University City Science Center
The University City Science Center (the Science Center) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA. The Science Center catalyzes innovation to maintain the technological superiority of the American military and the strength of the American economy. The Science Center’s core activities include programming to support and train entrepreneurs, commercialize dual use technologies, expand available capital for high growth firms, and cultivate the domestic STEM talent pipeline. We empower early-stage companies to secure and manage federal funding through specialized assistance. By leveraging our government relationships, providing comprehensive proposal development, and deploying sophisticated award management, the Science Center streamlines the process for startups in accessing federal funding. By ensuring that American scientific and technological innovations are rapidly advanced and integrated into defense and dual-use applications, the Science Center strengthens the US industrial base, enhances military readiness, and safeguards national security interests. This lab-to-market pipeline is critical to maintaining technological overmatch, securing supply chain resilience, and reinforcing biosecurity infrastructure. The Science Center’s innovation acceleration initiatives can directly contribute to the Department of Defense’s modernization priorities by reducing reliance on foreign technologies, fostering high-growth industries in critical technology areas, and ensuring that STEM advancements serve as strategic assets to protect and advance US interests. Since its founding, the Science Center’s commercialization and small business programming efforts have supported more than 700 companies, leading to 29,100 jobs with an average salary of $105,000 and $7.6 billion in annual economic impact in Greater Philadelphia. Through its commercialization programs, the Science Center has supported a range of mission-critical innovations that align with DoD priorities, including warfighter readiness, medical technology advancement, and operational resilience.
Industries
N/A
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
Expertise Areas
- Cohort-based startup acceleration and investor readiness
- Commercialization strategy for deep-tech and life-science ventures
- Translational program design and staged evidence generation
- Clinical pilot facilitation and IRB navigation
Key Technologies
- AI-driven diagnostics and analytics
- Multi-omics biomarker assays
- Wearable physiological sensors
- Electrochemical oxygen sensing
Key People
Tiffany Wilson
President & CEO
Lorraine Lopresti
Chief Financial Officer
Wendy Nickel
Chief Program Officer
Heath Naquin
Vice President, Government and Capital Engagement
Katie Nash
Senior Director, External Affairs
Tiffany Wilson
President & CEO
Lorraine Lopresti
Chief Financial Officer
Wendy Nickel
Chief Program Officer
Heath Naquin
Vice President, Government and Capital Engagement
Katie Nash
Senior Director, External Affairs
News & Updates
The Science Center received a significant grant to support the FirstHand program, enabling rigorous evaluation and expansion of hands-on STEM learning for Philadelphia students.
The FirstHand STEM education model was adapted and launched in Charlotte, North Carolina, in partnership with The Pearl innovation district and Atrium Health, demonstrating the program’s scalability and national impact.
Spotlight on the Science Center’s Founders Fellowship and its support for entrepreneurs developing health tech solutions for aging and Alzheimer’s, including interviews with fellows and their innovative projects.
Insights from investors and founders on what it takes to secure investment, the importance of clarity, data, and relationships, and how the Capital Readiness Program prepares startups for fundraising.
A think tank discussion on the challenges and opportunities of using technology to improve healthcare accessibility, featuring insights from industry leaders and the launch of the Capital Readiness Program’s new cohort.
The journey of Percy, a startup supported by the Science Center’s Capital Readiness Program, developing a contactless behavioral sleep therapy system and achieving key compliance milestones.
The Science Center received a significant grant to support the FirstHand program, enabling rigorous evaluation and expansion of hands-on STEM learning for Philadelphia students.
The FirstHand STEM education model was adapted and launched in Charlotte, North Carolina, in partnership with The Pearl innovation district and Atrium Health, demonstrating the program’s scalability and national impact.
Spotlight on the Science Center’s Founders Fellowship and its support for entrepreneurs developing health tech solutions for aging and Alzheimer’s, including interviews with fellows and their innovative projects.
Insights from investors and founders on what it takes to secure investment, the importance of clarity, data, and relationships, and how the Capital Readiness Program prepares startups for fundraising.
A think tank discussion on the challenges and opportunities of using technology to improve healthcare accessibility, featuring insights from industry leaders and the launch of the Capital Readiness Program’s new cohort.
The journey of Percy, a startup supported by the Science Center’s Capital Readiness Program, developing a contactless behavioral sleep therapy system and achieving key compliance milestones.