The Summit for
Research Institution Tech + Startup Gap Fund & Accelerator Programs
Translational Research | Proof of Concept | Startup and Venture Funds and Support
October 20-21, 2022
Salt Lake City, UT
Download event overview:
HOST AND LEAD SPONSOR
PIVOT Platinum SPONSOR
PIVOT GOLD SPONSOR
presented by
What is Covergence?
A gathering of those interested in developing and collaborating with University Tech and Startup Gap Fund and Accelerator Programs
The lack of true early-stage capital and innovation developmental support is a major challenge in advancing promising university technology from the lab to commercial and investment partners.
Research institutions are leading through the implementation of university gap funding (proof of concept, startup, venture) and accelerator programs to bridge this “valley of death”. Over the past 15 years, these programs have evolved into sophisticated investment, evaluation, development, and commercialization support mechanisms to nurture the most promising opportunities in emerging, high-growth technology areas.
Smart companies and investors are taking notice and making it a strategic, external innovation and investment priority to partner with these university gap fund and accelerator programs through applied research, proof of concept projects, corporate venture investments, and advisory/mentorship in return for insights, competitive positioning, and access to future technology and start-ups.
COVERGENCE is where we meet, learn, and talk about what we can do together to catalyze innovation through university gap fund and accelerator programs.
Did You Know...?
Over the past 15 years, research institutions have deployed nearly $700MM of their own gap fund capital to support promising technologies and startups. The efforts of these programs has resulting in nearly 1000 corporate licensed technologies and 1500 startup companies, attracting more than $8B in direct-follow-on private and corporate investment. What’s more is that 80% of these opportunities originated from institutions outside of Boston, New York, and Silicon Valley.
Right People
University POC/startup/venture, industry, and investor leadership converge to connect those interested in developing and accessing emerging IP, proof of concept projects, and startups through gap funds/accelerator programs; share and learn about early stage innovation trends and collaboration practices.
Right SIze
We all know that oversubscribed events lead to many hit-miss, high-level exchanges. Our strategy is to go targeted to allow everyone to meet and forge foundational relationships. We do this by making sure that we are inviting the right people to fill those seats.
Right Content
Connect. Learn. Share common interests. Online platform and balance of content and relationship-building. Increase random interactions and knowledge exchange.
Final Agenda and Active Technology/Startup Showcase are under development.
Please see below for expected content and visit here to see last years event and agenda
Thursday, October 20 (MT)
Gap Fund/Accelerator Landscape Review
Need-to-Know Gap Fund/Accelerator Program Discussion Panels
Leaders of proof of concept, startup, and venture university gap funds/accelerator programs will take the stage to moderate an all-participant open discussion on models, approaches, and common challenges.
Prior to the event participants can provide a formatted model review of their processes, structures, impact, and lessons-learned. These will be shared through the conference website
Common Challenge Breakouts
Breakout rooms by program type and interest areas. A great opportunity to bounce around and build connections with others that are interested in the more nuanced challenges with gap fund and accelerator programs. Then we come back together for a debrief and sharing of solutions and opportunities.
The Happiest of Hours
Food, Drinks, and Conversation with a Mountain View. Yes, please!
Friday, October 21 (MT)
Corporate Innovation
Corporate Innovation and Venture teams are beginning to look past traditional partnership models (research projects, marketed licenses, etc.) to more alignment with existing programs in the university commercialization process, like gap fund and accelerator programs. The presenters/panelists will share their historical approaches, areas of interest, and opportunities for syncing with university technologies and startups.
Venture Capital + Angel
Venture and angel models have evolved in recent years in ways that have opened up avenues for earlier stage investment and collaboration. Learn about emerging valuation tactics, fundraising strategies, and how these sources of investment, experience, and relationships can tie into your gap fund/accelerator process and goals.
3x 30 Min Tactical Reviews
Practitioners share their approaches to addressing common program interests
- Engaging outside mentorship and advisory talent
- Diligence, Evaluation, and Milestone Setting
- Managing the tech and startup pipeline/pre- and post-funding
- Collaborating with Industry and Investors
Thursday, October 21 (CT)
10:00 - 10:30 AM CT
Welcome/The Gap Fund/Accelerator Landscape Review from new Mind the Gap 2021 Report data
10:30 - 2:00 PM
Need-to-Know Gap Fund/Accelerator Program Discussion Panels
Leaders of proof of concept, startup, and venture university gap funds/accelerator programs will take the stage to moderate an all-participant open discussion on models, approaches, and common challenges.
Prior to the event participants can provide a formatted model review of their processes, structures, impact, and lessons-learned. These will be shared through the conference website
10:30 - 11:30 aM
Proof of Concept / Asset Development Programs
Discussion lead by Notre Dame, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Tech Launch AZ
11:30 - 1:00 pM
Luncheon
Walter Isaacson, Characteristics of Successful Innovators and Innovative Organizations
1:00 - 2:00 pM
Startup Accelerator Programs/University Venture Funds
Discussion lead by Carolina Kickstart, Indiana U, U Virginia, and U Utah
2:00 - 4:30 pM
Common Challenge Breakouts
Breakout rooms by program type and interest areas. A great opportunity to bounce around and build connections with others that are interested in the more nuanced challenges with gap fund and accelerator programs. Then we come back together for a debrief and sharing of solutions and opportunities.
5:30 pM
The Happiest of Hours
Food, Drinks, and Conversation on a Troubadour Hotel rooftop overlooking the French Quarter. An in-person mixer. Yes, please!
Friday, October 22 (CT)
10:00 - 11:00 AM CT
Corporate Innovation
Corporate Innovation and Venture teams are beginning to look past traditional partnership models (research projects, marketed licenses, etc.) to more alignment with existing programs in the university commercialization process, like gap fund and accelerator programs. The presenters/panelists will share their historical approaches, areas of interest, and opportunities for syncing with university technologies and startups.
- Henkel Tech Partners
- LG NOVA
- Philips Healthcare
11:00 - 12:00 PM
Venture Capital + Angel
Venture and angel models have evolved in recent years in ways that have opened up avenues for earlier stage investment and collaboration. Learn about emerging valuation tactics, fundraising strategies, and how these sources of investment, experience, and relationships can tie into your gap fund/accelerator process and goals.
- BDMI
- Laconia Capital
- Leonis Ventures
- Revelry Venture Partners
12:00 - 1:00 pM
Luncheon
Keynote: Trivia Fraizer
1:00 - 3:00 pM
3x 30 Min Tactical Reviews
Practitioners share their approaches to addressing common program interests
- Raising Philanthropic Support
- Providing Student/Faculty I+E Experiences through Accelerators and Competitions
- Collaborating with Private Accelerators/Studios
3:30 - 4:00 pM
Wrap-up, Learned Lessons, and Adjourn
Keynote:
Walter Isaacson
Topic:
Characteristics of successful innovators and innovative organizations
Walter Isaacson is an American author, journalist, and professor. He has been the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair and CEO of CNN, and the editor of Time.
Mr. Isaacson will share characteristics of successful innovators and innovative organizations from his breadth of experience through research and writing about Steve Jobs, Jennifer Doudna, and other prolific innovators.
Topic:
Scaling from Startup
Dr. Trivia Frazier is an Entrepreneur, Researcher, and Business Professional with over 10 years of experience in the fields of stem cell research, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
Dr. Frazier is currently the CEO and president of Obatala Sciences, a biotech firm whose “fat-on-a-chip” technology facilitates faster testing for new drugs than traditional methods
Dr. Frazier will share her experiences and challenges in scaling from a startup company in New Orleans
Keynote:
Trivia Fraizer
451 1400 E
Salt Lake City, UT
84112
Event Venue:
Rice-Eccles Stadium Scholarship Club
555 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT
84111
Event HOTEL:
The Grand America Hotel
Negotiated rate of $175/night through weekend for the Garden Premium Rooms.
Call (801) 258-600 to reserve and mention “University of Utah discount”
Other rooms available at alternative pricing.
Hotel website:
https://www.grandamerica.com/
We recommend selecting a hotel near the TRAX light rail route. It is a few stops away from the stadium and besides rideshare, the best transportation option
Additional Hotel Options near TRAX:
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
The Peery Tapestry Collection by Hilton
SLC Marriott City Center
THINGS TO DO
While you are in town...
Register Now
Once registered, we will add you to event communications and the participant networking site.
- Research Institutions and labs
- Incubators and accelerators
- Corporate innovation
- Angel and venture capital
- Economic development
Share Now
Contact Us
- Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN
- (888) 611-3314
- connect@innovosource.com
- innovosource.com