Wilson

President & CEO, Science Center

Emeritus Steve Zarrilli

Entrepreneur in Residence, Drexel University

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 VOLUNTEER

Inspire aspiring STEM professionals by serving as a mentor for middle and high school students through STEM education, or adults through our workforce training program.

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.

INSPIRE ADVISE

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.

Industry professionals and serial entrepreneurs serve as business advisors to our entrepreneurial support programs, contributing valuable expertise to the commercialization process.

INVEST

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