GAP Programs Are Not Programs Anymore. They’re Systems

Across research institutions, gap fund and accelerator programs (GAP) are often still described as a collection of individual efforts. A proof-of-concept fund here, an accelerator there, maybe an affiliated venture fund layered on top. In practice, that framing is becoming outdated. What is emerging is not a set of standalone programs, but an interdependent system […]
The EU is supporting 70 deep tech startups with new pre-accelerator funding
The EIC Pre-Accelerator programme focuses on “widening countries” under Horizon Europe, as well as associated nations and outermost regions, where start-up ecosystems often face structural challenges. By directing funding and support to these areas, the initiative aims to unlock untapped potential and reduce disparities across Europe. The selected companies come from 22 countries, with Portugal, Estonia, and […]
University of Utah hosts second annual Startup Launchpad
On Friday, April 17, the University of Utah Technology Licensing Office hosted the second annual Startup Launchpad, featuring panels discussing various topics and resources useful to researchers, startup founders, and others locally involved in commercialization and innovation. The keynote speaker was Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who spoke with Troy D’Ambrosio, VP for Innovation […]
New American Heart Association accelerator targets real world adoption of health innovations
DALLAS, April 24, 2026 — Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and drives nearly $415 billion in annual health‑related costs, according to the American Heart Association, highlighting the need for scalable, real‑world health innovation. In response, the American Heart Association is investing in early-stage health innovators and collegiate entrepreneurs […]
GAP Pipeline Brief: Tulane University / Provost’s Proof of Concept Fund Awards

Program Overview The Tulane Innovation Institute, in partnership with the Office of the Provost, established the PPOC Fund to address the gap between research discovery and market readiness. The program provides grants of up to $50,000 to support: • technical development and prototyping• customer discovery and market validation• commercialization pathway planning The Spring 2026 cycle […]
GAP Pipeline Brief: UC Berkeley / Biodegradable Fiber Innovation Initiative

Award & Program Overview The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $10 million to support a UC Berkeley–led research program developing biodegradable textile fibers derived from waste-based proteins. The initiative is led by Ting Xu, professor in Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry, and includes collaboration across: • Six departments at UC Berkeley• Stanford University• California […]
GAP Pipeline Brief: University of Waterloo / QuantumCore Quantum Amplifier Technology

Award & Investment Overview QuantumCore has raised $10.7 million through a combination of: • $9 million in private placements (brokered and non-brokered)• $1.7 million in non-dilutive funding through the NSERC Alliance Grant The company has also completed a public listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, providing access to broader capital markets early in its lifecycle. […]
New UH office launched to boost research capacity in Hawaiʻi
The University of Hawaiʻi has launched a new office that will serve as a central hub for grant support, research development and funding opportunities to help boost scientific discovery, increase research capacity and stimulate workforce development in the state. Backed by the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the […]