COVERgENCE 2022
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
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HOST AND LEAD SPONSOR
presented by
PIVOT GOLD SPONSOR
PIVOT Platinum SPONSOR
Why Covergence?
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.
Right People
University POC/startup/venture GAP programs, corporate innovation, and investment leaders converge to share and learn about early stage innovation trends, collaboration practices and emerging IP, proof of concept projects, and startups
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
GAP Core Content
Sessions and discussions led by fund managers and leaders focused on best practice areas and common challenges (directed at GAP fund managers)
GAP Program / Portfolio Briefs
University leaders will host 30-min overviews of their GAP programs and portfolios that detail active tech and startup partnership opportunities (directed at Corporate Innovation and Investors)
GAP Relationship-building
Plenty of opportunities for peer-to-peer exchange through open discussion, online event platform, breaks, and The Happiest of Hours
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.
BEFORE COVERGENCE
COVERGENCE starts long before we meet in Salt Lake City! Some opportunities for registered participants include:
- Access to COVERGENCE event platform to begin connecting with participants, provide input on Summit agenda, and access shared resources
- Research Institutions can apply to provide a GAP program/portfolio brief and submit to COVERGENCE GAP opportunity platform for review and feedback from corporate/investor participants
- Corporate Innovation and Investors gain access to GAP program portfolio briefs and COVERGENCE GAP opportunity platform, where they can rank, rate, assess, and connect with exciting GAP opportunities and startups
- Pre-event participant communication and resources
Thursday, October 20
State of GAP
Landscape review of trends and outcomes from Mind the Gap 2022 Report, including 176 programs from 97 research institutions
GAP Best Practice Discussions
Thematic discussion sessions led by fund managers and leaders focused on best practice areas and common challenges, including:
- Reinvestment of Royalties and Equity Returns
- Philanthropy and Generational Investors
- Public Programs
- Corporate and Investment Partnerships
- Marketing and Reporting Methods
- In-person Events and Showcases
- Communicating Audience-appropriate Messaging
- Getting the Attention and Support of Leadership and Stakeholders
- Intake Process
- Tech/Startup Development and Portfolio Management Solutions
- Diligence and Evaluation Methods
- Incorporating Outside Expertise
- Managing Conflict of Interest
- Decision-making and Providing Feedback
- Managing Advisory Boards
- Building a Mentor Network
- Implementing Innovation Fellows Programs
- Working with CROs and Outside Services
- Leveraging Venture Studios and Private Accelerator Programs
- Catalyzing the Commercialization Process
- Building the Innovation Ecosystem
- Creating Start-ups and Jobs
- Leveraging Follow-on Funding
- Realizing Return on Investment (ROI)
The Happiest of Hours
Food, Drinks, and Conversation with a Mountain View. Yes, please!
Friday, October 21
Commercialization Partner Discussions
Partners will share their historical approaches, areas of interest, and feedback on GAP Program/Portfolio briefs
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.
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.
Innovation Ecosystem Panels
- Encouraging student entrepreneurs
- Supporting scaling startups
- Leveraging public partnerships and initiatives
New This Year: GAP Program/Portfolio Briefs
We have something special planned for those universities, corporations, and investors willing to make the trip!
Over the two days, 26 university gap programs will provide participating corporate innovation and investor participants an exclusive look into their GAP program and portfolio, including:
Overview of GAP program structure, process, and investment approach
Review of portfolio mix and technology/startup strengths
2-3 active POC projects or startups that have entered and exited program (what was funded, what were the outcomes)
Open discussion on next steps
This will run as two parallel tracks (Biopharma/Med, Software/Ag/Energy) to core summit content. Participants will also have access to the COVERGENCE GAP Opportunities online platform where they can submit (research institutions) or review (corporate innovation, investors) active GAP tech and startups
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
EVENT VENUE
Rice-Eccles Stadium Scholarship Club
451 1400 E
Salt Lake City, UT
84112
HOTELS
555 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT
84111
The Grand America Hotel
Negotiated rate of $175/night through weekend for the Garden Premium Rooms.
Booking link: https://bookings.travelclick.com/4650?groupID=3582156#/guestsandrooms
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 ride share, 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
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Contact Us
- Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN
- (888) 611-3314
- connect@innovosource.com
- innovosource.com