The Way In

Opening doors for innovators ready to build what comes next.

We build innovation ecosystems and support startups through incubation programs, partnerships, and platforms that connect founders with the people, expertise, and opportunities they need to grow.

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Vanderbilt University
The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation
Tehrani-Lab
avidus
NEFEDC
Startup-San-Diego
Startup-World-Cup
Startup Grind
Connect
StartupScience
Network Partner
Plug and Play
Westfield
plugandplay
Womble-Bond-Dickinson
network-partner
Vanderbilt University
The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation
Tehrani-Lab
avidus
NEFEDC
Startup-San-Diego
Startup-World-Cup
Startup Grind
Connect
StartupScience
Network Partner
Plug and Play
Westfield
plugandplay
Womble-Bond-Dickinson
network-partner

Venture Nurture Program

6 month startup incubation

Startups Supported
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NeuroTech Frontiers

Accelerating inclusive neurotech innovation

Startups Supported
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Pitch Pulse

Global startup pitch platform

Global Applications
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Our Story

Where JANUS Started.
Where We're Going.

JANUS began with a simple goal: help first-generation immigrant founders navigate the challenges of building a startup by providing the guidance, connections, and opportunities to turn ideas into impact.

That mission still drives us, but our work has grown. Alongside our founder programs, we now build initiatives like NeuroTech Frontiers, organize programs such as Pitch Pulse, and partner with universities, research centers, and innovation organizations to help research, ideas, and startups reach the people, resources, and partnerships that can move them forward.

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Programs

Supporting Innovation at Every Stage

JANUS programs combine startup incubation, venture support, and ecosystem access to support founders and innovators at different stages, from early ideas to growth and expansion.

Venture Nurture Program

A six-month incubation program for early-stage founders building, validating, and developing their startups.
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JANUS Port

U.S. market entry and expansion support for international startups seeking strategic guidance, ecosystem access, and meaningful connections.
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Next Orbit

Growth support for startups that have moved beyond the early idea stage and are preparing for their next phase of development.
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Pitch Pulse

A startup pitch series where emerging companies meet investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners who can help them grow.
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NeuroTech Frontiers

Bringing together research, entrepreneurship, healthcare, technology, and lived experience to accelerate neurotechnology and neurodiversity-focused innovation.
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An Ecosystem Built for Innovation.

Startups are only one piece of the puzzle. JANUS brings together the broader innovation ecosystem, creating the partnerships, opportunities, and support systems that help innovation thrive.

Startups

Supporting founders building the next generation of companies across AI, biotech, digital health, neurotechnology, defense, sustainability, and other emerging technologies.

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Partners

Co-creating programs, events, and innovation initiatives with universities, research centers, corporations, government organizations, and ecosystem builders.

Explore Collaborations

Investors & Mentors

Share your expertise, discover promising startups, and help founders navigate the journey from idea to growth.

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ECOSYSTEM

Startups

Mindly

Mindly

Mindly is reshaping the landscape of behavioral and neurological care through smarter, more connected technology. Designed to simplify complex systems, Mindly unites…

Tarragon

Tarragon

Tarragon is redefining how children learn to calm their bodies and minds through play. The team is developing a sensory-friendly wearable toy…

BerryBond

BerryBond

BerryBond is a very cool new website that helps everyone save money. It’s like a nice online community where people can work…

RyniX

RyniX

RyniX is an AI-powered copilot software designed to transform healthcare by supporting physicians in making precise, informed decisions. Unlike traditional healthcare AI…

ImproVRise

ImproVRise

ImproVRise is a social-emotional simulator designed for kids and teens with Autism and ADHD, built on the Neuro Improv methodology that has…

Magvolts Energy

Magvolts Energy

Biodegradable modular batteries for clean, portable power.

StudentsBoat

StudentsBoat

Find Home. Find Your People. Build Your Future.

Lux Concierge

Lux Concierge

Transforming the luxury leasing experience by handling all complexities for the perfect drive.

Solar Sense

Solar Sense

Redefining solar infrastructure by combining code-compliant safety with intelligent, panel-level monitoring.

NeuroBloom

NeuroBloom

A digital support platform helping neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers build communication, regulation, and independence.

Incuentro

Incuentro

A VR-based workforce readiness and transition planning platform for autistic youth and young adults.

Routine Success, Inc.

Routine Success, Inc.

A mobile app helping neurodivergent young people build routines, executive functioning, and independent living skills.

mind wave

mind wave

TeaLink

TeaLink

UPCOMING

Events

The NeuroTech Frontiers Conference 2026: Where Innovation Meets Neurodiversity

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Pitch Pulse Grand Finale & Showcase

Startup San Diego Week, San Diego, CA

TESTIMONIALS

Founder Voices

We were introduced to JANUS at a really critical time in our journey, and they have been a tremendous support for us. They linked us to many opportunities, helped refine our business model, and most importantly, connected us to Plug and Play.
Adama Toure Founder at Solar Sense
Solar Sense
What JANUS did so well was to see people clearly, understand their values, and imagine them together as a successful team. The work, the company, and the path that we are on, all of it traces back to that one conversation.
Dr. Hamid Khatibi, MD, MPH Co-Founder & CEO at RyniX
RyniX
With the help and support of JANUS Innovation Hub, I was able to successfully delve into the startup world. They helped us take those crucial early steps, and today we have launched our application and are growing.
Parinaz Alemi Co-Founder & CEO at BerryBond
BerryBond
JANUS has played a crucial role in our journey by opening doors to venture capital, angel investors, and providing invaluable mentorship. They believed in us and genuinely helped shape the vision and mission of our entire company.
Tarun Kumar Co-Founder at StudentsBoat
StudentsBoat
The opportunities that JANUS provided have led us to gain serious traction, build important professional connections, and validate our hypotheses. They gave us the community and motivation we needed to truly be ourselves and grow.
Sina Radi Co-Founder at MindWave Therapeutics
MindWave Therapeutics
PEOPLE

Our Team

Shahin Rahmani
Shahin Rahmani Shahin leads the Venture Nurture Program, guiding early-stage founders through JANUS's incubation experience and connecting them with the mentorship and resources they…
Mehrnaz Masoumi
Mehrnaz Masoumi Mehrnaz leads NeuroTech Frontiers, coordinating the initiative’s programs, partnerships, and activities to connect neurotechnology researchers, startups, and ecosystem leaders.
Viyan Gazrani
Viyan Gazrani Viyan leads strategic partnerships and board relationships at JANUS, building connections with investors, advisors, and ecosystem partners to create opportunities for startups…
Mostafa Afkhamizadeh
Mostafa Afkhamizadeh Mostafa brings deep experience in business strategy, startup advisory, and ecosystem development. He works closely with founders across all JANUS programs on…
Aras Sheikhi
Aras Sheikhi Aras founded JANUS after personally seeing the difficulties first-generation immigrants face in the business world. What started as a mission to support…
Mobina Abdoli
Mobina Abdoli
Mahan Shirzad
Mahan Shirzad

Building Together

We don’t measure partnerships by how many we have, but by what they make possible.

NeuroTech Frontiers
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Developed with the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University, this national initiative brings together research, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and lived experience to accelerate neurotechnology and neurodiversity innovation.

JANUS collaborates with Tehrani Lab at UC San Diego to bridge advanced materials and manufacturing research with industry opportunities, entrepreneurial support, and innovation ecosystems. The collaboration helps translate research-driven technologies into real-world applications and future commercialization pathways.

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Developed with the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University, this national initiative brings together research, entreprenWinners from five online Pitch Pulse competitions advance to the live finale at UC San Diego during San Diego Startup Week, where the champion also earns the opportunity to compete at the Startup World Cup grand finale for a chance at a $1 million investment.eurship, healthcare, and lived experience to accelerate neurotechnology and neurodiversity innovation.

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Together with the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation (NEFEDC), JANUS is creating a soft-landing pathway that helps high-potential startups expand into Florida through regional partnerships, local infrastructure, and ecosystem support.

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Our long-standing partnership with AVIDUS gives founders access to an agile team of strategists, designers, developers, and marketers who help shape brands, build digital experiences, refine messaging, and execute go-to-market strategies with startup speed and agency-level expertise.

 
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Developed with the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University, this national initiative brings together research, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and lived experience to accelerate neurotechnology and neurodiversity innovation.