Yale Innovation Summit
Join us at Yale’s premier innovation event—where discovery meets capital, science meets startups, and partnerships spark real-world impact.
SAVE THE DATE
May 27-28, 2026
Yale University, New Haven, CT
ABOUT THE EVENT
A single breakthrough in the lab can reverberate around the globe and across generations.
— Yale President Maurie McInnis, B.A. ’90, M.A. ’96, Ph.D.
2025 Highlights
2,400+
Attendees
300+
Ventures showcased
$400k
Startup Awards
Six Innovation Pillars. One Interconnected Ecosystem.
Reimagining Creativity as Innovation Infrastructure
The Arts track showcases how creative thinkers are redefining what it means to innovate across disciplines and industries. Curated by Frances Pollock (DMA ’25, Yale School of Music) and Allison Chu (PhD ’25, Department of Music), this track convenes cultural producers, funders, and entrepreneurial artists to explore how the arts drive economic value, social change, and scalable systems of impact. Programming focuses on attracting private capital, building financially literate artist communities, and connecting the arts to state-level economic development goals. Attendees encounter models for commercializing creativity and learn how the arts are becoming a cornerstone of Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem.
Translating Breakthrough Science into Bold Ventures
Led by Morag Grassie, Director of the Blavatnik Fund for Innovation at Yale, the Biotech track brings together leading scientists, investors, and founders to explore the most transformative developments in life sciences. With topics like GLP-1 agonists’ expanding potential and the intersection of agriculture and biotech, the sessions highlight startup activity, licensing trends, and fundable science at the frontier of innovation. Expect dynamic panels, venture showcases, and insights from key opinion leaders shaping what’s next in diagnostics, therapeutics, and beyond.
New in 2025, the Civic track launches with Caroline Tanbee Smith (YC ’14, MBA ’25), Alder of Ward 9 and civic entrepreneur, at the helm. This track focuses on the role of public-private partnerships, community-driven innovation, and technology in strengthening democracy, economic resilience, and civic infrastructure. Topics include housing, voter engagement, inclusive workforce development, and how emerging technologies like AI can be used for the public good. The track brings together builders, advocates, and policymakers working to unlock civic imagination and community-centered solutions.
Catalyzing Cross-Sector Climate Solutions
Climate action takes center stage in a track led by Stu DeCew (MBA/MEM ’11), Executive Director of the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. With sessions spanning advanced geothermal, nature-based solutions, and infrastructure as innovation enabler, the programming explores how entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors are scaling climate technologies. Special features include a VC “reverse pitch” event, a cross-track podcast taping, and collaborations that reflect the interconnectedness of planetary health across industries. This track celebrates the operators, creatives, and engineers driving the climate transition forward.
Led by KP Yelpaala (’06 MPH), senior fellow at Yale School of Public Health and digital health entrepreneur, the Health track focuses on improving healthcare access and outcomes through technology, social innovation, and policy. Programming highlights global perspectives, the application of AI in health equity, and strategies for reaching underserved populations. Founders, funders, and public health leaders explore the future of care delivery, with a focus on measurable impact and collaborative models. This track reflects a deeply human approach to scaling health innovation across boundaries.
With Claudia Reuter, Director of the Roberts Innovation Fund at Yale Ventures, in close collaboration with the Yale School of Engineering, guiding the conversation, the Tech track delves into transformational technologies including AI, robotics, deep tech, and quantum computing. Programming brings together thought leaders who are redefining how industries operate in an AI-accelerated world. From pitch showcases to strategy sessions, this track addresses both the technical and ethical dimensions of innovation. Expect bold discussions about the future of technology, leadership, and the creative potential of invention.
As the Northeast’s largest innovation event, the Summit gathers the world’s brightest minds—visionaries, founders, investors, and industry leaders—for two transformational days of inspiration, investment, and impact.
More than a conference, the Summit is a launchpad for revolutionary ideas. With 60+ sessions across six tracks of programming—arts, biotech, civic, climate, health, and tech—attendees explore the frontiers of innovation shaping our world. Dynamic pitch competitions, world-class keynotes, and a powerful investor network converge to accelerate real change.
Hosted by Yale Ventures, the Summit is a flagship celebration of the university’s entrepreneurial spirit. It bridges research and real-world application, showcasing how Yale and its partners are catalyzing global impact through ideas that matter.
Discover the next generation of transformative startups.
Connect with investors, founders, researchers, and policy leaders.
Compete in high-stakes pitch competitions with $400K+ in prizes.
Engage with the full depth of Yale's research and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Access exclusive networking opportunities like the Investor Assembly.
Experiences & Partnerships
The Investor Assembly is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering that brings together leading venture capitalists, angel investors, family offices, and strategic partners for a morning of connection and insight. Held during the first day of the Yale Innovation Summit, this event offers candid, off-the-record conversations with investors on emerging trends, deal flow, and the evolving innovation landscape.
Attendees gain access to a trusted community of peers while deepening ties with the Yale innovation ecosystem and the broader network of breakthrough founders and technologies. Space is limited to ensure meaningful engagement and relationship-building.
Attendance is by invitation only.
Hosted by the Center for Health Innovation at Yale New Haven Health, the one day event features keynotes and panels on topics across Health AI, networking opportunities, and a pitch final from Connecticut's Health AI Championship. This event is held the day before the first day of the Yale Innovation Summit.
Each year we proudly welcome local nonprofits and organizations to showcase their missions, resources, and opportunities. Their presence reflects the collaborative spirit and diverse support network that fuels our innovation community. View 2025's ecosystem presenters.
The Connecticut Innovation Pavilion is a dynamic hub within the Yale Innovation Summit, showcasing the state's thriving innovation ecosystem and infrastructure. The Pavilion features state resources, programs, and industry leaders dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and showcasing why Connecticut is a premier destination for startups. The Pavilion also offers opportunities to connect with Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem: engage in office hours with state officials, and experience CT-made products and services.
Resource hub for Connecticut Startups • Made in Connecticut Products • Meet officials from CT Office of Innovation • CT Office of Business • Development • AdvanceCT • Small Business Boost Fund • CTMakeithere.com • Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism • Connecticut Office of the Arts
Each year the Yale Innovation is home to several live performances staged for the attendees of the Yale Innovation Summit.
Past Performances
Michael Frayn's Tony Award-winning play Copenhagen was the culminating event of the 2025 Yale Innovation Summit. Set in 1941, Copenhagen explores the enigmatic meeting between German physicist Werner Heisenberg and his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr, amidst the backdrop of World War II. As former collaborators now on opposing sides, they grapple with the mysteries of quantum physics and the complexities of human relationships.
Sponsored by the Yale Quantum Institute (YQI) in recognition of the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology this production marks the centennial of Heisenberg's Matrix Mechanics. Through the YQI Artist-in-Residence program, producer Florian Carle collaborates with director Vince Tycer and talented artists from Yale and UConn to bring this profound story to life.
The Yale Innovation Summit is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Their partnership helps power our mission to showcase groundbreaking ideas and foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem. We are proud to recognize and thank the organizations below for their commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.
VIDEO Highlights
2025 Summit Recap
ARTS
BIOTECH
CLIMATE
HEALTH
TECH
CIVIC
KICKOFF
IN THE NEWS
