The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests almost $50 billion annually into research, fueling innovation and giving innovators resources to push boundaries and advance scientific breakthroughs shaping the future of health. Rosemarie Truman, Founder and CEO of the Center for Advancing Innovation (CAI), launched CAI in partnership with NIH in 2012 to capitalize on this opportunity. The result of this first-of-a-kind partnership is 12 challenges conducted, 4000+ entrepreneurs educated, and 440+ startups launched. CAI’s 200 challenge winners have raised $2.1 billion+ and directly created 2100+ knowledge-based jobs to date.
CAI's and NIH's impact together would not have been possible without philanthropy. Most notably, Sheri Sobrato was the driving force behind CAI's last 5 challenges: the Brain Race, the Innovate Children's Health Challenges I and II, and the Global Health Innovation Challenges I and II. Since Sheri began supporting CAI in 2019, spinouts of CAI's 12 challenges have raised 20 times more funding and created 20 times more direct jobs, accounting for >95% of CAI's impact.
Keeping America the Center for Advancing Innovation across the world requires a platform on which visionary philanthropists and star innovators inside and outside of government work together. At this in-person event, we will honor Sheri and the star innovators who have shined brighter because of Sheri's support of CAI.
Ceremony Date and Time:
Thursday, May 8th, 2025 at 1:30-5pm Eastern
Ceremony Location:
Balcony B in the Natcher Building (NIH Building 45)
45 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20894
Ceremony Sponsors:
NIH Office of the Director
(https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director)
NIH Office of Intramural Research
(https://oir.nih.gov/)
The Patent Law, Industry and Technology Transfer Scientific Interest Group
(https://oir.nih.gov/sigs/patent-law-technology-transfer-interest-group)
See other NIH Scientific Interest Groups at https://sigs.nih.gov/.
Participating Startup Awardees:
Aloe Therapeutics - Developing a first-in-class, localized immunotherapy for hard-to-treat solid tumors
Appleseed Education - Scaling up African nursing schools with an EdTech platform
Aptabridge Therapeutics - Creating a next generation drug design platform to leverage DNA nanoparticles for immunotherapy
Arkayli Biopharma - Changing the treatment paradigm for infantile hemangiomas using an established drug
Couplet Care - Offering a postnatal unit medical infant bassinet and other tools for improving patient safety and clinical efficiency for newborns and parents **together**
Filterbaby - Pioneering ultra filtration technology to remove up to 99% chlorine from faucet filters for skincare
Fzata - Developing the holy grail of oral biologic therapies to treat a wide variety of GI diseases and gut-health axis disorders
Heudia Health - Connecting people in need with people who care using the AccessMeCare digital health platform
HueDx - Overhauling the diagnostic process to improve outcomes for both patients and physicians using a portable chemistry and infectious disease analyzer for everyone
Intrommune Therapeutics - Developing safe and effective options for food allergy sufferers
Jeeva Clinical Trials - Making innovation accessible to patients, regardless of their location, by optimizing and decentralizing clinical research
MindArch Health - Establishing a wellbeing research-based preventive program to decrease mental health risks, burnout, overwhelm and disengagement
Nanochon - Reducing costs to health providers, payers, and patients with a 3D printed, nanostructured material for cartilage repair and regrowth in joints
PigPug - Unlocking the potential of children with ADHD and autism through neurofeedback and AI
True Bearing Diagnostics - Developing biomarker panels for early detection of cardiovascular disease, appendicitis, pneumonia/respiratory infections, and pandemics such as COVID-19
This event will not be livestreamed or recorded. We want to see you in person!
After remarks, panel discussions, and award presentations, join us for a delightful catered reception, where you'll find a delicious array of dishes, each with its own perfect level of spice (ranging from mild to Rosemarie's five-alarm fiery hot), so there's something to tantalize every taste bud!
Why should you attend?
✨Exclusive Networking – Connect with top innovators, philanthropists, and leaders driving medical breakthroughs
✨Cutting-Edge Innovation – Get inspired by the latest scientific and entrepreneurial advancements
✨Access Unparalleled Opportunities – Discover potential collaborations, funding, and entrepreneurial pathways
✨Engage with Visionaries – Gain insights from those who are transforming research into real-world impact
✨Fuel Future Breakthroughs – Learn how philanthropy and innovation intersect to shape the future of healthcare
✨Be Part of the Movement – Support a mission that keeps America at the forefront of global health innovation
✨Celebrate Impact – Honor Sheri Sobrato and star innovators making groundbreaking advancements in health
Don't miss the afterparty, generously hosted by Rosemarie Truman at her home.
Afterparty Date and Time:
Thursday, May 8th, 2025 -- Starting at 5:45pm Eastern
Afterparty Location:
CAI Headquarters
9508 Burning Tree Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817
By submitting your information, CAI will send you updates on the event. Please message Cody Locke (cody@caistartups.org) or Rosemarie Truman (rht@caistartups.org) with any questions.
