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IU Chemistry Start-up Halophore selected for Innovation Showcase on Capitol Hill


December 9, 2020

IU affiliated start-up Halophore, recently founded by IU Chemistry Professor Amar Flood and IU Chemistry alum Chris Benson, was selected to participate in the national University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Showcase that highlights the connection between federally sponsored research and entrepreneurship. #Research2Startup

Halophore’s mission is to commercialize technology derived from fluorescent materials created at IU called SMILES. These materials use intermolecular interactions to self-assemble dye molecules into the brightest fluorescent materials currently known. To learn more about the company, see this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/AY1kFyDfm6U

Halophore was one of 22 startups, selected from 100 applicants, to participate in the APLU's first ever University Innovation Showcase to help inform Capitol Hill staffers about the impact of research on economic development.

The University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Showcase spotlights startup companies from across the nation that created products and services using federally funded, university-based research. The showcase is designed to highlight the important role of federally funded university research in driving high-value entrepreneurship and the U.S. innovation economy for members of Congress, their staff, and national economic development and innovation policy leaders.

AAU and APLU will highlight this year’s selected startups in a social media campaign the week of December 7, 2020 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Bayh-Dole Act on December 12, 2020.