COVERGENCE GAP SUMMIT / 25% EARLY BIRD THROUGH JULY

COVERGENCE 2023

6th Annual Research Institution Tech + Startup Gap Fund & Accelerator Program Summit

Translational Research  |  Proof of Concept  |  Startup and Venture Funds and Support

HELD October 18-20, 2023

Tucson, AZ
HOST AND LEAD SPONSOR
presented by
SPONSORED BY

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 Relationship-building
Plenty of opportunities for peer-to-peer exchange through open discussion, online event platform, breaks, Partnering Receptions, and The Happiest of Hours

 

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Universities
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Gap Funds
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MM
Invested
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B+
Direct Follow-on Attracted

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. GAP program efforts have resulted 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 Tucson! 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 and partners can leverage the scheduling platform to connect with corporate and investment groups for 30min program/portfolio briefs 
 
  • Corporate Innovation and Investors can submit challenges or interest through the event platform or actively run a BRIDGE program to review tech/startups prior to event
 
Register today to get started, or contact us directly at connect@innovosource.com with any questions

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
 
Register today to get started, or contact us directly at connect@innovosource.com with any questions

AGENDA

3:00 - 6:00PM MT

OCTOBER 18: WELCOME DAY (Optional)

Topgolf_logo.svg
An afternoon dedicated to relationship-building between participants.
We will meet at Top Golf Tucson for “golfing”, conversations, side meetings, and fun! A great day to meet and catch-up with other participants.
SPONSORED BY

Thursday, October 20

State of GAP

Landscape review of best practices and trends at research institution tech/startup gap fund and accelerator programs (GAP), including proof of concept programs, startup accelerators, and university venture funds

GAP Best Practice and Tactical Discussions

Thematic discussion sessions led by GAP leaders focused on best practice areas and common challenges, including: 

Targeted Discussion Topics

  • Reinvesting  Royalties and Equity Returns
  • Raising Philanthropic Support
  • Influencing Campus Strategic Budgeting Priorities

Discussion Topics

  • Marketing and Reporting Methods
  • In-person Events and Showcases
  • Communicating Audience-appropriate Messaging
  • Getting the Attention and Support of Leadership and Stakeholders

Discussion Leaders (Topics)

  • Grace Chou/ University of Nevada-Reno (Communicating during GAP formation)

  • John Wilson/Innovate Calgary UCEED (GAP storytelling for internal/external stakeholders)

Discussion Topics

  • 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

Discussion Leaders (Focus)

  • Peter Allen/Pitt Innovation Institute (Diligence Process)
  • Bob Creeden/UVA Seed Fund (Venture Startup Diligence Process)
  • Katie Hemphill, Northeastern Technology Ventures (Incorporating expert advisors and feedback into evaluation process)

Discussion Topics

  • Managing Advisory Boards
  • Building a Mentor Network
  • Implementing Innovation Fellows Programs
  • Working with CROs and Outside Services
  • Leveraging Venture Studios and Private Accelerator Programs

Discussion Leaders (Topic)

  • Greg Keenan/U Wisconsin-Madison WARF Accelerator Program (Mentor Program)

  • Cristoph Pittius, City of Hope (Translational Research Program)
  • Cecily Vaughn/ U Utah PIVOT (Greenhouse Model)
 

Discussion Topics

  • Catalyzing the Commercialization Process
  • Building the Innovation Ecosystem
  • Creating Start-ups and Jobs
  • Leveraging Follow-on Funding
  • Realizing Return on Investment (ROI)

Discussion Leaders (Focus)

  • Paul Corson/University of Utah PIVOT (Describing Impact)

  • Doug Hockstad/Tech Launch AZ Asset Development (Reporting to Multiple “Masters”)

  • Mireya McKee/UNC Kickstart Venture Services  (Startup Impact)


 
The Happiest of Hours

Food, Drinks, and Conversation with a Mountain View. Yes, please!

Friday, October 21

GAP Collaboration

Partners will share their historical approaches and future interests in collaborating with and supporting research institutions GAP programs
1.Corporate and Investor

2.Venture Creation and Studio

3. Public Initiatives

GAP Collaboration

Partners will share their historical approaches and future interests in collaborating with and supporting research institutions GAP programs
1.Corporate and Investor

2.Venture Creation and Studio

3. Public Initiatives

Thursday, October 19

9:00 - 9:30 AM MT

Welcome/State of GAP

Landscape review of best practices and trends at research institution tech/startup gap fund and accelerator programs (GAP), including proof of concept programs, startup accelerators, and university venture funds

9:30 - 4:30 PM

Gap Fund/Accelerator Program Tactical 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.

 

Targeted Discussion Topics

  • Reinvesting  Royalties and Equity Returns
  • Raising Philanthropic Support
  • Influencing Campus Strategic Budgeting Priorities
  • Strategies to Sustain and Grow GAP Program Funding

Targeted Discussion Topics:

  • Staffing with required skill sets, using FTEs, contractors, and volunteers.
  • Budgeting for non-staff related operations.
  • Leveraging relationships with other campus units (Technology Transfer Office, Development/Advancement, Colleges, etc).

Targeted Discussion Topics:

  • GAP process management
  • Decision-making/authority
  • Protecting against conflicts of interest

Discussion Topics:

 

  • Identifying technical SMEs and business talent for funded projects and startups
  • Managing advisory boards
  • Building a mentor network
  • Implementing innovation fellows programs
  • Working with CROs and outside services
  • Creating effective spaces and incubation for startups

Discussion Topics:

  • Graduated project and startup portfolio management / relationship maintenance
  • Programs to incorporate commercialization and investment partners into active and graduated projects and startups
  • Corporate and investor network-building strategies

Impact Areas:

  • Catalyzing the commercialization process.
  • Building the innovation ecosystem.
  • Creating startups and jobs.
  • Leveraging follow-on funding.
  • Realizing return on investment (ROI).

Methods:

  • Marketing and reporting methods.
  • In-person events and showcases.
  • Communicating audience-appropriate messaging.
  • Getting the attention and support of leadership and stakeholders.

4:30 - 6:00 PM MT

The Happiest of Hours

Debrief the day on a beautiful patio with a mountain view. Let’s go!

Friday, October 20

10:00AM - 12:00 PM MT

GAP Collaborators
Venture Capital + Angel

Venture, and angel models have evolved in recent years, opening up avenues for earlier stage investment and collaboration. The presenters and panelists will share their historical approaches, areas of interest, and opportunities for collaborating and investing with research institutions, GAP technologies, and startups.

Venture Development + Studios

Emerging models of venture creation, venture development, and venture studio are bringing their funding, talent, space, and networks to research institutions for applied research, proof of concept, and startups. Find out how they work and how they can help supplement your GAP programs.

Federal + State GAP Programs

Federal and state agencies have stepped up their support of research institutions, technologies, and startups through dedicated accelerator programs. Let’s have a discussion on how to partner with these programs to advance GAP priorities.

12:00 - 2:30PM

Breakout Groups by GAP Program Type / Full Group Common Challenge Discussion

In the first hour, small groups will break out by affinity and GAP program types to share insights into their program and process. These include:

  • Intake and Innovator Engagement Process
  • Tech/Startup Development and Portfolio Management Solutions
  • Diligence and Evaluation Methods
  • Incorporating Outside Expertise
  • Managing Conflict of Interest
  • Decision-making and Providing Feedback
  • Measuring and Reporting Impact

In the second hour, the full group will come together to discuss common challenges, lessons learned, and key takeaways from their small group discussions.

The output from this exercise and full event discussion will be consolidated into a COVERGENCE brief that will be provided to all participants.

GAP BEST PRACTICE DISCUSSION LEADERS

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

REGISTER

25% early-bird discount through July. Use promo code “GAPEARLY” below

GAP COA member institutions receive a complimentary registration. To learn more about membership, visit group page here.  Members, please email us at connect@innovosource.com for your complimentary registration

Service providers and professional organizations,  please inquire about access via sponsorship at connect@innovosource.com

EVENT VENUE

Arizona Sands Club

451 1400 E
Salt Lake City, UT
84112

HOTEL

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