Best Startup Award Nomination Form

Awarded to a new company utilizing UC research to develop new technologies, products, and/or services that demonstrate advancement of the University's commitment to significant societal impact.

Part I

Fill in basic identification information:

  • Nominee Full Name
  • Nominee Title/Role
  • Nominee institution
  • Nominee Department
  • Nominee Office Email
  • Nominee Office Phone Number
  • Startup Company Name
  • Date Startup was Legally Established
    • Must be wtihin the last 5 years

Part II

Section 1

Improved societal well-being - the social value of the product or service.

Overall Weight: 50%

Section 1 Questions

  • 1.1 Please cite the UC invention case number being leveraged by the startup under an active, signed license agreement along with a non-confidential description of the invention
  • 1.2 Who is the target customer? Describe their characteristics and include a definition of the target market and a measure of its size
    • If you are familiar with the following terms, please use these to describe your target market:
      • TAM (Total Addressable Market: The maximum potential demand of a specific market)
      • SAM (Serviceable Addressable Market: The size of the TAM you can reasonably target as you build your audience)
      • SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market: The size of the SAM you can potentially convert)
  • 1.3 How are your customers’ problems or a community’s problems alleviated by the product or service that you are commercializing?
  • 1.4 Is your product or service more affordable, accessible, or usable than what is on the market now? Please explain.
  • 1.5 Is it scalable?
    • Meaning can the startup expand its customer base and increase revenue without significant increases in costs or resources.

Section 2

Recognition and Financials during the previous calendar year

OVerall Weight: 40%

Section 2 Questions

  • 2.1 Has the startup received media or other recognition?
  • 2.2 How many jobs have been created, or what is your startup’s impact on workforce development?
  • 2.3 How much revenue has been generated by the company, or what is your startup’s impact on economic development?
  • 2.4 Given the product or service is being commercialized under a UC license, how much has been paid to UC in the form of fees, royalties, and other forms of consideration?
  • 2.5 How much funding has been raised from private capital, grants (including UC Proof of Concept Grants), contracts and other sources?
  • 2.6 What are your economic metrics such as import and export stats, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, and other economic impacts?

Section 3

Alignment with the mission of the University of California and values of the community

Overall Weight: 10%

Section 3 Questions

  • 3.1 How does the research align with the mission of the University of California?
  • 3.2 How does the research align with the values of the community?

Section 4

Supporting Materials (unclassified information only)

The following will not be scored on its own merits but will be reflected in the Reviewers’ scores

  • Please provide any other justification from the previous calendar year – that is not addressed in the above – as the why you should be considered for this award (including UC Proof of Concept Grants)
  • Please attach a PDF copy of an email or other document from your Chancellor's or Lab Director's Office confirming you are their nominee for this award
  • Please provide a link to a 90-second video (YouTube or Vimeo) describing your innovation, why you are deserving of the award, and how this award will impact your ongoing work
  • Please attach any relevant supporting documents, dated within the last 12 months, which may include
    • Press releases
    • Awards and recognitions, especially from professional peers outside the UC system
    • Patents
    • Publications
    • Letters of support (max 3) from parties outside the UC system
    • Other forms of recognition that support the nomination
  • Please attach a PDF copy of a letter on your campus / national lab letterhead, signed and dated by you
    • The certificate shall state, "I certify that the information provided in this nomination package is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge, and I acknowledge and agree that all materials submitted as part of this nomination may be used and repurposed by the University of California for communications and promotional activities" Choose a file to upload or drag and drop here

Section 5

Submitted By

  • Full Name
  • Title
  • Organisation
  • Campus / National Lab