SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The University of California, Davis has announced two new strategic partnerships designed to strengthen its position as a global leader in life sciences innovation and entrepreneurship. These initiatives, formed with FLANN Inc., an international bio-pharma accelerator, and HM Venture Partners, a prominent healthcare-focused venture capital firm, are designed to attract international biotech startups and expedite the commercialization of breakthrough human health advancements at Aggie Square, the new innovation district located on UC Davis’ Sacramento campus.
UC Davis, FLANN Inc., and Wexford Science & Technology: Launching a Global Accelerator for South Korean Biotech
In a move to position Sacramento as a gateway for international biotech firms, UC Davis FLANN Inc., a U.S.-based bio-pharma accelerator, and Wexford Science & Technology LLC, the developer of Aggie Square, have signed a tri-lateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch a dedicated accelerator program for South Korean life sciences startups. The agreement formalizes the creation of a dedicated accelerator program for South Korean life sciences companies seeking to enter and grow within the U.S. healthcare market.
The partnership, which originated from a 2024 trade mission to South Korea led by the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC), reflects the region’s increasing emphasis on international economic collaboration. The resulting agreement will empower South Korean startups with streamlined access to U.S. regulatory pathways, commercialization channels, clinical partnerships and investment networks, resources critical to translating early-stage research breakthroughs into scalable healthcare solutions.
Program participants will be hosted at Connect Labs by Wexford at Aggie Square, where they will have access to turnkey amenities, like furnished labs, access to reserved use of more than $1.2M in technical equipment, office space, and district programming, while also being able to engage directly with UC Davis researchers, industry mentors and regional innovation networks.
“This partnership is about unlocking potential,” said Mike Lee, director at FLANN Inc. “UC Davis, Wexford, and FLANN are working together to build a strong foundation in the Sacramento region where South Korean life science innovators can grow, collaborate and drive meaningful impact in U.S. healthcare.”
“This collaboration is a powerful example of how Aggie Square and Connect Labs can drive international innovation while fueling economic growth here in Sacramento,” said Monique Brown, knowledge community director at Aggie Square. “It’s a win-win for the region and the global life sciences community.”
Advancing Healthcare Startups: UC Davis Partners with HM Venture Partners
In a parallel effort to strengthen its venture ecosystem and expand the impact of its translational research, UC Davis has partnered with HM Venture Partners (HMVP), a globally recognized healthcare-focused venture capital firm — to advance the Investing in the Future of Medicine Fund, a new initiative recently announced by UC Davis Health’s Ventures Office. The collaboration, which was also facilitated by GSEC, will accelerate the growth of early-stage healthcare and human health startups by combining UC Davis’ academic and clinical research capabilities with HMVP’s deep expertise in venture investing and commercialization strategy.
Through an active role on the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee, HMVP will help prioritize investments with the strongest potential for both clinical benefit and financial return, ensuring that promising research is fast-tracked for development and deployment. The partnership also deepens UC Davis’ access to a global network of investors, clinical collaborators and regulatory experts, creating new avenues for co-investment, strategic partnerships and product validation.
The collaboration will also play a central role in the ongoing development of Aggie Square. By attracting HMVP-backed portfolio companies to lease space within the district, the partnership will foster direct engagement between researchers and industry, catalyzing translational research and expanding the regional innovation ecosystem.
“HM Venture Partners is honored to collaborate with the leaders of UC Davis and the Health Ventures Office in attracting high-growth healthcare startups to the resource-rich Aggie Square and greater Sacramento region,” said Robert Luo, founder and managing partner. “Our shared vision — coupled with unparalleled access to cutting-edge research and top talent — will speed the commercialization of breakthrough innovations and position Aggie Square as a premier global innovation hub in the near future.”
Aggie Square: A Growing Engine for Innovation and Economic Development
Together, these partnerships reflect a coordinated push to turn Aggie Square into a launchpad for global innovation and a catalyst for regional economic vitality. By facilitating international collaboration and investment, UC Davis and Wexford Science & Technology are fostering a dynamic environment where academic research, entrepreneurship and global market impact converge.
“These partnerships exemplify the university’s commitment to translational research and global engagement,” said George Baxter, chief innovation and economic development officer at UC Davis. “By building bridges between UC Davis, international biotech companies and world-class investors, we are expanding the reach of our research and growing the economy in our region. Aggie Square is becoming a gateway for scientific advancement and entrepreneurial success.”
For more information about Aggie Square and its programs, see visitaggiesquare.com.
