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Life Sciences Incubator at UC Riverside

Ray of Light

Southern California’s only wet lab incubator for biotech, medtech, and environmental innovation

Located on the UC Riverside campus, the Life Sciences Incubator is a fully equipped wet lab and collaborative workspace supporting startups across life sciences, agriculture, medical technology, and clean innovation. As the only incubator of its kind in the Inland Empire, we empower local entrepreneurs to grow transformative companies close to home—with access to state-of-the-art equipment, UC resources, expert mentoring, and real pathways to funding.


 

 

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Why Join the Life Sciences Incubator

 

A Hi-Tech Haven for Entrepreneurs

  • Fully Equipped Wet Lab Facilities: Includes cell and plant incubators, spectroscopic and chromatographic systems, microscopes, thermal cyclers, centrifuges, fume hoods, organic synthesis equipment, and more.

  • Private Lab Benches & Office Space: Includes personal storage, furnished workspaces, and access to high-speed internet.

  • Conference & Coworking Spaces: Features large-screen monitors, meeting rooms, mailing address use, and exclusive event access.

  • Access to UCR Core Facilities: Enjoy internal campus rates to shared research facilities and services.

Life Sciences Incubator
Technology Commercialization - Life Sciences

End-to-End Resources & Support for Innovators

  • Business Mentorship: Get no-cost guidance from Entrepreneurs-in-Residence—seasoned founders and executives who help navigate commercialization and growth.

  • Funding Access: Tap into a regional network of grant opportunities, investor connections, and programs like Opportunity Gateway.

  • Workshops & Lunch & Learns: Join business development programs, connect with UC Riverside faculty, and form industry partnerships.

  • Community of Innovators: Be part of a growing hub of forward-thinking companies in agriculture, biotechnology, medtech, and climate solutions.

 

 


 

 

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Our Life Sciences Incubator Startups

 

 

NeyroBlastGX

 

 


 

 

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Our Progress in 2024

 

11

Companies Incubated

$875,000

In Grants Secured

38

Jobs Supported

In 2024, our incubator welcomed three new companies—Water Illumination, Remote Epigenetics, and Sensorygen—and hosted educational programming with partners like SoCal Microbiome, CalIT2, and the UCR/COH CARE Partnership. With deeper ties to academia, government, and industry, we’re building a vibrant ecosystem for life sciences innovation in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties.

 

 


 

rise UCR

Life Sciences Incubator Success Story

Water Illumination Team

From Lab to Impact: Water Illumination Secures NSF Grant to Fight PFAS

Water Illumination, founded by Professor Haizhou Liu from the Chemical and Environmental Engineering department, joined our Life Sciences Incubator community in January 2024. The company aims to tackle the persistent problem of PFAS contamination in water through an innovative approach that was further developed within the Incubator. Their groundbreaking technology harnesses shortwave ultraviolet light to generate reactive molecules that effectively break down these "forever chemicals" without producing harmful byproducts. This promising method could revolutionize large-scale water treatment systems by providing an affordable and efficient solution for PFAS destruction.

With the support of their EPIC SBDC mentor Steve Sharp, Water Illumination's potential was recognized when they were awarded a $275,000 SBIR Phase I Grant from the National Science Foundation, further propelling their efforts to combat water pollution.


 

 

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Schedule a Tour

 

Come See Innovation in Action

Curious about what the Life Sciences Incubator can offer your startup? Schedule a personalized tour to explore our state-of-the-art wet lab, collaborative workspaces, and meet the team supporting Inland Southern California’s growing life sciences community.

Whether you're a founder, faculty member, investor, or industry partner, we'll walk you through our facilities, discuss your goals, and show you how we can help accelerate your innovation journey.

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Your Life Sciences Incubator Liaison
 

Maricela Argueta

Maricela Argueta

Lab Manager
Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
(951) 827-9427
Maricela.CovarrubiasArgueta@ucr.edu

 

 


 

The Life Sciences Incubator is located at:

Multidisciplinary Research Building
University of California, Riverside
169 Aberdeen Dr, Riverside, CA 92507