October 18-20 | Tucson, AZ

The Research Institution GAP Fund and Accelerator Program Summit

CU Boulder begins accelerator for COVID-19 innovations

GET GAP Insights

Join Us

October 16-17, 2025 / Seattle, WA

The annual summit for research institution gap fund and accelerator programs, including proof of concept programs, startup accelerators, and university venture funds

The Story

Venture Partners at CU Boulder, the technology-commercialization arm of the University of Colorado Boulder, has started a new accelerator to commercialize COVID-19- related research.

The Pandemic Hyper Accelerator for Science and Technology, or PHAST, will work to commercialize diagnostics, environmental sensors, supply-chain innovations and more, according to an article posted on the Venture Partners website.

The six-month accelerator will begin virtually in June, with participants receiving entrepreneurial training, funding and mentorship valued at $75,000. The program will be conducted in partnership with the Rockies Venture Club, with participants required to complete RVC’s one-week HyperAccelerator.

PHAST was selected to receive a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s “Scaling Pandemic Resilience through Innovation and Technology,” or SPRINT, Challenge, with a local match of $125,000.

 

Source: CU Boulder begins accelerator for COVID-19 innovations

Consortium For Gap Fund and Accelerator ProgramS

The Consortium provides a dedicated, institutional coordinating forum for collective insight, program refinement, and structured engagement with aligned commercial, investment, and philanthropic partners.

GAP are an interdependent institutional innovation and capital strategy that includes:

  • Translational research

  • Proof of concept programs

  • Startup accelerators

  • University venture funds

Get GAP Insights