Aalto’s first ERC Proof of Concept grant to DRAM technology
Memory technologies that are used in computers, smart phones, tablets, etc. can be coarsely divided into two classes: fast but volatile DRAMs (dynamic random access memory) and non-volatile flash memories. Racetrack memory based on the controlled motion of magnetic domain walls is a promising new technology for next generation memories, because it combines the speed […]
University Proof of Concept Funds (SIG Report)
The Mind the Gap Proof of Concept Fund Special Interest Group (SIG) took place on February 24th, 2015 from 11-12:30 PM EST and was attended by ~55 professionals interested in the role of proof of concept funds at research institutions. This group was composed of current and aspiring fund managers and stakeholders. The following report […]
Penn State Innovation Fund moving good ideas forward
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In April 2014 the Penn State Research Foundation created The Fund for Innovation to promote commercialization of promising new ideas and discoveries generated by Penn State’s $800 million research enterprise. The primary goal is to create new companies and new jobs, and by doing so to increase the already sizable positive […]
Illinois Ventures Fund Grants $125K to University Researchers
Researchers from three universities in Illinois have received the first batch of funding from IllinoisVentures, a University of Illinois-born fund that launched in October and aims to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies. Five researchers from the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois at Chicago received a total of $125,000 in grants […]
Wichita State University Ventures announces winners of $100K in innovation funding
WSU Ventures at Wichita State University has awarded seven innovators with more than $100,000 in funding through the Competitive Innovation Accelerator Shock Tank competition. The projects receiving funding expect to add a combined 90-plus jobs to the Kansas economy by 2018. Winners are: ABI Chemicals’ Peelable Maskant System led by James Havers-Strong: $20,000 Advance Guard […]
Washington’s Life Sciences Discovery Fund Announces POC Awards, Inaugural Matching Grants
SEATTLE, Washington, December 15, 2014 – The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) today announced $1.2 million in Proof of Concept grants to Washington-based organizations to foster the advancement of promising health-related technologies to commercial products. Also announced were two commercialization-focused awards, totaling $600,000, through a new funding program requiring external cash matching.
LSU doubles investment in tech transfer for faculty projects
LSU is adding another $2 million into the LSU Leveraging Innovation for Technology Transfer, or LIFT2 fund, which provides grants to faculty members on a competitive basis twice a year, to validate the market potential of their inventions. The LSU Board of Supervisors approved the measure on Friday. “LSU faculty conduct research that has important […]
NC State’s Chancellors Innovation Fund Has Backed 23 Projects, Secured $4.2M in Follow-on Funding
In four years, 23 projects have earned funding from the CIF. The $1.3 million invested in them has generated $4.2 million in follow-on funding and $460,000 in licensing revenue for the university, as well as launching six startup companies. Each year, roughly 75 faculty members file CIF proposals. After initial screening, finalists pitch their technology development […]
UMass records best-ever year for startup businesses, $2M in POC Funding
The University of Massachusetts created six new startup companies within the past year, its best-ever annual performance, and set new records for patent applications and the number of faculty members disclosing inventions, President Caret said today. The new companies reflect the University’s increased focus on coaching, mentoring and providing other services and support to help […]
Update on University of Illinois Proof-of-Concept Program
Last spring, the University launched the Illinois Proof-of-Concept fund (I-POC) to help bridge the gap between University innovations and the marketplace by funding research and development that will demonstrate an innovation’s market viability to potential investors and partners. In the first round, five faculty projects were funded. Recipients included: Kaustubh Bhalerao, from the […]