Science Center to Recognize Ecosystem Builders and Innovators at Inaugural Nucleus Awards
UE LifeSciences, Kiera Smalls of Philly Startup Leaders, and Seer Interactive to be honored
PHILADELPHIA--(August 8, 2019) – The University City Science Center will honor UE LifeSciences, Kiera Smalls, and Seer Interactive as the inaugural Nucleus Awardees. The Nucleus Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the ecosystem builders that fuel discovery, demolish barriers, and foster an innovative future. The Nucleus Commercialization Award, Nucleus Convener Award, and Nucleus Cultivator Award will be officially given to the recipients on Wednesday, September 18 at the Science Center’s annual fundraising event, Nucleus 2019, presented by PNC Bank.
Nucleus convenes the region’s leaders, innovators, groundbreakers and champion networkers for an evening of celebrating and connecting, all while supporting Philadelphia’s future as a leader in science and technology. Monies raised through Nucleus sustain all Science Center programs, which last year alone supported the growth of 149 startup businesses; convened more than 12,000 attendees across 250 events; and engaged over 280 middle and high school students through its FirstHand STEM education program.
“The 2019 Nucleus Awardees exemplify the people and organizations positively influencing our region,” says Saul Behar, Senior Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives. “They represent the best of the entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the collective social impact Philadelphia can achieve when we work towards a more innovative, collaborative, and equitable future.”
Nucleus 2019 Honorees:
Commercialization Award: UE LifeSciences
Sponsored by CSL Behring, a global biotechnology leader driven by its promise to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that save and protect the lives of people with rare and serious diseases around the world.
UE LifeSciences, a fast-growing, multi-national med-tech company bringing the promise of early detection of cancer to women globally, is the intelligence behind the iBreastExam – a first of its kind device that enables health workers to identify non-palpable breast lumps in just a few minutes. Since its creation in 2009, the iBreastExam has screened more than 250,000 women in 12 countries. UE LifeScience cofounders Mihir Shah and Matthew Campisi have raised $1.3 million in grants and international awards and $4.2 million in equity capital. With ongoing distribution in 10 countries and counting, UE LifeSciences has grown revenue five-fold in the past three years. Mihir and Matt have given TED Talks and their work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC World News, Forbes and other notable platforms and publications.
Convener Award: Kiera Smalls, Philly Startup Leaders
Kiera Smalls is an advocate for equity, entrepreneurship, and wellness. As Executive Director of Philly Startup Leaders, Kiera supports founders by providing them with the education, mentorship, and network needed to build a startup in the city. Before joining PSL, Kiera was part of the startup behind Indego bike share where she managed marketing, communications, and national equity efforts. She is also the co-founder of a wellness company for women called City Fit Girls. Kiera reminds us all that the key ingredient to being a true steward of success is paying it forward. She believes that voices from all communities deserve a seat at the table. Even if that means building a bigger table.
Cultivator Award: Seer Interactive
Seer Interactive is a digital marketing agency with an emphasis on innovation across SEO, PPC, and Analytics—all of which is underpinned by a focus on people. Seer Interactive has dedicated its philanthropic work to support STEM education initiatives and partners annually with San Diego Youth Services, Spark Philadelphia, Hopeworks ‘N Camden, Covenant House, Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the Science Center’s own FirstHand initiative. Valuing the importance of access and inclusion, Seer has a focused effort to diversify its talent pipeline, not just in the short-term, but through a sustainable 5-10-year model. By engaging populations outside of the technical space, Seer is working to break down long-standing barriers to the digital industry and bridge the gap between post-secondary education and job training.
For more information about Nucleus or to purchase tickets, visit www.UCSCNucleus.org.
About the Science Center
Located in the heart of uCity Square, the University City Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that catalyzes and connects innovation to entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. For 55+ years, the Science Center has supported startups, research, and economic development in the life sciences, healthcare, physical sciences, and emerging technology sectors. As a result, Science Center-supported business account for one out of every 100 jobs in the Greater Philadelphia region and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. By providing resources and programming for any stage of a business’s lifecycle, the Science Center helps scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators take their concepts from idea to IPO – and beyond.
For more information about the Science Center, visit www.sciencecenter.org
