​About the Workshop

​The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers early-stage funding through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs—also known as America’s Seed Fund. In this session, founders will get an inside look at how these programs work, what makes a strong application, and how to position your startup for success. We'll be joined by founders who have secured NSF funding, walking through their journeys and sharing lessons learned on how to unlock this powerful source of non-dilutive capital.

​Meet Your Speakers

​Javier Evelyn

​Javier Evelyn is a mission-driven founder, operator, and product leader at the intersection of AI, digital health, and inclusive innovation. He is the CEO, Founder, and Principal Investigator of Alerje, a venture and National Science Foundation-backed startup delivering AI-enabled clinical software that helps allergy clinics predict risk, personalize oral immunotherapy, and unlock reimbursement. Alerje has evolved from its roots in emergency medicine devices to a precision care platform for the 220 million+ people living with food allergies worldwide. Javier is also the inventor or co-inventor on more than 10 U.S. and international patents spanning medical devices and digital health technologies.

Javier began his career in sales before co-founding a family-owned insurance agency and breaking into tech through mobile development roles in healthcare, where he built apps for a multi-billion dollar pharmacy benefit manager. He brings technical fluency, commercial strategy, design thinking, and policy insight to his leadership, serving on boards and advisory roles with MedTech Color (founding team member), and previously with the Accelerate Blue Fund (University of Michigan), MATTER Health, AdvaMed Accel, and First Independence Bank. Javier is a 2023 Aspen Ideas Health Fellow, Harvard Young American Leaders Program Fellow, 2022 BMe Vanguard Fellow, and recipient of the TechTown Detroit Toast of the Town Award. He is also an inaugural awardee of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and part of the EY Entrepreneur Access Network. Originally from Broadview, IL, the Illinois State University alum now calls Michigan his adopted home.

​Dr. Darrell Marshall

​Darrell D. Marshall, Ph.D., is the CEO and Co-Founder of Total Analysis Inc., a venture-backed, NSF-supported biosurveillance startup. A Detroit native, Dr. Marshall earned his Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry and has since dedicated his career to advancing diagnostic innovation with the vision of a world where no one gets sick due to delayed detection. Total Analysis operates at the intersection of infectious disease diagnostics, health equity, and real-time detection. The company aims to prevent hospital-acquired infections and improve timely, equitable care access. Its flagship product is a portable platform that delivers rapid, lab-free identification of pathogens in minutes using AI-powered technology.

​Dr. Marshall has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to two book chapters. He began his career in academic research and later moved into regulatory consulting, helping diagnostic and medical device companies navigate FDA approval pathways. He brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, strategic leadership, and community commitment to his work. Under his leadership, Total Analysis has received multiple awards, including the NSF SBIR Phase I Grant, the Michigan Celebrates Small Business SmartZone Best Small Business Award, and recognition from the New Economy Initiative. The company also earned a Science Award at DAPCEP’s Real McCoy Awards and was honored by Black Tech Saturdays with an Innovation & Growth Award for its impact and leadership in the tech and biotech sectors.

​What to Bring

​Laptops or Tablets

​A positive attitude :)