COVERGENCE 2023
Research Institution Tech + Startup Gap Fund & Accelerator Programs
Translational Research | Proof of Concept | Startup and Venture Funds and Support
October 18-20, 2023
Tuscon, AZ
Download event overview:
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
Partnering space available for university leaders to 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 HoursP
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:
Discussion Topics
- Reinvestment of Royalties and Equity Returns
- Philanthropy and Generational Investors
- Public Programs
- Corporate and Investment Partnerships
Discussion Leaders (Focus)
- John Shultz/Houston Methodist Translational Research Initiative (Securing Philanthropic GAP support)
- James Thompson/Notre Dame IDEA Center (Budget Generating Programming)
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
Investment and Commercialization Partner Discussions
Partners will share their historical approaches, areas of interest
Corporate and Investor
- Jack Boren, EPIC Ventures
- Serene Papenfuss, Kickstart
- Jon Schalliol, HG Ventures
Private Accelerator and Innovation Studios
- Taylor Bench, Summit Venture Studio
- Maaike Everts, Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA)
Innovation Ecosystem Panels
- Katelin Roberts, Biohive
- Troy D’Ambrosio, Lassonde Entrepreneur Center
- Ashley Cornelison, Georgia Research Alliance
- Rep. Jefferson Moss, Utah House of Representatives
GAP BEST PRACTICE DISCUSSION LEADERS
Jacob Johnson
Doug Hockstad
Mireya McKee
Paul Corson
Katie Hemphill
Bob Creeden
John Wilson
Grace Chou
James Thompson
John Schultz
Keith Marmer
Troy D'Ambrosio
OCTOBER 18: GAP Program PARTNERING DAY
A day dedicated to relationship-building between industry, investors, government agencies and research institution GAP Programs.
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
Thursday, October 19
10:00 - 10:30 AM CT
Welcome/The Gap Fund/Accelerator Landscape Review from new Mind the Gap 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
Full agenda coming
Friday, October 20
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.
Federal Accelerators
Federal agencies have stepped up their support of research institution technologies and startups through dedicated accelerator programs. Hear from federal program leaders on how to leverage and partner with these programs to advance GAP priorities.
Full agenda coming
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
