Vanderbilt University Endowment

For nearly a century, the energetics sector- factories, munitions, and propellants have been stagnant, plagued by a lack of innovation and sophistication. Despite a total addressable market of nearly $6 trillion, this industry has largely been dominated by outdated technologies and entrenched legacy players who have failed to adapt, eroding their credibility and trust currency across the global stage. The U.S. energetics enterprise is now outmatched, outclassed, and outranged by our adversaries. Our ability to project power and influence outcomes for the U.S. and our Allies is crippled. The U.S.’s position has weakened as our adversaries advance. The West is vulnerable. Our edge is gone. Enter: UNION.

EnCharge AI specializes in developing advanced artificial intelligence hardware and software systems tailored for edge computing. The company provides a robust computing platform designed to enhance AI capabilities, enabling larger models, improved accuracy, higher resolutions, and support for multiple camera channels. By leveraging years of research and development, EnCharge AI offers differentiated technology that facilitates scalable AI architectures and flexible software integration. This allows businesses to access sophisticated AI solutions efficiently and effectively, minimizing the need for time-consuming and costly workarounds.

Bilt Rewards offers a rewards program that allows renters to earn points on rent and create a path towards homeownership. With an alliance of the U.S.' largest real estate owners, Bilt Rewards will enable renters in more than two million units across the country to earn points just by paying rent. Launched in June 2021, Bilt Rewards boasts one of the highest value rewards programs on the market today, including one-to-one point transfers for travel across over 100 major airlines and hotel partners; fitness classes at the country’s top boutique studios; limited-edition and exclusive collections of art and home decorations through the Bilt Collection, and the ability to use points for rent credits or towards a future down payment. Bilt has also partnered with Mastercard and Wells Fargo to create the Bilt Mastercard - the first and only credit card that can be used to pay rent with no fees. In October 2022, Bilt announced a valuation of $1.5 billion following a $150 million growth round to advance its loyalty program and credit card for renters.

Paywatch operates an earned wage access platform that allows employees to access their earnings before payday. By partnering with major banks, Paywatch provides low-cost financing to employees seeking early access to their wages. The platform assesses the amount of work completed to date, facilitating immediate access to funds while helping employees establish banking relationships and improve their credit profiles. This service aims to enhance financial security and promote healthier financial habits among workers who may otherwise face challenges in accessing credit.

Paywatch Korea is a payroll advance payment service with good social influence.

Founded in 2012, MyRealTrip is Korea’s leading online travel platform, helping Koreans to travel abroad and domestic.

HeroWear is a company focused on developing innovative wearable technology designed to enhance worker safety, health, and productivity in physically demanding roles. Their flagship product, the Apex, is a back-assist exosuit specifically engineered for both men and women. This garment aims to alleviate back strain and fatigue while maintaining the comfort of everyday clothing. The Apex incorporates patent-pending dual-mode technology, which allows users to easily toggle back support on and off, making it versatile for various work environments. Additionally, the exosuit's modular textile design offers over 50 customizable combinations, ensuring that it can be tailored to fit the specific needs of any worker engaged in strenuous tasks. Through these advancements, HeroWear aims to reduce physical strain and improve the overall well-being of employees in demanding jobs.

IDBiologics, founded in 2017, focuses on the discovery and development of human monoclonal antibodies aimed at preventing, treating, and curing infectious diseases. Utilizing a proprietary fully human monoclonal antibody platform, the company excels in the rapid discovery and optimization of therapeutic molecules. This innovative approach allows IDBiologics to isolate a diverse range of antibodies specifically targeting various infectious diseases, with several lead candidate molecules advancing through the development process. By prioritizing the creation of effective therapeutic solutions, IDBiologics aims to enhance the capabilities of physicians in combating infectious diseases.

IDUS is an online store that sells watches, home fabric, shoes, rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, phone cases, digital accessories, and home interior products. They enable customers to transact directly with sellers over the Internet via a web browser or a mobile app. Their goods benefit customers.

Backpackr Inc. is a software development company based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 2012. The company specializes in creating mobile applications for Apple devices, providing a diverse suite of tools designed to enhance user experiences. Among its offerings are applications such as Good Sleep, which aids users in achieving restful sleep; Quick Search, a streamlined search solution; and Quick Message +, a messaging application. Additionally, Backpackr develops Quick Dial + for comprehensive communication needs, Smart Photo Organizer for managing and categorizing media, Star Wallpapers for personalized wallpaper creation, and Ringtones Plus+ for customizing ringtones. Furthermore, Backpackr operates an online app store, allowing users to purchase a variety of smartphone applications.

Paywatch Korea is a payroll advance payment service with good social influence.

Cera Care Limited is a leading provider of digital-first home healthcare services in Europe, specializing in care for elderly individuals. Founded in 2016 and based in London, the company offers a wide range of services including elderly care, palliative care, respite care, post-discharge care, dementia care, and private nursing. Cera Care utilizes advanced technology and data analytics to enhance care delivery, enabling over 10,000 carers and nurses to conduct 60,000 in-person appointments daily. This tech-enabled approach has significantly improved patient outcomes, leading to a reduction in hospitalizations by up to 70%. Cera Care is recognized for its innovative practices, receiving multiple industry awards, including accolades for being the Most Outstanding Home Care Provider. The company was co-founded by Dr. Ben Maruthappu and is supported by an Advisory Board chaired by Sir David Behan, former CEO of the Care Quality Commission. With its commitment to high-quality care and the effective use of technology, Cera Care stands out in the home healthcare sector across multiple regions in the United Kingdom.

Aumni is a data-driven investment analytics platform based in the United States, specifically designed for private capital markets, including venture funds, family offices, university endowments, and corporate venture firms. Founded by former corporate attorneys Tony Lewis and Kelsey Chase in Salt Lake City, Aumni utilizes a combination of artificial intelligence and human expertise to extract and analyze critical deal data from complex legal agreements. The platform provides strategic insights related to the economic positions and legal rights of investors by converting intricate deal data into a clear, complete, and accurate dataset. Additionally, Aumni conducts audits and analyses of transactions to ensure the completeness and accuracy of documentation, thereby enabling investors and venture firms to make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of their investments. The company has successfully analyzed a vast array of private capital data, representing investors with over $1 trillion in assets under management.

Monzo is a digital bank that operates primarily through its mobile application, offering a range of banking services including current, savings, and business accounts, as well as overdrafts and loans. It provides real-time spending updates, categorized transactions, budgeting tools, and instant transaction notifications. Monzo's unique features include 'Pots', sub-accounts for saving towards specific goals, and Monzo Plus, a premium subscription service offering additional benefits. The company, founded in 2015 and based in London, aims to serve customers who prefer managing their finances digitally, without the need for physical branches.

The University of Texas’s Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, strives to enable students to become leading practitioners, teachers, and investigators in the healthcare field. Academics at the UT Medical Branch are available through four different schools, each with its own specialization: * School of Medicine * School of Nursing * School of Health Professions * Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences In addition to programs in these schools, the Medical Branch also offers three combined MD-PhD degrees: Biomedical Sciences, Medical Humanities, and Biomedical Engineering. Graduate students may enroll in their choice of more than 25 residencies and 35 subspecialty fellowship programs, gaining real world experience for their future career in professional environments. Some of these programs are: * Aerospace Medicine * Anesthesiology * Dermatology * Internal Medicine * Obstetrics and Gynecology * Ophthalmology * Radiation Oncology * And many more On-campus housing is not offered, but the school provides information of nearby housing options. Financial aid is available to eligible students through federal work study, scholarships, and student loans.

Pathfinder Therapeutics provides research and drug development to treat infectious diseases and cancer. They use novel gene therapy and vaccine tools to bring hope and implement solutions for people in need.

NephroGenex is a drug-development company focusing on kidney disease. The Company is developing Pyridorinâ„¢ (pyridoxamine dihydrochloride) as a treatment to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Caden Biosciences is a life sciences tools and services company focuses on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

ActivBiotics develops and sells antibiotics and combination therapies for the treatment of acute and chronic infections. The company’s lead product candidate, Rifalazil, is a proprietary, orally administered antibacterial agent which is in a Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of intermittent claudication associated with peripheral arterial disease. The company’s other product candidate, M40403, is a proprietary small molecule to mimic the function of a naturally occurring enzyme, which plays a role in various inflammatory disease states. It also develops ABI-0043 as a proprietary antibacterial agent for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the company identifies product candidates from its proprietary compound libraries for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and bacterial infections. The company’s superoxide dismutases (SOD) mimetic library consists of approximately 250 small molecules that mimic naturally occurring SOD enzymes.

Zeno Power is a company that creates advanced power systems that use radioisotopes. The company intends to increase the production of small-scale nuclear batteries capable of powering spacecraft and undersea technologies for years. Zeno, founded in 2018 by three Vanderbilt University students, intends to be the first to enter the commercial market with a novel new combination of affordability and lightweight.