Episode 117: How Universities Can Lead Biotech Innovation with Startup Mentorship and Venture Funding

How can universities become powerful engines of innovation, startups, and economic growth—especially in a challenging funding environment? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, the David & Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane Innovation Institute and Managing Director of Tulane Ventures. Kimberly shares how Tulane is building a comprehensive innovation ecosystem—from early-stage programming and mentorship to venture funding—designed to help researchers, students, and founders translate discovery into real-world impact. Together, they explore what it takes to change institutional culture, scale innovation thoughtfully, and position universities as active investors in the future of biotech and healthcare. In this episode, you’ll learn: How universities can support founders and technologies across every stage of the innovation journey, not just at commercialization. Why mentorship, alumni engagement, and listening to stakeholders are critical to building sustainable innovation programs. How strategic venture funds and proof-of-concept investments can accelerate biotech spinouts and regional economic growth. Whether you’re a researcher, founder, or innovation leader, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how universities can step up, take risks, and help innovation thrive—even in uncertain times. Links: Connect with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, and check out Tulane Innovation Institute and Tulane Ventures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out our previous episode with Kimberly. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.