EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGUST 15th
COVERGENCE 2026
The Research Institution Tech + Startup Gap Fund & Accelerator Program Summit
Translational Research | Proof of Concept PROGRAMS | Startup ACCELERATORS | UnivERSITY VENTURE FUNDS
October 22-23, 2026
COlumbus, OH
presented by
HOST
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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CONVENING ON THE FUTURE OF GAP
COVERGENCE is the premier gathering for leaders building and supporting translational research, proof-of-concept, accelerator, and university venture fund systems designed to advance research institution technologies and startups toward real-world impact through gap fund and accelerator programs (GAP).
As expectations around research commercialization continue to expand, universities, hospitals, and research institutions are increasingly being asked to move discoveries further along the development pathway before traditional corporate, investment, or downstream funding partners engage. In response, proof-of-concept programs, startup accelerators, maturation initiatives, and university-affiliated venture funds have evolved from isolated programs into increasingly structured GAP systems supporting translation, venture formation, partnership development, and early commercialization.
Over the past two decades, these GAP models have become critical infrastructure within the innovation ecosystem, helping bridge the growing divide between academic discovery and market readiness through translational funding, milestone-based development, founder support, ecosystem engagement, and strategic partnership formation.
COVERGENCE brings together the leaders designing and operating these systems alongside corporate innovation groups, investors, venture philanthropy organizations, foundations, and ecosystem partners working to engage earlier in the innovation lifecycle. Through candid discussions, operator-level exchanges, and collaborative exploration of emerging models, COVERGENCE focuses on what actually moves technologies, startups, and institutional innovation systems forward.
Join us in Columbus, OH on October 22–23, 2026, co-hosted with The Ohio State University, as we explore the next phase of GAP and translational innovation infrastructure.
AGENDA
Thursday, October 22
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Welcome/State of GAP
Welcome from The Ohio State University followed by opening remarks framing the current GAP landscape, key trends, and emerging tensions across translational research, proof-of-concept, accelerator, maturation, and venture fund models. This session will provide context for how research institutions are increasingly building more structured GAP systems to advance technologies and startups toward partnership, investment, and commercialization readiness.
9:45 AM - 2:30 PM
Operating the GAP System
Leaders of proof of concept, startup, and venture university gap fund and accelerator programs (GAP) will take the stage to moderate an all-participant open discussion on models, approaches many of the following challenges/opportunities.
Explores how institutions structure, connect, and evolve GAP systems spanning proof-of-concept programs, startup accelerators, maturation initiatives, and venture funding models. Discussion will focus on how opportunities move through these systems, where transitions succeed or stall, and how institutions are balancing translational, operational, and investment priorities across the innovation lifecycle.
- Jacob Johnson, innovosource — Moderator
- Kimberly Gramm, Tulane University
- Neil Veloso, Nationwide Children’s
- Kyrsten Woolstenhulme, University of Utah
Focus on how institutions build commercialization mindset and identify, develop, recruit, match, and support the founders, operators, advisors, mentors, and commercialization talent needed to advance GAP technologies and startups. Discussion will explore approaches to developing faculty and researchers as potential founders, emerging founder formation models, talent gaps within university innovation systems, and when outside entrepreneurial leadership is needed. The conversation will also examine strategies for building stronger talent, commercialization, and venture support networks around early-stage opportunities.
- Magali Eaton, Montana State University — Moderator
- Patrick Brown, University of Cincinnati
- Eric Hartman, University of Kentucky
- Judy Prasad, UNC Chapel Hill
Examines how universities and research institutions are leveraging GAP programs and translational innovation systems to engage corporate innovation groups, investors, venture philanthropy organizations, foundations, and other external partners earlier in the innovation lifecycle. Discussion will focus on how institutions are structuring partnership engagement around technologies and startups emerging from GAP programs, including approaches for increasing visibility, shaping opportunities, building long-term relationships, and creating pathways toward partnership, investment, and commercialization outcomes.
- Justin Burns, Georgia Research Alliance — Moderator
- Camilo Ansarah-Sobrinho, USC MESH Corporate and Strategic Partnerships
- Matt Hutter, Duke University Advancement
- Kunci Szentes, Penn State / Nittany Angels
Explores the operational framework behind effective GAP systems, including program processes, staffing structures, governance models, policies, operational tools, and supporting systems. Discussion will focus on how institutions are building the internal infrastructure and enabling capabilities needed to manage, coordinate, evaluate, and scale translational research, proof-of-concept, accelerator, maturation, and venture activities across increasingly complex GAP environments.
- Doug Hockstad, University of Arizona — Moderator
- Mike Cassidy, Emory University
- Morag Grassie, Yale University
- Per Stromhaug, University at Buffalo
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
GAP Model Affinity Group Breakouts + Readout
Breakouts are organized by GAP program type and technology area to connect participants operating within similar structures, priorities, and stages of development. These discussions are intended to encourage candid exchange around common challenges, lessons learned, evolving approaches, and additional resources or strategies that may strengthen GAP programs and translational innovation systems.
Breakout 1
- Proof of Concept, De-risking, and Asset Development Programs
- Startup Accelerators and Programming
- University Venture Funds
Breakout 2
- Therapeutic and Med Tech Maturation
- Hard Tech
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Day 1 Synthesis: Where GAP Models Are Breaking
Facilitated discussion synthesizing key themes, challenges, and emerging tensions across GAP systems identified throughout the day.
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
The Happiest of Hours
Friday, October 23
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
GAP Emerging Topics
Capital Stack for GAP: Building, Sustaining, and Scaling the GAP System
Explores how institutions are funding, sustaining, and expanding GAP systems across proof-of-concept, accelerator, maturation, and venture activities. Discussion will examine how institutional funding, philanthropy, venture capital, corporate partnerships, public funding, and other capital sources are being structured and combined to support direct project funding, operational infrastructure, translational research, startup formation, and long-term innovation system sustainability. Additional focus will be placed on diversification strategies, alignment between capital and commercialization objectives, and longer-term sustainability approaches, including reinvestment models and mechanisms for returning successful outcomes back into GAP systems to support future innovation development.
The Innovator Reality: What Actually Helps (and Doesn’t)
Firsthand perspectives from innovators navigating GAP programs, startup formation, translational development, and commercialization pathways. Discussion will focus on what support structures, resources, partnerships, and institutional approaches meaningfully accelerate progress, as well as where innovators continue to encounter friction and unmet needs.
Partnership Pathways: From GAP to Market
Examines how technologies and startups move from GAP systems into partnerships, investment, licensing, venture formation, and broader commercialization pathways. Perspectives from venture studios, family offices, foundations, corporate innovation groups, and investors will explore what makes opportunities partnership-ready and how external groups are increasingly engaging earlier in the innovation lifecycle.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Building + Evolving GAP Programs Case Studies
Two institutions present in-depth case studies on the evolution of their GAP funding strategies. Each institution will guide attendees through an experiential walkthrough, highlighting the journey and their current state from initial concept to full deployment and sharing lessons learned at every stage.
- Case Study: Cambridge Enterprise (Tom Mentlak)
- Case Study: Harvard Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator (Curtis Keith)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Closing Discussion: The Next Phase of GAP
Forward-looking discussion on how GAP systems may continue evolving in response to changing translational research expectations, capital dynamics, partnership engagement, institutional priorities, and commercialization models. Session will focus on key takeaways, future opportunities, and emerging directions across the GAP landscape.
HOTEL OPTIONS
HOMEWOOD SUITES OSU (Hilton)—$169/night
1576 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221
TownePLACE SUITES OSU (Marriott)—$159/night
1640 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221
EVENT VENUE
The Faculty Club
181 Oval Dr S, Columbus, OH 43210
REGISTER
Early bird discount available through August 15th
For Research Institutions and GAP Program Leaders:
COVERGENCE is designed primarily for leaders of translational research, proof-of-concept, accelerator, and venture fund GAP programs, including universities, hospitals, research institutes, government laboratories, and supporting public-sector organizations.
GAP COA participating institutions receive one complimentary registration as part of their consortium participation
For Corporate, Investor, Foundation, and Ecosystem Partners
To maintain the peer-to-peer nature of the event, participation from corporate, investor, foundation, and ecosystem partners is based on alignment with the conference themes and objectives. If you fall into one of these categories and are interested in attending, please contact us to discuss registration and sponsorship opportunities.
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
