The annual UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition, the largest annual business competition in the Sacramento region, has been a catalyst for launching dozens of local startups over the last 18  years. Since the year 2000 about 1,500 individuals and teams have participated in the competition.

Next Thursday, May 24, you’ll have the opportunity to see the latest innovations from the most recent cohort at the 2018 Big Bang! Business Competition Awards Ceremony & Finalist Presentations. Over $100,000 in prize money will be awarded as part of Big Bang! Business Competition and Little Bang! Poster Competition, including a $10,000 1st Place Award and a $5,000 2nd Place Award winner, as well as recipients of other cash prizes. You’ll also have a chance to vote in the $2,500 People’s Choice Award prize!

When: Thu, May 24, 2018, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: UC Davis Alumni Center, 530 Alumni Lane, Alpha Gamma Rho Room, Davis, CA 95616

Cost: Free

Register Now

“If you’ve got an innovative idea bring it to the Big Bang! There is no better program that I am aware of anywhere, and I’m not talking about just this community, I mean anywhere in this country, where you’re going to able to learn the nuts and bolts of starting a new company from the ground up, all the different stages, you can actually come with an idea and come out, potentially, with a check. The Big Bang! program not only teaches you, provides fantastic mentoring, then takes you through a process where you actually can be selected and they’re giving bigger and bigger prizes every year.”
~ Mike Hart, CEO of Sierra Energy

The 2018 Big Bang! cohort included 62 team and 250 entrepreneurs. This year’s crop of Big Bang! semi-finalists include:

  • AGTools – Real time algorithm data to offset volatility
  • Anu – All-natural barley grain snacks for all
  • Chicha Culture – Craft Peruvian sustainable syrups for food/beverage market
  • Cognivive – Digital medicines for impaired brain function
  • Compassionlit – Phototherapy for developing world newborns with jaundice
  • ConfigFab – Automated quotation service for configurable fabricated parts
  • DTE Materials – Sustainable building insulation derived from natural fibers
  • InflaMD – Device to prevent overuse injuries in athletes
  • Innovis Medical – Military/civilian Portable Trauma Coagulation Monitoring
  • Japa Inc. – Smart parking system that delivers real-time availability
  • SU – Fashion as protection against air pollution
  • Tergis Technologies – Preventing pathogen growth in hospitals
  • Treyetech – B2B medtech venture selling corneal transplant devices
  • UniRely – Connecting international high-school students to college students
  • VitaliSense – We detect heart attacks in minutes