25% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

COVERGENCE 2025

The Research Institution Tech + Startup Gap Fund & Accelerator Program Summit

Translational Research | Proof of Concept PROGRAMS  |  Startup ACCELERATORS | UnivERSITY VENTURE FUNDS

October 16-17, 2025

SEATTLE, WA
presented by
HOST
presented by
HOST
SPONSORED BY

BRIDGING THE INNOVATION GAP

COVERGENCE is the premier gathering for research institutions, investors, and industry leaders focused on accelerating university technologies and startups through gap funding and accelerator programs (GAP).

Early-stage capital and development support remain critical hurdles in transforming groundbreaking research into viable commercial ventures. Over the past 20 years, university gap funds and accelerators have evolved into powerful engines that bridge this “valley of death,” providing translational research, proof of concept, venture support, and commercialization expertise.

At COVERGENCE, we come together to share insights, forge partnerships, and explore new strategies to fuel innovation and growth. Join us to be part of the collaborative ecosystem shaping the future of technology commercialization through gap fund and accelerator programs.

Best Practice and Tactical Areas:

  • Staffing and Structuring GAP Operations

  • GAP Process Management and Governance

  • GAP Diligence and Evaluation Tactics

  • Leveraging Talent for GAP Mentorship and Support

  • Attracting Follow-on Investment and Other Commercialization Partners

  • Delivering and Communicating GAP Impact and Value


Emerging Topics:

  • Venture and Innovation Philanthropy

  • International POC and Venture Models

  • Therapeutic/ Medtech Translational Research and Maturation

  • New Realities and Opportunities: Funding the GAP in 2025 and Beyond

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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

 

Did You Know...?

Over the past 20 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.

From innovosource Mind the Gap 2022 Report

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

4:00 - 7:00PM

OCTOBER 23: WELCOME TO COVERGENCE

A smooth landing in Atlanta to jumpstart conversation and relationship-building. Food, drinks, tours, and fun hosted at Portal Innovations new facility. 
SPONSORED BY

Thursday, October 24

9:00 - 9:30 AM ET

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 with fresh data from our Mind the Gap 2024 survey

 

9:30 - 4:00 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
  • Leveraging Federal and State Government Programs
  • 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

Targeted Discussion Topics

  • Approaches to evaluating technologies and startups for awards or investments
  • Tools, scorecards, and rubric examples

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

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.

4:00 - 6:00 PM ET

The Happiest of Hours

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

Friday, October 25

9:30AM - 2:30 PM ET

GAP Affinity Group Breakouts / Full Group Common Challenge Discussion

Concurrent, 45-min  breakouts to do deep dives in key opportunity/challenge areas from Day 1 discussions. Current breakout themes subject to change, additions, or re-grouping:

 

Breakout 1: GAP Process and Program Support

  1. POC Project Planning/Management
  2. Startup Accelerator and Management Support Programs

Breakout 2: Tech Focus

  1. Therapeutic GAP Maturation Programs
  2. Non-Life Science GAP Programs
     

Breakout 3: Partnerships and Network-building

  1. Mentor/Expert Programs
  2. Corporate Partnerships
  3. Building Investor Networks
 

Breakout 4: Staffing and Operations

  1. Small office
  2. Large office
 
 

1:00-2:00 PM ET

GAP Type Common Challenge Discussion

Breakout to gather those interested in de-risking, POC (non-startup) programs and those looking at startup support and investment.

Each will discuss remaining, common challenges, lessons learned, and key takeaways from COVERGENCE.

2:00-2:30 PM ET

Wrap-up/Adjourn

Thursday, October 24

9:00 - 9:30 AM ET

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 with fresh data from our Mind the Gap 2024 survey

9:30 - 4:00 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
  • Leveraging Federal and State Government Programs
  • 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

Targeted Discussion Topics

  • Approaches to evaluating technologies and startups for awards or investments
  • Tools, scorecards, and rubric examples

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

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.

4:00 - 6:00 PM ET

The Happiest of Hours

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

Friday, October 25

10:00AM - 12:00 PM ET

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

EVENT VENUE

Center Parc Stadium

755 Hank Aaron Dr SE
Atlanta, GA
30315

HOTEL

REGISTER

25% early bird discount available

GAP COA member institutions receive one complimentary registration. To learn more about membership, visit group page here.  Members, please select your complimentary registration through the form below

Corporate Innovation and Investors,  please inquire about partnering events at connect@innovosource.com

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

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

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