UCF Business Incubation client gains access to top medical research as it brings new cannabinoid-based products for dermatology to market
Eustis, Fla. (November 14, 2025) — As Upaya Health works to utilize nanoparticles to increase the effectiveness of cannabinoid-based products, it now has access to some of the top medical researchers in the world.
The company was admitted to Harvard University’s I-Labs entrepreneurial program. As one of the companies in the program, Upaya can utilize Harvard’s mentorship ecosystem and extensive dermatology and medical research infrastructure, one of the largest academic networks in the world.
“Our selection by Harvard Innovation Labs is a powerful endorsement of Upaya’s commitment to evidence-based innovation,” said Dr. Narendra Kini, co-founder and CEO of Upaya Health. “We’re eager to collaborate with Harvard’s world-class mentors and dermatology researchers to validate and scale our cannabinoid-based skincare solutions globally.”
Harvard founded the I-Lab program in 2011 and has worked with 6,500 student and alumni-led companies. Those ventures have collectively raised more than $9 billion in capital.
The program covers all types of innovation, spanning education, edtech, healthcare, digital tech, AI and machine learning, climate and sustainability, business software, consumer products, and more.
Upaya Health develops physician-formulated, plant-based dermatology and wellness products that combine natural care with clinical science. Its CBD-based formulations target inflammation and skin health and are designed for dermatologists, medical spas, and aesthetic professionals.
“We encourage all of our clients to find programs like this to provide third-party validation and resources that are unavailable elsewhere,” says Brian Bedrick, site manager, Lake County/Eustis Business Incubator. “Being a part of Harvard’s I-Labs will help propel Upaya Health towards its goal of being a true innovator in this space.”
###
UCF Business Incubation Program: Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About Upaya Health: Upaya is on a mission to transform the world of medicine. Upaya endeavors to create only natural formulations that maximize one’s well-being with high-quality CBD and is embarking on transformational nanoparticle R&D to improve the human condition. In short, we are striving to empower people to live their best lives. Visit UpayaHealth.com/ for more information.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources, resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With eight facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee and Orlando. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu
