Four Announced as Student Fellows for New Science Venture Studio

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The four student fellows for the Science Venture Studio (clockwise from top left): Josue Calderon, John Alumbaugh, Giselle Toledo, Gurshagan Kandhola.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas' Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation has selected four students as fellows for the recently launched Science Venture Studio. The fellowship program is a partnership between the U of A and Startup Junkie, which oversees the SVS, and it will pair students with early-stage technology startups for hands-on experience in market research, customer discovery and grant writing.

The following students were selected from a talented pool of applicants:

• Gurshagan Kandhola, the chief research and development officer for CelluDot, which won the graduate division at the 20th annual Arkansas Governor's Cup and placed third at the U of A's international student startup competition, the Heartland Challenge
  • "As a scientist who is not only interested in research but also in the commercialization of innovation, this is an excellent platform. I'm looking forward to engaging with early stage tech startups and helping them in whatever way I can, to get them to the next stage in their entrepreneurial journey."
• Josue Calderon, a former project lead in the McMillon Innovation Studio, who is working toward a biology degree
  • "I have always been interested in both science and innovation, and this program combines the best of both worlds. I am excited to learn what it takes to help a startup company get to the next level and succeed."
• Giselle Toledo, who helped secure funding for harnessing nanotechnology to produce an environmentally sustainable, passively icephobic coating during OEI's 2019 seed funding competition and is now enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship
  • "SVS is empowering our local economy. Through this program, I hope to add value to our local start-ups to ensure their future success."
• John Alumbaugh, a computer science Ph.D. student who co-founded Mobyt, a mobile accessible user-oriented cryptocurrency exchange.
  • "What most excited me was the chance to work with promising startups actively seeking funding, as well as getting an inside look at the SBIR/STTR process."

Each fellow will be partnered with an SVS client company to work over the course of a semester to conduct market research, customer discovery, and other duties as needed to reach the milestones the companies have identified for a successful Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal.

They will be an essential member of the partner team and will receive training and coaching through the Science Venture Studio and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation during the period of their fellowship.

Sarah Goforth, OEI's executive director, described the partnership between U of A's young entrepreneurial minds and technology startups as a win-win.

"The fellows gain an apprenticeship in a technology-based venture nearing a major milestone. The companies gain direct support from experienced mentors and connections into the university talent pool and research enterprise," Goforth said.

Goforth added that the program also reflects the value of cooperation between educational institutions and startups.

"Entrepreneurial ecosystems work best when the boundaries between higher education and the private sector are porous. The Science Venture Studio, as a partnership between Startup Junkie and the University of Arkansas, illustrates why this matters."

Katie Thompson, the CEO of Rooted Startups who will lead SVS as its director, said sharing knowledge, resources and expertise is invaluable to supporting a company preparing an SBIR or STTR proposal.

"The commercialization and market opportunity sections are a very critical piece for the overall success of a proposal, and the fellows will be able provide in depth research on the commercial and market opportunities that the company is seeking to penetrate with their technology," Thompson said.

About Startup Junkie: Located in Fayetteville, Startup Junkie is building entrepreneurial ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas through providing no-cost, one-on-one consulting; events, workshops, and programs; and access to capital and talent.

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio and Startup Village, OEI provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions, and startup coaching. OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.