UNeMed’s annual celebration of innovation and discovery at the University of Nebraska begins on Monday, Oct. 20.
Hosted by UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization office for UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Innovation Week will enter its 19th year with an open house 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, in the Durham Research Center atrium.
Innovation Week’s featured event is the Research Innovation Awards Banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The week will also feature additional seminars and events designed to enhance innovation and discovery efforts at UNMC and UNO.
All events are free and open to the public except the awards banquet, which is by invitation only. Further details can be found on UNeMed’s Innovation Week page.
Monday’s kickoff event will feature snacks, coffee, T-shirts and other free items, along with a chance for attendees to meet UNeMed staff.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, UNeMed and the Nebraska Research Initiative will host Inventors Grove, a weekly meeting that operates like a support group. Between 7-8:30 a.m., people are encouraged to drop in at any time. The event, held at the Innovation Unit Design Bridge (University Tower, sixth floor) is open to anyone who might have an idea or new discovery but doesn’t know what to do about it. Experienced inventors will be there to provide guidance, fellowship, support and inspiration to anyone curious about navigating the innovation process.
The week’s main event, the annual Innovation Awards, will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Scott Conference Center, at 6450 Pine St.
An invitation-only event, the awards will honor all UNMC and UNO inventors who disclosed a new invention, received an issued U.S. patent or had their technology licensed during the previous fiscal year. Emerging Inventor, Faculty Entrepreneur, Innovation Champion, Startup of the Year and the Most Promising New Invention of 2025 Awards will be presented.
Innovation Week will continue on Thursday, Oct. 23, with another installment of Idea Pub: Startup Showcase at 4-6 p.m. at the Omaha Catalyst Forge Event Hall.
Sponsored in partnership with UNeTech Institute and NUTech Ventures, the Startup Showcase will feature several short presentations featuring new companies built around Nebraska innovations in healthcare. The event is open and free to all; guests are asked to register here.
A panel discussion hosted by the National Institutes of Health is set for Friday, Oct. 24. Five panelists from the NIH will discuss non-dilutive funding opportunities for academic researchers and innovators interested in pursuing the small business grant program. The discussion will be a virtual event, held via Teams. To register, go here.
Nebraska researchers also are encouraged to pre-book one-on-one meetings with NIH panelists here.
Innovation Week concludes on Saturday, Oct. 25, with startup launch party for FamilyRoom.health, a new company built by UNMC nurse-researcher Breanna Hetland, PhD.
The party will be at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs from 4-7 p.m. The evening will feature more information about the growing startup company, along with art, music and refreshments. To learn more about the event and how to register, go to this event link.
Further Innovation Week details can be found on UNeMed’s website.