ASU launches new accelerator
Arizona State University and SparkLabs Group, a network of accelerators and venture capital funds, has launched a new startup accelerator program for students and alumni. SparkLabs Frontier-ASU will provide training, mentors and investment funding for participants in the university’s schools and programs, including the engineering, business and global management schools. “SparkLabs Frontier-ASU’s mission is to identify, […]
U Michigan chip design startup raises $6 million in venture funding
Movellus Inc., a University of Michigan startup, has secured $6 million in Series A venture funding for a total of $10 million so far. The company provides technology that helps accelerate and optimize semiconductor chip design. Its applications include cloud computing, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. The $6 million in funding was led […]
New Velocity venture fund invests $200,000 in four startups
The University of Waterloo’s entrepreneurship program, Velocity, has announced direct equity investments of $50,000 each for the four winners of the annual Velocity Fund Finals (VFF). This is the first time that Velocity has made direct equity investments. The original prizes were a $25,000 grant, however, the entrepreneurship program has doubled the prize values and transformed the […]
Rutgers TechAdvance Fund Helps Innovative Researchers Get From R&D to Commercialization
A Rutgers University fund provided more than $2 million to help the school’s researchers working on innovative technologies take the next step in what can be a long and costly journey toward bringing new products to market. Launched in 2017, the university’s TechAdvance Fund has awarded grants totaling $2.65 million to more than 30 faculty members conducting […]
Delaware Innovation Space Launches First Fund Investment Program
First Fund provides early stage startups with critical funding to easily and quickly access Delaware Innovation Space’s business building expertise, core programs, scientific equipment, and extensive multi-use wet laboratories. Eligible startups can each secure up to $75,000 investment from the First Fund Program, via a convertible note, funding monthly site-license costs for residency at the […]
UK incubators nurturing the next biotech generation
What type of environment is best to foster biotechnology startups through their first years? With more UK universities putting resources into supporting spinout companies, and dedicated life science incubators springing up at sites abandoned by large pharmaceutical firms (and elsewhere), the options for entrepreneurs are expanding in scope, style and availability. Keith Powell, a London-based […]
Harvard OTD launches Experts-in-Residence program
Harvard’s Office of Technology Development (OTD) has launched an Experts-in-Residence (XIR) program, creating a powerful new resource for Harvard faculty and researchers to accelerate startup formation and support the commercialization of University innovations. Initially, 28 XIRs have volunteered for the program. The XIRs include partners at venture capital firms, scientific entrepreneurs, R&D executives, and other respected experts on company […]
Co-creative university-industry innovation must be core mission of universities
European universities need to embrace change by continuing to forge alliances with innovative companies and independent research groups to use and develop their knowledge in cooperation with the outside world, experts agreed at the 8 March launch of the European University Association’s new report The Role of Universities in Regional Innovation Ecosystems. This analysed in-depth case […]
Deerfield commits $100M to establish translational research alliance with Harvard
Harvard University and Deerfield Management, a health care investment firm, have established a major strategic R&D alliance to speed the development and translation of biomedical and life-science innovations into transformative treatments that can improve life, health, and medical care. Through a newly launched company called Lab1636, Deerfield has committed $100 million in initial funding to […]
New university-business partnerships to boost jobs and local economies – GOV.UK
The rollout of new University Enterprise Zones will strengthen links between the research and expertise developed in universities, and ensure they further align with the needs of local businesses. UEZs are a form of ‘incubator’ that provide physical space and facilities for small businesses, where they access support, specialist facilities and knowledge. Helping universities to […]