This is part of a series of articles written by the Department of Arkansas Heritage to celebrate the Semiquincentennial of the United States. While Arkansas was not yet a territory or a state in 1776, the region that would become the state of Arkansas in 1836 played an important part in the evolution of the United States over the past 250 years.
“Everything begins with an idea.” Earl Nightingale, American author, broadcaster and survivor of the attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor
Nistha Neupane and Zane Austin, recent graduates of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, were recently named one of 10 winning teams of America’s Startup, a national competition aimed at college students with new and cutting-edge ideas that could help shape American innovation for the next 250 years. Their project, NanoLit, focuses on developing therapies that protect the heart and healthy cells during breast cancer treatment while also reducing chemotherapy-related complications. Neupane and Austin, along with the other nine winning teams, received $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, allowing them to advance their projects and retain complete ownership. The program also gave winners access to mentorship and valuable networking opportunities with prominent investors.
Students nationwide were encouraged to submit their ideas and projects for a chance to receive funding. In May, 30 semifinalists were invited to Draper University in San Mateo, California, for a three-day final competition. Winners were chosen by members of America’s Startup Investor Council. Members of the council included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; Tim Draper, founder of Draper University; former Treasurer of the United States and Chair of the America250 Commission, Rosie Rios; along with other leaders in tech and business fields.
America’s Startup is one of several initiatives under America250’s America Innovates program, celebrating 250 years of American ingenuity and future innovation.
You can see the full list of America’s Startup winners here.
To learn more about the students and their winning project, click here to read the announcement from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.