Bridging the Gap. Together.

DEVELOP SHARED BEST PRACTICES

Create and expand access to insights, tactics, and data to support program improvement and stakeholder development

ADVOCATE FOR THE GAP COMMUNITY

Increase public/private awareness of the capital and support gap for university innovation and build consensus around gap funding/accelerator programs as a solution

CONNECT INDUSTRY AND INVESTORS

Connect university translational research, proof of concept projects, and startups to sources of capital, talent, and commercialization partnerships

A Community for University Gap Fund and Accelerator Programs

The Community of Action for academic-affiliated innovation, proof of concept, startup, and venture gap fund and accelerator programs.

Founded in 2018, the Gap Fund and Accelerator Program Community of Action (GAP COA) is the resource for and by university, hospital, and research institution leaders looking to evolve active or to support new gap fund/accelerator programs.

This effort is backed by over 17 years of continued investigation and dedicated support of over 300 gap fund/accelerator program through the innovosource Mind the Gap initiative.

GAP COA Best Practice Focus Areas

Defining Gap Fund and Accelerator Program (GAP) Approaches

Raising and Sustaining GAP Funding

Communicating the Value, Need, and Expectations of GAP Programs

Coordinating GAP Programs with Campus Units and Priorities

Implementing Policies and Incentives (P&I) that Support GAP Programs

Managing Inventor Involvement in the GAP Process

Attracting and Collaborating with Commercial and Investment Partners

Evaluating Technologies and Startups for Grants and Investments

Structuring the Financing and Ownership of GAP Technologies and Startups

Cultivating GAP Talent, Mentorship, and Development Support Programs

Assessing and Reporting Impact and Performance Metrics

What's Included in GAP COA Membership?

GET A FULL OVERVIEW OF GAP COA AND BENEFITS

Mind the Gap Report

Ongoing organizational access to most recent iteration of this, now 17-years-strong, development guide to support current and aspiring fund that contains capital landscape review, program best practices, and impact measures (176 funds / 96 research institutions)

GAP Tactical Reports

Survey reports from membership on approaches to different challenges and approaches related to GAP programming

Model Review / Tactical Web-workshops

A detailed review of structure, source of funds, process, support program and impact. Generally, presenting models focus on specific tactical areas. (8/yr)

BRIDGE Industry Proof of Concept Program

Relationship-building program to connect universities and corporations through industry-funded proof of concept projects and other partnering opportunities.

COVERGENCE Annual Summit

Annual summit for research institution gap fund/accelerator program leaders and corporate/investment partners. GAP COA members receive a complimentary registration

Events Archive

Full access to past presentations, event recordings, and associated materials that can be shared throughout your organization

COA Members Site

Online member forum, document and event archives, and member-member communication tools.

Program/Process Documents

Repository of member documents related to their program or process such as gap fund program descriptions, advisory board structure, evaluation scorecards, pitch deck templates, impact reporting for leadership.

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Join Us.

Open to any research institution at any point in their gap fund/accelerator evolution.
Whether you have managed a program for years, just started thinking about it, or have hit a roadblock, you will find a home here.